I know, I know, as a writer I should be encouraging readers to avoid second-hand bookstores as if they were biblical clichés – but what can I tell you? I love second-hand bookstores. Here’s a piece of whimsy on the subject the Evening Herald was kind enough to publish … There are a couple of drawbacks to having a book published, the main one being that most people assume that you’re earning JK Rowling-style loot, and expect you to stand every round. The truth is that most writers are as broke as Delhi orphans, and it’s wasting all their time writing that has them that way.For the rest, clickety-click here …
Which is why, while most writers want you to buy a brand spanking new copy of their latest book, and preferably in hardback, said writers will generally be found haunting the murkier corners of your local second-hand bookshop. They’re addicted to books, after all -- the writing is just a symptom of a particularly bad affliction -- and they can’t afford to pay top dollar …
While I, too, am fond of secondhand bookstores (we have a rather decent, albeit haunted, one here in Amarillo)I do like getting brand new shiny hardbacks. I think lots of people look forward to that new book from a favorite author. It's like getting that special candy treat when you're little, only more permanent and less tooth-rotty.
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ReplyDeleteI got a second hand copy of The Wasp Factory which has this dedication in it "To Nadette, with my love and very best wishes - Iain Banks."
You dont get stuff like that on Amazon.
Every month I have access to a charity used books sale with thousands of books at ridiculous prices,add the normal secondhand bookshops,and for English books,the thriving bargain bin section of my English bookshop in Florence,and you'll see I'm pretty spoiled.
ReplyDeletePre-loved...many actually seem to arrive as good as new.I remember a copy of L'Arcobaleno della Gravità/Gravity's Rainbow which seemed as yet untouched by human hand.(I convinced a friend of mine to buy it-he now uses it as a doorstopper-literally).
And it is sad to see how many have a dedication-birthdays,marriages-I'd feel bad giving away a gift.
v-word:cabilia,a region of Algeria.