Jandee's Practical Guide to Building a Home Library (with a little help from Amazon)

Hi friends, yes I know this has taken longer for me to post than originally projected, but at last here it is Melissa, enjoy! It is massive, I kind of feel like I just wrote a book about buying books, but I guess I'm a little passionate about it, and my attempts at short and sweet just didn't really work out! So just consider this the unabridged edition.

First of all I wanted to explain my philosophy behind why I think its important to have a home library (whether it be a small collection of a few favorites, or a larger collection) the most common question people ask me about my book buying hobby is what's the point? -- "isn't that what public libraries are for?" First of all let me state that I do not believe that home libraries are a substitute for regularly using the public library, but I feel they augment each other and work hand in hand. Since I love all things in list form, here are the top reasons why I still feel the need to have a substantive home library in addition to being a card carrying library patron.

1. You can do this to your books:

(and yes this is one of my books, I just grabbed off a stack to photograph).
I believe that books are meant to be read and that moreover they are a conversation between the reader and the author.....so if the author is saying things to me, why shouldn't I say things back? Now obviously I don't do this to all of my books (aka children's books, antique/vintage books, or novels that are just brain candy and don't provoke a whole lot of thought), but when I'm reading something that really challenges me or engages my mind I inevitably find myself reaching for a pen. I guess I don't feel I've really internalized something if I haven't written it down. I also usually read with a dictionary for this same reason. Several years ago my brother Marc gave me one of the most thoughtful gifts, an electronic dictionary sort of like this that has since proved invaluable (Thanks Marc!) I believe this so called "de-facing" helps me retain things better. Also whenever I reread a book I have marked, my own scribbled observations will often spur new thoughts. And finally since I lost my biological father at infancy, my whole life I have been curious about what he thought about things, what he liked, etc...... now while I don't plan on dying anytime soon, I think I still like the thought that someday when my children read my books they will learn a little bit more about their mother and what she thought about what she was reading (an opportunity I would have relished from my own parents).

2. Some books are like paintings or pictures or other mementos and just seeing them on your shelf regularly can recall favorite memories (whether it be from childhood, adolescence, college, etc.) They are visual reminders of an experience we had reading them.

3. Having books all over the place, makes you more prone to read them.....every time I look at my shelves and begin reading titles of well-loved books I get excited to reread them or at least read books about the same subject. And just staring at my to-read pile is like staring at presents under the tree at Christmas....it is a whole realm of new thoughts and ideas waiting for me to learn. And there is no time limit on these books....if I don't finish my current read in two weeks, my next books will be patiently waiting for me. Also, studies have shown that children who grow up in an environment where books are promoted as a frequent source of entertainment, and are readily available and on-hand, are earlier readers, better writers, have higher test scores, and exhibit less attention deficit disorder tendencies (basically they are just a whole lot smarter). One thing my mom did for us children, (which probably instigated my love for books more than anything else) is that she put a giant basket in every room in the house and filled it with books....even the bathroom. They were everywhere and without planning it, or consciously doing it, I usually would pull out several books (obviously illustrated children's books) to read everyday in moments of down time or boredom. That sneaky little Momma got me interested in reading and learning without lifting a finger, just by filling our house with wonderful reads (although truth be told she did lift a finger since she also religiously read to us every night --again thanks Mom!).

4. Books go out of print. Libraries have some copies, but when those get damaged and have to be discarded and they cannot be replaced they are gone forever. Even though you can usually track them down through inter-library loan, in my experience usually just the fact that you would have to go through the extra effort stops one from doing so and the book begins to be forgotten by the next generation. This happens more frequently than you think, to illustrate the fact, just yesterday I was at my mom's school hanging out with Isaac while Jordan was getting screws put in his hand and she had a book in her room I grew up reading by Peter Spier called - Bored, Nothing to Do -- l LOVED this book growing up and thought I'd try and get it for Isaac. Does my local library have it? No siree, its out of print and they don't have a copy. So I looked to my trusty Amazon and it has now been out of print long enough that to buy a "collectible copy" is more than I plan on spending right now (more on this dilemma later).......luckily my mother owns a copy and maybe if I ask really nicely she give it to me to read with Isaac or at least loan it to me for the interim.

5. Books are pretty to look at.....unlike your "vintage" Salt 'N Pepper CD case, and VHS stash, and even sleek DVDs, books are classy and timeless and just having them in my home makes it seem more comfortable and interesting (well at least thats my take on it).

Yep, I could definitely live with this as my family room!

6. Books are assets. As books do go out of print, books kept in good condition retain and increase their value. Even though I don't plan on selling my books, at some future point I could collect a tidy sum from some of them. Also now that Oprah has helped bury the book by endorsing the Kindle...(yep I'm not a fan of the Kindle -- although it does have some redeeming qualities I must admit, it doesn't replace a good old fashioned printed tome-- but that is a whole other post), the printed book may become even more rare in the future, making them an even better investment. (Although this whole idea relies heavily on the assumption that people will continue to be interested in reading in future generations and that may indeed not be the case --yep I know I sound like a Downer Debbie Nostradamus, but I'd be lying if I didn't voice concerns!)

Well now that you are all fully convinced you need some sort of home library you are wondering where to dive in right? Here is another list to get you your way:

1. Figure out what types of books you want to own. For me I don't mind spending five dollars here and there on a book I may only read once or twice, but that is because I don't spend that money on other things. I mean I would rather buy a book than eat out or go to a movie....it is a primary form of entertainment I'm willing to regularly spend some money on; however, this may not be the case with you. And if you are not budgeting a regular portion of money to spend on books every month then make sure that when you do spend money on them YOU ARE ONLY SPENDING MONEY ON BOOKS YOU WANT TO OWN THE MOST. These may be children's books, classics, sci-fi, cook books, art books, etc. --- but there is most usually a hierarchy of what you want like the most. Find that hierarchy by browsing, thinking, and most importantly KEEPING A LIST!

I compiled a list on this blog a couple years ago with some books I thought were a good starting point here; however, that was pre-pregnancy and since then I've rediscovered all sorts of old faves for children as I've been thinking up books I'd like to read to Isaac. Also I hardly have any of my favorite non-fiction on this list (not quite sure why), so the point I'm trying to make is that your list should be liquid. Here is where Amazon shines, its called a WISHLIST my friends!

I AM OBSESSED WITH MY AMAZON WISHLIST, I regard it more as a holding place where I mull over whether or not I want to commit to spending the $ on a book -- it is everchangine. When I get a book recommendation or I read a great book review, etc., I literally can't wait to go and add it to my wishlist.....honestly my compulsive OCD self has been known to write a note to myself in my planner or on my hand to remind me to add something to my wishlist later if I'm out and about. (hmmm....perhaps thats why there are over 1500 books on my current wishlist). It is my memory bank, and even if down the road I decide not to purchase the book and I delete it, or if I decide just to check it out from the library, or I purchase it from some other source than Amazon, I am grateful to Amazon for helping me remember that I was initially interested in reading it. I don't want to post a link to my wishlist on this post as it does include my personal address, etc.; however, if you would like to see, email me and I will forward you the link (the list is massive and it may be better to search my purchased items rather than unpurchased first to see what I actually have been willing to plunk down my hard earned on).

Another great thing about Amazon are the instant access to book reviews & suggestions generated off of items you have already purchased. Since I do consider books an investment, I USUALLY RESEARCH A BOOK BEFORE I COMMIT TO BUYING IT. I read reviews on Amazon, but also on Goodreads, Barnes & Noble, and even wikipedia. Of course I have made impulse buys (some have been great finds, but others dismal disappointments), but for the most part I really think about a book before I purchase, there are books on my wishlist that I've been "thinking" about for over five years that I'm not quite sure I want to purchase (usually this is also connected to the price -- details on that later).

2. Once you know what titles you want, set any other standards. For example, 98% of the time I will only buy hardback books. Yep I'm a book snob. This is because of three reason a) they are definitely more durable and since I plan on reading, rereading, lending out, and someday giving them to my children this is huge. b) they are definitely more appealing to look at. c) they retain their value soooooo much better than paperback in the event that I do want to sell them down the road.

Although I prefer hardbacks, I guess I am not a quintessential snob because I also buy most of my books used. Since I often write in my books anyway, I don't mind getting one that has some wear and tear as long as it still looks decent. Also once you are open to buying used books, you can really get some mileage out of your dollar which leads to my philosophy on pricing........

3. In general I hardly ever pay more than 5$ for a book (and a hardback book a that). Probably 80% of the books I buy, I buy through Amazon; however, probably only 10% of those I actually buy from Amazon, mostly I buy from private sellers who sell their used books online. These sellers often offer books for very small amounts, they can do this because they are often remaindered library books (I can't tell you how many of my books have a library stamp with a discarded stamp on the inside cover)., so often the will get down to $.01 -- yes indeed one penny. Granted you have to pay shipping (which on Amazon is $3.99 per book), but as long as the original price is under a dollar you come out under 5. Here are some important things to consider about buying used books:
a) I usually only buy books from sellers that have both a high rating ---90% or better -- and have had over 1500 transactions. Since I've been so careful about this I have only had one or two negative experiences buying used books from Amazon and both were resolved very well.... and I just checked today and I've bought over 500 used books from sellers on Amazon so I think thats a pretty good success rate.
b) pay close attention to the description of the book, I usually only buy things described as good, excellent, or like new --very rarely will I take a chance on acceptable.
c) plan on slow shipping......I usually receive my books two to three weeks after I buy them. This doesn't bother me because I have a practice where I buy one (sometimes two) new books every time I finish one....so at any given time I have about 10-15 books waiting to be read, so I don't need the new one here tomorrow. However, since there is a lag time it is good to keep a record of books you are waiting on.....when you buy a book from Amazon they send you a confirmation email. I usually drag this into a folder in my email titled "Book Buys" and when the book arrives in the mail I delete the email. Once a month I check the folder and if I haven't received a book I email the seller about the status or request a refund. This system has been great for me.
d) many huge sellers (such as Thriftbooks) have their own website and if I find one book on Amazon under the used section from that seller, sometimes I will go to their own page and see if the shipping is cheaper, or if I can buy another book of my list from them and not get charged twice for shipping. I have even been known to email the seller with a list of books I'm looking for and see what deals they can give me. In the past this has been a huge saver for me and independent sellers I regularly buy from that I found on amazon include:
Thriftbooks
Betterworld Books
Alibris
Abe Books
Go Hastings
Green World Books
and many more.

Also while I do love Amazon, I'm not married to it. I buy used books from:
a) private sellers through Barnes & Noble (I think they sometimes have a better selection of out of print books),
b) thrift stores
c) the DI
d) garage sales
e) New books from Costco, B&N, Borders, etc.
f) Overstock.com (they have an auction section for used books and OCCASIONALLY they sell cheap new books.
g) local used book stores I adore. I especially love used book stores that carry vintage books.....and oh yes I've been given ever so many lovely books from friends & family. I have received some of my very most cherished books from Jordan's grandmother before she passed away that are from the 1930s and have the most amazing illustrations. I'm sure we will always treasure these in our family.

4. So how do you find the deals on Amazon? This goes back to the Wishlist feature and a whole lot of patience. I check my wishlist probably everyday (I used to have a spreadsheet I could import my wishlist into that was easier to search, but sadly it doesn't work on my beloved MAC), so I click through every page every day....... I have 72 pages....... however, this only takes about five minutes because I scan down the page only looking at the used price and I only click on books that have gotten under a dollar. I don't buy a book everyday, but by checking it everyday I get the one penny deals before they are eaten up by others. Five minutes a day seems like a small time donation to get such great deals.

However, facts are facts -- there are some books that will never ever ever get cheap and sometimes you have to buy new. A good source of relatively cheap, new hardback books can be found at Barnes & Noble, their Classic Series like this are all only $6.36 for members and in stores only they even have a smaller pocket size line that are all $4.95 (they all have pretty red or blue covers). I think I purchased every pocket size title they offered that I didn't already have because they are so charming and easy to keep in your purse. Also sometimes Amazon will offer a book for $4 or less (sometimes this is by fulfillment through Amazon which is still listed with the used sellers); these books qualify for free shipping if you spend over $25 so when I bite the bullet and buy new, I always buy enough to get free shipping so I don't have to feel so bad about it. Also B & N has a very similar program and they almost always offer free shipping on purchases over $25.

In a few rare cases, books do not get cheap through used sellers, or new online.....and I can't find a inexpensive copy at my other resources (thrift stores, etc.) -- when I reach this crossroads I have two choices. Pay full price, or wait it out. Most of the time I decide to wait it out and keep looking, hoping, etc. But every once in a while I just want what I want when I want it right? In those cases I try to look for and edition of collected works by the author. I don't really mind reading from large books so if I'm going to invest in a new, full price, book I figure I may as well get the collected works.....usually these are only marginally more expensive than the single work, but you get several books for the price of one. Also you often can find some very attractive editions that make you feel even more better about forking it over (its called rationalization people). For example, I really like the Grammercy Literary Classics collection offered at Costco (and sometimes B&N), they are leather-bound, with gilded pages and $19.95 for usually five or six works by the same author.

5. Since I really like buying vintage books, another really important skill to cultivate in buying used books is knowing what a book is worth. I don't pretend to be an expert on antique books, but sometimes shops think that just because its old (think one hundred years old) it should be really expensive. This is not always the case, so before you get taken in by the confident salesman at the local thrift store that is "positive" the collectible could fetch much more in an auction, do your research online and see what the book is worth (even if that means leaving the store and coming back another day --trust me, the book is usually still there and in the meantime you can see how much you really want it). Also a book is only worth a hefty price if you plan on selling it.....if you don't (as I usually don't) instead of thinking about how much you could turn around and sell it for, ask yourself it you would pay that price to just keep it always.

Well Melissa I'm not sure this is exactly what you were looking for, and if there is something else you'd like to know email me and I'll update the post, but hopefully it was helpful to someone.