If you are looking for affordable books for yourself or children for summer reading, Katlin Watts and Watts Books can very likely help you.
Through the PangoBooks app online, she sells and ships reasonably priced used books—keeping thousands of books out of landfills. “I have always had a love of reading,” she said. “My goal is to get those into the hands of readers, especially ones who may not have the budget to purchase new books.” In addition to the app-based business, she sells to wholesale dealers, which adds up to nearly 10,000 books per month.
What started as a way to work from her South Shreveport home has grown into a book-loving adventure with husband Chase, formerly a marketing manager for web-hosting business GoDaddy, now a full-time partner. Children Sky, 10, Liam, 7, and Scarlett, 6, happily lend a hand, too.
“We’re huge readers. Reading has been a passion of mine since childhood and I’ve passed it down to our kids as they’ve learned how to read. We’re big fans of fantasy novels and graphic novels,” Watts said.
As with many mail-order apps, used primarily on smartphones or tablets, PangoBooksallows readers to peruse books from a variety of sellers, including Watts Books. It “is the easiest place to buy and sell books. Their app was definitely built to make life easier for readers. It has thousands of people who buy books, read them, list them for sale and then use that money to buy more,” Watts said.“I think the most popular feature is often the most overlooked—photos of each book…Sellers are required to take a photo of the book so that buyers can actually see the condition.”
While I love the library and retail booksellers like Barnes & Noble, I like finding new sources for books—and this PangoBooks app is full of great titles. Looking through Watts Books is like wandering through an old-fashioned used bookstore. (For more, download the app or see www.PangoBooks.com.)
Trends in what books sell
“The types of books people buy was probably the biggest surprise I’ve had. I sell a ton of non-fiction books, tons of Christian and self-help books,” Watts said. “Other than non-fiction books, I also sell a ton of suspense, thriller and fantasy books. I’ve never really had a specialty because I quickly realized how diverse buyers are. It’s not uncommon at all for someone to buy a 1986 Southern Living cookbook and the newest Colleen Hoover novel in the same order.”
“I do have thousands of children’s books as well… A lot of sellers don’t focus on children’s books because the profit margins are so low. But I like to still list them for sale so that teachers have a place they can order them at an affordable price.”
How the business works
“I handle buying, packaging and shipping books. My husband finds new book sources and handles the logistics and storage facility. Our kids love helping bring in the books, helping package and watching the listing process. Our oldest son is eagerly awaiting when he is old enough to help list the books himself,” she said. “It’s been a long road to find the best way to organize tens of thousands of books while still being able to list new ones for sale and make sure every order is shipped out the next day.”
She has “a ton of sources for books” and buys thousands of titles from thrift stores. “Plus, I’ll work with libraries and non-profits who want us to sell books on their behalf and split the profit with them,” she said. “We have been blessed with so much support from friends and family who have donated books to our bookstore.”
Her tips for children and summer reading
“I highly recommend finding a book series that sparks their children’s interest,” Watts said. “I like to give my kids incentives to help them read during the summer. I set a goal for them to read a certain amount and I’ll take them for ice cream or offer a small treat. Anything to help keep a book in hand. Summer is the perfect time to catch up on reading for adults too. It’s one of the few times of year you have time to sit by the pool and read. Or take a long trip and have a couple hours to read until you reach your vacation spot.”
Columnist Judy Christie has written about books for more than a decade and is the author of 18 nonfiction and fiction titles. For more, see www.judychristie.com or follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JudyChristieAuthor.
