What makes you pick up a book of the shelf / borrow or buy a book?
I would think that the cover does play a huge part in it but then again I’ve stood in the second hand/rare book store in Bedford and looked at the huge atlases that they have in there and their covers look tatty and worn.
On the other hand I think the author plays a part in it because I’m more likely to pick up a book by an author I know (Even if it’s vaguely) than one that I’ve never heard of. I stood in the supermarket the other day and looked at the latest Kathy Reichs book and then had a look at one by Lynda La Plante – normally I don’t think I would have done this but someone mentioned to me that if I liked Kathy Reichs I might like La Plante as well. I used to also watch the adaptations of Trial and Retribution with my Mum so that added to it as well.
It’s funny how different people are influenced by different things. Publishers would do well to read our blog posts this week.
I used to love secondhand book shops when I was a child/student becauseI could get three or four times as many for my money. I think second hand books are quite expensive these days – often only £1 or so cheaper than brand new ones. I much prefer to buy new now – tatty covers put me right off.
At the speed I get through alot of my books buying them second hand tends to be better as I can get a book that lasts me a week or two for like £1-3 which is better than buying a hardback in the bookstore for like £10 and then finishing it in a few days. (Then again I don’t mind lovely new hardback books lol)
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