Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

I love the idea of Bookmooch. For those not familiar with the concept, you list the books you would like to give away on the website. When people request your books, you mail them out and earn points to request books from others.

There has been some concern about the affect of these free book trading services on the book business. Some worry that the authors do not earn royalties on books acquired this way, or that publishers lose out, affecting their ability to produce more quality literature. Despite my position as a publisher and bookseller, I can’t help but feel that Bookmooch and sites like it are not only fun, but have very little impact on the industry.

For one thing, every book listed by members of Bookmooch was, at one point, purchased. Now these books aren’t wanted anymore. Normal courses of action include donating to libraries and selling to used bookstores. I hardly think that mailing them to an individual instead has any different financial consequences. They were going to be sold as used books anyway, which generate no royalties or revenue for publishers. One could argue that the used bookstores and donation recipients are affected, but this economic system is as complicated as any. When consumers save money, do they spend the savings somewhere else? Do they buy more books? There is, in the end, no way to tell what the true economic impact is. Rather, I like to think that recycling something with value is as good as any reason to bookmooch. I would much rather see many people enjoying the same book than have that copy thrown in the trash.

So here I am, giving away books. I keep sending them off without spending my points to get books. I’m trying very, very hard not to bring more books into the house before I have read more of my TBR ones. I also feel good about opening up space on the shelves, giving me a bit of breathing room.

I have about twenty books listed on the site, and surprisingly, I receive a request for one every few days. Today it was Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett. I think this is a wonderful book for middle grade kids who love mysteries and puzzles. Here’s the text on the book jacket:

When a book of unexplainable occurances brings Petra Andalee & Calder Pillay together, strange things start to happen: seemingly unrelated events connect, an eccentric old woman seeks their company, & an invaluable Vermeer painting disappears. Before they know it, the two find themselves at the center of an international art scandal. As Petra & Calder are drawn clue by clue into a mysterious labyrinth they must draw on their powers of intuition, their skills at problem solving, and their knowledge of Vermeer. Can they decipher a crime that has left even the FBI baffled?

Chasing Vermeer garnered rave reviews when it came out, and I can see why. Only…I didn’t love it. As I read, I kept thinking how much a fifth or sixth grader would enjoy the puzzles and the twists, but they didn’t do much for me as an adult. That’s a good thing. A ten-year-old shouldn’t be intrigued and drawn to the same things as a thirty (-something) year old. An author who knows this has a true gift.

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Tags: children's books bookmooch used books Blue Ballett