What do you think of the giving away of books for free (as part of World Book Night) as a premise?

Google: Book Exchange, a group that leaves books around for people to pick up, read, and pass on. They try to keep track of the exchanges around the world and exchange book experiences as well. I found one in my doctor’s office, read it and passed it on in a bus station.

I think it is good, and my dad buys and sells used books for a living. The more people read usually the more they want to read. Book give aways only give away what the giver is willing to give. The people receiving will still desire other books and other topics. Free books are kind of part of America. Libraries, book exchanges, regifting. Most people are loath to throw out a book, so they either sell or give it away. Even Kindle has free downloads for books and programs associated with libraries for free borrowing.

The school I work for sponsors a book mobile to the area reservations every summer. We have given away 3–5,000 books a year for over 50 years.

About half of the books we give away are donated, the rest come from reading programs and old stock from our school library.

@harple I don’t understand how a giveaway devalues the book as an entire entity. Can you explain that one? Was he talking about particular books being devalued, or the actual concept of a book?

@Aesthetic_Mess I think it means book stores and publishers don’t make any money on a book that is given away by the original owner. It loses them a potential sale.

@Aesthetic_Mess I think he was going along the lines of “if you give something away for free, why would anyone then pay for it?” It is no longer seen as something of value.

The same argument goes for musicians playing for free etc etc.

I do not think it devalues books. I think it spread the joy of reading from which new readers are born.

Any book you have that you do not expect to read or open for reference should be passed along appropriately so others may benefit from having it. It restores value to the book and shares resources.

@marinelife I don’t think it really devalues it either.
I think World Book Night is a great concept! People need to read more. Honestly.

One more comment, the book business is slowing down, and bookstores both new and used are feeling it. My dad’s business has slowed some. Especially dealers he used to scout for, some have closed up shop.

Good works are meant to be shared. There is no devaluation in giving, not ever.

This devaluing thought reflects how you think about your product.

Cigarette companies used to give away samples to get people hooked. Vodka companies supply free drinks all over the place. Those folks believe in their products.

If you don’t think that people who read a few books will get the habit, then it’s probably not a good idea to give them away. But if you believe they’ll get hooked, it’s money in the bank, baby.