I was visiting some friends this weekend and they were showing off their new built-in bookcase, or, as they call it, "the Bookmooch shelf." I was new to the service until this moment and I’m already in love with the concept. It’s simple, really. So simple, in fact, that the homepage says it all:

TYPE IN books you want to give away
RECEIVE REQUESTS from others for your books
MAIL YOUR BOOKS and receive points
ASK FOR BOOKS from others with your points

BookMooch is only a few months old and has quickly amassed an active community of subscribers. It is the brainchild of John Buckman (founder of Creative Commons net label Magnatune). What a great way to keep the dust off your shelves. I’m heading for the storage unit the second I get home…

Sam Cannon