Better World Books is a charitable organisation that sells books and gives the profits to charities that fund world literacy. Given that I was quite moved by my recent exposure to the poverty surrounding us during our holiday to Kenya, and given that there are countries where things are much worse than I've seen, I can only applaud the efforts of someone turning people's general desire for reading material into a means of funding others' literacy.

These guys also sell on the internet, so their marketplace is huge. In fact, they sell via Amazon. A recent recommendation for a book to read (noted on another blog) led me to Amazon, to their used books marketplace and on to placing an order with Better World Books. In this respect, the internet is making the world a better place. My blog reading habits and my eager use of the credit card will have a positive impact on someone, if not me.

My only minor complaint comes from the price. My book cost £1.09. With a couple of quid for postage and packing, I'm in a quandary. As a buyer I can only be pleased with the ability to buy a hardback book in "good condition" for under £4. As a charitable person, hoping that little Johnny (or whoever) in Somewhereland will learn to read, I'm wondering how much the 59p, which will come out of this total price towards his pencils, will actually help him out.

I would probably have been willing to pay more for the book.