For the three years I worked in publishing, I never bought a book. Everything I added to my personal bookshelf was gratis, either from my company or via a trade with another publishing house. Now, several years later, I still rarely buy a book. Let me clarify: I hardly ever buy a book at full price. I love the bargain books section at Barnes & Noble and the several-times-a-year used book sale at my local library. The last book I probably bought at full price was the final book in the Harry Potter series.

Yesterday I caved and bought the latest Dan Brown novel, The Lost Symbol. I read a postive review on NYTimes.com (OK, actually I read only a couple of the preview sentences–I wasn’t logged into the website, so I couldn’t read the whole review), and it piqued my interest. But the deal was sealed when I went to Barnes & Noble yesterday in search of another book and found that first edition copies of The Lost Symbol were available. This just goes to show what a book nerd I am; first edition copies get me excited. Of course, I have no idea how many first edition copies of the book are on the market, and it’s not a signed copy, so it probably won’t be worth much in years to come, but still, it’s nice to know that I have one.

I remember when The Da Vinci Code was published. I was living in Washington, DC and a couple friends and I passed the book around our small circle once we each finished reading it. For several days I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning reading, and I did the same when I read Angels & Demons, which I liked even better. Anyone want to place bets on how long it will take for me to read The Lost Symbol?

The next book on my reading list: Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby (once it’s published). 

What are you reading?

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I’m looking to grow my library of self-improvement books. Can anybody recommend books in the following categories?

• Photography: Books on composition and lighting, Photoshop for beginners and the basics of digital SLRs
• Business: Books on goal setting and self-motivation and staying organized
• Crafting: Books with patterns for a beginner knitter and somebody who want to learn to crochet

Thanks for your help!

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When I worked in publishing, many of the books I acquired were first editions and/or signed by the author. After reading them I immediately placed them in my bookcase to avoid any additional damage to the cover or the spine. To preserve their integrity, I very rarely let friends borrow them.

Now I usually get my books from the public library. If I’m not checking them out, I’m buying them used at their book sales. Sometimes I’ll get new ones online from Amazon. Since these books are not first editions, I’m not as over protective of them and am OK lending them out… but I am concerned about getting them back!

Perhaps bookplates are the way to go with my non-first edition books. What do you think? Do you use bookplates in your books? What are some of your favorites?

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