Used Books Make the World Go ‘Round

…Just Read, People!

The number of new books I have in my house is low, point-blank. I rely so much on used books to maintain a habit of reading consistently. Even then it’s still hard.

The used versus new book debate is kind of weird, in my opinion. Used books keep people reading, and who can afford brand new books when one hardcover book costs close to $30? And that’s not even the most important reason.

Still, I advocate for people to buy used books, which honestly should be a rule of thumb for most things. New things are overrated, for the most part. If a book is just coming out, that’s one thing.

But unlike “New is always better,” a la Neil Patrick Harris’ character on How I Met Your Mother, used books are a gift that humanity takes for granted.

It is a wonderful thing that people are generous enough to donate things they paid for. Especially when those things may have sentimental value to them. In turn, that can be created within another, and another, until the book itself has a kind of power.

A power it gives off to people it knows will appreciate and take care of it. For one, these books are not only underappreciated, but in an abundance where no one should be visiting Barnes & Noble for The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck when they can get it on ThriftBooks for a quarter of the price.

Oh yeah, ThriftBooks is like the Amazon of used books, and if you’ve never been to their website, I’ll apologize in advance for the hour you’re about to spend looking for books you’ve been thinking about.

Like Amazon, there are new books, but their focus is a thrift store’s focus shifted to an online platform.

I have spoken to several people in my area who don’t know what 2nd & Charles is. This always baffles me. I mean, there are two of these very large stores located within a half hour of each other pretty close by. I’d drive an hour though — that’s how much I revere this store.

It’s basically Barnes & Noble but for used books (Books-A-Million is muuuuuch closer to B&N, with mostly new stuff).

Their website literally says they are the intersection between used and new stuff, and their name even implies second chances. It’s too perfect.

If I am ever in the area of one, and it doesn’t matter what my errands are or what I’m doing somewhere, I always swing by and if I don’t buy something, I come very close.

I could go on about this store but I’d like to actually provide something thoughtful to you about why used books truly are the better choice, and are, quite frankly, the reason why populations of people still read.

How about some information about why this is my opinion? Okay.

They’re Cheap

I mentioned it above briefly and I will again. Looking at a random book on my personal shelf, the dust jacket price is $27.99. Even a small mass market paperback might run $10–15 depending on the author.

This is outrageous and perhaps the reason a lot of people don’t read for pleasure. I have other ideas for this justification but I’m waiting until the time is right (see #4).

Used books at Goodwill or a similar second-hand store are $1 or $2. Other places will usually have them on sale for at least half of the price on the cover, if not much less. Need I say more?

Easy to Find

Any thrift store has at least a pile or two of used books that, again, give people an opportunity to look in a large number of places and are accessible in location and price.

I’m not sure I’d bet a lot of money, but I would bet some money that everyone who is reading this has at least five books in their house they could take to a thrift store and donate, sell, or ultimately give back to the cycle that is the life of a book.

If you look, they’re easy to find. Today, we are so bent on instantly becoming satisfied that we do not understand that if we use a bit of patience, the reward is even greater. We want things now, now, now, and new books satisfy that.

But don’t give in. Be better than that, man.

Environmentally friendly

Recycled. Less printing. Next.

History

As I mentioned above, the power that used books carry is developed only over time, and new books just aren’t the same. So many surfaces, hands, and places are represented. The idea of where a book has been isn’t just a fantastic vision that some people blow out of proportion.

I don’t want this to be the most important reason because I think this is something special that people who buy plenty of used books already understand. Reading for pleasure is a privilege, and if we are diligent about how we put that privilege to use, then we can both enjoy it more and give something back to society.

In order to get people to read for pleasure more, books must be accessible, period. Yes, they are easy to find, but that is my opinion as someone who enjoys that search.

I collect Stephen King’s books, and a big part of collecting anything is finding good deals and used pieces that can’t be found new anymore.

However, some people don’t want to put in the work, and that is fine, though accessibility still needs to be a priority. A possible, extremely undervalued solution to this is libraries.

Libraries are underrated and provide a service that many people take for granted. Some don’t even know they’re there, so find out what libraries are near you and make a stop.

Free things are often too good to be true, but libraries are free (taxes, though) and if you’re paying your taxes, take advantage of where your money is going.

Billy Doux writes on ThriftBooks.com:

“The point is, used books are a lot like us. They have personality. They are a bit worn down here and there. They have pasts. So when it comes time to pick up your next read…The choice is yours!” — Source

If you’re going out and buying new books, I encourage you to visit a thrift store or library to see if you can find what you need. If you want to collect, borrow so you can read it, and then keep looking for that title in a used form.

Read for pleasure, for fun, to be better, and to learn. Don’t use books as a novelty or presentation of status. Although they are sentimental and have a type of aura about them, they are part of the world, and therefore, part of humanity.

As always, I appreciate any and everyone who clicked on this article. I appreciate you even more if you read all the way through. Believe it or not, I will appreciate the most if you leave a response letting me know if you liked it.

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