i sometimes buy second-hand books in the bookstore, these are often priced lower compare to brand new ones and with a little fold or wear but still in good condition and of course readable.
i like looking for good old books instead of buying new edition that are priced heaven-high. i will just change the plastic cover to make it look clean and better then put it in my shelf for my reading pleasure when i found time.
i like reading a lot, back when i was still studying my favorite place to hang-out is the library...there i will look for some interesting materials to read...usually novels or Poetry then kill my free time finishing it.
i want to hear you story, do you also fancy buying the good old books in bargain section of the bookstore?
[question posted by djmarion]
responses and comments:
I go to a lot of second hand bookshops looking for old books. I mainly buy non-fiction books and the old books give a lot of social history and what was once fact is now fiction or disproved - some are confirmed by later research. I find a lot of old books on the internet as well and a lot of these can be republished as they are now in the public domain. I brought an old book and it must have been where the previous owner kept their cash as I found over $100 between the pages. Cheap book that one, I couldn't find out who the previous owner was so I gave it away to a charity. [darkblueverbatim]
Thanks for your kind words. I can't remember where I read this and I wish I could but the writer said the three things of value that we can leave on this Earth is: our library, our photos and our journal/diary. They said this will mean more in a 100 years than the house, car and money that you have left behind. [darkblueverbatim]
No, I do not buy books anymore if I can help it, I have found reading what I like is mainly on the net. I have a company ArcaMax, and they have provided me with great stories, I can choose what I like to read and either read it on their site or have it sent to my email. The only books I have to buy is for my studies, And being so far away, I seem to have to buy what they send. Other than this, Bookstores are the past for me, [lynn2457]
sounds like e-book, yes i have some too, i like to download some good stories and compile them so i can get to read on my free time. [djmarion]
I've taken to buying second hand books lately. Sometimes I'll buy brand new but that is pretty rare anymore. I buy used books because a lot of them are in great shape and paying half or less for a used book saves me money and the environment because more new books are not being printed. When I do buy a new book it's usually pretty cheap and it's an impulse buy because I really want to read a book. [highflyingxangel]
what i like from used books aside from their tempting price is the thought that despite the age their reading value never cease. [djmarion]
I'll buy them new if it's something I am waiting for. But mostly I go to library book sales, I may not get everything on my list but you can't beat the prices, .50 for paperback and $1. for a hardcover. If I paid full price for all my books, we'd be in the poorhouse years ago. And I always pass on a majority of my books to friends or family. Or donate them back to the library. I have some I prefer to keep because they were so good that I will read them again. [thelastwolf113]
secondhand bookstores can be like a treasure Hunting experience..if you are in a tight budget for books getting the book half the price is much better than downloading an e-book from a free site. i like reading books than e-books.. i get the enjoyment of reading books before i go to sleep so reading e-books can be a hassle to me..i can surf the internet all day long and i won't get bored but when reading e-books i simply cannot stand it maybe because i like the smell of old books..hehe [mcdreamy25]
I'm a bookworm too and it does get expensive at some point, if you want to have something to read all the time. Thank God for second-hand books. I really don't care if they're second-hand, or third for that matter, as long as they're not falling apart. I also have an affinity for hard bound books and when I buy them second-hand at least they're cheaper. When I go to a second-hand book store I always leave with more books than I can carry! [uiwwitch]
right now i am also being an e-book maniac. even my phone has a lot of mobile e-book for my leisure time. [djmarion]
If you don't mind second had books that's good. It doesn't always have to be a new book. The prices are cheaper that the new one anyway. Now if you can't find the book your looking for secondhand that would be the only time that I would buy a new book. I have even brought second hand book off line before and it was not a bad price for the book. half.com is with ebay. They sale book, movies, cd's , dvd for half the price you might pay for them in the store. Check it out and see for yourself. They might even have some books for the courses that you might be taking if you can't find them in the store. Have a good one. [twallace]
Yes, I buy second-hand books too some times, especially books which have gone out of publication and hard to find. I like to have a collection of those type of books. [greenline]
Hi, Yes buddy i always prefer to buy old books as they are cheap as in we always can purchase them at lower price as compared to new ones. However there is a slight difference in the new and the old edition, but not that much they are almost same. I used to went out if i need any kind of book and that day i will really enjoy as the books are not in any store but they are lying on the roadside on the footpath and i have to look for that book. You will not believe that these kind of stalls will be from one end to another for about 5-10 KM and even in the inside Market as well, so i really enjoy to buy those kind of books. bye. [nikecold]
Hello djmarion, I love reading also, novel or real life story of famous people and chicken soup of the soul...Like you, i don't buy new ones, I will be going also in a place selling for a second-hand books! [checapricorn]
I have no problem with buying used books. I can get a whole lot more for the money that way. As long as the book is in fairly good condition regardless of whether it is a hardback or paper I like the price. My stepdaughter gave me a giftcard for christmas to Barnes and Noble for $25. That does not go far there. With that same $25 at a half priced store I can get several books. [jillmalitz]
most of my books are second hand.i rarely buy new books. I can tell more because all my thougts you have written in your discussion [khalique]
i rarely buy book unless it is at a garage sale because even at the thrift stores, books are pretty expensive ($1.00 for a paperback? are you kidding me?) i do visit the library a ton, but sometimes i do break down and buy a used book if i know i cannot get it anywhere else...(plus, books do take up a lot of space)! [cher913]
yes i also buying second hand books.. as long as i can benefit from it...even its old,, the important is its contents.. [fajert]
yah!!off course!!second hand books are cheap..affordable most specially for us who are a working student..its a better recommendations... [burniegheb]
I almost always buy second hand books. [wonderlander]
I prefer to buy second hand books than new ones. I buy some from a really big second hand bookstore near to where I live and I order second hand ones from sellers on Amazon. [tbain11]
Oh absolutely. I buy books second hand all the time - in stores and at garage sales or rummage sales. I love half-price book stores where you can not only buy books at half price but take your own books in for credit for more books. I also use the library quite often. I love to read and never have enough books! [kenzie45230]
Oh yeah. I love the bargain tables, and I love the stores where you can buy or swap. I'm a bookworm and always have a book going. I used to read several at once, but now I'm addicted to television and the Internet. [MoonlightSerenade]
I buy second hand books. I have a list that I carry with me. If I am trying to complete a series of books by an author, I just whip out my little notebook and take a look at what I am looking for. I always keep it updated so I don't buy a copy of something that I already have. I also belong to a few book swap sites. Books that I don't plan on keeping, I use to swap for books that I am looking for. I've really built up my collection of books using those two techniques. It's just a fun hobby. and cheap to boot! DCMerkle [DCMerkle]
I love second hand bookstores. My husband and I can spend hours looking around in them, and you come out with so much more than you would from a store like Chapters (although I can spend hours there too!). The best though is picking up books at a yard sale or flea market for 50 cents or 3 for a dollar! [Essie119]
I dont do it till now. But thanks for your idea and sharing experience here. I think its good idea. I buy the information or content of the book, so if the price is low but the content is good why not. even it is a second hand book. [fratertelo]
I do like to buy used books, Im not sure if that is what you ment by old. but yes i like used books. I usually go to www.borders.com and they have great deals on used books. most starting at a penny, then shipping and handling wich is no more then 3 dollars or so..' I have been to two used books stores here inmy town. one of them is kinda alittle high costing for used books and the other one os so packed full you have to walk sideways down the isles. LMAO. sooooooooooo like i said i usually go to the borders website.. Here recently ive been becoming addicted with barnes and nobles. [xXxMikesWifeyxXx]
You should look in Starbucks they have a sort of recycle books shelf. There is also something called Bookmooch.com Well loved books are still fine. :) [DaddyOfTheRose]
I used to buy old books... and i was able to collect a lot of really nice ones... those that cost only 10 php... these books are like complilation of different best sellers... they are hard bound and looked great when put on a shelf... sad to say that they are no longer available... i still go to bookstores trying to find some... but to no avail... right now... i don't buy books anymore... i simply do not have the time to read... with work, household chores, and taking care of the baby... but in the future i will go back to reading... [aseretdd]
hi dj. yes, i do buy 2nd hand books. just part of my plan to save up. no sense spending lots of cash on a book that will be read a couple of times only. seeing you're from the philippines, try shopping at "books for less". the books are in a fairly good condition and their inventory is great. they have lots of titles that even nbs doesn't carry. price is ok as well. [allen0187]
No, i dont read books....and i dont buy books. but before, when i was in college we have to buy books for our subjects and i prefer to buy secong hand books because its much cheeper than new edition books. [mian_26cutie]
I almost exclusively buy used books. There's a lot of bookstores here in my town, and I have a lot of books that I don't want to read any more, as do my parents. We take them to the Bookwagon, our favorite secondhand bookstore, and get credit, which we use to purchase more books there. I am a fan of Michael Crichton, and I was able to buy like four of his books using said credit. Hooray for frugality! [eXxodus]
I used to do this a lot when I was still studying. When I had my job, I then bought new books just to feel what it's like to own fresh new books LOL! But then, the thrify attitude sank in again and I went back to book-hunting in the bargain shops. Nowadays, I am into free e-books and audiobooks. I only buy new books for my favorite collection. I still go to the book-bargain shops if I have the time to kill. [gunslinger]
I never buy second hand books. I donīt like to read books that others have been reading [busy_lizzie]
We go to Half Priced books all the time. We also use the library quite often. Very rarely do we buy new books except for the kids. There is something about letting the children have their own books that weren't chewed on or what not. For my own reading though I don't really care if it is used or not. I wish they had used magazines so I wouldn't have to pay full price for those. [mscott]
Ihave found a lot of my old favorites at reasonable prices in our used book store, and they were in pretty good condition too. I have quite a collection of older used books and some are close to being collectors items too but some are abit too worn. lol. [Hatley]
I don't mind buying second hand books or used books. They contain much relevant information and are still very useful. Sometimes they sell for a fraction of the money as a new book. Browsing a bookstore is a fun way to spend an afternoon! [beautyqueen26]
I too buy the second_hand books.The content does not change,right? Do read some useful books also at sometimes. "Books are to mind what food is to body" [bhaskarsrkr]
Oh my goodness, yes! I love hunting through dusty shelves for favorite authors. I buy at yard sales, library sales, flea markets, the Goodwill store and used book stores when I can find one. Here in my neck of the woods there are no bookstores, used or new. I also swap through the mail at frugalreader.com and paperbackswap.com. If I want to buy a new book I have to drive about 75 miles to the closest bookstore or order online. But the cool thing about used books is you never know what you'll find in them. I've never found money but I like to read what people have written in them and I've found pictures, receipts, Business Cards and birthday cards. [wrynmac]
I have been homeschooling my daughter for 4 years now and I am always looking for second hand books, they are cheaper and yes they are just as good as the new ones. The perfect place to look is at the used book sale at the library or at your local yard sales, I always have luck coming away with something. [ahalapia]
I will if I can find good selections. [kellys3ps]
I liked to go to bookstore when I was studying in the college.There are many bookstores around my school,some of them sell used books mainly.I liked browse these books there but rarely bought second-hand books unless they were very important books for me.Because I'm not accustomed to the things used by others.So I would prefer to buy new books with a higher price. [YOULANLIU]
yes I do like to get good bargains on my books... one good website that I got some of my 2nd hand books from is bookmooch. Freely I give away my old books... freely do I get from others who are clearing their old books too. Really cool to not pay for books. :) [filofari]
I buy second hand, third hand, fouth hand...you get the picture - all kind of books as long as it is readable and interesting. I'm a voracious reader, so if I really want to have a book in my collection and it is old, once the pages can still turn, I'll buy it. Love browsing those old book stores...but now it seems they are not many around with the advent of audio books and ebooks. I tell my family and friends never to throw out books they don't want but to box them and when tiem permits I'll come and pick them up. I am sure many people have burn books only to find out later they were rare first editions. [gtdonna]
Yup. But most of the time I'm getting/downloading e book version on the internet. [chayd825]
All my books are second hand. I can't afford to pay the full price as I buy and read at least two books every week. I have never paid more than Ģ2.50 ($5) for a book. I love spending time searching the shelves for books I have not read and want to read, or to find new titles by authors I have enjoyed. I also use the library to read text books and reference books. [paid2write]
Yes,i buy second hand books and some times we can get some rare book from second sales. [sreejithsreenivas]
i generally do not prefer second hand book. first i think they are old. why to buy something old. in student time, there was some crunch of money. still used to buy when i had money for the new one. [subha12]
Yes, I do, not often but I do buy second hand books. Whenever I have a budget and I find a book that I like, even though it's second hand, I'd purchase it as long as it is still in a-okay condition. It is practical and you get to enjoy the pleasure of reading a good material at a lower price. Sometimes, I even look at books online where they are also available at a sale price. Back in school days, one of my favorite hangouts is the library too :-) [MariaD]
New books are so expensive nowadays, esp. here, so we would buy our books secondhand from junk bookstores or book sales. I just love browsing through all those shelves, looking for favourite authors & their books (used but in good condition) We have another option here, that is book rentals. We can either opt to keep the book or return it to the store within the deadline. [lazeebee]
yes i do! i love reading but sometimes good books cost so much that even if i want to buy more, i end up just buying what i think is the best one and the spare money i use for in buying quality bargain books.happy [crazyoverpurple]
Some of my books are from the second hand. I have even bought my cousin's book once (at the bazaar). It was really funny coincidence. I don't think it's anything wrong untill those books are in enough good condition. Cheers and happy myloting. [Zergonipal]
I actually prefer second-hand books. They have a history, you know? I love it when I pick up a book and there is an inscription in the front! It tells a smidgen about who owned the book in the past. My favorite finds have been at the thrift store, garage sales and book stores that sell used books. I could sit in between shelves and shelves of books and enjoy reading for hours. The library has always been one of my favorite places (since I was a child). [susanh39]
yeah i buy second hand books and which is more cheaper than the new ones..same here when still at school i always spend time in the library... [vanities]
Never do I buy second-hand books. I always buy new books. In second-hand books, one or the other page will be torn. But in new books, you can read everything thouroughly. Second-hand books are already used by some other people and therfore, they are not virgin. They are spoilt. But, of course, if someone is poor, he will have to buy second-hand books because he does not have the money to buy new books. [kangallo]
I don't buy second hand books, but I do sell some of my books, especially when we buy a second copy by mistake! [sylvia13]
We don't have many bookstores in our area and I'm not aware of any that sell second-hand books. I do buy used books on eBay and find that an easy way to buy when I'm looking for a specific book. [newtondak]
yeah i do.. it's my hobby to pass by in the bookstores where i can buy second hand books.. aside from the fact that they are cheaper than the new ones, there are books that you dont think that will be available, but sometimes you find them in these stores.. and there's nothing wrong with second hand books, as long as you can still read it.. [baebieDARNA30]
i rarely buy books if at all. when i do buy i usually go for second hand, third hand or even fourth hand books. i go through books pretty fast so it's crazy to spend tens of dollars on something that i'd read for a day. i will only buy brand new ones if i've read the book and liked it so much i want to read it again and again. when i finish a book, i'd give it away. i simply don't have much space for anything. most of the time i'd just borrow from the library. cheers. [applefreak]
I used to buy second hand books, but not that much. I have a whole lot of books at home that I have not finished reading. I am also writing a lot, so do not have that much time to sit down and read. There is one book I am reading and it is taking like forever. Also I am on a budget, and buying a book from the second hand store is not a priority. I do not go to the library, too far away and I am way too busy to go there. I would rather buy brand new books, although if the book is at a discount, and I like it, then I will get it, but right now I have to finish the ones I already have. [suspenseful]
I like to buy books at used book store and also at yard sales. You can often find books that are no longer in print or are really hard to find in a regular book store. And for a much lower price. [1grnthmb]
Ya i do many time.I do buy some story book second hand because i know that i don't have to keep that book for longer time.I will just read and finshed out entire book then either i will give to my friends or shell in half price so that i will feel happy. But at the same time if i find that some book is very good i like most and it may help in future as well then i don't buy second hand book.i go for first hand only. One thing i will share with all of us is if you read from first hand book you read with more concentration. [moneymint18]
Me too.I like read books alone.And I don't have enough money ,because I am a student.I think in our times,the ones who like us are less.Many people want to do evvery thing quickly .And I just want to live alone ,and read my books and thinking. [byetals]
For me, the important thing from a book is the content, not the cover or the look or the edition. I don't really like to read book. I like to get information from the internet compare with book. When I was in college, I always try to buy the second hand book because it is cheaper and it has the same content as the new one. But most of the time, I will try to borrow my friends book, it is free. [biobio55]
Sometimes I buy second hand books. Last year when I graduated from the university, I bought many books from the students who were leaving the campus. These books are not very old or dirty for they are only used once. In fact, they are comparatively new on the appearance. And the price is quite low. The stduents dont like to bring some books home if there is a long distance between the university and their homes. So I selected some I liked or needed. I am not afraid of that weight for the price is so attracting. Haha! [May2008]
I only buy new books if it is in a series I am waiting for, otherwise I am all for buying old used books. A girlfriend of mine and I just share books. We will talk to each other and say you need to read this or that here let me lend it to you. [slcharger]
absolutely.you can't get me out of those stores. i can get a lot more books for the price of a new one,and sometimes books i couldn't find anywhere else. [scarlet_woman]
I wish I would love reading like my dad and sister do, but I didn't get that gene. I don't like reading at all, TV is my poison!!! And when I do buy books, almost always they are new. [maplaver]
Yes, I get all of my books secondhand. I rarely buy a new book unless I have a gift card. I read a lot, and new books are too expensive for me to buy them. [Bd200789]
I love books. I have heaps of them and I can't find a bloody place for any. My room is all ready crowded. Well, anyway. I don't buy second hand books often, I went to Good Will once and got a boot for less than two dollars. But, that's about it. Otherwise, I get my books from the regular book stores. [Johnnypenn]
I love old books the way they look, the way they smell, the way they feel. I am a member of a swap club where you get the books free and then you pay postage if someone wants a book you have. I have saved well over a hundred and fifty dollars just in the last 6mo. I spent the entire 9th grade in the library, skipping lunch and p.e. (i failed p.e. but it was worth it)! [cjgrooms]
Hi. I have always loved to read! So I almost don't care where I get them from. But seriously, once the cost of paperbacks started soaring sky-high, I really started to concentrate on other places to buy my books. Even the book club's prices for their cheaply made hardbacks have risen. When I had more time, the library was a wonderful, relaxing, cozy, and comfortable place for me. For just got to have book for my collection, I will break down and buy them from a bookstore: bargain section or not. But with my favorite authors being so prolific, Salvation Army stores, thrift stores, and Goodwills are still a good bet. [ReoTwo]
Hi djmarion, I will buy second-hand books sometimes, but I still use the library a lot. I find that new books are very expensive and see nothing wrong with buying second-hand. Blessings. [Pose123]
Hi djmarion. I love buying second-hand books. Especially, I love to hang out in a second-hand bookstore. When we moved south, one of the things we miss most were all the bookstores we had in our university town in a midwestern state. I just can't imagine not having really cool second-hand bookstores, but alas, we are in that situation now. We do go to the library here which has a small second-hand bookshop within it that we often visit. Plus, the money we pay for books there goes into the library's fund for buying new books, so that's cool. Sometimes, there are some real finds in the bargain book section of the bookstore. Take care and happy book hunting! PearlGrace [PearlGrace]
I purchase a lot of my books second hand. Its very rare for me to purchase a brand new book. I get mine from library sales, garage sales, used book stores, friends and family. I read A LOT so if i had to purchase every book i read new I would be working a second job just to be able to afford the books and then I wouldn't have time to read! [saundyl]
Hello djmarion, Yeah, most of the novel I read are bought on a bargain or second hand store. New novel are quite expensive and I can't afford to invest on them unless it is really what I want. I am not really a bookworm and I really buy books maybe once a month on the second-hand store. After reading the books I usually sold them to another second-hand book store and used the money again to buy new second-hand book. I usually read sci-fiction and fantasy novel so it's fetch a lot less when I re-sold them. Maybe there are less reader of that stuff here. I also go to the library to borrow books. There is a YMCA library near us and it cost 100 pesos to be a member for one year and I was able to read a lot of books there. Lately, I got tired of borrowing and returning books so I stop completely going to the library and just buy second-hand book instead. My kids also love books. Once in a while the school have books sale, but mostly for new books at Discounted prices. So far they buy books mostly from the movie title. We have complete collections of the Lord of the Ring, Harry Potter and the last book (Chapter 7) and the Narnia Chronicles. These books, we are keeping it and will not sale it soon. [robert19ph]
Thats almost all I buy, I love used book stores, specially small ones, though those are getting harder and harder to find. New books are more expensive and as long as a used book is in good condition I dont mind. [darkjedi]
Actually, I don't buy 2nd hand books and most of all I am not buying brand new books... All of my books are all presents... Since, I don't like reading books my aunts and uncles keep giving me books for me to read it.. However, I don't read it I just put it in the cabinet and collect all those things... Sometimes some of them, I am selling it from my friends who were interested in my books... Actually, most of my books are those in personal opinions and own experience... I may read it but not everything.. Maybe about 2 to 5 chapters only and then I stop... Unless,I found interesting to the story... [kissie34]
Yes, I often buy second-hand books, and I also buy used books online and bargain books, and books from flea markets and thrist stores, and books anywhere there are books available to buy... [rhettaa]
I love buying second hand books in book sales! With 100Php i have bought 4 great books and when I looked up their prices in the bookstores, each costs more than 200PhP!!! I don't really care if the books look battered..as long as they are still readable...the stories will still be the same!! [angelamp]
There are very few places where I live that sell second hand books. There's this really great place that's about an hour and a half from the city where I live that only sells used books. It's a sort of Colonial time city that's visited by thousands of tourists each month. Turists usually stay for some days and they sell their English books there. It's not only hard to find used books here, but it's also hard to find English books, so whenever I go there I take some money I've been saving to buy some 5 or 6 books. I think it's a very good idea to buy used books. It helps save some bucks in books (which is really important if you are a compulsive reader like myself), and most importantly it helps save some paper and trees. Yes, they are almost always folded and well, "used", but as long as all the word and pages are in there, it doesn't really mater. Although I enjoy immenselly buying used books I can't find it in myself to sell my books after I read them. I just can't. I know I should follow my own advise and understand how they help nature, but I feel attached to books once I read them. I have this romantic wish that someday I'll have a big library in my house. [tikaldema23]
Yes. I very often buy second hand books. Because they are cheap and we can buy any kind of books in second hand book stores. [Franklin_Raja]
I don't like buying second hand products because they may not be clean. I also don't like second hand books because of it. I prefer the brand new book. I love China [youless]
hi djmarion. I generally don't buy books because I prefer to borrow them from my friends. But I'd prefer buying used books to buying new books. It is not only because of higher proce of new books. I like old books, they have 'soul'. I think that it is good when many people read the same book. It saves paper and makes the book happy;). Have a nice day, jazgottt. [jazgottt]
I used to buy second-hand novels in the bargain section of the bookstore. It is a practical way to have a good books for me. I don't really care if it is second-hand, what matters for me is the marvelous content of every book that I bought and placed on my bookshelf. [jmlcabular]
I rarely buy books. It all depends on what book it is though. When I do buy books I buy used ones or new ones from the local dollar store. I like buying used books when I buy books because I can buy more than if I were buying the books brand new. And as much as I love reading, that's a very good thing. [cortney09]
i too like reading a lot and i usually buy second hand books from our local book store which exclusively deals in second hand books,DVDs and other curios....i even collected the whole harry potter series this way only Deathly hallows is the new book i purchased..... [iamsree]
I like reading book, but somtimes the new book's price is too high, I can't pay it. So the second-hand book is the best choice, it's cheaper than new book. We read for interesting and knowledge, I don't pay any attention that it's new or old. I often to school, there have second-hand books in the school, the students sale it, I can get surprise everytime. [zhaosonghan]
I do not buy second hand books at the bookstore but it is the first place I go when I go to garage/yard sales and to second hand shops. I love to read, although I have found that I don't read as much as I used to since I retired. Makes absolutely NO sense since I should have more time. I have been spending more time online and also more time babysitting my 8 grandchildren, which I said I wouldn't do when I retired. I also used to have many more books than I do now, having given away many of the books that I had. I think that I probably have 100 books waiting for me as well as several back issues of magazines that I am behind on. [idowrite72]
One of my favorite places to buy books is http://half.com which is connected to eBay. People sell their used books there, and you can find good bargains. [estherlou]
One of the most dangerous things about Amazon is that you can get a book for a penny plus shipping and handling. I can't tell you how many time I have spent a lot of money buying cheap books. I ounce had a person say to me "oh, I would not buy a second hand book. they are dirty" what I told her was any time someone wanted to give me a dirty second hand copy of the Gutenberg Bible i would except it gladly. [patms1]
I usually don't buy books. When I was growing up it was drummed into my head that I could go to the local library instead of spending money on books. That doesn't mean I haven't bought books, I have. I just don't prefer to. I used to buy books for my kids when they were growing up though. I had no problem spending money on something worthwhile for them. I also like antique books and have bought some of them over the years. [bmorehouse1]
I buy new and second hand books. Some books are hard to find second hand, so I get them new, but if I can, I'll take a preloved book and add that to my collection. I have more of them than new books and don't get so upset if they are destroyed, as I didn't pay a huge fortune for them. [newzealtralian]
I have found that its a good idea when you are required to buy lots of books for your studies and second hand books that are good in shape not only save your money but you end up getting more books for you. [worthy]
hi djmarion! happy looks like you're a book addict. ^__^ i also prefer buying second hand books. just like what you said, they are cheaper and still in good condition. the only new books that i bought were classics and hard to find in a second hand shop. recently, i have discovered a fantastic second hand "tiangge" of popular books and i've bought a few, novels of Anne Rice, John Grisham and Stepehn King. i plan to go back there again as soon as i have the time because there's a lot more i want to buy and i'm starting to be a bookworm again. ^__^;; being a bookworm is like a seasonal thing for me since i can't always buy books every now and then. even if they are cheap, i still spend a lot if i buy a lot. it'll be good if there's a book cafe here in our town, like a manga (comic books) cafe where you can read mangas for free. happy [secretbear]
I only buy second hand books. I will not pay full price for a book as I think they are way too expensive to buy new. So I go to some book stores here that sell second hand, as well as new books. I trade my old books that I have read, for some old books I haven't read yet. I get three of mine for one of theirs. I wait till I have at least 9 books to trade in and I get 3 books for them. But of course my supply of used books that I have read, slows down and I have to buy them. But they only cost around $2.00 a book and so they accumilate again and I trade them in again. I also go to a lot of church sales and garage sales to buy my books. Those ones I can usually get for around a buck each, sometimes even less. I once went to a church sale that it was the last day so they sold everything that was left, at $5 a green garbage bag. I took as many books as I could fill in the bag, around 160 of them and went through them and kept the ones I would read and took the ones I won't read to a second hand book store and traded those ones in for others that I will read. But since then I have moved and didn't want to move all those books with me so I gave them all away. Now I have to go out and buy more since I am now settled into my new place and need more books to read. [chrislotz]