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Books are still objects that elicit a cult-like following from collectors that cultivate private libraries. But more and more, another life of the book is taking shape. Used books seem to move from hand to hand and increasing numbers of people are getting used to buying old copies over the web. Modest objects, so cheap and easy to handle, books can be borrowed and exchanged, gifted among friends. Public bookcases have sprouted up in almost every village in France and a company like Recyclivre has taken advantage of this generosity of people ready to give their own books for nothing if they think that it may be useful to support good causes. Is this new life of the used book a sign of a growing desire to partake in the values of generosity or transmission? Have books lost their cover price, their status as owned assets? Is environmental consciousness also urging people to prefer recycling second-hand products instead of purchasing new volumes? Who is making money from this promising exchange market? Is the online second-hand market growing while people abandon real bookstores? Behind this new passion for old or used books, must we understand that there may be a rejection of a productivist publishing world which sells thousands of titles not all of which really deserve to be printed?