On buying books

The December issue of The Atlantic had an article about Ann Patchett (author of State of Wonder) opening an independent bookstore. She talks about having wonderful childhood memories of small bookstores and how people long for that. Many others say the same. But I’ve never understood why. (I kind of think that’s why I never ‘got’ You’ve Got Mail. I enjoy the love story, for sure, but Meg Ryan’s speech about bookstores? Don’t get it.)

What I remember about the local bookstore growing up is that it was welcoming, cozy…and so expensive I had to stretch to buy two books a year. It wasn’t an upscale store, but $10-$15 (I always bought paperbacks) is a lot of money to a kid! I didn’t want for a lot as a child, but I certainly didn’t have much cash. I always longed to buy books, but on those occasions I actually did I almost felt sick even as I tried to pick one out. I knew I would finish it quickly and think:  was that really worth $10 for two hours of entertainment?

Maybe it’s because I’m a fast reader. Maybe it’s because I prefer to read mysteries and once you know the ending, there isn’t much point in reading again. There were certainly books I loved and read many times and I was thrilled to receive books as gifts, but I rarely saw them as a good use of my limited funds.

The library, though, oh, the library. THAT is where my happy childhood memories of books are. I get nostalgic just driving by it when I’m in town. The library is where everyone knew me and what I liked to read. The library is where I discovered Nancy Drew and Sweet Valley High. And the teeny church library! I loved that place so much. They had all these books about a girl, much like Nancy Drew, I guess, who solved mysteries. It’s bothered me for YEARS I cannot remember the name of those books. I’m sure they were Christian books, but I liked that they weren’t overtly so (you know how some books, it seems like the actual plot doesn’t even matter because the whole thing reads like God! Pray! Bible! Jesus!).

Then there was the school library and the thrill of reading for POINTS. The proud feeling when you read “above grade level.” The row of Little House books. The Boxcar Children bookcase. Those early reader books about Ned the detective and his dog I read the entire shelf of in first grade (gah! What were they called??)

I’m well aware of the fact authors have to make a living. I’m selfishly happy other people buy books. I’m kind of terrified at the thought they might stop. I don’t doubt book prices are reflective of what it costs to produce them. I’m not saying they need to be lowered. Just that I…can’t afford it. I read 120 books last year. I would happily pay a yearly subscription to the library. (Actually, I should. I should donate every year.) (Though they do get about $5-10/month from me in fees and fines.) I buy some of the books I read, of course, but very few. The majority of what I buy is used anyway, so I don’t think that counts. I’m not really sure what to do about it. I do want to support my favorite authors, but…120 books!

Do you buy most of the books you read? Or do you have your library card number memorized, like I do?


P.S. Ginger wrote a similar post back in November that I found interesting.