Splurging on books once in a while is good for the soul. I get 99 percent of my books from the library or used but it does feel good to buy a brand new paperback (haven’t bought hardcover in years) occasionally. When I want to support indie bookshops I will buy books as gifts for other people, cards, stickers, and encourage my kids to spend their hard earned money there.
Yes, it’s funny, I’m much more likely to buy a new book for someone as a gift than I am to buy it for myself. What does that say about me…?
But I was thinking, maybe I can start buying new books for myself now and then and when I’m finished reading I can gift them to the Little Free Library down the street. There is someone in my town who clearly does that, and I’ve gotten a few fantastic new hardcovers that way. I should return the favor.
OK, so if you loved Prep, I just read The Virgins by Pamela Erens -- another boarding school novel, recommended by Rebecca Makkai. It was dark and dreamy and incredible writing and quite sexy. Just putting it out there. Of course, Rebecca Makkai's novel I Have Some Questions for You is ALSO a great boarding school novel.
So many great resources listed here. Thank you. I'm bookmarking this. And I also want to echo your point about hardcovers. I have a book coming out in October, and it, like so many others, is coming out in hardcover first. I want people to buy it - I NEED people to buy it so my publisher is willing to work with me again (a fraught and constant concern about numbers that seems beyond my control and yet will dictate my career going forward), but I am also aware that asking people to spend this much money on a book is a big ask. A big, BIG ask and at a time when many are feeling financially very pinched. And I'm not the only one asking. Especially with genre fiction that people love to consume quickly, going straight to paperback just makes sense. I would love it if someone could explain why publishers still do hardcovers first.
Congrats on your upcoming book! And when you find out about why publishers insist on hardback first (esp for fast-read genre fiction like thrillers and romance) let me know! I mean, it makes sense for libraries, but not for the general consumer.
Splurging on books once in a while is good for the soul. I get 99 percent of my books from the library or used but it does feel good to buy a brand new paperback (haven’t bought hardcover in years) occasionally. When I want to support indie bookshops I will buy books as gifts for other people, cards, stickers, and encourage my kids to spend their hard earned money there.
Yes, it’s funny, I’m much more likely to buy a new book for someone as a gift than I am to buy it for myself. What does that say about me…?
But I was thinking, maybe I can start buying new books for myself now and then and when I’m finished reading I can gift them to the Little Free Library down the street. There is someone in my town who clearly does that, and I’ve gotten a few fantastic new hardcovers that way. I should return the favor.
Great idea! I love Little Free Libraries!
I LOVED Prep and Show Don't Tell is on my TBR list! Thanks for these great links! Love your MFA story! Books truly change lives!
OK, so if you loved Prep, I just read The Virgins by Pamela Erens -- another boarding school novel, recommended by Rebecca Makkai. It was dark and dreamy and incredible writing and quite sexy. Just putting it out there. Of course, Rebecca Makkai's novel I Have Some Questions for You is ALSO a great boarding school novel.
Oh, this sounds sooo good! Thank you! I have a vacation coming up and need something just like this!!
So many great resources listed here. Thank you. I'm bookmarking this. And I also want to echo your point about hardcovers. I have a book coming out in October, and it, like so many others, is coming out in hardcover first. I want people to buy it - I NEED people to buy it so my publisher is willing to work with me again (a fraught and constant concern about numbers that seems beyond my control and yet will dictate my career going forward), but I am also aware that asking people to spend this much money on a book is a big ask. A big, BIG ask and at a time when many are feeling financially very pinched. And I'm not the only one asking. Especially with genre fiction that people love to consume quickly, going straight to paperback just makes sense. I would love it if someone could explain why publishers still do hardcovers first.
Congrats on your upcoming book! And when you find out about why publishers insist on hardback first (esp for fast-read genre fiction like thrillers and romance) let me know! I mean, it makes sense for libraries, but not for the general consumer.