chem1st Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I like to read, especially on public transport (buses, trains, trams etc.). When I've finished with a book, it often ends up on the bookshelf gaining dust. I lend them out freely when people ask, but I'm sure my books could be more mobile. I'd imagine many other people have the same problem. But nobody wants an empty bookshelf, and people can only store so many. Some reference books I wish to keep and perhaps donate to the library/children when I'm old, but others I'm unlikely to read on a regular basis. Perhaps I could swap them with somebody else on the bus, whom has finished reading a book, and is likely to put it on a shelf to collect dust. But how would I let somebody know I am part of a book swapping movement? Surely I need gang-colours, a symbol, to let people know I'm prepared to swap books. I can't ask everybody on the book if they want to swap a bus*. They would think I'm a madman! Would you swap books you've finished reading, whilst using public transport? How would you identify yourself as a book swapperer? *intentional mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sid Umpley Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 stick them on the shelf in the fat cat. and take one off that same shelf. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 ...How would you identify yourself as a book swapperer? You could identify your books before you set them free to find fellow swappers. I wouldn't. I hoard mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnvqsos Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I know when I visited Queratero in central Mexico buses on Wednesdays were full of books (mostly Spanish);however you could only take one if you replaced with a donation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plain Talker Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Isn't this called "Book crossing"? I believe that it's common on The Tube, in London, where folk leave books they have finished with, for someone else to enjoy. As an avid reader, I think it's a great idea. I do recycle my own books by sharing them round a few friends who are also book-lovers, and we have some interesting discussions about authors, and their interpretation of plots and characters. We've discussed some books which we have loved equally, some books where one loved the book, and the other(s) really disliked it, and a couple of books where we've all agreed "That was dire! I want my wasted three hours back"!" edit to say Sorry Hecate, I mentioned Book Crossing without having opened your linky to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Star Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 This is a brilliant idea - yes, the cat has a shelf for this, but what if you don't use this pub? One of the offices I work from in Rotherham has such a shelf, and at times if I finish a book when in Rotherham I go there to leave a book and collect another... Perhaps a sticker could be devised, and stuck to the front, so that left books on the bus don't end up in lost property? I gift aid my old paperbacks to Oxfam... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strix Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 There's a park and ride in Cambridge which has a bookshelf for exactly this scheme - though I just can't see it working quite so well at the Pond Street transport interchange somehow there's no reason why somebody shouldn't try setting it up though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banjodeano Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I can imagine a bus driver throwing them all in the bin to stop his bus being untidy...great idea by the way.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Macbeth Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 This is a brilliant idea - yes, the cat has a shelf for this, but what if you don't use this pub? One of the offices I work from in Rotherham has such a shelf, and at times if I finish a book when in Rotherham I go there to leave a book and collect another... Perhaps a sticker could be devised, and stuck to the front, so that left books on the bus don't end up in lost property? I gift aid my old paperbacks to Oxfam... We used to do the same at work, but now I'm retired don't have that facility. However, I've found that Buttercup cafe on Taplin Road in Hillsborough has books to swap. I took a few there last week, and my friend borrowed some to take on her hols. They bake great cakes too. I'd join in with book swaps on the bus or tram though, but looking at the way unread Metros are treated, on the floor and trampled, I guess there are some who wouldn't know what to do with a book! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kthebean Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Wear a feather in your cap, and carry a copy of the Telegraph under your left nostril. Failing that, swap books with your friends! Or with me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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