When I'm in Australia I can't drive past a charity shop. Red Cross, Animal Welfare, Salvos... I support them all.

I head straight for the bookshelves where great mounds of out of print paperbacks lie mouldering, all at the steal price of one to two dollars.

I don't always take stuff I'm going to read personally, friends and family are catered for and those in good condition can be carted home to Thailand where they can be exchanged for readable items in the local second hand bookshops for as much as 200 baht credit. A return of around 500% on the initial investment. Financial whiz kids eat your hearts out.

Occasionally a treasure is unearthed though. I picked up a copy of "Fat, Forty and Fired" by Nigel Marsh for $1.99. It was in as new condition but seemed to be on a fairly mundane topic concerning a laid off advertising executive who decides to take year off and get to know his wife and children and generally improve his lifestyle.

I think it's the best book I've read this year. Amusing, poignant and very readable.

I recently dropped off a large box of books at one of these places as part of my downsizing exercise. If anyone lives near me there are a lot of good near new, titles available in my local chairity shop!

I had something going with a guy on another forum for a while. He lived over in Surin and if I'd finished something he hadn't read I'd post it over, and vice versa.

We got a book for the cost of a 25baht stamp.

Love charity shops, for all kinds of things. Your forward thinking on selling on the books in Thailand is brilliant Scea. I think ill follow in your steps on that one when i go back for a visit.

Books wise, ive got a good scheme going on with some friends, who are all avid readers. We circulate our books.

I confess, I mailed a boxload of old Organic gardening magazines to Lannarebirth (and someone else can't remember who tho) cause I couldn't bear to throw them away.

I have tons of books and would be willing to swap a few with someone living in the boonies

I am trying to cure myself of the need to load up on books at my local charity shop. It takes time but with a little self control I am starting to make a dent in my pile of books. Of course I am helped by the fact that the average price of books in my local Vinnies has gone from 50c to $2 in the last year! Whereas previously I'd load up and find a few pearls amongst the stinkers I now take my time and can rarely decide which to buy so walk away empty handed.