Book Buying Addicts Anonymous discussion
MY NAME IS WES AND IM A BOOKAHOLIC
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message 51:
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Arnetra
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 01:34PM)
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Nov 05, 2007 03:49PM

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I must inform you of a place called used bookstores. Get 2 to 3 times more books for the price of a new book.
I own a used bookstore and see new books from those places come through the door all the time. I also get to see the best sellers that I could not afford to purchase back in the day.
Buy used and boycott new.
wes
Wes,
It is a good point that you make. I do go to used bookstores as well and make large purchases as well as purchase books online. There is something inside of me that is still drawn to new bookstores, though, even though the cost is higher. Partly because at some point I hope to finish a book that I started and would like to think it has a venue!! Still, used bookstores are great places.
It is a good point that you make. I do go to used bookstores as well and make large purchases as well as purchase books online. There is something inside of me that is still drawn to new bookstores, though, even though the cost is higher. Partly because at some point I hope to finish a book that I started and would like to think it has a venue!! Still, used bookstores are great places.

i worked for eight years in a used bookstore (in north beach san francisco, 2 doors down from city lights). that's when i started really feeding my addiction. (and yes, book nose? my only problem is when it mixes with car exhaust, being on a shelf all day and night, and traffic rolls by the store.) and yes the people you meet in a used bookstore! my neighbor herb gold says i should write a book (well, i've published 9, and am an authorholic but where's the topic for that?!)
i rarely buy new books, and also have 3 library cards (public, a private library in san francisco called mechanics institute, and uc berkeley).
does anyone open cupboards in their kitchen and find books instead? how about closets: all books!? and yet you know where every last blooming title is, right!?
is there a 12-step for this group? or can i just say, hallelujah, i'm a bookaholic!! i once vowed i'd never ever buy another book until i read and got rid of one (!!HAH!!) but then a big used bookstore decided to go out of business ...
thank you, Wes, for establishing & maintaining this topic. (as you can see, i cannot shift for myself).
pleased to meetcha all
and say would anybody like to a buy a rare, unsigned copy of ...

i'm just beginning to seriously write in my books (at age 60) and envy my friends who write dialogues with the authors in their books since that's what it's about isn't it? ———— a dialogue ...


I like to bend my spines, though. Just not too horribly. I like my books to look and feel well-loved, which is why I like going to book sales. Not too many used bookstores around my parts, at least none that sell most of the types of books I read.
And, I think the selection at Borders is better, but the environment is less user-friendly. Too many bright lights. I like to take my own books into Barnes & Noble and read in the comfy chairs in between browsing sprees (I think it keeps me from buying more), but I hate it when I see all the people with their piles of new magazines and books who sit there for hours.
Grrrr....

to each his own I guess.
wes




WHEN I GET A LITTLE MONEY, I BUY BOOKS; IF ANY IS LEFT I BUY FOOD AND CLOTHES.
DESIDERIUS ERASMUS
1466-1536

My dad used to take me to the book section of our local Goodwill store years ago (and no matter where I have lived over the years, I have always judged a second hand store by its book section). I feel that I came by my addition honestly - I inherited it. To this day my pop & I can spend hours together looking through used books.
We would go to the annual bookfairs (at a couple large private schools) and pick through the books the first day of the fair then return the last day of the bookfair for the "all the books you can get in a paper bag for $2" and come out with back breaking loads of books.
My brother and I worked for two years in a "book tent" (the first year managing the tent and the second year as part owners). We would set up the tent for 2-3 wks at a time in a mall (or Wal-Mart or military base) parking lot and sell publisher remainders for about a quarter of their cover price. (A $25 book for $6) Since we were with the book tent constantly for two years, my brother and I both got a LOT of reading done and I bought a LOT of books to read later (such a good deal!)
Now I continue to frequent used book stores, the "sale" section of the local library and the book section of any second hand shop.
I am a member of B&N just so I can get a break when I buy their "discount books" (those are publisher remainders)
For the past couple of years I have had the Erasmus quote as part of my signature on my email at work and when I travel for work, I ALWAYS have a book with me.
Wes, since I used to own a bookstore, I envy you. But just a little b/c it was HARD WORK.
I was straightening up my library (we have company coming over tomorrow for Thanksgiving) but I got overwhelmed and just had to come visit goodreads.
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!