There are many a list that detail the best independent bookshops; the most beautiful bookshops; the coolest bookshops and even the greatest bookshops in the world, but here at Book Exchange HQ we are lovers of book exchanges, places where readers release their used books out into the wild to be picked up by others. So we have decided to start a new compendium listing our top book exchanges the world over.
We don’t yet have the knack, know-how or technological magic to make this interactive so you'll have to make do with a list, but give us some time and who knows what we can develop…
Call it what you will - book exchange; book swap; book sharing; community library - it's clear there is a recycled reading revolution going on and here are the top places to be part of it!
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The Book Exchange - of course... |
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The Book Forest, on the streets of Berlin - designed and created by BauFachFrau it forms part of a truly unique project with apprentices of forestry, carpentry, cabinetmaking, media design, printing and of course the books themselves taking part. Here residents are welcome to leave their book, or indeed take one from the plastic protected hutches cut into the tree trunks. Ecological and sustainable reading, gorgeous! |
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Adopt a Kiosk - is a scheme being run by BT giving communities the chance to turn old red phone boxes into local book exchanges. This has been celebrated by residents up and down the UK from Clapton-in-Gordano in Somerset, Belbroughton in Stourbridge to Bucklebury in Berkshire. Adopting a kiosk costs a grand total of £1.00 and is a fantastic way to keep our beautiful red boxes in use and spread the book-bug at the same time. |
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Little Free Libraries – these small neighbourhood libraries, situated outside people’s homes are springing up across America providing residents and visitors with an ever-evolving selection of titles, free for the taking. Neighbours neighbourly restock them helping to give new life to stories. I would love one of these on my street corner! |
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Books for London – a campaign to create a London-wide book sharing scheme across the tube and train network. Shelves have been established in some of the many stations across town and commuters can use them to pick up books they would like to read and drop off books that they want to give away = perfect! Which would you rather pick up on your commute – a book or a throw-away paper… |
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Weapon of Mass Instruction - Activist-artist Raul Lemesoff’s “Arma De Instruccion Masiva“, is a tank-inspired vehicle (using a 1979 Ford Falcon as its frame) that travels around the streets of Argentina. Housing 900 books at any given time, Lemesoff gives these out for free to anyone who fancies a read feeling it his mission “to contribute to peace through literature.” |
We will continue to build up our guide to the world's best book exchanges whenever we hear of novel approaches to this wonderful art, so check back in when you are planning a trip away as you might be able to pick up a pre-loved book while you are there...
We would also love to get your recommendations, if you know of any new ways communities are swapping books please let us know and together we can create a fantastic go-to-guide for fans of book exchanges.
