A well-a course in miracles bookstore is an indication of how often it’s been read. For many, it’s also an indication that it’s worth perusing. Visit a well-stocked second hand book store and you’ll be amazed by the titles on display. There’s everything from comics and graphic novels to autobiographies, fairytales, fiction and even rare editions. For a steal, you can go home with enough books to line a few shelves, not possible with brand new titles that cost a lot more.
For students, used textbooks hold even greater benefits. Aside from being cheap – new books are surprisingly expensive and not everyone can afford them -, former owners would have scribbled valuable notes and ideas pertaining to the subject which can prove extremely useful come study time. Highlighted sections indicate important points which is another advantage. Books no longer needed can be resold for the same purchase price if they’re in good condition.
Thanks to the internet, book hunters and lovers are exposed to a world of used tomes. Some sites offer swap deals where you exchange books for others. The difference in price is paid with cash. Online selling has the added advantage of making books available to a wider reach of people so if there’s a particular title you want that’s not available in your location, just aim your browser at a site and you’re likely to find it.
Used book stores are reminiscent of earlier times when racks were piled high with books, the atmosphere was quiet and the sound of electronics was non-existent. Some stores strive to replicate that old ambience so more times than most, stepping in will transport you to a place of old world charm. Most store owners are very well-read as unlike stores selling new books, they need to be more aware of what types of old books were and are in demand. The biggest payoff is, of course, the inexpensive price since even collector’s editions are sold cheap.
Perhaps one of the most important benefits used books have is their impact on the environment. It’s difficult to put an exact figure on how many trees it takes to make a book. Some say a tree yields 500 pages, others say several tons. Whatever the number, it’s a given that with the number of books published every year, whole tracts of forests must be used. Second hand books greatly cut down the number of trees used to make books and used book lovers knowingly or unknowingly contribute to sustainability.