What a great idea, Barbara! We routinely keep a pile of "please take" books on our front table, right by the front door, so that whenever friends come over they know they will leave with at least one book. We've been told that some people come to our parties early for the best selection! (And, yes, my husband and I both have too high, teetering TBR piles and stacks in front of our desks, etc., etc.) clea www.cleasimon.com

Not a bad idea! My problem was always trying to get my book club members to write a short review on the numerous review copies we received. There was never any problem of getting them to read the books. I just could not get them to write a review. Then one day at a book club meeting the answer was being repeated right in front of my face. When the ladies talked about the books they read they would always give you two or three good sentences describing the book and why they liked it. My solution: write down their comments and create a summer reading list (with their comments by the book each member read). The list was sent out by email and sent to all of our reader friends including the author, publicist and publisher who sent the books. apassionforbooks@mail.com

Barbara: I periodically donate books to my local library. If they don't want them for their collection, they can sell them. They have several shelves of books for sale (cheap) by the front desk. And once a year they hold a big sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library. I just have to be careful that I don't buy back my own books!!!!! (I have actually almost done that, crazy, huh?) I also donate children's books to my favorite elementary school library. Anyone interested in donating children's books to libraries that have been damaged or destroyed (especially by flood) or to impoverished libraries that cater to children and young adults and can't afford books, please check out David Mazor's organization called Reader to Reader (just google it). They send boxes and boxes of free books to libraries in need -- have sent thousands of books to libraries in New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina. Amy (visit me on the web at wozabooks.com)

Clea, I love the idea of keeping "Please Take" books on table in your house. I'll be doing that. Diane, I'll take your advice and listen carefully when they talk about the books. It'll make a great blog. Amy, I'm a huge supporter of my local library and donate often and I've already re-bought more than my share of books. :)

The DH and I have a weekend place at a campground and the clubhouse has a bookshelf for regulars and visitors. I routinely add books (and occasionally take one to read for myself). Books are a gift that almost everyone appreciates. Marilyn - writingplayground.blogspot.com

Great idea, Barbara! Whenever I travel and stay in a B&B or any hotel with a library, I take a few extra books I've already read, then leave them on the shelves for other travelers. The hotel and/or B&B owners are always glad for the chance to try and recommend new authors. I've discovered a few new authors by looking at the reading material on B&B shelves, too.

During seven driving trips back and forth from AZ to the East Coast eight years ago, searching for a new state/town/house, we often stayed at RV parks that had clubhouses where I always left behind books I'd finished reading. (Every so often one of my own, if I had any handy.) But I never thought of doing a "pass it on" table or bookcase in my house; thanks, Clea, that's something I'm definitely going to add! Especially since we're planning to move back home to the Pacific Northwest within the next couple years, and I've collected hundreds of new books since our last move, so this will help clear out the house. Although it's always painful to let go of books, at least I'll know they'll be going to good homes when friends adopt them. :)

Oh my goodness!!! You ladies make me feel so selfish!!! I can't part with any book that I read. I'm saving them all for that "magnificent library" that I'll have "someday". However, I will say that I've read a few books that affected me so much that I went out to my ubs and to amazon to order used copies and sent to my reading sisters. There was one book called "Mine Forever" by Carol Finch and I must have bought close to 10 copies over the past couple of years and sent them all over the US to my online bookclub members and to friends here at home. For the most part, however, I do not get rid of books I read!!! I think it's great to share the written word, though!!!

Any of my comments coming thru? I oblige the required color/letter as described, but do not notice my posted comments?