Books for Book Lovers #4

Watch out for Edit II on the bottom! Slightly changed requirements!!!

Hello and welcome, fellow book lovers, to the fourth round of the "Books for Book Lovers" swap!

After three exciting rounds of this swap I hope there are still some readers out there who would like to join me on a quest into the wonderful world of literature. Before you start reading, please keep in mind that this swap is for readers who like to read "out of the box" and would love to receive extraordinary literature.

I think, there's far too few book swaps on here and being a curious reader myself, I think it's fascinating to discover books you may never have found by yourself by swapping. Sadly, I find that many book swaps on here are not very thoughtful ones (or sometimes the intention is, but participants don't really follow it).

So, here's my swap idea! You will have two partners and plenty of time. Each of your partners will get a book from you. It may be a gently used second hand one, you may even pass your own copy on, if you'd like to. Here's the coup: It's got to be one of your favourite books and it's got to be one, that means a lot to you, that you've read and loved for some reasons - we're not talking bestsellers here! Of course, your favourite book might happen to be a bestseller, but don't just send "Angels and Demons" to somebody and say: "I loved it, because it was so gripping!" Try to pick an unusual book, one that your partner probably will never have heard of. Of course, this makes it partly sender's choice, but do check out your partner's profile! See, what they like and if there's any preferences you have in common.

After picking a book, write a letter about it. If you're superexcited, you may make it a penpal letter, but that's not a requirement. What is required, however, is at least two A4 page about why you picked the book, how you came across it and why it's important to you. Make this something special! You may send the same to both of your partners, but please handwrite the letter anyhow.

Next step: Make your partner really happy. Get some little extras, that match the book. It can be anything: Something related to the book itself, something cozy for a night in reading it, or things generally book themed. Actually, I don't want to put a limit to this, as I think, that's the part about making someone happy, but as people always request it in swaps: Let's say at least 3 items with a value of min. 6 €.

I know, this is a big swap, but I think, two partners make it more varied for each participant - it gives you the chance to share your favourites with 2 people and to actually get inspiration from 2 other people. That is why I want to give lots of time for it, so you can treat it as two swaps, if you like and send one out 2 weeks before the deadline and one on the send date - however you prefer. But please, don't make this a swap, where you check your Dashboard and see:"Oh, it's due tomorrow" and shove in any of your old books and some stickers and scribble a note. Make it a thoughtful swap!

Also, because of the value and the effort, I'll open this swap ONLY for people with a 5.0 rating and at least 15 type 3 swaps under their belt. I don't want anybody to feel uncomfortable swapping this! I will also check profiles - I would like for everyone who joins to have a well filled out section about books and reading. Writing: "I like books and I read chicklit mostly." doesn't count. ;)

To sum it up, each of your two partners will get:

• one favourite book, which isn't a world bestseller (may be used, but please gently used!)

• one letter (at least two pages about the book, but feel free to make your partner happy and make it a longer letter/penpal letter)

• min. 3 items related to the book or books in general, min. spend 6€

So, are there any crazy book people out there who'd like to take this adventure with me? Come on and join! :)

PS: I hope, this goes without saying: The book has to be in a language your partner understands. It doesn't need to be English, but if you're unsure, please check with them.

Please note! When I'm going through profiles before assigning partners, I reserve the right to ban anyone I feel is unsuitable for this particular swap - I don't want to be unfair, but I'll use my best judgement and if I have a bad feeling about a swapper I will talk to them. That doesn't just go for people with a suspicious history, but also or swappers with immaculate ratings, if they appear to me, as if they were not really "out of the box" readers. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but I would like this swap to be something special and it's sad for people who sign up for something special, if they receive an international bestseller that has been running through the press and can be bought in every book store in their town. I will try to provide people I ban with an explanation, of course, but I want to protect "my" swappers in this swap and not take any chances whatsoever. I can't angel this swap, but I want everybody to get something nice. :)

EDIT: After a swapper contacted me about this, I feel the need to add this: It's absolutely self-evident, that if some sort of physical illness or a broken wrist or anything of that kind makes handwriting painful for you, you're of course allowed to type your letter!

EDIT II: The required length of the letter is 2 A4 pages now!!! There has been the wish for longer comments on the book from a participant last round and I would like that, too. Please, do write 2 A4 pages about the book and your impressions itself - if you want to comment on your gifts or write about your day or anything else, please do so, but make the letter longer, then. ;) No need to write a 2 page interpretation on your book but think about questions like: Where did I get it from? Why did I pick it up? What was my first impression? What's the best about this book/author? Avoid spoilers, though! :D