Susan Gable has written an article about the danger of not buying new books–as in the loss of lines like Bombshell, and not being able to find the next book by that author you love because, well, she’s been dropped due to less than stellar sales. Here is the link.
This topic can cause pretty strong emotions among both readers and writers. What do you think? I have to admit to hitting both the used book store and the library, but I buy new too. I always buy my favorite authors new–others it’s hit and miss. I read a lot. If I limited myself just to books I bought, I don’t think I would buy that many more, but my reading would suffer.
So, what’s your take? I think Susan makes some really excellent points–and probably we should all take a few more risks at the new book store to insure our favorites keep writing.
Lori
I buy a whole lot new, but I do also buy used. Heck, I work at a large used bookstore. But it’s all about money and some people just don’t have the funds to buy all their books new. It’s just a fact of life. And I’m not going to think any worse of them.
I was sitting at the table tonight thinking how lucky I was that I could afford to buy so many books new. Not many readers can.
by Nicole August 18th, 2006 at 8:39 pmYou know what else I try and do? Buy books for gifts. This is hard for adults but for teenagers and kids it is easy because at that age you are still reading everything to see what you like.
by Lori August 20th, 2006 at 7:25 amAnd it’s easy for me to buy books for my mother, husband and to some degree in-laws. Plus most big book stores do easy exchanges so if the person doesn’t like the book you picked they get the joy of picking out there own. That is one of my favorite things feeling like I have free money to spend at a book store. :)
I buy new, I buy used, and I go to the library. I don’t have a lot of spare money to buy new every time I want to read something. I do buy my favorite authors new, otherwise it’s pretty much UBS or library. Having said that, if I find an author who I really love ~ I will buy them new and will usually count the days until their next book hits the shelves. How do I find these new to me authors? From the library, or from friends. And if I like something, I tell people. And if they like, so will they.
Your idea on giving books as gifts is a great one. I also buy books for almost everybody.
by Devonna August 20th, 2006 at 11:43 amI always buy new. Havne’t done the ubs in years, just posted at my cp’s blog about this :) but I always buy my kids books for birthdays and stuff (ok #2 cuz #1 won’t read much). And I do bookstore giftcards for the cousin’s kids and nephews at holidays :)
by cece August 20th, 2006 at 4:13 pmI buy alot of books both new and used. I’m really anal about the condition of my books so buying used only happens in certain cases.
Ifif I’m trying an author for the first time or it isn’t part of something I’ll collect, I tend to buy used. But if its a favourite author or something I have heard about I’ll buy new always.
The cost of books in Canada is ridiculous, even more so than the US so buying the premium paperbacks, trades or especially hardbacks in new condition takes alot of coin in the run of the month.
I also use the library system constantly.
by Valeen August 22nd, 2006 at 12:37 pm