Introducing... The Navigation Book Swap 🧭📚
An experiment in sharing beloved reads.
Hello hello. Yes, this is an off-schedule post - hope you don’t mind me popping into your inbox with something a bit new!
Well, an experiment of sorts.
Regular readers will know I am a great lover of writing in all forms, but books (the physical kind, I don’t think I’ll ever be a kindle-owner #sorrynotsorry) hold a special place in my life.
They also take up a lot of space on my shelves, and sweep money from my bank account - though every penny well-spent, of course.
But I have been pondering whether there might be a way to clear some space for new reads I’d like to acquire, and perhaps get some new reads for free. From a few chats with friends it seems others might be interested in this concept too… and thus The Navigation Book Swap is born.
What is it? 🤔
So, the idea is that I will start us off with a list of books below that I currently own but feel I am unlikely to read again. This is no reflection on the quality of the book - maybe I have two copies, maybe it wasn’t my cup of tea, maybe it’s one I think is a one-time-read, maybe I loved it and want to spread the word(s).
If there is a book that takes your fancy, you can then leave a comment about which one you’d like, along with a selection of books of your own you’d be prepared to swap it for - I’d suggest sharing 3 possibilities so that there’s a bit of choice involved for everyone.
I will then respond to you and let you know which I’d like to swap with you for, and we can continue the conversation outside of the comments to arrange the postage of our chosen book to each other. This will be the only cost involved, which we will each take responsibility for. I propose I email you directly to arrange this, to keep any contact details out of the comments section.
If you and I know each other, an in-person swap is also an option! And also just to note, as the Substack stats tell me I have a fair few international readers here, I am very happy to ship overseas if you are :)
BUT this isn’t just about me, it’s about all of you too, wonderful readers. So if you’re keen on the idea, but there’s no books on my list (which I will update as books move in and out) that you’d like to swap for, please do share your own books in the comments and look to see what fellow readers are offering, to swap with each other!
Once a book-ish connection has been made, as above I suggest that I put you in touch with each other via email to arrange, but if you’d rather follow up yourselves via Instagram DM for example - be my guest! Open to ideas around how you would ideally have that bit run.
What’s the book quality like? 📖
I’d describe all on my list as ranging from “good” to “like new”. Some I have received or bought brand new, read once and they’ve been on the shelf ever since. Others I have bought second hand myself and since lent them to friends for a read, so the spines inevitably show more wear. But generally I take great care of my books (always making the most of a bookmark, never using the beloved paperback as a coaster, etc.) so they tend to be in pretty good condition. Happy to share detailed pictures before sending if that would help!
For others sharing books to swap too, I’d suggest yours are also in at least “good” condition. Of course that’s all a bit subjective, but I’ll trust your judgement.
Is this a lending or giving situation? 🎁
The idea is for this to be a permanent swap - think of it less as a library and more as a gift exchange.
As we sit between Thanksgiving and Christmas, with other traditions and festivities also taking place from now and into January, ‘tis of course the season for giving and all that…
So, what books are on offer? 📚
Here’s the list I’m kicking off with - hopefully you’ll spot something that takes your fancy!
The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett
If I Had Your Face, Frances Cha
The Familiars, Stacey Halls
Writers and Lovers, Lily King
Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens
Lullaby, Leila Slimani
Mothering Sunday, Graham Swift
Sing, Unburied, Sing, Jesmyn Ward
Frankissstein, Jeanette Winterson
The Wrong Knickers, Bryony Gordon
Airhead, Emily Maitlis
Want to read the synopsis, or prefer to buy one of these titles brand new? You can find the full list here via The Navigation Bookshop.
DECEMBER 2023 UPDATE:
Following a mini pre-Christmas clear-out, I am adding an additional 13 titles available for swapping 📚❄️
Slumdog Millionaire: The Shooting Script, Simon Beaufoy
He’s Just Not That Into You, Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo
A Cut Above, Colette Caddle
London Tales, David Edward
The Jane Austen Book Club, Karen Joy Fowler
Chocolat, Joanne Harris
The Secret Shopper’s Revenge, Kate Harrison
Twenties Girl, Sophie Kinsella
Gold Boy, Emerald Girl, Yiyun Li
Big Little Lies, Liane Moriarty
Why Don’t Penguins’ Feet Freeze?, New Scientist
Why Poetry Matters, Jay Parini
Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years, Sue Townsend
JUNE 2024 UPDATE:
Additional titles added for the summer edition!
Brilliant, Joel Golby
A Long Time Coming, Meghan Quinn
Anything else? 📑
Just to say that this really is an experiment and I’ve no idea if anyone will be interested in this particular set of books and/or the general concept, so let’s see.
Generally the comments are pretty quiet and maybe you prefer to read rather than post which is totally fine - no pressure here.
The plan is to keep this experiment running for 2 months, so until the end of January 2024, then review next steps. This could mean keeping it running for all free subscribers, making it part of the paid subscriber offering only, or if interest is little to none then closing down the idea and finding a new home for some books in a more old fashioned way.
Hopefully the idea is clear, but any questions at all, just shout! 👋
Happy swapping x
Hi! Found you via The Shoulds and love this idea. Would be willing to swap:
- Good Material, Dolly Alderton
- The Marriage Portrait, Maggie O’Farrell
Interested in:
- Airhead
- If I Had Your Face