We’ll answer your questions and share your tips. Send them to shopper@bendbulletin.com.

Q: I recently joined a book club and one of the members turned me on to PaperBackSwap.com. This is a free way to obtain books, as well as get rid of your old ones. I’m sure other services like these exist, but I haven’t researched it. Any suggestions?

A: Aside from borrowing books from the library, it’s true, many services like this one exist for bookworms who don’t want to pay retail for their literature.

PaperBackSwap is a national book club where members share paperback and audio books.

How it works

Register your free account on their Web site (www.paperback swap.com) and post the titles of at least 10 books you want to swap. The site offers clear instructions on how this process works.

Once you post your first 10 books, you automatically receive two “credits,” with which you can request books from other users. Paperback books cost one credit and audio books cost two credits. The books are shipped to you at the owner’s expense.

If someone requests a book you posted, you must print out the wrapper (two sheets of printer paper) off the Web site, wrap the book up and mail it, which usually costs $2.23 per pound at the post office, according to the site (if your package weighs less than 13 ounces, you can mail it from home). Once the requester receives the book, you get a point, and so your book-swapping continues.

Another site for swapping books and movies is SwapTree .com, or you might try Half.com for affordable books.

Aside from browsing the sale racks at the local book stores, you also should consider registering your book club at an independent book retailer. Central Oregon retailers, including Camalli Book Co. in Bend, Between the Covers in Bend and Paulina Springs Books in Sisters and Redmond, will order the books for your club and give members a discount (usually 15 to 20 percent). Of course, this isn’t free, but at least it’s discounted. Plus, you can feel good about supporting your local economy.

— Anna Sowa, The Bulletin

Swap ’em

PaperBackSwap.com

Post 10 of your own books you want to swap. You receive two “credits” to request books. Paperbacks are one credit, audio books are two.

Swap

Tree.com

List a book, video or video game to trade by entering its UPC or ISBN code. The site will show you items you can trade.

or buy ’em

Most Central Oregon book retailers offer discounts to their book club members.