The Next Best Book Club discussion

I wonder whether others here collect books, first editions or signed copies? I'm not a serious collector, but I do like to have first editions when I can find them. I also have some signed copies. Most of the first editions I bought when they were originally published, which is the cheapest way to start a collection. Any book collectors out there? What are your prize volumes? Eva

I don't collect anything of value... at least not to anyone but myself. The only first edition I own is Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, which is worth approximately $34.95.
But I do have a decent sized book collection, and some of those I wouldn't dream of getting rid of. :)

I have one signed book and it's worth about $10. Ha! I would love to collect. Maybe one day!

My roommate spilled juice on a paperback copy of What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson. I'm thinking of replacing it with a first edition, signed copy i found on the internet (about $100 for that and another book by same author). might be worth it.

I do like old books, but I wouldn't say I'm a collector. I have a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn that doesn't seem to have an ISBN number. I've got a first edition of Anna Karenina that's in pretty good condition. I also have a really old Modern Library edition of The Tale of Genji. And courtesy of my uncle, I have several first or early hard back editions of Stephen King books. Nearly everything the man ever wrote.

I do specifically collect the Best American Short Story collections whenever I can find them. I have 8 or so dating as far back as '83. Usually find them withdrawn form public library collections.

I don't collect books but would love to track down a 1st edition copy of The Old Man and the Sea that wouldn't cost me a million dollars. It would make a great gift for a dear friend of mine. Maybe one of these days when I'm independently wealthy ;)

I must collect books, never though of it as collecting - only with being unable to part with books!
Once a counrty restaurant was demolishing its building. We remembered that part of the interior decorating were very old law books up on shevles. After we saw the buldozers come in, my son and I saw the old law books laying out in a pasture among the rubble.
We stopped and went to rescure thes 1800's thick leather bound books and brought them home rather than have them wind up in the trash garbage heap where they were headed.
Gosh the 1800's law cases in these books are fascinating!
:) Sharon

I collect, but like Becky, only things that are valuable to me.

I have a few signed copies of books. When I'm buying, if there are some autographed copies left over from an author appearance, I'll get one of those rather than an unsigned one.

I have a few first editions, but mainly things I bought when they first came out, and a few lucky used book finds. First editions aren't really that important to me, though. I will usually buy the edition that has the cover I like, whether it's a 1st or 50th edition. Since the one I like may be a rare or early edition, I have paid a little more than I should have a few times.

My husband is trying to aquire a hardcover copy of every Stephen King book published. This is a little difficult for some early books that were only printed in hardcover for book clubs (like Carrie).

Since I consider myself a 'collector', when I buy a book I will go through every copy the store has on the shelf to find the best-looking copy. I even go to several stores if I need to. My poor husband has to explain to the sales clerks why I'm sitting on the floor with stacks of books around me.

Fiona wrote: "I would love to collect antique books. I have a few odds and sods from early 20thC to late 19th but none of them worth much. I just like the look, the feel and the knowledge that someone all that t..."

I know what you mean. At times, I've even been interested in the marginal comments made by other readers. But I also love the new books in their pretty dust jackets. Have a real weakness for them, in fact. A lot of my old classics are tattered paperbacks, really beyond reading, and I'm slowly replacing them with nice hardcovers. Everyman's Library has lovely editions of many classics (and reasonably priced too). Modern Library editions are nice, but the books are a little smaller in size than the Everyman's series, the type a little smaller, too, maybe. It's not the $$$ value to me -- just the object quality that counts. I like to stand in a room and stare at the books, just look at them, imagining.

Love your expression "odds and sods!"

I have a few signed copies, accidentally gave a few away for which I could kick myself. I do have, though, an old Hardy Boys book that my dad gave me when I was about 8. To read it you have to turn it upside down and backwards because they put the cover on wrong. Don't know if it's worth anything, but every time I think of it I hear my dad (who passed away almost 30 years ago) say: Look at that silly kid, she doesn't even know how to read a book. It's precious to me for that memory.

Sharon wrote: "I must collect books, never though of it as collecting - only with being unable to part with books!
Once a counrty restaurant was demolishing its building. We remembered that part of the interior ..."


Ohhh I´d love to see those books! You and your son found a treasure

I don't collect any books for value. My only collection is of books I absolutely love and couldn't think of parting with or books I've had autographed.

I love collecting books, but don't have too many that are valuable. I have copies of Gone with the Wind and an H.G. Wells collection(hardbacks with dustjackets intact) that are from the early 1940's that I think are pretty cool, but don't really even think about it from a money point of view.

Like Eva, I just like looking over my book collection and wondering which one to pick next!

I probably have as many books as a small library, but I don't think of them as a collection. They're mostly used and new paperbacks that I can't let go of - like close personal friends that comfort and amuse me!

I'm the same, if I love an author I'll try to collect the first editions of his/her books in hardcover.
Over the years that has meant Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, and some others... but they are just meaningful to me.
Maybe some day for my children, but I enjoy them now, anyway!

I'm like most people who've already responded. I don't collect like Elinor from Inkheart, but I've never really been able to part with a book once I'd bought it.

Here's the big question then: how do you organize your collection? Alpha by author? Split into genres? Newest ones on the top of the pile? :)

Hi Eva.
I do collect books, and love to get 'true' first editions which sometimes are the UK editions. And I will always attend a book signing/reading to get them authographed.

My treasurers: I have the signed trilogy from personally meeting Cleveland Amory (RIP, Mr. Amory) who wrote The Cat Who Came for Christmas; The Cat and the Curmudgeon; and The Best Cat Ever. Next up I have some signed by Anne Rice and John LeCarre. There are more, but those are my absolute treasures.

So like you, I'm not a true "collector" it just kind of happened. But I love it!

I collect antique books. I love the way they look. I'm thinking about collecting newer books now too, since Kindle may eventually wipe out a large existance of them soon!

I don't really collect books but I try to buy my favourite authors' works. Student tuition doesn't get me much (and neither does my salary during summer, apparently! :/)

Abigail wrote: "I do like old books, but I wouldn't say I'm a collector. I have a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn that doesn't seem to have an ISBN number. I've got a first edition of Anna Karenina that's in pret..."

Modern Library books are fun to collect and look great on the shelf. The first editions are the ones the collectors want, but I only have later editions, I think. Your book sounds very nice. A first edition of Karenina should be worth quite a bit, I'd guess, if the book is in very good condition with dust jacket, etc.

Taejas wrote: "I'm like most people who've already responded. I don't collect like Elinor from Inkheart, but I've never really been able to part with a book once I'd bought it.

Here's the big questi..."

I arrange the books by genre (fiction, short stories, memoir, etc.) and also by author's last name.

Jessica wrote: "I love collecting books, but don't have too many that are valuable. I have copies of Gone with the Wind and an H.G. Wells collection(hardbacks with dustjackets intact) that are from the early 1940..."

The H.G. Wells books from the 40s sound wonderful! I don't know much about science fiction, but I'd guess there's a market for those books.

Debra wrote: "I have a few signed copies, accidentally gave a few away for which I could kick myself. I do have, though, an old Hardy Boys book that my dad gave me when I was about 8. To read it you have to turn..."

There's a big market for children's books in very good condition, though of course you could never part with that Hardy Boys book. The memory is worth so much more. Most of my childhood books are in pretty bad shape, but I wish I'd managed to hold onto more of them.

I don't collect books. I like the idea of having old editions or signed editions, but the truth is then they would monetarily valuable and I would feel like I couldnt touch them. When I have the $.75 copy from Half Prices Books of something I can really sink my teeth into it - stuff it in my purse, carry it around the house, read it while eating, even *GASP* underline things in it!! I dont think I would get that out of collecting.

i love the idea of colleting and have a signed copy of twilight as well as first editions of all 7 of the harry potter books. i have never read those, thats what my battered copies are for!

I'd love to get some of my books signed. It'd be nice to have and look back at when I'm older.

Jennifer wrote: "i love the idea of colleting and have a signed copy of twilight as well as first editions of all 7 of the harry potter books. i have never read those, thats what my battered copies are for!"

WOW, Jennifer! I am jealous! These are great collections! All firsts of HP too? Good for you.