When you’re getting books do you prefer to get new ones or secondhand ones?
I really enjoy the “hunt” for used editions of books that I want, and browsing through stacks in used bookstores is fun and neat way to discover books that I might not ever run across otherwise! But I’m kind of picky about the condition of books I buy, so sometimes I just go the easy route and pick up a new copy. Or if it’s a book I don’t want to wait to read I’ll snag a new one!
I love the smell of new books.
Definitely used books, both because they’re cheaper and because I feel like they have more character. Some of my books have notes or indications in them of who their previous owners were.
I try to get used books over new almost always. The only exceptions are for books that just came out that I desperately need to devour instantly and the library physical/digital wait is months.
This is pretty much true for most things in my life, I look for used/freecycle first for anything I need for environmentalist reasons. I remember seeing a comment years ago about how even those who are anti-consumerist still have a huge blind spot when it comes to books, and that was totally me - I had dozens of books I’d bought before ever reading, only read once, and didn’t even like that much. Having to declutter all of those books for a move was exhausting - used bookstores wouldn’t even take most of them for free, regardless of condition or how much I’d originally paid for them - and I’ve been trying to only purchase books I’ve already read, know I’ll reread, and that I can find used in good condition.
I try to make environmentally conscious decisions and I’ll admit books are still a huge blind spot for me in that regard. I do still try to get used when I can, but I’m much more likely to unnecessarily get new books than I am to get new clothes, for instance. Books don’t feel like a “consumer good” in quite the same way for whatever reason.
Used books because of the affordability, and the fact that an old book gets a new home. But also new books due to the new book smell
Was a new books person, but have now turned to either digital or old books to give them a new life 🙂
