book swaps!

I have always been interested in the idea of book swaps. I don't really get on with libraries in the sense that I feel pressured to read lots of books at once (I always seemed to take out 5 at a time...) and I am also really terrible with remembering what date to take my books back. So, my library membership didn't last very long.

My very good friend Louisa and I meet up once a month for a good chinwag and normally go for something to eat, and we decided that we would each bring a book for the other to read over the next month. The main reason I like this idea so much is that I think our taste in books is relatively similar, but we both have a couple of quite quirky books that the other might not think to pick out - and also, whenever I finish a good book I just want to run out into the street and tell everyone I meet to read it, so it kills two birds with one stone. 

This month is the first month we've decided properly to stick to it, but I was unsure as to whether Louisa would like the book I chose for her, so I just sort of shovelled 2 into her hand and said 'read them both!'

The first book I gave her was Divergent by Veronica Roth. The Divergent series is becoming evermore popular as we get closer to the release date of the film. The second was Kite Spirit by Sita Brahmachari. I bought it about 6 weeks ago and it looked really good, but I haven't got round to reading it - however, Louisa has told me, without any spoilers, that I will love it.

This is the book that Louisa gave to me. It's called Hector and the Search for Happiness by François Lelord. 

The blurb reads:

"Hector is a successful young psychiatrist. He's very good at treating patients in real need of help. But many people he sees are just deeply dissatisfied with their lives. Hector can't do much for them, and it's beginning to depress him.

  So when a patient tells him he looks in need of a holiday, Hector decides to set off round the world to find out what makes people everywhere happy (and sad), and whether there is such a thing as the secret of true happiness..."

From what I have read so far, I am really enjoying it. I shall keep you posted with a review of the whole book once I'm finished! 

Sorry that this post was a long one, phew.

Do you have something similar with one of your friends?

What are you reading at the moment?

Let me know below, and give Louisa's blog a look at!