Yesterday an author friend and I were chatting about our ebook and paperback buying habits.
We discovered that we mainly buy ebooks: me because I love reading on my ereader and I like to get the book straight away, and she because she lives in a non-English speaking country. Shipping print books to her costs a fortune and takes ages. My friend and I seldom buy fiction in print unless it’s from the thrift store or for our children.
As a homeschooling mother and an avid reader, I buy a lot of books. It can get expensive. There are active homeschooling communities where people sell on learning materials to others when they’re done with them. This is really helpful to families who need to stretch a dollar (or a pound in my case). However, I try to buy new when I can, to encourage whoever produced the materials to keep on doing it.
With fiction, though, I love to buy my paperback and hardback books second-hand. Our town has several charity shops that sell used books. Besides the Salvation Army we have Oxfam, the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research, and St. Luke’s Hospice. There’s also a second-hand bookshop that’s not linked to any charity, but the owner knows used books are popular.
The South Bank Book Market, under Waterloo Bridge in London, is one of the only permanent outdoor second hand book markets in the south of England.
One of my favourite places in London is the South Bank Book Market under Waterloo Bridge. If you ever come to London, you’ve got to pay a visit there. It’s a book lovers’ dream, and I’ve spent many happy hours browsing the shelves. Entering a used book store is like going on a treasure hunt. I never know what delights I’m going to find, and I rarely come out empty-handed.
Does buying used novels make me a hypocrite?
For a few uncomfortable minutes yesterday, I pondered over whether I’m being unfair to other authors by buying some of their books used. On reflection, I decided that I’m not employing a double standard by buying new curriculum and used printed novels. If I really enjoy one of my thrift store novels, I’ll look out for the author and will probably buy more of their books new, or look out for them at my library. The second-hand books serve as a “taster” and often lead to follow-up purchases, and the author will have gained themselves a voracious new reader.
For that reason, I would have no problem at all if somebody donated my print books to a thrift store or resold them on eBay. I might find a new reader that way!
Do you get books from thrift stores? Or do you donate books you’re done reading?
I write fiction that reflects my Christian faith. I love happy endings, heroes and heroines who discover sometimes hard but always vital truths, and stories that uplift and encourage. My family and I live in the east of England where we enjoy rambling in the countryside, reading good books and making up silly lyrics to our favorite songs.
I LOVE THRIFT STORES. Not just for books.
I love finding a treasured book that is pre-loved. Even better if it has an inscription hinting at it’s history.
I buy new. I buy used. I buy books.
I totally related to this blog. I have spent many happy hours browsing through second hand book stores and I discovered some of my favourite authors through second hand books.
They made their money out of all the other books of theirs that I bought.
We also homeschooled and I still have many of the prescribed books, waiting for grandchildren to enjoy- we hope!
These days I only buy ebooks, I have run out of book space…
Ha ha, same! The inscriptions on used books fascinate my nosy side.
I usually donate the books I’ve read and didn’t like or don’t want to reread, they can find the right partner who loves it.
I like second-hand stores, the books are cheaper and you can spend some time looking through even finding old books that are no longer printed.
You’re a kindred spirit, Jeannette! Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for your comment, Lilly. It’s so special to find a good book that’s no longer in print! I’ve found several beloved treasures that way.
Yes, I used to always purchase and donate to our local used book stores. Now I still have overloaded bookshelves, but tend to purchase (and even borrow from the library) ebooks. They take up less space and I can enlarge the font when my glasses aren’t close by.
As brick and mortar bookstores keep declining I find myself going to indie bookstores. Two of my local favorites are used bookstores. I trade in books I’ve already read and don’t want to keep, and receive credit to buy more.
Even on Amazon—The ebook is my first preference , but if I find that the Kindle price is higher, I can often order a used paperback version for less $$ than the Kindle. So I’ll go that way.
I agree that Ebooks are so much more convenient. And with a backlight, I can read in the dark, too. :-)
That’s awesome that your local store gives you credit to buy more books! Our local new bookstore is part of a large chain and only sells big blockbuster titles, so there’s very little variety. I suppose they stock their shelves with the books they feel are most likely to sell, which tend to be the ones that already top sellers. :-/ Variety is one other big advantage of ebooks and used bookstores.
Welcome. No you are not a hypocrite. I totally agree with you about buying and sharing books. It actually gets the authors name out into the world and who knows where it goes from there.
When I was a teen, I haunted the local used bookstore – and it was my hunting ground for finding older books of a favorite author that weren’t readily available new. That picture of London makes me want to seriously prioritize that as my next vacation plan.
Not to mention that the best-selling successes are not usually the ones I would like to read, the most popular now is usually very anti-Christian in these times.
Hi, the only used books I have bought are from Libraries that are having a sale on used books. It has been a while though, I usually purchase new books from Amazon, Walmart or Barnes and Noble. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
I do both actually! Since I can’t afford to buy new books often, I get the majority of them from thrift stores or yard sales. If I do buy a new book, it’s an ebook because they are much more affordable & I have a nice big balance on my Amazon gift card account. That way too, I’m not spending money I don’t really have to spend, lol! Plus the ones that I want to read do go on sale often enough & I snatch them up immediately. I wished we had a used bookstore here where I live, but we sadly we don’t. :-(
Another way I get my books (both paperback and ebook), is through my library. My sister-in-law has given me access to her digital library to borrow ebooks because her library system is MUCH bigger than my small town one. I find LOTS of Christian fiction titles….probably more than I could read in my lifetime! Once I get done reading my physical books, I give them to her to read or the library if they are ones I know she’s already read. We exchange books all the time :-) Win/win situation, I’d say!
Lastly, I subscribe to Kindle Unlimited so I’ve borrowed quite a lot from there too. Especially from our beloved authors here on Inspy Romance. I’ve discovered many new-to-me authors this way! Another win/win in my book ;-)
P.S. That picture of the South Bank Book Market makes me drool! LOL! I wished I could visit because that’s the first place I’d go.
I do like finding books at thrift stores! However, a lot of the thrift stores here don’t have books, though we do have a used book store that I’ve been to a few times. I really prefer to buy my books, though. Most of the books at thrift stores are older, which is still good if I find something I like. I donate books to my church library, or to thrift stores or a public library when I have to weed out my own paperbacks.
I love thrift stores for books and clothes. Been thrifting since I was 10 years old and I’m 73.
Our library has semi annual book sales. Last month the books were 50 cents each. I mistakenly got two I already had , so put them in the Church library. I prefer to purchase used book because of my budget and I would hate to see them thrown out!
Exactly, Lilly! The books I want to read are rarely ever the big bestsellers.
Thanks, Lori! And the best type of marketing is word of mouth. :-)
Used bookstores are among my favourite haunts! And, for sure, you should visit London. The entire South Bank, where the book market is, is wonderful.
Thanks, Alicia. I also love library sales. I’ve got some of my children’s most treasured books from those.
You’re so blessed to have Christian fiction available at your local library! We don’t have any, not even in the digital catalogue. There just isn’t the demand for it, sadly. I subscribe to Kindle Unlimited and Scribd as well, where I get both audio and ebooks for the same price. It’s great!
And, yes, the South Bank Book Market is terrific! I used to work nearby and would often spend my lunch hour browsing there.
Thanks for your comment, Trudy. The older books are part of the attraction thrift stores have for me! I’ll need to weed out my bookshelves soon, too. I did a big clearout before Christmas and freed up some shelf space, but I’m seeing stacks of books that don’t fit anywhere. That’s always a sign that I have to declutter!
Ha ha, good to know I’m not the only one who sometimes buys books I already have! I almost did that last week, but when I did a search I found the book I wanted to get was already on my eReader. I also hate to throw away books, unless they’re tattered beyond repair or so objectionable that I don’t want to pass them on to somebody else.
As an author, my take on thriftstores selling used books is simple. I consider it to be a passive form of marketing for my books. A way to reach new readers who might not be familiar with my work.
As a reader, I’ve bought books for .50 or $1 by authors I’m not familiar with. I’m rarely willing to spend full price for work by an author I’m not familiar with, but I’m happy to get them for next to nothing. If I don’t like the book, very minor loss. If I DO, and it’s work I really enjoy, I won’t hesitate to pay full price for more by the same author. I’ve found some of my favorite authors that way, some of whom I buy only in hardcover when they put out new releases. I’ve spoken to others who do the same sort of thing.
Furthermore, if a reader enjoys a book of mine they found at a thrift store, I’m happy, even if I never see a penny from them because they can’t afford a full price book and watch for my books to show up where they can get them cheap. If they truly enjoy the book, they’ll tell others about it. Those individuals may turn around and pay full price for my books. Word of mouth. So, more marketing that didn’t cost me anything.
It all comes out in the wash, so to speak. So no one should EVER feel bad for picking up books cheap or free. Just spread the word about that author’s work, if you enjoy it. That’s all the “payment” authors like me need. :-)
Fantastic comment, Dawn. I agree with every word!
I don’t buy print books at all due to space. I donate any books that I receive once read to a free little library near me. I use Bookbub and ereaderiq to get free or discounted ebooks. The ereaderiq web site has a US and Uk version. The inspirational ebooks are categorized under Religion & Spirituality. I like it a lot because you can track specific books and it will notify you when the book reaches the price you want to pay. It allows tracking of authors too.
I can’t afford to buy ebook full prices often mbut I can recommend up to three ebooks a month to my state’s digital library.
Wow, thanks for mentioning ereaderiq, Jcp. That’s a service I’ve never heard of. I’ll check it out! And it’s awesome of you to recommend books to your library. That’s a blessing both to the authors and to readers who would enjoy the books.
I’ve donated my books. I now only get ebooks since I don’t have the room for paperbacks and hardbacks.
Printed books do take up so much space, don’t they? I definitely read a lot more ebooks these days. Weeks can pass between the times I pick up a printed novel. Thanks for your comment!
donate them
I buy used books. I do donate books that I’m not interested in & won’t read again
I like to donate books unless it’s something I collect
Thanks for your comment, BN! I also donate books that are in reasonable condition.
Thanks for your comment, Amy! It’s wonderful to hear how many of us enjoy used books.
Hey, Sylvain. It’s wonderful to give a book a new home..
I’m late I do donate books that I don’t want to keep. Now its mainly to the Church Library and have donated to the local library. Often the books wouldn’t been read any other way and often by people who can’t afford to buy the books. Some I have given to book drives where they are then on sold. While the author may not get any money the charity does and the book gets read by more people.
We use to have a second hand book store and I would buy a comic type magazine every month then take it back and sell it. I could then use that money to buy more of the comic.
I don’t tend to go to used books stores to buy books now. I do know people who have bought books in a series after reading book one at the church library. I tend to mainly buy ebooks I find them easier but you cant share them like a physical book.
Thanks for your comment, Jenny! That’s the one big downside with ebooks: you can’t easily pass them on for somebody else to enjoy.
I don’t usually get books at thrift stores, but I do get a lot of them at the library. I donate books I don’t think I’ll reread to a Little Free Library or to a church library.
I love the idea of Little Free Libraries, Ellie! I saw one when we visited my brother. It’s a fantastic way to share books.
Up until a few years ago I swore I would never read an ebook. I was part of a group of ladies who passed books around after reading them. Each person put their initials in the cover when done reading to help you know who to pass it along to. Any of those I bought were always from thrift shops. I was blessed to work in our church library so I always had multiple books from there too. When my health took the ability to attend church regularly out, working in the library stopped too. A few of the group who shared books went home to the Lord about when I had to stop sharing as well. This is when I read my first ebook & now that’s the way I read the most. I’m still not sure how that happened! I still always have at least one physical book going at all times but the bulk are in my computer, Kindle or phone. I also had to admit to my brother-in-law my ‘eat my words’ moment. He always reads multiple books at once and I told him I could never do that (other than reading my son’s books with him and my own as well). Yeah, now I have a regular book-sometimes two, one on my Kindle, one on my phone & often a ‘pleasure book’ on the computer as well as one I am working on. I do still share any books I have with others and will donate most when both friends and I have all read them. Unless it’s a non-fiction or personalized, I believe books are to special not to share, especially Christian ones. I prefer to give them to a place that loans or gives them for free but some go to second hand stores I buy from to keep the love of books flowing.
Aw, that was so sweet, how you and your friends would pass the books around. I fully agree with you that books are meant to be shared. I love how ereaders let me change the size of the text and make it more comfortable for my eyes.
I’m also one of those people who has several books on the go at once! And we’re all allowed to change our minds. I’m sure everyone has eaten their words at some point!
Thank you for sharing. I have donated books to Goodwill and Salvation Army. Since I am disabled, it is hard for me to go to bookstores, second hand bookstores or thrift stores. I do purchase second hand books from Amazon when I can. If there is a new book from an author that I am a big fan, I preorder the book. God bless you.
Thanks for your post, Debra. Preordering a book is the ultimate show of support for an author. And it’s wonderful that you’ve passed books on for others to enjoy.