Our Story
PiraltecSwap was born from a simple idea: great books deserve multiple readers. In 2018, our founders—avid readers themselves—were frustrated by the challenges of finding specific titles, the waste of single-use books, and the lack of community among book lovers.
They envisioned a platform where readers could connect, share their literary treasures, and discover new worlds through the pages of books that had already been enjoyed and were ready for new adventures. This vision became PiraltecSwap—a name combining "pirate" (for literary treasure hunting) and "altruism" (for the spirit of sharing), with "swap" representing our core exchange function.
Starting with just 200 members in East London, we've grown into a thriving global community spanning 45 countries. Our members have exchanged over 120,000 books, ranging from contemporary bestsellers to rare first editions, creating a sustainable cycle of literary discovery and enjoyment.
Today, PiraltecSwap continues to be guided by our founding principles: making literature accessible to all, creating connections between readers, reducing waste through book reuse, and celebrating the joy of discovering stories that have been cherished by others.
