Stop Buying New Books
I was scrolling through Twitter when I came across an article about the rising prices of paperbacks. As someone who thought new books are already too pricey, I channeled my frustration by writing this article as a means to protest. I want to make a case for used books.
- The prices are substantially lower. During summer I went on a solo trip to Cambridge and was in awe of the number of used bookstores there. At the market square, I stumbled upon a used book stall and found a copy of The Catcher in the Rye and The Waves by Virginia Woolf (both in excellent condition) for £5 ($6). After being so accustomed to Waterstones, this felt like a steal.
2. Worn books exude character. The idea that there was someone that previously owned this book and flipped through its pages is fascinating to me. The book somehow landed in your hands, and they are not even aware. There is something beautiful about it. You feel a vague sense of connection towards the previous owner. Annotations and items left between the pages add to this sense of connection. My Pride and Prejudice copy contained an old train ticket and there was a name and a heart scribbled on the first page of The Diary of a Young Girl, maybe it was a gift for someone.
3. Older covers are almost always prettier. Through my years of buying old and new books, I’ve realised that the former almost always have more beautiful, nuanced, and detailed cover art. Modern book covers suffer from minimalism, are uninspired, and virtually indistinguishable. This article delves deep into this. Also, if a recently published book becomes a bestseller, its blurb will usually be replaced by authors showering their praise. I just want to know what the book is about. What irritates me far more is when it gets a TV adaptation in which case the original cover is often replaced with the actors or/and a sticker.
4. It is better for the environment since unwanted books can go to a new home and be reused. The process of disposing of a book can double the environmental impact compared to its production process. Buying used means your carbon footprint will be one-fifth of what it would be had you bought new.
5. You get to support independent bookstores. It isn’t news to anyone that independent bookstores have had it rough for a while. Covid helped with a surge in their sales, yet they still suffer. As readers, we should support these stores however we can. The interaction at these stores also feels more human since the owners are usually present and are more than happy to talk books with you.
6. You might find hidden gems: going to a used bookstore is like venturing into the unknown, you never know what you will come across. Often these bookstores are unorganised which forces you to explore your way, scanning through the spines until you find something that piques your interest. You are compelled to explore new authors and genres, broadening your interests. It forced me to get out of my comfort zone and not religiously stick to my Goodreads list. The process becomes spontaneous and unpredictable.
7. Can’t/ don’t want to go to a bookstore? No problem: several websites are dedicated to selling used books, offering cheap and worldwide delivery. Although the deals won’t be as eye-catching as the ones at brick-and-mortar stores, special offers are common. I got three books including Choke by Chuck Palahniuk for £11.
