Whenever I start looking at a shelf in a used bookstore, I always feel a little overwhelmed. Being faced with so many titles, many of which I've probably never heard of, can be pretty daunting. But once that initial flicker of anxiety has passed, something else takes root. I think of all the books I've taken a chance on and that have rewarded me for doing so, and the thrill of the hunt sets in. It's something like a gambler's high, because, ultimately, when I go shopping for books I'm really just hoping to get lucky.
There are a couple of main ways luck can manifest at a used bookstore. One of them, as I alluded to earlier, is when you find a hidden gem. Part of what makes used bookstores special is that you can find books from authors & publishers that have fallen into relative obscurity, or maybe you'll find a title you've never heard of from an author you adore. Hidden gems are the kind of books that reward you for really taking your time and looking at every title on the shelf, but they aren't the only gems you'll find at a used bookstore.
Part of the draw of shopping used, at least for me, is that you can save a little bit of money, especially as the prices of new books have been steadily increasing. It always feels great, and a little lucky, to find a hot new title at a used price, doubly so if the hold list at the library is getting close to the triple digits. For anyone curious, we'll usually start getting used copies of title about nine months after the publication, but people have been known to trade things in much sooner. Coincidentally, paperback editions of books also release about nine months after the initial publication.
Getting a good deal on a great book is always pretty lucky, but sometimes the real cherry on top is hiding within the pages (and I'm not talking about the words). People leave all sorts of things in their books, from photos to receipts to old plane tickets, and I always get a kick out of finding these glimpses into the book's past. I always love finding book marks, too, especially if they've come from another bookstore somewhere far away.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when comes to lucky things happening in the bookstore. Besides finding something good on the shelves, there are usually some pretty nice people in the aisles who are probably just as excited about books as you are. Sometimes they've even got a cute dog with them! So keep your eyes peeled, because after you've found your next great read you may even be able to find someone to discuss it with.
.png)