Did you know that you can join with other players for elephant swaps and trade books by playing games?

There's a new one taking sign ups now!

Swapping 101 - Elephant Swap TAKING SIGNUPS!  Created by: Carol P. (BookLover4Ever)

Full disclosure I'm hosting the game and I'm a volunteer moderator for PBS.

Stop by you'll meet some great people!!

Being involved in games / swaps is the most enjoyable aspect of PBS membership for me.  It provides an opportunity to become acquainted with fellow book addicts, learn about new titles in a variety of genres, win amazing wish-listed books, and have an incentive to read books from your TBR shelves.  The games may appear confusing at first, but they really aren't ... and veteran players are very willing to answer questions and assist new players.

Games are so much fun!

Not for everyone. Luckily I get enough books the usual ways without the fuss, competitiveness, or odd bits like 'stealing' in the games.

Marya, not all games are like that. Some are not even games at all. The audio swap is simply an audio swap. We have one round per month. Each player gets a turn to choose up to 6 audios in the virtual box, which they have to replace with audios of their own. I really enjoy it & the people in it.

I miss games so much! I wish I wasn't too busy with life to play anymore. They are so fun and kept me in great reading.

Join just one! I find one isn't so bad but a lot can be time consuming.

I also love games !  

I tried looking at games. They're way too complicated for me. Too many steps and rules. 

It seems it but it really isn't. The rules are simple, post books according to pbs guidelines and mail by a certain date. The rest are just the requirements of the game. If you jump in, everyone will help you! People are really friendly in the games.

I tried looking at games. They're way too complicated for me. Too many steps and rules. 

There are still buddy swaps. 

If you want to try a simple one start with a virtual box. You add books to a list to get started and when it's your turn you take books from the list and replace them with others.

There was a cookbook swap game last year that was fun. I think an ornament swap would be a lot of fun!

There's a tea swap that's warm and friendly.  You're assigned a buddy each month. Sometimes it's just tea, sometimes it's tea + something else.

I was also afraid to join.  I learn best visually and by participating.... I couldn't learn macrame or crochet just by following written directions.  I had to have someone show me!  But curiousity got to me and with everyone saying that players help I finally jumped into a game.  Once I did, there was no going back, lol.  I am 100% addicted.... so much that I also became a hostess.  I think I am now hosting my 39th game... I lost track.  If I can learn, so can you.

I'm not really interested in playing the games - it seems you have to be on PBS all the time to participate or you're missing something.  I'm especially not interested in games like the one where you "steal" books back and forth.  Again, I think you'd have to spend a lot of time on the website to do this.

I'm not really interested in playing the games - it seems you have to be on PBS all the time to participate or you're missing something.  I'm especially not interested in games like the one where you "steal" books back and forth.

Well said.

It's great there are so many ways for members to use their PBS membership.

Some members only swap books and never discover the forums.
Some members enjoy the community forums and have no interest in playing games/swaps.
Some members thoroughly enjoy playing in games/swaps and occasionally chat in other community forums.

All are valid ways to enjoy PBS - no option is better or worse than another.

You don't have to, you can check in once a day.If they aren't for you, they aren't for you.

One reason I liked the tea swap was that there was daily activity, but if I could only check in 2 or 3 times a month, that was okay.

I play games on the DVD site and sometimes it takes a while for someone to feel comfortable to try a game.  The Rules look more confusing than they are, things make sense when you actually play.  Most people are hooked once they try Crazy Computer.  We have a very small group of players.  

I participate in the sistas swap.  You are assigned a buddy.  You can participate just by chatting when you feel like it.  The swap have different options to choose from.   Currently, we are doing a swap for Nov/Dec.  You can send a card to a buddy and no credits needed or do an ornament swap or be a buddy and have a $ amount minimum to send to that one person.  The swap is currently open for signups.   The ornament swap is one option and you only need 2 credits to participate.   

I have been thinking about doing the tea swap since I drink tea every day.   Two of ladies who participate in the sistas swap mention to me about doing the tea swap and they love it.  What they like is getting to try new and different teas.