Inquiring Minds: Used Books

[rolanni]

I'm hoping that the essay question and comments are large enough. If not, please do answer in comment.

Thanks!

[Poll #861037]

Comments

[malkingrey.livejournal.com]

I don't buy used books now because (1) there's no place within an hour and a half of here that sells them, and (2) by and large, I can afford not to.

On the other hand, I remember very well how much I depended on used bookstores when I was a teenager in darkest north Texas, and a college student in deepest Arkansas. And those sales weren't lost hardcover sales, or even lost paperback sales -- given the state of my budget at the time, the choice wasn't between an expensive new book or a cheaper used one, it was betwen a used book or no book at all.

[trolleypup.livejournal.com]

Ditto.

I will admit to buying ARCs off eBay simply because it is the only way I can get the words in front of me earlier. I would be perfectly happy to pay the author(s) for ARCs, if they offered them. Heck, I'd buy the galleys[1].

I can't say I'm consistent about this, but if a favorite author has a "Contribute Here" clicky on their website, I'll click through from time to time. And if I'm going to dinner with an author, I will enter the competition to pay.

[1] And just did...in a charity auction.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

^^ What she said. When I was too poor to buy books, I borrowed them from my friends; that didn't pay royalties to the author, either. MZB got not a penny from me in my college years, but she made up for it later.

[torrilin.livejournal.com]

Up until this may, I could mostly afford not to buy used. Partner and I are unemployed so now used is our only option. It's not fun.