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De Profundis, Honey -
...not to mention que sera, sera
10:23 8th August 2005
spikesleman
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On a list I'm on, there's a discussion going on about buying used books.

I'm not getting into it onlist for several reasons, not least of which is that I've been no-mail on this list for months and only a few days ago started reading list mail again.

But -- in a perfect world (one in which I had all the money I would need to buy all new hardcover books), I'd buy all my books new and in hardcover. As it is, I get by on about $550 a month and I pay all my own bills so Jim's income isn't the issue here. I could easily spend that much on books alone. Yes, I read a lot!

So do I buy used books? You betcha, Red Rider, I do. (And is anyone but me old enough to remember that phrase? I doubt it. *sigh*)
So. . . what'd they think? OR So. . . whatcha think?
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Thread started by Anonymous
From: (Anonymous) Date: 8th August 2005 14:41 (UTC) (Link)
I'm staying out of it cause basically, I believe that people should be glad thier name is out there - and I'm personally happy that my book is being read - new or used. Thats if I ever get there with an actual book - 12 days hasn't had enough demand to be released...yet.
(Reply) (Thread)
spikesleman From: [info]spikesleman Date: 8th August 2005 16:40 (UTC) (Link)
I'd noticed you hadn't said anything. And, yes, if I ever got a book published, I'd be happy to have people reading it no matter where they got it.
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
Thread started by you all know me
ladyoneill From: [info]ladyoneill Date: 8th August 2005 14:47 (UTC) (Link)
I do buy too many hardbacks because I just can't wait to read them a year later--but I also get a lot of them at Sams for about 45% off or my dad gets scifi/fantasy books on the Scifi bookclub or I ask for them for Christmas and birthdays.

I also have always bought and read used books. As a teenager I lived at the used bookstore both here and at my grandfather's (where they had Harlequins for 30 cents each).

One of my dad's favorite things is going antiquarian book hunting--I kind of inherited that.

And there are quite a few books I buy at garage sales that never make it to my eBay sales. *g*

I love books. I'm like Giles--nothing like the smell and feel of a good book!
(Reply) (Thread)
spikesleman From: [info]spikesleman Date: 8th August 2005 16:41 (UTC) (Link)

I love books. I'm like Giles--nothing like the smell and feel of a good book!

You said it all right there!

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
Thread started by andramichelle
andramichelle From: [info]andramichelle Date: 8th August 2005 22:18 (UTC) (Link)
I've also bought several used books - single mom of three here and sometimes the money for a new book just wasn't there. Now that the kids are grown I treat myself to a new hardback occasionally like the new Harry Dreden and the latest Southern VAmpire book.

I agree with you also if I was a published auther I would just be happy I was being read!
(Reply) (Thread)
spikesleman From: [info]spikesleman Date: 9th August 2005 04:28 (UTC) (Link)
As they say in this neck of the woods, "I hear that!"

Sure, I'd like to buy all my books hardcover and new but this is the REAL world, y'know?

(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
Thread started by demilo19
demilo19 From: [info]demilo19 Date: 9th August 2005 13:54 (UTC) (Link)
Usually if I am not sure about teh book, I buy it used (especially if it is a school book). This is a recent development and I have to say that it is working well because 1) I can buy more books and 2)can usually get them in hardcover for pennies!
So used books - yay! But like you, if I had all the money I wanted...oh geesh, the home library I dream of...*salivates*
(Reply) (Thread)
spikesleman From: [info]spikesleman Date: 10th August 2005 00:48 (UTC) (Link)
Uh huh. Man, if I had all the $$$ I needed, mmmmmmboooooks.

The reasoning on that list is that if you buy books used, the author gets no royalty and gets no "credit" from his/her publisher so that the author will be able to publish another book. It's a list of writers so they have a different perspective. My perspective is that (a) I can't afford all new all hardcover books and (b) if I were published, I'd be so frellin' happy people were reading my stuff I wouldn't care HOW they got hold of it!
(Reply) (Parent) (Thread)
demilo19 From: [info]demilo19 Date: 10th August 2005 14:48 (UTC) (Link)
but then what about libraries? I mean the first thing I do when I move to a new location is get my library card because if I bought all the books I read...well, I would need that library sooner. PLus, some books are sometimes disappointing *coughAnitaBlakecough*
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So. . . what'd they think? OR So. . . whatcha think?
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