Used Books

[TerokNor]

Used book stores smell like old books-- i.e., wonderful.

Agreed! Old bookstores and used books have a certain charme. Just received a parcel from England today with a used book from 1980. It has that typical smell and looks quite yellowish and its a joy to read around in it. And I paid under 1 Euro for it. What does one want more?

TerokNor

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I LOVE the smell of used book stores...I find it comforting.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

We have a brand new used book store that just opened about 6 months ago. It is in a plaza next to a Starbucks. It is anything but creepy, and it certainly doesn't smell funny.

Make up your mind. Is it brand new or used?

 

[RoJoHen]

The store is new. The books are used.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

My uncle and his branch of the family live very near to the largest used-book store in England, and I very much enjoy popping in there whenever I go visit.

And I can barely resist entering any random used book store I come across. So count me among the "yays" on the page.

 

[trekkiedane]

I LOVE the smell of used book stores...I find it comforting.

That is indeed the right word to describe that smell

 

[SmoothieX]

Used book stores creep me out, and smell funny.

I think this may be the most I've ever disagreed with anybody about anything on this BBS!

They kinda smell like moldy gym socks, and the only two I ever was in was full of weirdos. I just prefer my books new over something with a broken spine, torn pages, someone else's notes or highlighted areas, etc.

It's just not my thing, unless a given book is out of print and that's my only option. Heck, I buy all my textbooks new despite the fact that they're more.

 

[Miss Chicken]

Used bookstores are getting too expensive where I live. They charge $8-10 for a book that I can buy new from the Book Depository for $12 (with free postage). Of course, if I was to buy the same book new in Australia it would probably cost at least $24. I gather that the used bookstores charge 1/3 to 1/2 of the Australian new book price which are far more expensive than overseas prices.

I don't think I have ever bought a book in a used bookstore that had torn pages or broken spines. Occasionally someone has written in or highlighted a used book I have bought but as lonmg as it is readable I don't mind.

 

[Gepard]

Used book stores creep me out, and smell funny.

I think this may be the most I've ever disagreed with anybody about anything on this BBS!

 

[Misfit Toy]

Used book stores creep me out, and smell funny.

I think this may be the most I've ever disagreed with anybody about anything on this BBS!

They kinda smell like moldy gym socks, and the only two I ever was in was full of weirdos.

That sounds like a...umm...different kind of book store...

 

[RJDiogenes]

Yeah, there's used and then there's "used."

 

[MHT1138]

I love all bookstores. Now that many of the Borders in the Phoenix area have closed (depriving me of both my job and books at a deep discount) used bookstores are my best option. Its really hard for me to pay full price for books.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

^ Sorry to hear about the job loss. I hope you've found new work?

 

[Amaris]

I love a good used book store. Ten thousand musty memories, all waiting to be relived.

 

[23skidoo]

Maybe it's because I've been a fan of used bookstores since I was a child, and I know about a dozen people who run them, but I honestly am surprised and saddened at the dislike so many people have for them.

Used bookstores are going to be the preservers of the printed word, people. In 10 years or less when the last Barnes & Noble or Borders or Chapters has converted to a kiosk for downloading e-books (or closed entirely), it's going to be the independent used bookstores (online, brick-and-mortar, whatever) that's going to be the last safe harbour for finding permanent books.

Alex

 

[pigletsgiblets]

I love used book stores too!I hardly ever pay full price for a book.