PaperBackSwap is one of my favorite resources for getting books inexpensively–or even free! You only pay postage to swap books you already have on hand for books you’d like to add to your library.
You start out by signing up and adding 10 books to their system. Once you’ve added your 10 books, you’ll get 2 free credits. And then every time someone requests a book of yours and you send it out, you’ll get another credit. Most books only cost one credit–even big hardcover volumes.
I recommend that you add books to your wishlist, instead of looking through the books they currently offer. You’ll get an email notification when the book is available and have 48 hours to respond and request it. I’ve been amazed at some of the really nice almost-brand-new $20 and $30 books we’ve added to our library this way!
In fact, just this week, I got copies of Holes by Louis Sachar and The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary — both books I found as recommendations from the FREE Summer Guide to Reading for Families — using credits I earned from PaperBackSwap. I can’t wait to add these titles to our reading line-up for the year!
Holes is a wonderful book! My son and I read this book together. He would read a chapter aloud, then I would read one aloud. Fantastic memory!
I love paperback swap! It is a great way to discover new books and to get ride of old unwanted books wasting space. The only thing that can be a little frustrating is that I don’t get many requests for my books.
I am so excited to do this!so many books I no longer need,and lots of new books I want to read but don’t want to buy or can’t find at my local library!
I’ve started using Paperbackswap just recently at your recommendation. My family is loving it! My husband and I are big readers, and it’s so nice to be able to send books we enjoyed to other people who want to read them while making a way to get new books for ourselves. And just yesterday, we received three Magic School Bus books for my son and he hasn’t stopped reading them since 🙂 The ~$3 spent to ship one out is well worth it to get books we can’t find at our local thrift store. Thank you for recommending it!
I’m so happy you all are enjoying PaperBackSwap! That makes me happy!
I also use paperbackswap for homeschooling books. It saves lots of money.
When I was a kid, I loved Mouse and the Motorcycle. Such a fun book! I read the whole series with my children. And then we watched the movies. I think your children will enjoy it!
I love paperbackswap. I think I’ve been on there for almost 10 years now. It takes a bit to get going, but once you build up credits and your wish list it is great!
I’m starting the Mouse and the Motorcycle with my son this week. I’m excited that he’s old enough to be doing chapter books now.
It’s SO fun when you can start reading chapter books. Yay! I’m excited for you!
Great books, and Wayside books are great! We are finishing up Island of the Blue Dolphins now! Ill have to add Holes on my booklist!
I’ve been using paperback swap for a few years. A friend recommended that if your listed books don’t get requested, remove them after a few weeks/months and relist them. I do this two times a year with great results. I also sometimes get notifications for books that I am #200 or #300 on the list for—an unexpected surprise.
I comprise a summer reading list almost a year in advance and save the titles as they come in. I read children’s books all year long (I’m a school librarian) so summer is my time to indulge.
Thanks so much for these tips! Such great advice and I really appreciate you sharing!
I also enjoyed both these books as a kid. Have you read the Wayside School books by Louis Sachar? My siblings and I thought they were hilarious when we were young. We still repeat jokes from those stories. 🙂
I haven’t heard of those books! Thanks so much for the recommendation!
For the Paperback Swap wish list, you can set it up so that the books are sent to you automatically when you are next on the list. You save time by not having to log in and accept the offer. I love it-I keep getting surprises in my mailbox. And some of the books that I have gotten came right from Crystal’s book list!
Oh, thanks so much for mentioning this!
The mouse and the motorcycle was one of my son’s favorites! We ended up reading the entire series!
I love Holes! (Karen, I also cried!) I’ve taught the novel several times and my students always enjoyed it. I hope you and your kids like it, too!
Based upon all these great recommendations, I’m guessing we will!
Both are excellent! I think your kids will love them. I read The Mouse and the Motorcycle out loud to the kids I nanny a few summers back and they enjoyed it. Holes, I read in Children’s Lit in college. I cried, but loved it. Enjoy!
I’m so glad to hear you liked the books, too! I’m excited to read them as they are new-to-me titles!
I am currently reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle out loud to my 7 year old for the third time as he just LOVES it. Just an FYI that there are two more books in the series (Runaway Ralph and Ralph S. Mouse). Enjoy!
Thanks so much for mentioning those!