WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA)--Mary Ann Ryan is a self-described bookworm. You can tell as she takes you on a tour of her northwest Washington apartment. Shelves are lined with books. Tables are piled high.

"I love stories," says Ryan. "They take you elsewhere. An exposure to worlds you would never have before."

Ryan's love of books can be costly. Which is not good right now. Last September she was laid off from her job. While she is doing some temp work, spending money on luxuries, which some people might think books fall under, is not an option.

However, Ryan has found a way to get her books for free.

In addition to being a book worm, Ryan is also frugal. So when she came across the website PaperBackSwap.com it caught her attention right away.

"It's a great way to get the kick of shopping, but not with spending money," says Ryan.

Here's how the site works: book lovers offer up their unwanted collections online. The site has 2.5-million titles listed. There's no money involved. Members get points by sending out the books they post. They redeem them by ordering books they see on the site.

The only money involved is the cost of postage to mail books others order from you.

"I have 23 books posted and....according to the site, I've saved $292.50," says Ryan.

The name of the site is deceiving. Ryan not only swaps paperbacks. She can also get hardbacks and books on tape. Plus she can also get DVD's and CD's for free on SwapaDVD.com and SwapaCD.com.

"I always love getting the packages," says Ryan. An unopened package by her side. "It's almost like getting a present."