The Next Best Book Club discussion

I was just curious about other people's books? Do you buy books that are only brand new, or at least new loooking? Or does it not matter as long as it looks interesting? I noticed when I reorganized my bookshelves the other day (quite the chore) that a lot of books I have looked kind of ragged out when I haven't even read them yet. They were just bought that way. What about you guys?

I only buy brand-new books unless I its out of print then I get what I can.

Why some books look old before their time is the quality of paper and cover. Mass market paperbacks (the under $10 small size ones) go yellow in daylight and the paper is rubbish. The quality paperbacks last longer, the paper is good but the covers often curl in any humidity. Hardbacks go on for generations!

I buy mostly used books. If it's a book that just looks interesting, not a recomendation, or a looked for one, I try to buy really good condition books. Since I do buy mostly used, if I am searching for a particular book, I can't be too choosy on condition, should I find it.

I usually buy new ones. Even when I'm buying a second hand one/ from a library, I prefer them to be in a proper shape with pages fresh enough to be read and not sneezed.

I've been trying not to buy books at all, and so the only books I get are from the library.

On the off-chance I need to buy something it generally comes from Half Price Books. As an ex-employee (and before that an ex-employee of an independent bookstore) I find it almost impossible to spend money on a brand new book from one of the larger chains. With this said, I do still get pouty if I get a book from the library that has someone's coffee or pencil marks throughout, though it's preferable to me than spending big bucks by buying it new.

I prefer it if my books have the "like-new" look. But since I buy my books used, some of them tend to be more "loved". But as long as it has a cover and the spine isn't broken, then I'm good.

Although, I did get a bit upset when I received The Stand from paperbackswap.com since it was like one step away from having a broken spine (which is clearly against the guidelines) and the cover was also one step away from coming off. So I had to constantly be careful that I wasn't going to make it worse.

If I'm buying in-store, I'll always go for the copy that's in the best condition of the ones available. However, when I pick up stuff for vacation reading, I don't give a fig for condition because I leave the books behind as I go. It helps a lot for lightening my load on the way home!

i always always try to buy new or like new condition.
i am very picky about my books, so i like it to be nice.

I honestly don't mind either. I do sometimes love the look of a brand spanking new book..but other times I really delight in a slightly used/old copy. I prefer when it isn't falling apart or super yellow..but I don't discriminate..especially when it's free or cheap :)

I will read anything with words on it. I buy probably 80% of my books used, so as long as the pages are still attached, I will buy it.

That being said, I try to take good care of my books. I never write in them, or dog-ear or anything like that.

I prefer paperbacks, and don't like hardcovers. Yeah, they last longer, but I bring my books with me everywhere, and I hate the chore of having to lug bulky tomes with me. I also hate sharp corners.

for a long time I only had new, then I started using BookMooch and frequenting thrift stores and used book stores...

Now I HATE paying full price for books and usually only buy used unless its a series I'm following, then I preorder online since they're usually cheaper that way.

Becky wrote: "I will read anything with words on it. I buy probably 80% of my books used, so as long as the pages are still attached, I will buy it.

That being said, I try to take good care of my books. I ne..."

ugh I'm with you on the trying to lug a hardcover around. My purse is big but not big enough for a huge hardcover and then sometimes the corners of it just poke my side through the bag! Irritates me to no end!

I have probably bought an equal number of each one. I try to get at least very good ones from stores and online if they are used. I try to keep the new ones nice, but it doesn't always work either, unfortunately.

Exactly, Jamie!

I really like used books, I prefer somewhere between like-new and falling apart. I like them to be worn in a little, also if it isn't in perfect condition I don't have to feel bad if something accidentally happens.

Becky wrote: "I will read anything with words on it. I buy probably 80% of my books used, so as long as the pages are still attached, I will buy it.

That being said, I try to take good care of my books. I ne..."

Yeah, lugging around hardcovers is terrible. I think the reason I haven't picked up Jane Austen yet is because I have this anthology of all of her novels and the hardcover is huge and weighs a ton. I walk to work (granted it's not that long of a walk, but it seems a hell of a lot longer when you're lugging around like 10 extra pounds in a bag) and the thought of carrying that book with me has put me off Jane Austen. Which is a shame because I really want to read her stories.

If I am just browsing at a used bookstore, then I buy the most new looking book. If I am ordering online, I buy whatever is cheapest. If I am at a library booksale, if it is a book that is on my TBR, I will buy it regardless of the condition.

Most of my books are ebooks. Although I do usually have a "real" book going at the same time. I buy used if I can at all find it. I much perfer paperback to hardbound- fits in my purse better and it's easier to carry. If I'm in a bookstore, I'll try for the best used condition. If I'm buying used online, I go for the cheapest price- Shipping and Handling jacks the overall price of the book up. But if all the pages are in it- I'll buy it.

I was very disappointed once to find my copy of Shogunmissing some pages- I bought it and kept it for years before I read it so I have no idea where or how the pages came to be missing- it was in none too good condition when I picked it up.

I get almost all my books from paperbackswap.com so they are all used. I don't really worry too much about the condition as long as all the pages are there. :) I like used books, knowing that others have shared in the experience of the book I'm reading.

i really like new books because of the smell and feel of them. And old books have very thin pages and smell AWFUL! (to me at least) and I really like paperbacks over hard cover. Just easier on that web between my thumb and index finger ;)

I don't collect books, so it doesn't matter the condition. I guess as long as the pages aren't falling out or missing I am good to go. Pencil and highlighter marks would be a big turn off though.

I did used to buy hard cover but then realized after I had 3 kids that there are so many good books out there I will probably not read most of them a second time anyway.

I always buy new or new looking but I belong to paperbackswap.com and you don't know what you're going to get. At times I have to let the newness obsession go and just read the book and pass it on.

although i like new-like books, one thing that will draw me to a book is if there is some sort of an inscription in the cover. i don't know why, but that just makes the book so endearing, like, someone loved this book enough to write something wonderful in it before giving it to someone else.

I love brand new book, I do anything to buy the new one or the "used" never used lol

Alisha, sell it to me! I´m looking for a Jane Austen Complete Novel Hardcover to buy haha

I adore hardcover by the way, the look amazing in the shelf and don´t get all ripped with time.

Used books (with used aspects) just if they have some history behind, the book of your grand-grandmother, some library first edition, signed books, etc.

While I prefer new books, my budget prefers used.

The only books I buy are at least 60 years old and cost normally 25 cents....and I never read them! I collect antique books.

Everything I read is rented from the library :)

I'm not allowed in libraries anymore. They hang posters of me up as The Libray Police's Most Wanted, lol. I usually buy used books but I try to get them in as good of quality as I can. My biggest peeves are stickers or library tags on them. Ironic since quite a few of the books I own have been, ummm, borrowed from the library. Heh, heh. But our local libraries don't muck up the covers and spines with about a gazillion stickers and such. If it's a book that looks interesting or if it's a hard to find one I'll snap it up, regardless of its shape.

Jensownzoo wrote: "While I prefer new books, my budget prefers used."

Lol, exactly!

I'm not really picky...if I buy brand new, when I'm finished with it, it still looks brand new. But if I have mooched it or whatever, there's no real way to know the condition before receiving it - though most of the time they're in good condition if not nearly brand new. I've borrowed books from friends and my sisters that are, um, well-loved. Memoirs Of A Geisha went through my 3 sisters before it got to me and was left on the dash (open) of a hot truck so the binding broke and the whole thing fell apart, lol. I was still able to read it, though! ;)

mistreated, unloved books make me sad.
I prefer new or like new condition, but I shop at library sales alot, and kinda end up taking what I can get.

Writing, highlighting, dog eared pages, cracked spines... these things bother me, but if it is the only copy of a book I want, I will adopt it and love it and shelve it equally....

I should start an "Adopt an Abused Book" store... or something!

I love both. There is something special about getting a brand new book home and opening it for the first time. Alternatively though, I love an old book that has been loved and worn (but not mistreated) - they are softer, they have history and I don't feel I have to be so careful with them!
One thing I do hate about new books is when book shops put stickers over the titles or such and they don't peel off. WH Smiths, for example, have a rule that their "Buy One Get One Half Price" stickers must go on the top right hand corner, regardless of what it covers. And these stickers don't come off easily. It is such a ridiculous rule!

Grace wrote: " I'm not allowed in libraries anymore. They hang posters of me up as The Libray Police's Most Wanted, lol. I usually buy used books but I try to get them in as good of quality as I can. My biggest ..."

i just went to a huge library sale, and i have a feeling that my next few days are going to be spent peeling stickers off and using un-do to get the sticky off too.

I hate that stuff. Even if you do get the stickers off you're left with that ungodly residue. I think it should be required by law that they use the stickers that peel off easily, like Borders uses. I also get a lot of books from yard sales and a lot of those have annoying stickers, too.

Sometimes a little dab of Windex can help remove some of the goo off your books - not always, but sometimes. If you spray the papertowel (never the book!) and wipe the cover it can help. And if you like shiny hardcovers it will brighten the hardcover also. If you don't overdo the Windex you won't harm your book either.

I'll have to try that, thanks!

Grace wrote: " I hate that stuff. Even if you do get the stickers off you're left with that ungodly residue. I think it should be required by law that they use the stickers that peel off easily, like Borders use..."

You can put a small amount of eye make-up remover on a cotton ball and it will take off the residue, not harming the cover, as long as your careful;)

Still the best thing to be used is a product called Blaster (I think...), but I don't know where it's sold. That's truly the most powerful thing that we used at the bookstore. If you can get your hands on some of that, you'll be golden.

Kandice wrote: "Grace wrote: " I hate that stuff. Even if you do get the stickers off you're left with that ungodly residue. I think it should be required by law that they use the stickers that peel off easily, li..."

thanks- i'll have to try this. i know that you can use nail polish remover, but it smells so horrid that i hate to use it.

El wrote: "Still the best thing to be used is a product called Blaster (I think...), but I don't know where it's sold. That's truly the most powerful thing that we used at the bookstore. If you can get your hands on some of that, you'll be golden."

i did a quick google search. the product is officially called PB Blaster at is sold at:
ACE Hardware
CSK Auto
Advanced Auto
Do It Best Centers
AutoZone
O'Reilly's
Napa Auto Parts
Home Depot
Tractor Supply Co
Big Lots
Lowes
True Value
Car Quest
Wal-Mart
Fastenal
Dollar General
Canadian Tire
Blain's Farm and Fleet

Awesome, thanks Allison!

If anyone chooses to try this, remember that a little bit goes a long way.

I prefer like-new books. I'll buy used-looking books, but my dealbreaker is writing/highlighting in the book.

I peel those annoying stickers off too, though I'd rather have a book with a sticker on it than a sticky book. Adhesive remover also works to get sticky stuff off.

El wrote: "Sometimes a little dab of Windex can help remove some of the goo off your books - not always, but sometimes. If you spray the papertowel (never the book!) and wipe the cover it can help. And if y..."

You reminded me of a time when I was a kid and bought a new book. I couldn't get the glue off. My sister, who loved to torture me, said that peanut butter would work....that was a fine mess! lol!

I highly recommend Goo Gone, which is sold at most major retailers...Target, Wal-Mart, Lowe's, etc.

I'd rather buy a used book than a new bootlegged copy which is available widely in most countries in Asia. I cringe when I see a bootlegged copy of an awarded book lying on the road stacked up against all the latest popular paperbacks. They look new and except for the price (which is 20% of the original usually) you could never tell them apart.
Weigh the thought of writers reaching readers in remote parts of the world who might never be able to afford that book otherwise, against blatant book piracy..I still feel that this is wrong!
Better to wait for a used copy.

Generally, I buy new books. Though, if its a book thats out of print or whatever, I will occasionally buy old ones.

I have a large library and since many books were bought by my Grandparents, They are not frash-looking, but in good condition. When I go to buy a certain book, I buy the new one,but it is my weakness to buy an old( and mysterous-looking)books. It is my passion. besides, for me nothing is so interesting as reading old-looking books. Such books has their aura, their history, their own life, their own smell. so, the greatest part of my books are much more older then I am.

Timely question for me ... today was the beginning of my local library book sale, and I prefer to purchase books that are in prime condition (or close to it). ;o)

I love the smell of new books! I often don't want to buy a new book, though. My solution? Get a job at the library where I have first crack at new books coming out. I get to sniff them for free and I don't have to house them when I'm done reading.

Adrienne wrote: "I love the smell of new books! I often don't want to buy a new book, though. My solution? Get a job at the library where I have first crack at new books coming out. I get to sniff them for free..."

Having worked for a couple of libraries, Adrienne, I concur ... a wonderful smell! ;o)

If they are books that teach how to write, I want them to be new. If they are reading books, I am willing to go either way with them.