Old vs. New

There was a time in my book buying life, that I would not have considered buying my books used.  Actually I might go into a used bookstore to browse and perhaps buy a book, but if I wanted something new it just went without saying that I would buy it new and quite often at full price.  I have been slowly changing my thinking about the whole new vs. used book dilemma, though.  Aside from the fact that not all the books I want to read these days are necessarily in print, new books can be rather expensive (and as you know I am always battling with my budget and trying to not buy books).  Of course I can always get new books from the library, but I have to then be prepared to read them now as there is likely a line of people waiting to read it, too.  Lately I have also wanted to try new authors that I am not sure I am going to like, and why pay for a new book when I can find a nice used one for half or less than half price?  My solution to this has been (the much talked about by me) Bookmooch, and also used bookstores--both in town and online.  While my favorite used bookstore in town has lots to offer, I don't always go there with a list of books that I specifically want.  As luck seems to have it, they often don't have it when I want it.  But for browsing and finding wonderful reading surprises (like Precious Bane! from earlier in the summer) they are perfect.  If I need something specific I can always look online.  My stores of choice are Alibris and Abebooks.  You can read Abebooks most recent newsletter here.  What is nice is that they get many very recently published books quite soon, and if you are willing to wait a bit you can even find new hardcovers cheap--like Sarah Waters's Night Watch for as little as $6.00 (can you tell I have been contemplating this?).   

On a couple of occasions recently I have ordered a few things from Alibris.  My first set of books came this week.  After watching the film adaptation of Woodlanders I decided I needed to read Thomas Hardy.  What's nice is that if you can find books that Alibris has in their own warehouse (as opposed to one of their member's stores), they can all ship out together.  I think these must be overstock or remainders as they look new, but I got them all for less than $3.00 each.  How can you beat that?  I bought not only The Woodlanders, but also Hardy's Under the Greenwood Tree, which came recommended and I hear has a happy ending!  I also have been wanting to collect the Virago Modern Classics series of books.  I need to try and find a complete listing of their titles, as they seem to be numbered (the Lehmann is 53, but the Du Maurier books I have are also VMC and they are into the 500s!  Imagine having the whole VMC collection!).  I found a copy of Rosamond Lehmann's Invitation to the Waltz.  Anita Brookner called Lehmann, "A novelist in the grand tradition, and,more than this, an innovator, the first writer to filter her stories through a woman's feelings and perceptions."  By looking at the cover of her books, you would think she was a contemporary author, but she was born in 1901 and died in 1990.  The book I bought was published in 1932.  I love discovering new authors!  At least when I buy used (or in this case remaindered) books, I feel slightly less guilty, as I am getting them cheaper! 

Comments

[Ann Darnton]

Abebooks, I knew about, but I hadn't come across Alibris before. I think I want to thank you for pointing me in that direction, not certain my bank manager will agree! And you reminded me that my VMC copy of 'Invitation to the Waltz'is sitting somewhere in the tbr pile. I must go and dig it out.

[kimbofo]

Bookfinder.com is a good site if you want to find secondhand books.

[Dorothy W.]

I'm kind of the opposite, in that I used to buy more used books (although sometimes new as well), and now I'm starting to feel a little bit better about buying new ones -- not feeling guilty about the money so much. I have only two expensive habits -- cycling and book buying, and cycling is MUCH worse in terms of money, so a little bit of money on a new book now and then doesn't seem so bad :)

And I mention Book Mooch obsessively too -- the thing is, I haven't been in a bookstore in quite a while because I can satisfy my book-acquiring needs by mooching books!

[Litlove]

I really, really adored that Rosamund Lehmann novel. One of my favourite comfort reads of all time (and thinking back, I should have put it in my list). I wish I had better second hand bookstores around, although I have to say I cannot help but like new books. Just have to shop around as best I can.

[Pam]

You can get the whole list of Virago at VMC website...if you dare!!
I'm lucky enough to be able to shop at the local libraries' bookshops so buying new (except for that "must read tonight" book) seems wasteful when I know it will turn up eventually at the library "stores" for $1-$5. It's not like my at-home bookshelves are naked! So I guess I'm learning to be patient. But it's hard with all the temptation out there!!

[Quillhill]

Always pleased to hear of a new convert to Thomas Hardy.

[Stephanie]

I found your blog through "Our Coffee Rings." First, I too am really enjoying Little Women (I did not read it as a child either). Secondly, I buy WAY too many books. I have heard about Bookmooch but not some of the other sites you mentioned. Thanks for the information.

[Danielle]

Ann-I love Alibris. I tend to use it more than other used online bookstores.
Kimbofo--thanks for the heads up--I will check it out!
Dorothy--I am particular about certain books. If they are a series like the Hornblowers, I want them all the same and in good condition, so new, basically. But for a new author to me, or something I am not sure about, I don't mind the used. I think in the end this is just another way for me to rationalize buying more books!!
Litlove--Glad to hear you liked the Lehmann book! It sounds good! I love discovering new authors.
Pam--Is there a printable list on the VMC site that I am missing? I have looked around a bit. It's all too tempting. It's nice to have a good source for cheap books, by the way!
Quillhill--I take it you're a Hardy fan? I am looking forward to reading him!
Stephanie--Thanks for stopping by. I keep saying I need to stop buying books, but it is so hard to follow up on that promise! Definitely check out Bookmooch!!

[Matt]

I like the phrase "book buying life." :)

I have used both abebooks and Alibris, both of which are great resources for used and rare books. Recently I was looking for Rebecca West's 1966 novel "The Birds Fall Down" after coming across a literary tribute to her on the paper. I had no luck anywhere scouring all the local bookstores, not even the used store. It turned out that the novel has been out of print for 20 years! So I looked it up and ordered a copy from a bookseller in California that was listed on abebooks. These sites are treasure boxes for book lovers!

I feel the same way you do with buying books new--well, at least for my favorite authors. I also encounter the uncertainty of whether a book is up to my liking (I'm sure every devoted reader and bibliophile can relate)--I usually read the first few pages and try to be conscious of the style, the diction, the tone and the writing.

This is how I discovered Heinrich von Kleist as i have mentioned in my blog, and also Desperate Characters by Paula Fox, a thin novel with dazzling prose that slowly unveils the faultlines of a marriage through the incident in which the woman, heedless of her husband's warning, got bit by a stray cat while feeding her.

[Kirsten]

I am quite a fan of Bookmooch myself :)