Top 10 Online Bookstores
Okay so let’s take a step backward, shall we? How have I even come to this wide-sweeping conclusion that I need to confess my sins? A bit back, I read an article in Writer’s Digest (the September 2005 issue, to be exact) which made an even more wide-sweeping statement when discussing the realm of the used-book market:
“We may soon be the most uncivilized nation on earth.”
The Real Cost of Used Books
Every time that we browse the shelves of a used book store, be they digital halls or the shadowy corners of your favorite shop, we’re robbing an author of their hard-earned coin. The second a used book is sold, neither the author nor the publisher of that book sees a single penny of that sale.
Once upon a time, this wasn’t an overwhelming problem; before the days when we could happily say, “Oh I’d love to have that book – let me check Amazon’s used listings!” the used-book deal was not as easy to come by. We were thrilled to find a lovingly read tome in great condition that cost a quarter of what it would new. Now, we run to an online dealer or Google for the title and never think twice about looking for the new version of that book.
Right, so what does it really matter, you might ask? As a digital culture, most of us are well aware of the effort that the music and movie industries are putting into convincing fans that artists deserve to be paid for their effort. It seems like common sense. The amount of money (latest reports are in the billions) that the music and movie industries lose from pirated copies of their wares is devastating. People have heard, and are listening.
While it’s perfectly legal to buy used books, everyone should be aware that the author of the used books they’re buying never sees any return on their work when the profits are going right into a used-book seller’s pocket. Also, if the profits that publishers and authors make continue to drop (no one has performed industry loss statements yet, but it would be an astonishing amount), this affects the book selection we get to choose from. After all, if a publisher isn’t making money, they’re going to cut back on the authors they publish. Our choices will become more and more limited.
Everyone loves a bargain. Anytime that we can get something great for next to nothing, we feel proud of ourselves. However, before you head to the used-book pile for your next hand-me-down, stop and ask yourself how long it’s been since you bought a new book. If it’s been a while, drop into one of the sites below, spend a few extra coins, and support the authors you love so well with a big “Thank You for your effort!”
Bargains on New Books
The following virtual bookstores have more than enough books to fill your every fancy, and prices that won’t damage your pocketbook.
1. Books-A-Million (www.booksamillion.com) – This award-winning site offers a ton of great, brand-new books at discounts of up to 50%.
2. KidsReads (www.kidsreads.com) – A wonderful site that is dedicated to children’s books, offering all the latest new books and information for book clubs.
3. Zondervan (www.zondervan.com) – Focused on Christian and Christian-Friendly books, this site has a unique newsletter called “The Breakfast Club” which sends a book excerpt every morning.
4. Dove Booksellers (www.dovebook.com) – Want something with a bit more depth? Dove Booksellers offers up a selection of philosophy, art, religious and theology reads at fantastic prices.
5. Dog Lovers Bookshop (www.dogbooks.com) – This site for the lover of the canine companion provides a “Table of Contents” that is updated weekly, offering some really fantastic – and often hard to find – books about dogs.
6. R.J. Julia Booksellers (www.rjjulia.com) – Truly tops, this bookseller offers mainly hard covers, and even gives customers a chance to pre-order the latest books as signed copies.
7. Llewellyn Press (www.llewellyn.com) – Metaphysical, New Age, Spiritual books including astrology, tarot, pagan and wiccan reads can be found here, sold straight from the publisher at great prices.
8. Peachpit Press (www.peachpit.com) – Another from-the-publisher bookstore, this site offers “Essential Books for the Creative Community”, including full guides on Photoshop, using Mac OS X, and much more.
9. The Pyramid Bookstore (www.hamptonroadspub.com/bookstore/products_new.php) – This bookstore offers up a ton of great reads in every genre imaginable directly from Hampton Roads Publishing Company.
10. The Mysterious Bookshop (www.mysteriousbookshop.com) – Dedicated to the dark, macabre, and generally mysterious, this bookstore will have all mystery-fans covered.
