5 Best Things About Used Books

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Old, used books are one of my very favorite things in life.  Seriously.  I could get lost for hours in a used book shop.  In fact, I hope do just that on our Anniversary Trip to London–I’m really hoping to score some great old English titles.

What’s so great about old books?

Well, I’m glad you asked.  The following are my five favorite things about used books…

5 Best Things About Used Books

1.  Quality

Just look at the picture below.  From which book would you rather read–the lifeless, reproduced paperback copy with sad black and white (copied) pictures; or the musty-smelling, beautiful hardback with gorgeous color paintings and time-yellowed pages?

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The Burgess Bird Book was part of Older Brother’s “curriculum” last year.  Originally, I purchased the new copy on the left for about $10 on Amazon.  I wasn’t happy about it, but we needed it and I didn’t have time to track down a better copy.

Several months ago, I found the copy on the right at a used book sale.  I bought it from another homeschooling family for $4.  {Insert wide eyes and mouth agape here.}

Four dollars!  For a timeless treasure that thrills my soul each time we open its covers.  I was delighted to stow away the other depressing copy–high on a shelf where no one can see it. 🙂

2.  Smell

This kind of goes along with Quality, but there’s just something about that Used Book Smell.  Hey–maybe I should try to recreate the smell with essential oils!  Vetiver might be a good start–just a thought….

When I arrived home following the aforementioned used book sale, I led Mr. Native Texan out to the trunk of the car to inspect my loot.  The first thing I pulled out was The Burgess Bird Book–one of my very best finds–and I just couldn’t resist: I opened the book, stuck in my nose and inhaled deeply.  Ahhhhh.

Mr. Native Texan is no longer surprised by my crazy book-loving antics, but he did produce a chuckle and an affectionate roll of the eyes.  At least I think it was affectionate…

3.  Inscriptions

Some folks might be disappointed to find writing on the inside of a used book’s cover.  Personally, I find it delightful.  It’s sort of akin to my fondness for old, beat up furniture.  I love to wonder about the past lives of our well-loved treasures.

And because we make a great effort only to purchase excellent literature, I often feel a kinship with the giver who exhibited such fine taste.  Obviously, Grandma Fran had exquisite taste in choosing such a wonderful collection of poetry for Neil.  And who was Neil?  Why does he no longer own this beautiful book?

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And what a wonderful gift for Olivia, from Deidre and Tara on the occasion of her third birthday.  This book always makes me think of our little friend with the same name, even though she was not the recipient of this copy of Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear.  And who were Deidre and Tara–Olivia’s aunts?  Two friends who were sisters?  Her cousins?

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I love that Nana and Grandad addressed their beloved grandaughter as “Darling Grace”–how sweet!  And how unfortunate that Darling Grace no longer owns this collection of poetry, although it’s fortunate for us.

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This is another fun one–to a 5th grade teacher (I assume) from her entire class, complete with the whole gang’s signatures.  Apparently Miss (or Mr.) 5th Grade Teacher did not appreciate this volume in return, as it somehow found it’s way to a used book shop.  It’s a beautiful collection of poetry, illustrated with the works of famous artists.

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Okay, one more and then I’ll move on.  Every once in a while, we end up with a used book sporting one of these inside–remember the good, old-fashioned library card?  It’s so fun to scan the names on the card (front and back!) and to imagine Audra, Pamela, Candy, etc. enjoying the poems in this excellent collection.  Apparently Yasmin liked it so much she checked it out twice.

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4.  Delightful Suprises

Every once in a while, we find something really fun inside our books.  My favorite was this dried and pressed four leaf clover in the middle of our Burgess Bird Book.

Can you believe it?  We don’t believe in luck, but still–a four leaf clover is pretty cool.  I love that someone took the time to preserve such a fantastic find, and that they passed it along for the boys and me to discover together one random day during our breakfast reading.

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 5.  Price

This last one isn’t always true.  Several times, and I’ve become more and more willing to do so, I’ve paid a bit more for a quality used copy of a special book.  Especially for those books we read from consistently–it’s just ever so much more inspiring to read from such a copy when it’s available.

However, the majority of our used books were indeed much less expensive than their new counterparts.  That’s the main reason why I often buy used copies–to save money.

As I’ve stated before [in How to Save Money on Children’s Books], I’d rather possess a great quantity and variety of excellent volumes in good condition, than limit our collection to books in pristine condition.

What about you?  Do you love old books?  Why or why not?

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