So as well-educated recent graduates, we love reading. We also love owning books and having a well-stocked library in our tiny apartments, even if we don’t really have the room. I know that there’s something so cool about a crisp, brand-new book, but have you considered these other, more cost-effective sources?
Most major library systems have similar policies, but you can get a card for the New York Public Library for FREE by presenting a photo ID and a piece of mail that was sent to you at a New York STATE address. I think the best thing about the NYPL (besides that it’s FREE) is that you can search for books (or DVD’s, CD’s, even audiobooks) online and if they’re in circulation in the system, you can put a hold on the item and they will send it to the library of your choosing. Since there are oh-so many branches, there’s definitely one near your office or home, and most have a couple of nights a week that they stay open until 8pm. They will even send you an email when it’s ready to be picked up! (People in cities other than NYC: Does your local library system offer this service?) The only way the library will cost you any money is if you don’t turn things in on time. And to help you avoid fines, you can renew online!
If you just can’t bear to part with book ownership, but have a few titles (books, DVD’s, CD’s or video games) that you want to clear out, you should try Swaptree. This website is great. You list the items you have and what condition they’re in, the items you want, and then the website sets up swaps, sometimes 3-way trades, between someone who has something you want and who wants an item you have. Once everyone involved approves the swap, you pop it in the mail and your new (to you) book, etc. arrives in the mail in about a week. The only cost is the shipping–they facilitate paying for USPS media mail through the website–and a $1 fee every month that you swap, whether you swap 1 book or 100.
The only drawback to the service is that new releases and popular titles are usually a valuable commodity. For example, if you want to get The Girl That Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, you better be trading Twilight or be willing to wait a long time. However, this also means that if you’re trading those best-sellers, you basically have your pick of everything else.
These are my two personal favorites, but I am sure there are more choices out there. Please share if you have other suggestions!
Jr. Year of Life 