If you have books you no longer read, or you’ve been wanting to discover something new without spending, this is your week. The last week of May, Givore hosts Book Swap Week: seven days dedicated to swapping books for free between neighbors. No cost, just the app.

How it works

There are two ways to take part, and you can pick the one you like best (or do both):

1. Classic mode: ask for or give books with the title visible

Post on Givore the books you want to give away, with a photo and title. Or post what you’re looking for. A neighbor has it and passes it on, no cost.

2. Wrap Swap mode: the surprise book

This is the most magical part. You wrap the book you’re giving (old paper, newspaper, whatever you have at home) and write three clues on it: genre, one emotion it made you feel, and one keyword. No title, no author.

Whoever receives it opens the package at home and discovers which book they got. It’s like a letter from a neighbor saying: “this book left a mark on me, now I’m passing it to you.”

Why join

  • You save money. A new novel costs €15-25. On Givore, free.
  • You discover reads you wouldn’t have picked. Wrap Swap opens doors to genres and authors you hadn’t considered.
  • You free up space at home. A book you’ve read sits there without ever opening again. Sharing gives it a new life.
  • You meet your neighbors. Pickups are the perfect excuse for a short, real conversation.

How to sign up

  1. Download Givore on Google Play or App Store.
  2. Set your area and radius (500 m, 5 km, whatever you want).
  3. During the last week of May, search the hashtag #BookSwapWeek or go to the event section.
  4. Post what you’re giving or ask for what you’re looking for. And if you want to try Wrap Swap, tick the “surprise” option.

Extra tip

If you have kids, it’s the perfect week to refresh the children’s library. Kids’ books move incredibly fast and there are always parents with whole boxes waiting to be passed on.

Sharing books is sharing what marked you. And that, when it reaches someone at the right moment, is worth far more than the price of the book.