BookMooch

You were weak, vulnerable, at the lowest of ebbs. You didn't know what you were doing. So just go to the BookMooch website and swap that Jeremy Clarkson book you inexplicably bought for something you might actually want to read.

EXCHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A REST

BookMooch is a "community for exchanging used books" and it really couldn't be simpler. Set up an account, list the books you want and the books you have to give away, and wait to be connected to people who can liberate you of all those Alain de Bottons and furnish you with some good old Orwell and Wodehouse. It's free to use the service, but of course you will have to pay the postage costs.

POINTS MEAN PRIZES

In order to become a moocher you need to accrue points. You receive points for every book you put in, send out and acknowledge receipt of, and you need to give away at least one book for every two you receive. You can also donate books to charity through the site and link up with readers internationally.

9 August 2010