Do you buy your books used or new?

[Mary Garrison]

It depends on what they have. Sometimes I find good deals at Barnes and noble, but sometimes I find just as good ones used at a second hand store or online.

[Camille Turner]

I buy both new and used books and actually prefer used ones in some ways. Giving used books is something I'd like to do more, but my family is so funny about it. They hate used books (aside from my husband) so I'm forced to usually give new ones!

[sarah92480]

I used to really like getting fresh, new paperbacks brand new from the store, crisp and unopened. These days, while I still appreciate that, I don't mind getting used books; they are definitely cheaper but they read the same! As far as giving a used book as a gift, I think I would only do that to someone who was either a close friend/family member and/or someone who is an avid reader and feels the same way I do about used books.

[Sakilunamermaid]

I buy both new and used books. I would give someone one of my books if I really love it as a gift. Or if it was a harder to find book, I would purchase a out of print/ vintage/ used book. It depends on the books wear and availability.

[seymmarc]

I usually only buy new books about once a year. The majority of the books I read come from my local library. It adds to the reading experience if I'm reading a used book that has a bit of history.

[[Valerie Allen]]

I buy them both (new and used) and love gifts cards to purchase them.

[Shrabastee Chakraborty]

I am in for both. Each has a distinct feel associated with it. Just for example -smell; old books can not compete with the smell of new books, nor can new books compete with that of old ones. Another wonderful thing about old and used books is that they come much cheaper, and they have a history of their own to share. I don't mind gifting old books, as long as the recipients appreciate the books for what they are, and not for what their condition/price is.

[nikkyteewhy]

I prefer new books, some old book have annoying jottings in them. It's not nice when they write in books.

[PlanetHauth]

It depends, really. If it's a series I want part of my permanent library, I'll usually buy new, unless the used book is in great condition. However, I'll buy new and used. In fact, one of my favorite bookstores in Austin is Half PRice Books. I've found almost complete Tolkien collections. They also have a great selection of older, first and second editions, but those tend to be up there in price. I found a great condition leather-bound box set of Tolkien books there for $150. They were beautiful and I'll hopefully get my hands on them one day

[Eliasrawrr]

I think of any book I haven't read as a new book. Buying a used book to me is more affordable, I find that I can't put them down. Finding someone's treasure and appreciating it until someone else needs it. Purchasing a new book would have to be something current that I have to have right away, I don't care how much it cost. I sometimes go through three copies highlighting or gifting them. Especially when cooking I seem to have a heavy hand with the pages.

[RabidFox]

I buy most of my books used. It is so much cheaper to get used books. Trying to go to the book store is very difficult because the prices are so high on new books. There is always the possibility that you may buy a new book, pay that extra money, and not even like it. I can get on Amazon and buy great books for only four bucks! A lot of online sellers put books on Amazon for only a penny! All you have to do is pay the four dollars in shipping and handling. With such great prices, I never buy new books unless I have to. Novels, comics, history, psychology... You can find anything on Amazon in used condition. No need to have a nearby book store or travel a long time to find one.

However, there can be an upside to new books. Especially in the comic book section of a store. At my local book store, there is a dollar section for individual issues, and a bargain section for price cut volumes that collect a number of issues in one. I like to buy those new, since it's cheap and affordable in comparison to the main comic book section. And at those kind of prices, Amazon is not a good choice because of shipping and handling costs.

I think it's amazing that one has to pay so much for a very thin comic book issue that's only about thirty pages. You can get a used novel on Amazon for that kind of money. And Amazon almost always has everything cheaper than book stores. It's so tempting just to get on Amazon and avoid the book store all together. However, I do like to walk around the book store anyway, even if I have no intention of buying anything. It's just a fun thing to do.

I have only one warning for buying used books. Never get anything that is in "Acceptable" condition unless you absolutely have to. Always aim for "Good", "Very Good" and "Like New". You don't want a beat up book with lots of creases.

[IntrovertBooklover]

I buy both used and new books. I look for used books that are excellent or good condition.

[Cswrawr]

98% of the books I get are used, and I've both given and received used books as gifts. It's never bothered me and to the best of my knowledge, it's never bothered the people I've given them to. So long as it's legible and has not been torn and abused, it contains the same value it had new

[Mely918]

It's half and half for me. On the one hand, I like having brand new, shiny copies of books. On the other, used books have a distinct quality and smell to them that I yearn for. It's almost magical to me to have a used book in my hands

[Dael Reader]

Both. I pick up some good reads from the Friends of the Library book sales at my local branch.