Thursday 7 July 2011

Better World Books


Proper reviewy-type post soon, promise, but I had to share this. I ordered some books from
Better World Books, and this is the confirmation email I got. I love it!


Hello Simon,

(Your book(s) asked to write you a personal note - it seemed unusual, but who are we to say no?)

Holy canasta! It's me... it's me! I can't believe it is actually me! You could have picked any of over 2 million books but you picked me! I've got to get packed! How is the weather where you live? Will I need a dust jacket? I can't believe I'm leaving Mishawaka, Indiana already - the friendly people, the Hummer plant, the Linebacker Lounge - so many memories. I don't have much time to say goodbye to everyone, but it's time to see the world!

I can't wait to meet you! You sound like such a well read person. Although, I have to say, it sure has taken you a while! I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but how would you like to spend five months sandwiched between Jane Eyre (drama queen) and Fundamentals of Thermodynamics (pyromaniac)? At least Jane was an upgrade from that stupid book on brewing beer. How many times did the ol' brewmaster have one too many and topple off our shelf at 2am?

I know the trip to meet you will be long and fraught with peril, but after the close calls I've had, I'm ready for anything (besides, some of my best friends are suspense novels). Just five months ago, I thought I was a goner. My owner was moving and couldn't take me with her. I was sure I was landfill bait until I ended up in a Better World Books book drive bin. Thanks to your socially conscious book shopping, I've found a new home. Even better, your book buying dollars are helping kids read from Brazil to Botswana.

22 comments:

  1. what a wonderfully quirky e mail simon ,I ve seen there site before must remember to try and use them as it is a good cause ,thanks for highlighting it again ,all the best stu

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  2. That email is hilarious! Now I want to go and order something from them!

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  3. This is hilarious and so witty. I love it and thanks for sharing
    Helen

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  4. Love this! Wonder if the books on my shelves talk amongst themselves while I am out of the house driving children from point A to point B all day? ;)

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  5. laytonwoman3rd7 July 2011 at 02:25

    Brilliant marketing ploy. I'm sure they knew you couldn't keep that message to yourself. And because you've shared it, I'm going to go exploring at Better World Books.

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  6. Is it improper to ask which book(s) wrote to you? I just ordered something from this site and then realized it was the same one. Now I'm waiting for my email!

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  7. Love Better World Books! Funny e-mails and great service!

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  8. My in-lawa used to live near Mishiwaka.... wonder if any of your books came from them? (Probably not.... they were not big readers and always thought I was a little odd because I owned so many books, but I still wanted to buy more!)

    Love the e-mail.... makes me want to go to their web-site and buy books from them.... not the Jane Eyre, though!

    Barbara M.

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  9. But, TELL about the image you posted! _That_ is what intrigued me.
    Signed, envious...

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  10. Nice touch! I do like it when business make the extra effort to make thier customers smile. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. That picture is so exquisite! I'm a huge mini book lover.

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  12. I order books from them all the time and the letter from the book never gets old.I get tickled every time, like a baby with a rattle.

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  13. So funny! Leave it to someone from Indiana (I mean *a book* from Indiana) to write that!

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  14. What a brilliant email and what an even better initiative. I have just added Better World Books as a favourite!

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  15. Oh my word. I want to shop there just for that!

    Remember to welcome your book nicely: it can be intimidating meeting your library at the best of times, let alone after that kind of harrowing life experience.

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  16. Quirky and nice and so much fun.

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  17. I didn't get the email - I guess because I ordered via the ABE site, rather than directly from Better World Books?

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  18. Delightfully quirky :) I've always had the feeling that all the books on the shelves at the library have just shut up suddenly as we turn on the lights in the morning...

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  19. Ah I love Better World Books! This email is fabulous as well.

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  20. That's great. I don't buy books online very often, but when I do, I like to go to Better World Books.

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  21. We have blogged about Better World Books before but sadly, I myself, have not had the pleasure of really exploring the site as much as I should have. Now this post makes a WORLD of difference. Resounding wit and words that fly off on their own accord, escaping through pages of a book and sent thru electronic mail (no carrier pigeons?) to you, well read man that you are, preparing you for their arrival [did they say perilous journey? wow] - now that's different. I likey!

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  22. OMG, that is so lovely. I'm going to go and check them out now:)

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