People hunt for good reads at a Shanghai book fair. Photo: CFP

Even though buying a book today is as easy as clicking a button and downloading a title to an e-reader or phone, there's nothing quite like the feeling of thumbing through dog-eared paperbacks in the search of a good read. Even better if, by doing so, you can help a worthy cause.

At a book exchange last Sunday, people donated unwanted books, picked up bargain reads, and knew that their money was going to support a good cause - Shanghai Young Bakers.

Founded in 2008, Shanghai Young Bakers is a charity program providing fully sponsored training in French baking to disadvantaged Chinese youth, enabling them to find good jobs and lead independent lives after graduation.

The Global Times visited the event and spoke to some of the expats idling away their Sunday afternoon in the company of books.

Emilie Rigaud, program manager of Shanghai Young Bakers, France

We are a different charity because we empower Chinese youths by giving them a specific skill - French baking. It is in very high demand in China, especially in Shanghai. We have trained 120 people.

I believe this is our first time working with Creative Collective and Bookbag, of course, which just launched its app. It's very interesting to be able to promote our charity. I believe that all the people here came with a socially conscious mind-set, so a lot of them are willing to help us. I've had a lot of questions about how to support Shanghai Young Bakers or what people can do to get involved, so it is very good for us.

Peter O'Leary, managing director, the US

Our start-up, Bookbag, is sponsoring this event. We make it easier for learners and teachers to connect, and we focus mostly on language. Users build up a profile, and say what they want to learn, and then we match them with teachers in their area. I got rid of a bunch of business books. There's a wide array of books here. I picked up an Ayn Rand to reread.

Corey Oostveen, technical director, the US

The event's great - people are getting some new reads and getting rid of some old reads. I've been looking a little bit and I've seen a few interesting ones, but I've sworn off physical books for a little while - I'm trying to read e-books now. Once you get into the habit, reading on an e-reader is much better. Though I may pick up a couple of Chinese dating books and brush up on my game there!

Sandy Chu, book fair organizer, the US

I think this is a nice way for people to get rid of belongings they don't really need and do something good for charity. There's a lot of business books and chick lit, and also some that have obviously been part of a book club because you get multiples. If people are really serious about books they come right when the event opens to get first pick.

Jeni Walters, marketing director, Australia

I came here with my friend. I came to the previous event with lots of books that I gave away. I think they all went the previous time. I did see some of my friends walk out with the books I'd brought. It's a nice way to recycle them in a way that helps charity. I'm very happy to support initiatives that help people who need access to more opportunities such as the Young Bakers. I think I might pick up this book on PowerPoint presentations in Chinese to give to my Chinese teammates, as they don't use PowerPoint presentations as much as I'd like.

Kim Wong, F&B director, the US

I did donate some books, but at the last event. I think they were mostly business books. I love this event. I like that you can go shopping for free, but you're actually reusing - it's the same concept as a closet swap. It's sustainable.

Peter Shalit, entrepreneur, the US

The event is good. I'm a big fan of reading, so it's always nice to get to places like this. At the bookstores around here, you can only find books that are movie adaptations. So if you want to read Game of Thrones and Twilight and things of that ilk, then you can find them, but older or less common books are hard to find here. I'm just kind of perusing now. It's always nice when you know your money is going toward something a little more altruistic than usual.

Laurene Beauvalet, astronomer, France

Finding secondhand books, at least English or French secondhand books, is not easy here. So one of my friends told me about this and I came. I picked up some science fiction and detective novels.

In Shanghai, it's easy to find classics and it's easy to find the most recent books, but some authors are not as popular as others. French books are not easy to find. There is maybe just one bookshop for them in the city.

Global Times