How to get rid of a paperback collection in UK? - Page 2

sunnysmiles · 09-19-2011, 04:29 PM

I gave them away to charity shops and family and also left bags of books outside my home for people to take away . I never really buy fiction books anymore in tree format .It freed up a lot of room in my home .

TFeldt · 09-19-2011, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMB

But every Swede I've ever met seems to be competent in English. Is that really such a barrier?

I'm guessing most swedes you've met are 35ish or younger? Yes, english is second nature to most of us that meet that criteria, the vast majority of swedes do not. In many cases people can understand and speak english just fine, they just prefer reading in their native language.

Actually had this exact conversation with a mate of mine from the states a year or so back. Our roles were reversed since he had lived in spain for a bit and despite (according to him) almost everybody in his region (florida I think, maybe california) speaking spanish to some degree he just couldn't sell any of his stuff. People preferred to buy english versions instead. Believe I gave him some "captain obvious" references, little did I know it'd come back to bite me on the arse.

kiwidude · 09-19-2011, 05:04 PM

Some really interesting feedback folks, thanks.

The issue I have is that with these being apparently worthless as a number of you have experienced I don't exactly want to compound the "loss" by spending vast amounts of time trotting around London trying to find someone who will take them. Secondhand bookshops seem to be in short supply, and whether they have any interest in these mainstream books I have no idea. Giving away to a charity or nursing home or whatever is fine provided someone can name point out a place that would take them - can there be anything more embarassing than a conversation about offering a donation where it isn't actually wanted

.

Hence on the off chance there were any "locals" on this forum who spotted this thread who might know a solution here.

The giving away to friends thing is fine - if they live local which mine don't. Not sure I want to expose my work colleagues to my reading tastes even if I could be bothered lugging in 300+ books on the tube over many months.

Worst case I see there is a recycling website that I googled where they will even come pick them up. It seems such a waste but better than landfill.

It was interesting pulling them all out tonight to count them up - most have been boxed up for years and so many I could not remember reading in the slightest (a few dupes as well). All those nice shiny covers, sigh. Must not get sentimental...

ProfCrash · 09-19-2011, 09:45 PM

Call the local schools and hospitals and retirement centers. If someone agrees to take them it is one trip for you. You help out a ton of people and your books don't go to waste.

speakingtohe · 09-20-2011, 03:28 AM

I was in London a few years ago and bought quite a few used books from thrift (charity) shops in Eggham where my cousins live.

I also noticed that a lot of the train stations had shelves of books and a donation box.

Helen

bevdeforges · 09-20-2011, 06:08 AM

A friend of mine here in France makes periodic trips up to the UK with cast-off books that she says she donates to Oxfam. I'm not sure exactly which Oxfam she gives them to, but she has freed me of two large storage boxes full of books and says she is willing to take more castoffs with her when she goes.

Getting rid of English language books here in France can be a REAL challenge 'cause the local libraries don't want them at all - even the good titles.

mediax · 09-20-2011, 07:48 AM

Try phoning your local BHF (British Heart Foundation) charity shop. Ours collect donations and are always glad to receive books, but local circumstances will vary. Failing that, the hospital/hospice/care home route seems the best option.

Firedb · 09-20-2011, 08:04 AM

why not check this site out?

http://www.ragandphone.com/

mikaelalind · 09-20-2011, 08:10 AM

I think the easiest way is to donate them to Better World Books. In fact, I think I'll send them an e-mail and ask if they accept donations from abroad.

jayne80 · 09-26-2011, 03:11 PM

I've never had a problem taking books to charity shops oxfam, british heart foundation, cancer research, salvation army, sue ryder in southend we also have plenty of local charitys, or how about jumble sales.
In fact most of our charity shop have posters in the window asking for donations and as mediax has said bhf says it will collect.

09-20-2011, 08:10 AM	#24
mikaelalind Fanatic Posts: 590 Karma: 788068 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Sony PRS 505, Cybook Odessey	I think the easiest way is to donate them to Better World Books. In fact, I think I'll send them an e-mail and ask if they accept donations from abroad. Last edited by mikaelalind; 09-20-2011 at 08:22 AM.

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09-19-2011, 04:29 PM	#16
sunnysmiles Addict Posts: 279 Karma: 1188010 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London Device: I pad air, kindle pw2 and kindle touch , kindle had fire Nook pad nook	I gave them away to charity shops and family and also left bags of books outside my home for people to take away . I never really buy fiction books anymore in tree format .It freed up a lot of room in my home .

09-19-2011, 05:04 PM	#18
kiwidude Calibre Plugins Developer Posts: 4,735 Karma: 2197770 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kindle Oasis	Some really interesting feedback folks, thanks. The issue I have is that with these being apparently worthless as a number of you have experienced I don't exactly want to compound the "loss" by spending vast amounts of time trotting around London trying to find someone who will take them. Secondhand bookshops seem to be in short supply, and whether they have any interest in these mainstream books I have no idea. Giving away to a charity or nursing home or whatever is fine provided someone can name point out a place that would take them - can there be anything more embarassing than a conversation about offering a donation where it isn't actually wanted . Hence on the off chance there were any "locals" on this forum who spotted this thread who might know a solution here. The giving away to friends thing is fine - if they live local which mine don't. Not sure I want to expose my work colleagues to my reading tastes even if I could be bothered lugging in 300+ books on the tube over many months. Worst case I see there is a recycling website that I googled where they will even come pick them up. It seems such a waste but better than landfill. It was interesting pulling them all out tonight to count them up - most have been boxed up for years and so many I could not remember reading in the slightest (a few dupes as well). All those nice shiny covers, sigh. Must not get sentimental...

09-19-2011, 09:45 PM	#19
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	Call the local schools and hospitals and retirement centers. If someone agrees to take them it is one trip for you. You help out a ton of people and your books don't go to waste.

09-20-2011, 03:28 AM	#20
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	I was in London a few years ago and bought quite a few used books from thrift (charity) shops in Eggham where my cousins live. I also noticed that a lot of the train stations had shelves of books and a donation box. Helen

09-20-2011, 06:08 AM	#21
bevdeforges Addict Posts: 288 Karma: 1094000 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Essonne, France Device: Kobo Forma; Sony PRS600B; Sony 350; Sony T-2	A friend of mine here in France makes periodic trips up to the UK with cast-off books that she says she donates to Oxfam. I'm not sure exactly which Oxfam she gives them to, but she has freed me of two large storage boxes full of books and says she is willing to take more castoffs with her when she goes. Getting rid of English language books here in France can be a REAL challenge 'cause the local libraries don't want them at all - even the good titles.

09-20-2011, 07:48 AM	#22
mediax Readaholic Posts: 255 Karma: 1058454 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Swindon, UK Device: Sony PRS-T2 (previously 505 and 650)	Try phoning your local BHF (British Heart Foundation) charity shop. Ours collect donations and are always glad to receive books, but local circumstances will vary. Failing that, the hospital/hospice/care home route seems the best option.

09-20-2011, 08:04 AM	#23
Firedb Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: England Device: Galaxy Note 8 rooted	why not check this site out? http://www.ragandphone.com/

09-26-2011, 03:11 PM	#25
jayne80 Connoisseur Posts: 68 Karma: 5837 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK Device: iphone 4s, ipad 3, kindle touch,kindle PW, kobo mini, kobo aura	I've never had a problem taking books to charity shops oxfam, british heart foundation, cancer research, salvation army, sue ryder in southend we also have plenty of local charitys, or how about jumble sales. In fact most of our charity shop have posters in the window asking for donations and as mediax has said bhf says it will collect.