Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Second Chapter Book Swap — the free community for swapping and lending books, reader to reader.
About Second Chapter Book Swap
What is Second Chapter Book Swap?
Second Chapter Book Swap is a free online book swapping community where readers trade or lend the books they have already read. You list books from your shelf, swipe through books from other readers, and when two readers want each other’s books it’s a match — you chat and arrange the swap directly, reader to reader.
Is Second Chapter Book Swap free?
Yes — Second Chapter Book Swap is currently completely free to use, including listing books, swapping, lending, chatting and the community. We may introduce optional paid memberships with extra features at a later stage; if we do, we’ll let our community know in advance.
Which countries is Second Chapter Book Swap available in?
Second Chapter Book Swap is available in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada and Australia. Once enough readers live in your country, Discover shows you books from readers in your country first, so swaps stay local.
Which languages can I swap books in?
On Second Chapter Book Swap you can list and find books in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch. Each book shows its language, so you can easily find books in the language you love to read.
Who can join Second Chapter Book Swap?
Anyone aged 16 or over who loves books can create a free Second Chapter Book Swap account. All you need is an email address and your city and country, so we can show you books from readers nearby.
How swapping works
How does a book swap work on Second Chapter Book Swap?
A swap on Second Chapter Book Swap takes four steps: (1) list the books you’re ready to pass on, (2) swipe right on books from other readers you’d like to read, (3) when a reader also wants one of your books, it’s a match and you can chat, and (4) you confirm the swap, hand over or post your books, and mark the swap as complete.
What is the difference between swapping and lending a book?
Swapping gives your book a new home: you trade books for good and each of you keeps the book you receive. Lending means sharing for a while: once you have both finished reading, you give each other’s books back. You choose for every book whether it’s for swap, lend, or both.
How do we hand over the books — do we meet or post them?
You decide together in your match chat on Second Chapter Book Swap. If you live close by, many readers meet up at a café, a park or a favourite bookshop; otherwise you can post your books to each other. Usually each reader covers the cost of sending their own book.
Can I offer more than one book in a swap?
Yes. In a match chat on Second Chapter Book Swap you can offer additional books from your shelf on top of the original pair. The other reader can accept or decline each offered book individually, and accepted books become part of the swap.
What condition should my books be in?
Books on Second Chapter Book Swap should be in good, readable condition. When you list a book you choose its condition — Good, Very good or Like new — and you can add a personal note, for example about a cracked spine or a few highlighted pages. Honest descriptions keep swaps happy.
What happens to my book after it has been swapped?
As soon as a swap is confirmed, Second Chapter Book Swap takes the books out of Discover so nobody else can request them. Once the swap is completed they’re marked as swapped and move to the bottom of your shelf, so your available books always come first.
Can I cancel a swap?
Yes — on Second Chapter Book Swap you can cancel a swap any time before it’s marked as complete. Tap “Decline swap” on a new match, or “Cancel swap” once it’s confirmed: the swap and its chat are removed for both of you, the books become available again in Discover, and if the swap was already confirmed the other reader gets an email. If a book is already on its way, please agree together how to return it — and if you can’t sort it out, email us at privacy@secondchapterbookswap.com.
Lending, lost and damaged books
What if a lent book comes back damaged or doesn’t come back?
Second Chapter Book Swap is built on trust, and we rely on our bookish community to treat every book with care and return lent books to their owner. Still, things can happen — a package can get lost or damaged in the post. If you run into trouble with a lent book, please email us at privacy@secondchapterbookswap.com and we’ll do our best to help you sort it out.
What should I do if something goes wrong with a swap?
Start by talking to the other reader in your match chat — most hiccups are quickly solved that way. If you can’t resolve it, email the Second Chapter Book Swap team at privacy@secondchapterbookswap.com and tell us what happened.
Community, messaging & privacy
What are Bookish Friends?
Bookish Friends are readers you follow on Second Chapter Book Swap. Once you follow each other, you become mutual Bookish Friends and can send each other direct messages — even without a book match.
Who can send me messages?
On Second Chapter Book Swap only two kinds of people can message you: readers you have a book match with, and mutual Bookish Friends (you both follow each other). Strangers cannot message you.
Is my email address or home address visible to other readers?
No. Other readers on Second Chapter Book Swap only see your username, profile picture, city, country, bio and the books you list. Your email address is never shown, and your home address is only shared if you choose to share it yourself in a chat.
Do I have to use my real name on Second Chapter Book Swap?
No. On Second Chapter Book Swap you choose a username, and that’s what other readers see on your profile, your books, your matches and in the Community — it doesn’t have to be your real name. Every username is unique, and you can add an emoji to make yours stand out. You can change it anytime under Profile → Edit Profile.
What can I post in the Community?
The Second Chapter Book Swap Community is the place to share what you’re reading, ask for recommendations, start “what should I read next” polls and chat with other book lovers. Please keep it kind — offensive language is filtered automatically.
Your account
How do I turn off email notifications?
You can turn off Second Chapter Book Swap email notifications anytime under Profile → Edit Profile, or by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any notification email.
How do I delete my account?
To delete your Second Chapter Book Swap account, email us at privacy@secondchapterbookswap.com from the address you signed up with. Your profile, book listings, messages and community posts are deleted within 30 days.
How can I contact Second Chapter Book Swap?
You can reach the Second Chapter Book Swap team by email at privacy@secondchapterbookswap.com. We’re a small team and usually reply within a few days.
Still have a question?
Email us at privacy@secondchapterbookswap.com or ask fellow readers in the Community. New here? Create your free account and give your books a second chapter.