In today’s world, we have countless choices when it comes to what we pick up and read. In addition to traditional paper books, we have phones, tablets, Ebook readers, and audiobooks. So why are we better off reading used books? While we believe all books are great, there is just something special about a recycled book. From the smells to the feel of the pages, what could be better than diving into a well-loved book? Here at Recycle Read Repeat, we love sourcing high-quality pre-loved books curated just for you, our readers. Below we share several reasons you should opt for a previously owned book instead of a new one whenever possible.
The most obvious reason to choose a used book is that it will save you money. A used book is likely cheaper than a brand-new one, even if the author is a household name. Remember, the words are the same whether the book is new or has been previously loved by someone else! And if you’re worried about funding for local libraries, at Recycle Read Repeat, we source about 90% of our books through library sales, thus helping to support community libraries.
Because recycled books cost significantly less than new ones, you can stock up and keep your bookshelf full of new reading material. We find there’s nothing that motivates us to read more than a fully stocked bookshelf!
Being aware of climate change and being more environmentally conscious is becoming more and more critical in helping the planet. Did you know about 320 million books end up in landfills every year? When you opt for a recycled book or used book subscription service, you will help to keep these books out of landfills and protect the environment. Used books reduce the number of new prints, eventually reducing paper usage and carbon emissions.
Whether browsing your local library or favorite bookstore or waiting for your reading subscription in the mail, it’s almost like embarking on a treasure hunt. You never know what you might find or receive. Some used books have unique vintage covers, while some have margin notes and highlighted passages. You never know who owned them before you, which is part of the charm and excitement of an old book.
If you ask us, books are like wine; they get better with age. As they pass through the hands of readers, the crisp, white stain-free pages begin to yellow, rumple, and tear. You don’t need to worry about breaking in a used book; the spine is already cracked, the page corners are folded, and there’s likely spilled coffee already adorning the pages. Plus, they come with that unique “old book smell!”
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