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!