Are you like me? I love certain books and they will remain a part of my library forever. However, sometimes the book I've just read with my book group, while enjoyable, is just not one I'd want to keep.

I found a few ways to find a new home for these books. Some are very cool, some are actually quite practical.

One thing I found really neat was Bookcrossing. Reading through the site, I found that these folks like to pop a lable on books they no longer want, then leave them places. THey hope someone will find the book, want to keep it, and then log into the site to let the prior owner know that the book is found. I've read about books going from person to person, moving state to state, and even to other coutries!

On the more practical bent, there are places like Paperback Swap where you register, list your unwanted books, and others will ask for them. You gain credits and then can 'shop' in this virtual used bookstore yourself for books that you might enjoy more. I know there are hundreds of places like this online-- just use a good search engine and you'll find the one best suited for you.

So.. what do you do with 'unwanted' books?

This is a great resource for Book Clubs when money is tight!

PaperBackSwap.com- maybe the largest online book club that offers free books when you trade books with others.
As of 9/25/2008
-over 2.5 million books for exchange
-over 80,000 active members

How I use it?
I go to yard sales and get boxes of books for .25-.50 cents each... what I want to get rid of I post onto PaperbackSwap. You just post a book and agree to pay to ship it when someone requests it.... usually less than $2.00 media mail. Then you get a credit to request any book posted from the 2.5million.
Oh & audiobooks, hardbacks and textbooks are available.

Tip... it's nice for book clubs because you can see how many of each book is available. Then just buy the number of credits to cover your book club and request them all at once.

Make sure to check out Box-O-Books!

Enjoy!
CJ