Book collecting

[Camy]

I like books. I like the way they feel when you read them, the smell of the paper, the rustle of turning pages. I'd like a room to turn into a library, complete with a stressless chair and floor to ceiling shelves with a tall ladder to slide along on. I'd like neatly arranged shelves - though I'm still not sure how I'd catalogue them. I have quite a few books and in and amongst them are some first editions, of which a few are signed. Sadly, I've nothing of any great value, but that doesn't bother me. My precioussssssss.

The chances of finding a Shakespeare folio in a charity shop are astronomic, yet still I hope....

Today I came across this rather interesting site. It's veryfinebooks.com and the link is to their 'most expensive recent book sales.' It makes for an interesting read.

http://blog.veryfinebooks.com/2013/09/22/most-valuable-rare-book-sales-veryfinebooks-com/

[JamesSavik]

I've got so many books, I need a bigger house.

[Cole Parker]

I've started finding ways to move them out. There are book swap sites on the internet where you can trade them for books you'd like and don't have, there are secondhand bookstores that will pay you a percentage of the original cost, and there are libraries that sometimes will take them as gifts.

If I didn't give them away, I'd become one of those old codgers who has pathways through his house, the rest being filled with clutter -- in my case, books.

C

[EleCivil]

When I moved cross country, I had to sell off everything I owned that didn't fit into my car. Basically, I left with some clothes, a computer, and a guitar, and nothing else to my name.

I had to sell off or give away my library. It was tragic.

I miss my books.

[Lugnutz]

I have two books. Had them since I was 14. I do have a bookshelf. That has all my car books. And parts catalogs next to that. Information is power. Was never a literary type.

[Merkin]

Looking for a place to donate some well-loved books? Check out local orphanages, boys' (and girls') homes, after-school centers, and community centers. Give some kid a window to the world of imagination and aspiration.

[Cole Parker]

Great, great idea, James.

C

[Camy]

I'd open a 'Little Free Library' If I lived in a decent neighborhood - and had a place to put one.

http://littlefreelibrary.org/

All my old books and stuff goes to the Cat's Protection League or Oxfam.

It's strange how fast society changes: VHS tapes now have no value at all, and even charity shops don't want them. And DVDs are fast going the same way.

[JamesSavik]

[JamesSavik]

For book collectors, there are two web sites that are useful to collectors:

Library Thing ( www.librarything.com )

Good Reads ( www.goodreads.com )

Both sites allow you to create lists of books.

They can offer suggestions on books that you might like based on books that you already have.

Both sites allow user created reviews.

The lists are exceptionally useful if you end up needing them for insurance purposes.

[Camy]

For book collectors, there are two web sites that are useful to collectors:

Library Thing ( www.librarything.com )

Good Reads ( www.goodreads.com )

Both sites allow you to create lists of books.

They can offer suggestions on books that you might like based on books that you already have.

Both sites allow user created reviews.

The lists are exceptionally useful if you end up needing them for insurance purposes.

There's one other: http://www.shelfari.com. Apparently, both Shelfari and Goodreads are owned by Amazon.

I'm a member of Goodreads and have just joined Librarything - which looks excellent.

Here's interesting - http://www.shelfari.com/books/25332906/Midnight-Dude-Selected-Readings