My books, let me show you them (click for a bigger view). This weekend was the annual used book sale in my neighbourhood, and I scored big. Every single one of these books for…$36.
I do feel a bit guilty whenever I buy used books because I know the author isn’t benefitting from my purchase. But I look at it this way: I buy all kinds of books at this sale cheap, on a whim, and this introduces me to new authors I would never explore otherwise. An author I read in a used book one year may become an author I buy new in hardcover the next.
Besides, the vast majority of what I buy looks like it has been read once, if at all. By providing a secondary market for people who don’t like to keep the books they buy once they have read them (I do not understand these people, but anyway), I help free up all kinds of shelf space for them to buy new books. My hunch is that the more people reading books from any source — a shiny bookstore, a used book sale, or the library — the more authors will benefit in the end.
Reading and Writing History and Fiction (and sometimes food)
Ooh, you’ve got two of my favorite books in the pile: Year of Wonders and Suite française. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them! An a Victoria Holt, too–she was my idol as a teenager. I must have read every book she ever wrote. Let us know what you think about Gargoyle–I’ve heard it’s an amazing book.
I missed our library book sale last weekend, but I’ve got so many books in my TBR pile, it’s probably just as well. 🙂
I’m with you–keep books circulating, no matter what it takes! People need to read, if there’s any hope for us as-yet-unpublished writers.
Well, I know what weekend I want to come visit you next year 🙂
Quite the collection. Year of Wonders is on my TBB pile – I’ve read March and The Book of the People.
I’ll have to come back to this picture once I’m done with my current library batch and order some of those!
Teresa, if you come I’ll make you a turkey — it’s always Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. You’re invited!
Julianne, I loved Victoria Holt too, but I think I missed this one. My favourite of hers was On the Night of the Seventh Moon, about Germany. The copy of Gargoyle that I bought was an ARC — there were quite a few of those in the different piles. I am very curious about it. I’ve wanted to read Suite Francaise for ages.
I loved Suite Francaise. Gargoyle’s author is from Canada… great reviews … did you know?
I loved Pompeii, have got Imperium.. must read it.
Want to read julian Barnes and Water for Elephants… what a great haul!!!
Happiness is having lots of books waiting….
I bought the Thirteenth tale…have to finish Winter in Madrid
What a great pile of books! I should travel north for book sales more often. The ones down in the Champaign area aren’t nearly as good. I’ve been eyeing The Gargoyle in the stores too, and am sure I’ll buy a copy eventually.
You got the Gargoyle as a used book? Lucky you! I initially heard great reviews about it, but then after #15 on the NY Times list, it seemed to drop off the radar. A pity, since the excerpts I read seemed pretty promising.
I think it was an ARC — profits from the sale going to charity so nothing wrong with selling it, I feel. I’m looking forward to reading it.
It was a book with a lot of buzz that no doubt disappointed the people who paid the advance.