I was at Goodwill today, perusing the used books when I happened across The Other Boleyn Girl. I've wanted to read that book for ages and ages. I pulled the book out and gave it a through inspection and put it back.
Why?
It was too beat up.
Granted the book was only 99 cents, but this is a book that will likely end up on my bookshelf for its life, and I don't want a copy that looks like it went through a war. None of the books I buy look like that after reading, so if its a keeper book, then I don't want the book to look that way when I bring it home.
My mother thinks I was nuts to pass up the book, but I just couldn't bring myself to bring home a book that I really hope to love that's already battered and broken.
Please tell me that I'm not the only one that would do something like this.
Showing posts with label used books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label used books. Show all posts
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Don't Buy New Books? Perish The Thought!
I was reading at Emily Bryan's blog about an article about things you shouldn't buy new. Read the article here.
I think authors and musicians should be disgusted by that. Actually everyone in the entertainment industry. Sure its great to get a deal, but reselling doesn't give anything to the creators of the product.
I'm not saying don't buy anything used. After all, used book stores and CD stores are like going on a treasure hunt, but to say, never buy a brand new book or CD or DVD is just ridiculous!
I've found that in many instances a lot of major used stores don't discount books all that much, and sometimes you just don't want a book that's been around the block a few times or a CD that's already scratched to high heaven. For me, used book stores are the most fun when I find backlist books that are no longer in print. Sure I admit when times are tough, that I'll pick up a book that's in a used store that's new, but only if its in great condition.
I like to support my favorite authors. After all, if we didn't buy their books new, how will the publishers know that we love them!
I think authors and musicians should be disgusted by that. Actually everyone in the entertainment industry. Sure its great to get a deal, but reselling doesn't give anything to the creators of the product.
I'm not saying don't buy anything used. After all, used book stores and CD stores are like going on a treasure hunt, but to say, never buy a brand new book or CD or DVD is just ridiculous!
I've found that in many instances a lot of major used stores don't discount books all that much, and sometimes you just don't want a book that's been around the block a few times or a CD that's already scratched to high heaven. For me, used book stores are the most fun when I find backlist books that are no longer in print. Sure I admit when times are tough, that I'll pick up a book that's in a used store that's new, but only if its in great condition.
I like to support my favorite authors. After all, if we didn't buy their books new, how will the publishers know that we love them!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Pros and Cons Of Used Book Stores
I love a good bargain as much as anyone but sometimes used book stores can be very frustrating. Here's my list of why I love and hate these wonderful establishments.
Pros:
1. Depending on where you are shopping you can get books for as little as 50 cents to half off the cover price. Great deals!
2. Its always fun to peruse the shelves not knowing what you are going to find. Its like an Easter egg hunt!
3. Getting that great deal on a book you didn't expect to find.
4. Being able to sit on the floor of a dusty old shop and just surround yourself with the books. You can get away with this in some bigger shops but its not nearly as fun, especially when the books start falling off the shelves onto you, as they do in my favorite used book shop, Paradox Books in Wheeling, WV.
5. The books you find can be very old or just released.
Cons:
1. The books are in varying conditions. I hate when I find a book that's a keeper but the spine is bent so badly that it won't last a second reading.
2. You may not find what you are looking for. In fact, sometimes you may find nothing at all.
3. They don't put cute little coffee shops in Used Book stores.
Pros:
1. Depending on where you are shopping you can get books for as little as 50 cents to half off the cover price. Great deals!
2. Its always fun to peruse the shelves not knowing what you are going to find. Its like an Easter egg hunt!
3. Getting that great deal on a book you didn't expect to find.
4. Being able to sit on the floor of a dusty old shop and just surround yourself with the books. You can get away with this in some bigger shops but its not nearly as fun, especially when the books start falling off the shelves onto you, as they do in my favorite used book shop, Paradox Books in Wheeling, WV.
5. The books you find can be very old or just released.
Cons:
1. The books are in varying conditions. I hate when I find a book that's a keeper but the spine is bent so badly that it won't last a second reading.
2. You may not find what you are looking for. In fact, sometimes you may find nothing at all.
3. They don't put cute little coffee shops in Used Book stores.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
