Fifteen years ago, Jill Joplin gathered a few book-loving friends in her Great Lakes neighborhood for what she thought would be a single evening of trading favorite reads. Instead, she sparked a tradition that’s grown into a neighborhood ritual with an ever-growing circle of readers, and where the joy of unwrapping a new story rivals the laughter that fills the room.
“I started it myself with just a handful of women in my neighborhood,” Jill recalls. “Every year, more readers join in — friends of friends, new neighbors, people who just love books.”
Over the years, the book swap has evolved, bringing together women who share a love for stories and connection. Jill asked two book-loving friends, Anne Dishman and Molly Marrah to join her in planning and hosting the event. Since then, the three have co-hosted each December, rotating homes and welcoming new readers every year. “It’s my favorite party of the year — and I’m a host!” Jill laughs. Guests regularly declare the book swap their most-loved annual event, a festive mix of laughter, good conversation, and a playful gift game full of “steals” and surprises.
Even in 2020, when gatherings were impossible, Jill and her co-hosts (Ann and Molly) found a creative way to keep the tradition alive. They transformed the swap into a cheerful “pickup” version — neighbors dropped off books at Jill’s house, and the trio wrapped and re-bagged them with cozy extras like tea, socks, and bookmarks. “We wanted it to still feel special,” Jill explains.
Molly Marrah (co-host) reflects on the swap’s enduring appeal: “What started as a small gathering to swap books has become one of my favorite holiday events! Not only do we get to hear about books we may not have had on our radar, we get to reconnect with friends we might not get to see very often during the year for whatever reason. It’s truly become a staple of my holiday calendar.”
Anne Dishman adds, “For us, the book swap is the perfect culmination of the year. Jill‘s brainchild has evolved into a truly special tradition of friendship, sharing, and discovery of books that influenced us over the past 12 months.”
One of Jill’s favorite memories involves a copy of Reese Witherspoon’s Whiskey in a Teacup wrapped with a tiny bottle of bourbon attached to the ribbon. “Everyone wanted that one,” she laughs. “People get so creative — that’s part of the fun.”
The swap’s charm lies in its simplicity. “It’s such an easy party to have,” Jill explains. “You don’t need much — just books, some snacks, and good company. We do it on a Sunday afternoon; people pop in, swap, laugh, and head home happy.”
It’s only fitting that Jill Joplin dreamed up this tradition — after all, she’s the Executive Director of the DeKalb Library Foundation, someone who knows firsthand how books bring people together. Jill spends her days championing stories and the people who love them. When asked why she thinks people, especially women, are drawn to this tradition, she doesn’t hesitate, “Reading is an escape. It’s learning, curiosity, and comfort. And women love to talk — what better way to connect than through a story that moved you?”
Fifteen years later, that impulse to gather, give, and connect remains the heart of Jill’s beloved book swap. As she looks ahead to this year’s 15th gathering, she reflects, “It’s grown, sure, but it still feels like sitting down with friends who love the same thing you do. That’s what makes it special.”
One of the most powerful parts of their annual book swap is the community it’s cultivated. If you’re inspired to find a network of passionate readers to begin your own swap, or simply fall in love with reading again, your local library is the perfect place to begin.