30-Day Blogging Challenge, Day 13: PaperbackSwap
Today’s topic is supposed to be “someone who fascinates you and why,” but for better or worse, I couldn’t come up with anybody, so I decided to talk about one of my favorite websites ever: PaperbackSwap.com.
What Is PaperbackSwap?
PaperbackSwap is exactly what it sounds like: a website where people trade books. Granted, it’s geared toward folks like me who still prefer to read physical books over ebooks. But it isn’t just paperbacks. They also have hardcovers, textbooks, books on CD or tape… anything with an ISBN. I’ve been a member for ten years, and in that time, I’ve received over 400 books through PBS. PaperbackSwap is also where I met Ethan Stone, back before either of us were published.
Up until recently, the site was free. Last year, they instituted a membership program, with three different levels. I’m a standard member. For me, it’s absolutely worth $20 per year, but there are less expensive options, for those who trade less often.
How Does It Work?
It’s simple: you list any books you have that you’re ready to send on to new readers. When somebody requests one of your books, you send it to them. (You pay the postage, but you can buy the postage directly through PBS and send the book from your mailbox without any special trips to the post office.) Once your book is received, you get one credit. You can use that credit to request any item from anybody on the site. Then, sit back and wait for the mailman (or mailwoman) to deliver your new-to-you book!
New releases often have waiting lists. Just add the book to your wish list. Books from small presses may not come up too often, but mass market paperbacks cycle through at a regular pace.
Other Fun Stuff
There’s a member forum where you can meet people and talk about anything from politics to what’s for dinner. I like to browse the Book Bazaar, where people trade things that can’t technically be listed for credits (like damaged books or ARCs). They have a market where you can buy new books at a discounted price. There are also places where you can look at maps of your trades, or lists of the most traded books. There’s a school donation program, a recipe section…
All kinds of stuff.
Basically, it’s a fun site to kill a bit of time on. I wasn’t lying when I said it was my favorite website ever. I’ve spent a stupid amount of time tracking down books, requesting them, sending them away, then sometimes requesting them again later when I decide I want to reread the book. (Also, on more than one occasion, I’ve requested a book, then never read it. Eventually, I decided to repost it because I was low on credits. Then, I ended up reading another book by the same author and realizing I really should have read that book when I had it! So then, I go request it a second time. I’m a dork that way.)
Is It a Scam?
I once saw somebody say PBS was a scam. I don’t understand that claim. I’ve been using the site for ten years, and I love it. Now, I have one friend who worried that she might be swapping a book with a $19.99 cover price for a book with a $6.99 cover price. That is a possibility. Only audio books are more than one credit. Other than that, all books in the PBS system are created equal. You can choose to only request paperbacks, or only request hardcovers if you like, but for myself, I figure it all comes out in the wash. I’m getting rid of a book I no longer need, and in exchange, I get a book I want. That’s fair enough for me. How much those books cost back when they were new isn’t really an issue for me.
If you don’t want to take my word that it’s legit, check out the Press & Media page.
Ready to Sign Up?
If so, tell them I sent you. You can find my profile here.
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The post 30-Day Blogging Challenge, Day 13: PaperbackSwap appeared first on Marie Sexton.
