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The problem is that the books are sold in the millions and at such a low price (yes Tesco and Asda, I mean you!) that people read once and discard. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse is another one that makes your heart sink when you look into the bag.
Am I the only one who thinks the supermarkets are devaluing books and turning them into a disposable commodity? I remember a few years ago going into second hand bookshops and never dream of finding a book that was still in the best-seller charts?
And...I miss proper bookshops. Used to love the one here - walked in, smelt of books. You could ask if they had a book and if they didn't they ordered them. That's how I got my 'Run With the Wind' Series by Tom McCaughren years ago - had to have three of the series got from Ireland. :( I miss that shop, I wanted to work in that shop.
Did anyone else read the brilliant article about Dan in last Saturday's Times supp? Not sure if was on-line too.
I wish I had said: 'What about the damn authors? You bought a book didn't you?'
How has recycling affected book sales?
Regular rummagers know where the quality reads can be found. Why support ANY bookshop if you can buy something different for a £ or less?
I found a hardback of The Northern Lights trilogy at a Shelter charity shop last week for £1.50.
Seriously a lot of them are 'just in case I need them for University.' Don't know what I'll do when I graduate; maybe see if the English department or University library would like them.
Not necessarily trashy; more 'beach reads' that tend to make me break out in hives! I'll be gobsmacked if I ever see David Peace on the shelves of Tesco.
with many old well established titles.
As for second hand books, I have loads and once a year I give them to the local hospice charity shop in the hope that they will raise money for a good cause and one that is close to my heart. Its my way of gving back when I received such wonderful support when my husbands health was failing.
Carol, I didn't say they were exclusively selling 'trashy' titles, but a large percentage of the titles sold by supermarkets are lightweight and not really destined for greatness. I suppose you could call them 'Enid Blyton's', in comparison the the children's classics. They get people reading and buying books, which is good, and hopefully as folk read more they will become more discering and move on to more heavyweight books - usually only available form WH Smith or proper book stores
I suppose most of the others can be classed as mid-list authors...
p.s. I don't buy on Amazon because of the high import duty charged by Fiji customs (and the fact that the Fijian postal system has reinvented the meaning of 'snail mail').
At least in Waterstones there are thousands of titles to choose from; unlike the restricted selection of Tesco et al.
Of course I would love his bank balance (wouldn't have to beg every year for tuition fees etc) I think if one of my books were constantly criticised the way his are, I would never write again.
I would imagine he receives thousands of emails and letters from fans, praising him. I suspect his accountant and off-shore tax advisors are able to offer some consolation too.
The article I referred to...
[quote=Baggy Books]Did anyone else read the brilliant article about Dan in last Saturday's Times supp?[/quote]
...was written by a critic and a fan.
I was reading reviews on a DVD last night and one even began with, "I have been waiting to see this DVD for months and I can't wait to watch it..." The reviewer then continued with WHY they'd bought it, which isn't the same as reviewing it.
I know many people are against second hand books but I have found a great number of authors through reading a secondhand book which I would never have bought at full price until I knew whether I liked their sytle or not. I now have 1500 books which I can read whilst trying to make a living from selling them. Unfortunately I sometimes have to rush through the book to finish reading it so I can post it out!