I've never really thought of myself as a book collector. I don't keep most of the books that I read unless they're either sentimental or I know I'm going to reread it. I'm not drawn to beautiful copies though I definitely appreciate them and understand why other people have to have them. My focus is on the story and the packaging is never really high on my interest list. But lately I've discovered - or I guess I should say rediscovered - that what I am is a book hunter.
Years ago in college one of my regular haunts was a used bookstore just off campus. I'd go in with lists of authors or titles I wanted and spend an hour wandering the shelves. I collected all the Agatha Christie mysteries - always keeping an eye out for older editions because their original sale price was cheaper and the bookstore charged 50% of the original price. My collection of Agatha Christies is rag-tag and mismatched and in varying states of disrepair but I remember how much I enjoyed scanning the shelves.
My budget isn't as tight as it was in those days and more and more I've been turning to Amazon or a new bookstores. I do like buying new books. I like fresh clean pages and feeling like I'm supporting the author. But lately I've started going back to the used bookstore - a different one this time. And I've rediscovered the fun of scanning every single title just looking for a specific author or a title that catches my eye. This has not been good for my bookshelves but it has given me a much needed shot of excitement about reading all the books that are hiding there. I still buy new books and always will but I don't think I'll be giving up the used bookstore anytime soon!
Are you a book collector? Are you a book hunter?
I kind of consider myself a book collector, but I'm definitely a book hunter! I have fond memories of hunting down certain books in used bookstores, and when I was a teen and in college I was a lot more into collecting various authors and whatnot. Usually science fiction/ fantasy stuff, but some mysteries too. I love that feeling when you find just the right book, or discover something awesome in a used bookstore. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to do more book hunting in past days - before my Kindle and before ordering online. However, I do take a look occasionally. And when we are on a trip, I love checking out local bookstores. Many times, they will sell both new and used books. I also like looking at antique shops for books and charity shops.
ReplyDeleteI'm a book hunter, followed by a book-reader-and-get-'em-out-of-here kind of person. I have a shelf of fiction that I do keep- sentimental books, book I adored SO much that I want to own a copy forever and ever- and the rest of what I keep is nonfiction, for reference. Gardening books, knitting/craft books, language books, stuff like that. If I buy fiction, I read it and it goes off to one of the Little Free Libraries that dot my neighborhood. I enjoy spreading the fiction love. :)
ReplyDeleteI miss that bookstore. I remember you picking the cheapest copy and I always wanted a pretty one. Now I read 99.9% on kindle, which is a different type of collecting.
ReplyDeleteI like looking around in a book store but I'm picky about what I may buy. I'm happier when my kids find a stack each.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you - hunting used book shelves is really fun. I like finding old copies that show how super loved a book was. I also find it interesting to see how many copies there are of some books, and then you find this one book just stuck in among them, all on it's own.
ReplyDeleteDue to space - and also the ton of books I already own right now and haven't read (especially digital) - I've been doing a lot less shopping and a lot more library/kindle unlimited reading.
That's how I was with Phyllis A. Whitney books. They are out of print so I scoured the used bookstores for them. But I did enjoy the hunt. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm both. Ha ha. I usually collect old favorites though, as opposed to current releases, unless they are Harry Potter books. There are so many classics I loved, I read from the library, that I would love to own. 📚✨
ReplyDeleteMost of my books are new because Indie books are my thing and it is very rare to see one pop up in a second hand bookshop or charity shop. In fact, I've never seen one! Also with the genres I read, I don't see anything in regular bookshops that I like so Amazon is where I get pretty much everything. I always enjoyed browsing through bookstores but it isn't as much fun when you never buy anything!
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