This Monthly Event in Taman Desa Allows You to Exchange Books AND Your Plants Too!

When you’re decluttering your home, the things that are the hardest to get rid of are definitely books.

Fret not, as we will be offering a solution to your problem! You can just bring them all to the KL Book Exchange that happens every 4th Sunday of the month. Just make sure that they are in good condition and are not academic, hobby, religion books or magazines.

Here you can exchange your books with KL Book Exchange for more interesting titles or even buy their preloved books for RM5!

That’s not all as you can exchange plants with them and also get rid of the recyclables in your home. Psst, only rooted and stable plants will be accepted. Now, isn’t this a good idea?

The start of KL Book Exchange

KL Book Exchange was started by Gladys Wong, 34, in 2013. Back then, she was volunteering at the neighbourhood recycling centre when she chanced upon a lot of donated books.

“It was such a waste to just recycle them like that so I offered to take them to a second-hand bookstore. However, no one wanted them, not even the public library.”

With the goal of preventing printed pages from going to waste, she started an online book rental service. After much promotion, no one contacted her to use the service.

Gladys then decided to take a step back and left the books in her store room. Not long after, a friend suggested that she check out the Subang Jaya Book Exchange. She thought that there was no harm in it and this is her final attempt at trying to extend the life of the books.

As this idea is not a bad one, Gladys started KL Book Exchange right next to the recycling centre where she helps out at.

The turnout rate in the first year was not the best and she had to go to many events and turned to social media to promote KL Book Exchange.

Making the world a better place

It was a huge feat for the freedom-loving Gladys. She initially thought that after she set up KL Book Exchange, it will be handed over to the recycling centre but that was not the case.

As it was getting harder, Gladys chanced upon a book which is The Art of Choosing by Sheena Iyengar that changed the way she viewed things.

“I always wanted a better world. The quickest way to make this world a better place is, in my opinion, by reading. So when I believe in what I’m doing, I became more persistent.”

“Since May 2014, no matter rain or shine, we are there on the 4th Sunday of each month to exchange books with each other,” she said.

“We run this based on trust; you bring a book, you take a book. If you take another book, then you pay for it. We don’t earn a single cent from this, the profits will go back to the recycling point.”

“Respect yourself respect others, so bring only books that you would want to have.”

As Gladys also started gardening during MCO, she kickstarted a plant exchange as well. So now, they have 3 things happening at the same time: recyclable collection, book and plant exchange.

The next KL Book Exchange session will take place on 23 October from 8.45 to 10.45 am. If you would like to donate or exchange some books, then you should make your way there earlier! Here’s the location.

If you would like to know more, you can follow them on their Facebook page.

Also read: Here’s How & Where You Can Recycle Your Used, Empty Skincare Bottles In Malaysia