used things

[nibot]

I was ambling around campus the other day, and my ambling took me to the campus book store. Checking out the shelf of books for this semester's physics courses, I noticed that there was precisely one used copy remaining of each of the books I needed, in addition, of course, to a plentiful supply of more expensive, new copies. "Hmm, I guess it's as good a time as any to buy books!" I thought.

As I was happily gathering up my bargain wares, I overheard another customer dejectedly exclaim to her friend, while examining the supply of books for some frosh course in a subject beginning with "M,"

"Ohh... All the copies are used! There are no new copies."

They pore over the pile of second-hand books, confirming that their search for a virgin text is indeed futile.

"Yup. No new ones. Guess we'll have to go...."

This was more than I could take. I had to intervene!

"What are you talking about? They're exactly the same, except they're cheaper," I exclaim in a combination of surprise, bewilderment, admonition, and general disgust.

The girl picks up a book, holding it gingerly as if it were something dirty. At arms' length, she thumbs through it briskly. The pages are clear and crisp with nary a mark.

"Well, I guess it's okay," she admits to her friend. "But you know how I feel about used things!"

Her friend picks up another copy from the same pile and thumbs through it with renewed gusto.

"There! This book has hilighting everywhere," he retorts as if it were some kind of victory.

Apparently vinidicated, they leave the the store. Empty handed.

Comments

[rebbyribs.livejournal.com]

I loved the story, but I really hope these aren't students you'll be TA-ing.

[chiriklo-star.livejournal.com]

I love old books...

Even if a new book and an old book cost exactly the same, I'd buy the old one (if it wasn't totally falling apart...)

I'm weird.

exactly!

[barks.livejournal.com]

among other things, I like thinking about the people who have read the book before me. How did they feel about it? What were their opinions? Am I sharing the same reaction, at the exact same point in the book, with someone to whom I have no connection except for a drop-off/purchase at a secondhand book store?

(not so much for textbooks, but there you go.)

[furzicle.livejournal.com]

AAh, public school kid rubbing shoulders with private school kids. Do they know one of the unwashed was among them???

[anemone.livejournal.com]

I'm always disappointed when they're out of used books...

[svino.livejournal.com]

I always made sure to leave the bright yellow "used" sticker on my books. It's like a badge of honor that you were smart enough to find it cheaper.