Calling all book lovers! Are you in need of a juicy new page-turner or something to broaden your horizons, but you don’t want to keep adding to your overflowing bookshelves or fork out for a potential dust-gathering dud? We’ve got just the solution – a book swap or exchange. The idea is simple: swap one of your books with someone else, and you’ll both reap the benefits of fresh new reading material at no cost. And while some might think a good old-fashioned book is just that – old-fashioned, research shows that Australians rank in the top 10 book consumers worldwide and that 50% of us wish we could indulge in this healthy habit even more. As a result of our thirst for the next great read, escape, or sleep-inducing book, libraries and independent bookstores continue to thrive, and subscription services for e-books and audiobooks have created new opportunities for getting our literary fix.

 

Here, we’ll help you on your quest to read more with everything you need to know about book swaps, book exchanges, and book clubs. We’ll also wrap up with a bit of shelf indulgence – our top tips for housing your book collection with style.

 

Shelf art

 

Set up your own book swap

Book swaps are a great way to discover new books, clear out your bookshelf during your yearly or spring clean, and share reading material within your community. It’s also a superbly eco-friendly activity, as you’ll be reducing the printing of new books and recycling preloved literature. Attending or hosting a book swap will also help you get connected with fellow book lovers in your neighbourhood, and if there’s not one already in your community, here’s how to set up your own:

 

  • Get the foundations right 

    Tt’s important to establish guidelines upfront so that everyone walks away happy with their next great read in hand. This includes making sure that all books are in good condition, setting limits on the number of books each person can bring (two often works well), and establishing any parameters around genres.

 

  • Consider your venue

    The venue you choose sets the overall vibe of your book swap event. Ideally, it should be accessible to all, such as a community centre or local library, and make sure there’s plenty of space to display the books, allowing people to browse and mingle.

 

  • Levelling up

    Beyond the genre of books, setting a theme for your swap meet can make your event much more than just another book swap. Theme ideas like “travel the world through books,” “history of Australian sports,” “true crime” or even a mystery book lucky dip will get the conversation flowing and make the event a community favourite.

 

  • Spread the word

    Promoting your event is key to its success. With so many book-related blogs and community pages on social media, opportunities to get the word out are literally at your fingertips. Get lit-loving friends to tell their friends, post flyers in your local library and community centre and don’t forget to create an event page on Facebook.

 

  • Dealing with leftovers and the unloved

    Inevitably, people will see this as an opportunity to offload their piles of less-than-riveting, hoarded books, so consider having a charity donation box present at your event. Any leftover books can also join this pile.

 

Book lovers

 

Join in with community events

If hosting your own book swap event seems overwhelming, consider starting small or joining an existing event. It’ll allow you to learn the ins and outs of how these events run, or spark ideas for creating your own book exchange in your community. Here’s where you can go for some inspiration:

 

  • Street Library Australia

    A relatively new initiative across Australia, Street Library Australia are small, street-front homes for books that are free for anyone to take and add to. They provide your local community with simple, free access to books so that you and your neighbours can share the joys of reading. Find your local street library here, or if there isn’t one near you, rally your neighbours and build your own.

 

  • The Great Book Swap

    An initiative of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, The Great Book Swap encourages schools, libraries, universities, book clubs and individuals to host an event that turns their preloved books into new reading material for children in remote Indigenous communities. The idea is to create or attend an event, swap your book for a donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and help our future readers.

 

  • Book Exchanges

    While currently not available everywhere, our favourite bookstore, BOOK FACE, has set up not-for-profit book exchanges at some of their most popular store locations to increase access to books and do their bit for the environment. If there isn’t one near you, check Facebook (not BOOK FACE) for a local exchange.

 

Book club

 

Find a local book club

If you’re looking for something more social, often paired with wine and cheese, joining a book club could be the perfect fit, and the benefits might surprise you. You’ll often read (and enjoy) books you wouldn’t usually choose, and you’ll gain new perspectives and make new friends. They’re even a therapist-approved form of self-care and don’t require you to download yet another health app. Here’s where to find a book club near you:

 

  • Melbourne

    From Chinese texts through to classics, crime and queer, share your love of literacy in-library, in silence, or through virtual discussions at one of these regular events across Melbourne.

 

  • Queensland

    Take your pick between joining the 4,000-member-strong Brisbane Book Club that hosts regular park meetups, attending a cosy book store get-together, or a classic library meet.

 

 

  • Darwin

    Book lovers of Darwin rejoice! Join an existing monthly book club at your local library or start your own with the library’s full support and expert knowledge.

 

 

 

  • Sydney

    Sydney is brimming with choices for book-ish sorts (and those simply looking for a like-minded community). You’ll find a whole host of events across the city, along with plenty of clubs catering for all literary tastes.

  • Head online

    Online platforms like com provide information on various book club programs nationwide, catering to a wide range of genres and preferences, while Australia Reads houses information about clubs run by libraries, bookstores, and organisations across Australia. If you’re keen to connect virtually, Book Clubs Hub allows you to join in literary discussions from your favourite cosy reading nook at home.

 

Dabble in some shelf indulgence

With so much book talk, you might be feeling inspired to create a new home for your favourite reads. And when it comes to bookshelves, these can be so much more than simple storage solutions – they can become a way to showcase your style and a feature in your home. Whether you prefer sleek, built-in book storage or a more traditional, rustic look, the beauty of book shelving is that you can style it to your heart’s content by displaying artwork, plants, collected ornaments, and so much more. And since shelving is pretty straightforward in its structure, you could even build your own.

 Shelf indulgence

 

Sharing books, sharing connections

Book swaps, clubs, and meets – whether online or offline – offer a fantastic way to connect with your neighbours and build a strong sense of community. Literature is renowned for its unique ability to bring people together from diverse backgrounds and walks of life, and book-swapping events and clubs play a crucial role in cultivating that bond. If you’re looking for a new bookish community that better aligns with your lifestyle, reach out to your local

If your current home is missing a book nook or space for a stylish book feature, or if you’re looking for a new bookish community that better aligns with your lifestyle, reach out to your local First National Real Estate team. Our friendly property experts will help you find the perfect place to call home and start your next chapter!

 

DISCLAIMER
The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial, or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial, or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.