Everyone gets terrible holiday presents from time to time. But this year, German book nerds can avoid the long lines at the return counter, because they can exchange unwanted gifts for the things they love most. Thanks to new vending machines from trade publisher Bastei Lübbe, readers can find the machines at Hugendubel bookstore branches in Munich (December 28th), Ingolstadt (December 29th), and Nuremberg (December 30th).
Each vending machine will be stocked with copies of seven Bastei Lübbe titles from Rebecca Gable and Ethan Cross, among others. Readers can obtain a book for free in exchange for an unwanted holiday present. Bastei Lübbe's book vending machines will only be around for a few days, so readers will have to act quickly if they want to get some quality reading material out of their holiday trouble.
The best thing about these book vending machines is that donors have zero reasons to feel bad for trading in their crappy gifts, because, as The Bookseller reports, "[a]ll unwanted presents will be given to local charities." Obviously, giving your unwanted gifts to charity in exchange for books — BOOKS, Y'ALL — is infinitely better than stuffing that weird As Seen on TV gadget in the back of your closet until you can re-gift it.
Now, can someone petition the big five publishers to bring this concept to the U.S.? This book lover would be infinitely grateful.
Image: Pixabay
