Get Captured in Words! discussion

Do you prefer a fresh pristine new novel without any blemishes, or a weathered and broken in book that has been well read?

I think there is definitely a charm to used novels. There's a story behind every wrinkle, coffee stain, scribbled note and dog ear. Not to mention there are countless out-of-print amazing books out there that can only be bought used now.

Then again, buying a brand new book, with pages that have never been read by anyone except for maybe the odd curious person in the book store, is also rewarding. For one, they look pretty. They look nice on a bookshelf. There's less of a worry that they are carrying some type of foreign bacteria that could melt the skin off your hands. Rest assured I've never found a book carrying a bacteria such as that, but hey, it's always a worry.

Personally, I'm mixed on this topic. I really like books to be aesthetically pleasing, and it feels nice to have a brand new book. I like to take care of my books and try not to bend or damage then, however if I do it's no big deal. But I also love used books because in a way they feel comforting that someone else has read the same adventure you have in your hands. Also the atmosphere in used book stores feels much more mysterious and magical then going to Chapters/Barnes & Noble.

When it comes down to it, there is the very realistic and suffocating matter of price. Used books are cheaper.


Your thoughts?

I'm pretty much in the new book fan group myself, but that's because I destroy books when I read them, I would be the reason you got the coffee stained/ bent out of shape book in the first place. And it's never on purpose, I am just a klutz. I recently grabbed a library version of 13 Reasons why, however, and reading a well worn copy of that book really added to the story. because the book is all about handing off a story to another person.

On the other hand mom usually gives me books for christmas and she usually reads them before giving them out as gifts, and that kind of irritates me because well it feels like I'm getting something she didn't like enough to keep.

I love used books much more than used, personally. Mainly because I'm a reader on a budget, and I love the feel of a paperback that I don't have to make bend in a comfortable position in my hands. I also have this personal challenge to create my own history for each broken spine or stain. My tendency to rarely read newer books might also be part of why I go for used books too. But I do understand the appeal of new books of course. I even wrote a blog post on this topic a few years ago. It's a great bookish debate.

I love going to downtown Athens and getting lost in second-hand bookstores, searching for old books! But they must be in ok condition. All older books here in Greece are better than their newer editions - the paper quality, the cover, the translation, the quality of the language. I feel I'm saving them from destruction too :) Like adopting a pet off the streets. Plus, I often discover titles that are obsolete, those are really the best!
But books in english I'm always byuing new, through the only bookstore here that imports them. There's no other option. So I have it both ways.

I buy both, although I do prefer newer books. While there is an, to me, undeniable appeal to buying a brand new pristine book and placing it neatly on a shelf next to other pristine books, that isn't the first nor the second reason why I do. The books on my shelves are definitely not perfect, but for the most part that is due to my own hands. I find that for me a personal part of reading is creating the gentle wear and tear on the books I own. I might not remember the cause of all the little creases or gentle dents or faded stains, but I know I have made them. With used books, the evidence of my hands overlap the evidence of others. When you think about it there is a certain beauty to that, but It doesn't quite gel with the 'experience' of reading to me because I grew up being the only reader in my family and friend group and so it was always a solitary, almost private thing. (That being said, at least half the books I own are used books so it's not as serious a thing as I might have made it come across. Lol.) Also, when I am able to I do like to support authors by buying from a retailer, especially when it's not an overly hyped book.

For me, it depends on the book and how hard it is to get. Sometimes I get lucky and find a currently popular book in the used bookstore for not only cheaper but also in great condition. If it's available to get a nicer looking version of the book, then I'll go to the bookstore and not get it used. They wrap books in plastic here to prevent people from reading and damaging the book before it's bought. But mostly, I have no choice and go to the used bookstore and hope I can find something in pretty good condition.