Easily share
books online

The Idea

Book sharing

The passion for reading a physical book remains strong despite the digital age, but acquiring new reading material can be expensive and unsustainable. Once a book is bought and read, it takes up space on the shelf, gathers dust, and – if it’s lucky – gets dusted off and read once more before being stashed in the attic or passed down to the kids as an anecdote.

With book sharing, books are shared within the community. You can receive new books for free and let go of your old ones with ease and joy in sharing.

How it works

Receive a new book

Get a new book for free in just two steps.

  • 1. Person sitting in front of a laptop holding a magnifying glass.

    Search book

    On our site you’ll find all books available in the community. Just search and find.

  • 2. Person throwing a paper airplane.

    Request book

    With one click, you can request the book for free. The person offering it will be notified via SMS and will send it to you by mail.

  • Person sitting in an armchair next to a green plant, reading a book.

    Done!

    Soon your new book will arrive in your mailbox. And when you’ve finished reading it? Just register it here and offer it up.

Find a book now
How it works

Pass on an old book

In just two steps, share a book you’ve already read with the community.

  • 1. Person holding a book.

    Add book

    Once the book is in your hand, it’s almost registered. Just scan the barcode with your camera and confirm.

  • 2. Person transporting a package on a Vespa.

    Send book

    If someone is interested in your book, you’ll be notified via SMS. Just drop the book off at the post office and send it.

  • Person drinking coffee at a table with a phone in front of them.

    Done!

    Soon your book will be enjoyed by new eyes. And you? Just find and request a new book yourself.

Register book now
Questions?

Answers

Do I have to pay for books? / Can I sell books?

No, Co-Books is the book sharing community of Switzerland where books are shared for free.

Who pays for shipping?

The person who offers and sends the book pays for the shipping. In return, the community covers the shipping costs when that person wants to receive a new book.

Is Co-Books like a public bookcase?

Yes, exactly! Co-Books aims to make sharing books easy and free – similar to a public bookcase you might know from your region. The difference: with Co-Books, you can search for books all across Switzerland.

How does Co-Books compare to Exsila?

Co-Books is an alternative to Exsila for exchanging books. Unlike Exsila, Co-Books does not use a points system, and book exchanges are free.