For the paper book readers, how used will you take your books?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I was thinking about this because my copy of The Wolf's Hour (our current group read) is pretty ancient. The binding is good and it's not too beat up, but it's well-used. Looking back, I bought it grudgingly because I had trouble finding a copy of this book, and how could I resist a WWII book with a werewolf spy hero????

I admit I do turn my nose up at really hard-used used books, especially if they have a lot of organic matter on them. Ugh! I hate to think my book is a breeding group for microorganisms. I personally cringe when I read a used book and I see food crumbs in it. I don't mind if it's my original copy and I put them there. I will actually trash a book that has a lot of mold and unidentifiable stains that I bought inadvertently without checking it well. Sorry, I can't help it. I'm a germaphobe.

I used to shop at Half Price Books and I would get some used used books if it was a good price, but I would examine them closely to assuage my germaphobic nature.

What about you? Will you turn your nose up at used books? After a certain point? At all?

I admit I love brand smacking new books, since I am a book collector at heart. But because I am also a hardcore book huntress, I like finding an old edition of a book for a great price that is hard to find.

Thoughts? Comments?

[new_user]

Good question! I'm generally a neat freak myself, so I guess it attests to my love of books that I will take them anyway, anyhow. LOL! But I haven't found any crumbs in them, so at least there's that, LOL. I'm not usually sentimental, but new books seem so new and plastic next to the used books just crackling with history and associations for so many people who must have enjoyed it before me. Almost a community feeling.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

That's a good point about that community feeling of a used book. I have felt that sense of camaraderie with a used book. I prefer gently used books, I must admit!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I may be a kindle reader (primarily) but, I still have my copy of Wolf's Hour on the shelf. I think it's in serviceable condition. Yellow-brownish pages, but still healthy as books go.

[Eileen]

I'll have to go with the gently used books. Just the thought of opening a used book and something alive or dead in there just makes me shake all over. Personally I like things shinny and new, that sparkles. Oh, sorry, we were talking about used books.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I feel you, Eileen!

*gasp* Hugh, you actually own paper books? You could have knocked me over with a feather! :)

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Yeah...i figure they'll. be worth something when museums start collecting them.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

There is that!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

And I thought my daughter might enjoy Decision at Doona (me reading to her). I'm glad I kept my copy.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I was glad to get physical copies of the Andrew Lang fairy books. I don't have kids, but maybe one day, children will get to read and enjoy them. I also have them on my Kindle.

[Patricia]

We are pretty much stuck with used books for now. I know only too well that the author gets nothing for the sale of a used book, and I have vowed a great vow that when my ship comes in (aka when someone leases my mineral rights for the Haynesville Shale), I will buy only new books. Can't afford them right now. Period. But I don't like books that feel dusty or sticky, and heaven forfend that they have perfume on them. (Had one once that I could hardly stand to read. A favorite author, at that.)

I have considered the need to wash hands after reading. (I doubt germs live long in a book. Too dry.) But there is an 'ick' factor.

But these discussions make me wonder what will happen to the--oh?--800 paperbacks I have in our 'library'. Who is ever going to want them? Our small town library, maybe. Maybe not. Family has all gone digital.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

God willing, I don't plan to ever go 100% digital. I will always prefer a book in my hand. Ebooks have a place, but they aren't my first when it comes to reading.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

They have become my first choice, however, I find that when I read a really good story, I tend to want to buy the book and put it on the shelf.

ain't that weird?

[Keri]

It depends on how badly I want it. I have received some badly used books in the past that I have kept, because they are hard to get a hold of. It has to be something extremely hard core bad for me to get rid of a paperback. Even then, I will put it in the recycling bin if I don't feel I can donate it.

Hugh I am a hardcore paperback reader myself. I do have ebooks on my pc, but that isn't my first choice for reading material.

[Patricia]

Mudgeon, you must take after your mama, the owner of 800 paperbacks.

Alas, as my hands get stiffer, I am finding it harder to hold paperbacks, especially new ones. I can't keep them open. I was looking over the Nooks yesterday at B&N.
But for now used books are easier.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

and kindles are cheaper....so are the books.

[Eileen]

Patti wrote: "Mudgeon, you must take after your mama, the owner of 800 paperbacks.

Alas, as my hands get stiffer, I am finding it harder to hold paperbacks, especially new ones. I can't keep them open. I was ..."

WOW, 800 paperbacks. They must take up a lot of room. Just think the next generation will just pass down there e-readers filled with books.

I do, now and again enjoy holding a book. Mostly I use my Nook. If I want to buy a book, I don't have to jump in my car and go buy it and they are cheaper.

[Patricia]

Eileen wrote: "Patti wrote: "Mudgeon, you must take after your mama, the owner of 800 paperbacks.

Alas, as my hands get stiffer, I am finding it harder to hold paperbacks, especially new ones. I can't keep them..."

Eileen wrote: "Patti wrote: "Mudgeon, you must take after your mama, the owner of 800 paperbacks.

WOW, 800 paperbacks. They must take up a lot of room. Just think the next generation will just pass down there e-readers filled with books...."

The Walls of our living area are lined with book cases sized for paperbacks. 25 years ago all there was were books. I have tried to convince My Hero that we could trade a lot of those back. He says, "Oh, no, I might want to read them again." He says that about a lot of other stuff, too.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "They have become my first choice, however, I find that when I read a really good story, I tend to want to buy the book and put it on the shelf.

ain't that weird?"

Not to me!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I have 431 books on my kindle, about 25 or so audiobile.com and iTunes and another couple hundred paperbacks on the shelf... or in the attic.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I plead the 5th on how many books I own!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Ah, c'mon Lady D... I saw the picture!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Hey, that ain't all my books, by any means.

[Eileen]

I never really thought about how many books I have. I'll have to check and come back with a count.

I checked, only 266 on my Nook and around 100 paperbacks.

[Thomas]

There are two completely awesome used book stores in town here, right next to a equally wonderful coffee shop. :D Both used stores have high standards, and you'll rarely find anything there that's stained or torn, and the price is ALWAYS under five bucks.

Now sometimes the spine IS soft or bent, but usually those are the three dollars and less books, y'know?

While I have broken into Kindle and Nook reading, and have always had .pdf files and such, I'm probably still going to build my library simply because there's something wonderful about reading in the early morning sunlight while drinking coffee and relaxing in a huge-as-hell bathrobe.

I'm just sayin'.

~Thomas Duder