Used bookstores. The elitist book-lover’s nook.
Libraries or Barnes N Noble or (God forbid) Amazon is for novices. Used bookstores are the bibliophile’s home of choice. The smell of the books, the cats roaming the stacks, the treasure hunt for some undiscovered antique or classic. It takes dedication.
I too love the atmosphere of a nice used bookstore. It’s exciting to seek out local book haunts.
So what’s my beef with used bookstores?
Authors receive no cut from the sale of used books. I’m a fan of authors. I want them to succeed and keep doing what they’re doing. I love them so much I plan on being one as soon as I’m able. So despite the wonderful atmosphere of a local used bookstore, I can’t regulary purchase books there without a shred of guilt.
Authors should be paid for their work. That is why I try to buy books new. If I love a book, I recommend it to a friend, or even gift it. Of course I still check out a used bookstore and give an unknown book a try – but I suggest making it a point to buy new books every now and again – support the system. The world needs more readers – so used bookstores are great to introduce unknown books to prospective fans. But readers should support their authors – especially the most-loved ones, but authors in general as well.
Note: Yes, I am aware that the astute reader will recognize this as a veiled plea for you to one day give me money 🙂
What say you?
Do you prefer online shopping, barnes n noble, libraries, or used bookstores? Why?
