I've joined PaperbackSwap to get rid of some old books that we don't want anymore (mostly Wander's old sci-fi) and in exchange get books that we do want (mostly picture books for Sparkle and Chinese textbooks for me).PaperbackSwap has a way of wrapping a book in a sheet of regular 8.5" x 11" paper, so that you don't need an envelope. Lots of people seem to use envelopes anyway, but I like using the paper wrapper. One problem I've found when receiving a book wrapped in regular paper is that it is difficult to open. All of the seams are taped over, and I don't want to accidentally cut the book. So, when wrapping my own books, I've developed a method to make it easier to unwrap.
I stick a small slip of paper in the seam where the two edges of the paper meet. I label it "cut here to open" to explain the purpose. Then I tape over the seam and the paper slip, making sure to leave the edge of the slip un-taped. That way the recipient can fit a pair of scissors under the slip of paper and cut the wrapper off. I don't know how well the process works, since I've never unwrapped a book myself and none of the recipients of my books have commented on this wrapping method. However, I like the idea and wouldn't it be neat if the idea took off?
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