I know I’m generally crazy, but I’ve noticed a lot of people are asking for uplifting reads (or handholds for difficult situations), so what if someone could just mail you the book they found uplifting, like a little paper handhold? Some books will be newer, some will be quite pre-loved, but hopefully they’ll all be helpful in their new homes!
RULES:
- Please don’t ask for specific books. Sorry, this isn’t that kind of bookswap. The ONE caveat is if you need a parenting book; many people might have used copies of something like “The Explosive Child.”
- Start your post with “I have a book,” “I need a book,” or “something else.” I’ll be keeping track for everybody on a Google Sheet that will be linked in this thread and viewable to all (only usernames - no addresses; that’s private info between you and the person sending you the book).
- If you can meet a book need, start your message by tagging the person (just @ and then their screen name, no spaces). They will then PM you. Do NOT share private info like addresses on the board; exchange those in PMs. If you have trouble with PMs (using them, seeing them, etc), here are directions: https://www.mumsnet.com/i/private-messaging
- This only works if people both give and receive, so please, look around your house, on your bookshelf, in piles.
- Total enclosure besides the book cannot be worth more than £1. Include a funny joke, a sticker, a parking drawing? Great. Anything more expensive? No. The point is for this to be equal for all MNers, regardless of their social situation.
- Once you have agreed to meet a book need, please let me know. I will mark it on the spreadsheet and will check with the recipient in two weeks (if I haven’t heard from them - please PM me when you receive your book!) to ensure they received it. You are entitled to one book, but then you MUST send someone a book before you can ask for a second one.
- If any MNer wants to participate, has a book, but cannot afford £1.50, please let me know privately, and we’ll come up with something.
So many on MN are going through so much right now. A book that you found uplifting could be life-changing or life-saving for someone else. Please feel free to start putting messages on this thread. The Google Sheet of who needs a book, who has a book, and any other issues (PLEASE mention if you have triggers - ie do not want a book with child loss) will go up Tuesday, if enough people are interested.
Also, I saw there is a book swap topic but it’s pretty dead, so thought this was the best place.