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But there's another argument that you may pick up a book by an author second-hand which you'd never pick up for £8.99 or whatever it is that new paperbacks cost these days. Which is so great it sends you off on an obsessive gathering of their other books. The Napster argument, if you like. Works better for books than music, IMHO.
Hmm. This is another one of those time vs. money things, isn't it?
My book consumption is pretty much dictated by chance at the moment as I just don't have money for new books.
Buy from charity shops/boot sales mainly, terrible for targeted buying but great for making you suddenly obssessive about someone you'd never heard of 24 hours previously. Have discovered some of my favourite authors this way.
I'm also fortunate to live somewhere with loads of second-hand bookshops, some of which reguarly sell off random stock in 50p bins etc. As well as two Oxfam bookshops that are wonderful for finding pretty recent novels and good academic books on various subjects (eg most of my recent queer/feminist/mental health/counselling stuff)... prices? I can't carry home £15 worth of books on my own.
For this reason am not reading as much theory stuff as I'd like, as this is the hardest to get v.cheap, but we have a couple of university 2nd hand bookshops that are worth a look.
Actually the only new books I can remember buying recently have been in places like Sh! and small queer bookstores...
Also a user of libraries, but tend to end up spending a fortune in fines, false economy all round...
Can't remember the last time I bought something in a big chain, although do like sitting in Borders and reading things I don't want to buy... |
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