One of my favorite pastimes is to go into any used bookstore and just browse. While I can leave empty-handed many, many times, it is well worth the enjoyment of row upon row of beautiful old books, just waiting for someone to discover them, and the occasional discovery of a true treasure. Here are my three personal favorites, along with tips on how to improve your own library of used and rare books.
The House of the Seven Gables, by Nathaniel Hawthorne
This title has always held sentimental value to me because it was the first book of Hawthorne’s that I read. Later, when I wrote my senior paper on it, I scored higher than the snobby, valedictorian girl whom I had secretly always hated. So later, when I was in my local used-book store, while browsing the shelves I saw a slim novel wedged in the back behind some copies of The Scarlet Letter, and it was a beautiful, 1940s edition of The House of the Seven Gables, with the original cover. Although the print itself wasn’t worth a lot of money, it was more than worth the four dollars I paid for it.
Tip #1: don’t EVER go into a used bookstore with a single book in mind; you will almost always be disappointed. Instead, go in with a general idea of books/editions/genres you’re looking for, and browse around. Because there are many different editions, copies, etc., it’s hard to find something specific. Tip #2: Look in the nooks and crannies. Most used book stores are crammed floor to ceiling with shelving, small tables, overstuffed chairs, and tons of spots to hide forgotten books. Sometimes people will literally hide books on top of shelves or behind rows to save it for a later purchase. With enough patience, those hidden nooks and crannies can be a treasure trove!
Heidi, by Johanna Spyri
When I moved from the Seattle area, one of the things that I regretted the most was leaving one of my elderly neighbors, who loved reading books to me aloud when I was a child. Among the numerous titles was Heidi. Years later at a Methodist church I stumbled on a small book shelf which had a good faith policy; leave one book in exchange for taking one (or pay a dollar for any book). Since a lot of the people who went to the church were elderly, the bookshelf was OVERFLOWING with rare, out of print books and limited editions. I found a GORGEOUS print of Heidi with the original cover (though a little shabby) and I only paid a dollar for it. Not bad when I hadn’t even been shopping!
Tip #3: Look for book sales other than used book stores; garage sales, estate sales, and even church tag sales are a fantastic way to find bargain books and even rarer books. Also, because these events are as much about getting rid of inventory as they are about making money, they are much more willing to bargain or sell it for much less. Tip #4: Don’t be fooled by covers or price tags; while most used book stores have rare book collections, they are often overpriced, and in fact are really common editions. Just because they look old/rare doesn’t necessarily mean you should drop 200 on them. Do your research beforehand. A good indication is to also take a quick look through the pages: can you find a print date? An edition number? How about an author’s signature or something else special about the book?
Norton Anthology of English Literature, 3rd Edition
As a college student who had to donate plasma to pay rent, it goes without saying that I didn’t always have enough money for other necessities in life. When I was preparing to take the GREs to get into graduate school; it was out of the question to spend money on expensive study guides and flash cards when the test itself was nearly two hundred dollars. But that’s where used book stores came in handy. Especially if you live near a college, it is extremely easy to find a huge selection of study materials, all of them pretty up to date; the only flaw being they aren’t the “latest” edition. I was able to pick up all of the Norton Anthologies, plus two study guides, for less than 20 dollars.
Tip#5 Always, ALWAYS, check used book stores before buying brand new. Used book stores often have lists of contacts with other stores to find the item you need if they don’t have it. Don’t spend money you don’t have to! Tip #6: look in unconventional places for study guides: many of them aren’t necessarily found under study materials; for example Norton Anthologies, while amazing study guides, are usually listed under literature or literary criticism.