The online marketplace turning the page on second-hand book buying
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There’s something about holding a physical book – the smell, the feel of the paper under your fingers, the words inked on the page.
For many bibliophiles, buying their next book is part of the fun of the reading experience. But with the cost of living impacting our daily money habits, spending $30 to $40 every few weeks on a new book isn’t realistic – and for those who already have a substantial collection of well-thumbed reads, adding to the pile isn’t always a viable option.
But with more and more Gen Zers turning to physical books thanks to the rise of BookTok and Bookstagram, one Canberra woman is turning the page on second-hand book buying to make a positive difference in the world.
Officially launching this August, Nxt Chapter is a premier online book marketplace and a haven for eco-conscious readers.
Created by self-described tech entrepreneur, environmental evangelist, and bibliophile Ashleigh Quade after she was inspired by her 13-year-old daughter’s voracious reading habits, her aim for Nxt Chapter is to redefine how people buy and sell second-hand books.
“Due to the high cost of my daughter’s excellent reading habit, and wanting to teach her about values and money, we encouraged her to sell a pile of her pre-loved books,” explains Ashleigh.
“We took them to a big bookstore, and we were shocked by the low offer we got back. We decided to take matters into our own hands and Nxt Chapter – our own dedicated, sustainable book-selling venture – was born.”
Revolving around four key aspirations (empowering sellers, eco-friendly reading, a unique currency, and giving back) Nxt Chapter is more than an online marketplace. It’s also an online community with a unique currency and payment system.
Assuming that every book listed on the platform holds value to the seller beyond its physical pages, Ashleigh says she wants to provide access to a community of like-minded people where they can sustainably transfer books for a fair return – digital tokens called ‘Bookbucks’.
“Bookbucks were crafted to foster and inspire literary journeys, and this system encourages the ongoing exchange of knowledge within the book community. It enables users to engage in buying and selling to extend the life cycle and utilisation of each book,” says Ashleigh.
“It’s like an in-house credit – it’s a fun way to sell books and it’s a unique experience.”
Spending six months on the project – in which she also gave birth to her youngest daughter – for Ashleigh, Nxt Chapter is also an example of how an eco-conscious community and conscious consumption can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the book industry.
Cherishing each book sold on the website, she says it’s about using the power of reading to transform the world.
“We’ve seen a lot of people choosing to move away from the fast fashion clothing industry, which I think is fantastic. But imagine if people started this trend of moving away from all material industries – the overall impact on the planet would be huge,” says Ashleigh.
“Globally, 2.2 billion books are printed nearly every year. Imagine all the associated environmental consequences of that.”
Offering a cost-effective option for buying, it also allows those looking to cull their collection to keep some value from their beloved books rather than just donating them to charity. And with Ashleigh encouraging those using the platform to leave little notes in their novels for its next reader, it’s also a wholesome way for people to connect over a shared passion.
Anyone can buy and sell using Nxt Chapter. Giving every story a purpose, print isn’t dead – it’s being gifted a new life.
For more information on how to buy and sell with Nxt Chapter, visit nxtchapter.com.au
