Hello!

I've been a PBS member now for a little over a year. Like many, I subscribe to the daily list service for my chosen genres. I get the impression that over the last month or so the number of books in my daily list has decreased by several hundred books per list. From over seven hundred to less than five hundred. Have any of you had the same experience? It could just be the genres that interest me.It could be a seasonal variation. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance for your answers!

Many reasons.  In mysteries, certain months tend to have more new publications then others.  Also, have you ever gone to the bookstore to pick up a new publication, but never walk out with just one book?  I think seasons, school year schedules and holidays affect both the purchase and postings of books.  Famine and feast....

My library also gets books in globs.  They must save titles up to place large orders?  So some months I'm reading only library books, some I'm posting a lot. 

There is a definite ebb and flow, around both school and publishing schedules.  Many folks avoid posting books as the holiday crush at the post office starts up.  So there is often a very heavy posting of books in January, both the gifts and the books held back to avoid the lines.

Thanks for the replies. I hadn't thought of the beginning of the school year as a distractant, but I guess that would indeed have an effect on PBS. Are there any other stellar book swap sites that might be pulling people away?

I don't know of any other sites better than PBS for swapping books.  I've checked out a few sites I've heard about, but have felt that all have been very inferior to PBS.  I do agree there is an ebb and flow, and the start of the school year could contribute to that--that being said there are almost 4,800,000 books available (not unique titles) according to the statistics in the upper right of the PBS screen.  If I remember correctly, there was a contest a couple of years ago as to when this number should reach 5,000,000--so the # of books has declined a little--but still there are lots of available books here.  Of course, not all these books are going to be in the genre one wants. 

Another factor that is probably impacting the number of books being posted here is the rising popularity of e-books.  Personally, I read about 50% of the time on my e-reader.  I still enjoy reading a paper book though, so as long as they are still available I'll be an active trader here. :)

For me, judging by wishes granted, though there are periodic ebbs and flows, the average has held remarkably steady. I've received, on average, 3-5 WL books a month, with surprisingly little deviation. I've seen some (very minor) slowing down - likely due to ebooks.

I seem to be having the feeling that ebooks are slowing down what I used to more frequently find or get WL offers for on PBS.  And I've moved to reading ebooks as well so maybe I'm less active as a member - but I do still get offers and still do send out books - just at a different pace.