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Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Read This List Before Your Next Bookstore Visit

Sara Newman |
September 22, 2014 | 10:03 a.m. PDT

Deputy Editor

San Francisco bookstores know how to lure their readers in (Sara Newman/Neon Tommy)
San Francisco bookstores know how to lure their readers in (Sara Newman/Neon Tommy)
To buy or not to buy? This is a conundrum all too familiar to any avid book reader. There’s a joy in turning the page and smelling the fresh papery scent of a book. There’s the delight at staring at the pretty cover of a new book resting on your desk like a perfectly wrapped present but without the nagging suspense. 

But there’s also the price...

The more quickly you read, the more time you have to wage the age-old debate of whether or not to buy a new book. Sure there’s the library, but there’s also the oh so lovely siren call of the book store. Presumably a bank statement is effective enough as the angel on your shoulder telling you not buy when you can save, so we’ll be the devil on your shoulder. Here are 16 reasons you should just go ahead and buy it.

  1. Right now Vogue’s embracing the big booty; the big book’s next on the list. 
  2. If it’s a used book, you’re not even creating any waste, how’s that for eco friendly?
  3. Even without fake glasses, it will make you look smart to nearby strangers on the bus.
  4. It’ll boost your vocabulary even without taking up more space on your IPhone. 
  5. When you’re done you can give it to someone else to read to get your good karma points for the day.
  6. It’s cheaper than a movie ticket. 
  7. Pulling out a book is a great way to bow out of uncomfortable conversations. 
  8. If it’s long enough, you won’t need to buy a new book for a really, really long time (thanks Infinite Jest”).
  9. It’s a splurge that won’t make you feel like you have to spend an hour at the gym afterward. 
  10. You’re helping pay off student loans for your PhD or MFA-toting bookseller.
  11. It’ll make good bookshelf décor when you’re done reading.
  12. It could inspire a great Halloween costume.
  13. Curling up with a book is supposedly better for you than curling up with your laptop and Pinterest boards. 
  14. Maybe it will finally present you with just the right words for your literary quote tattoo—hey the book’s cheaper than tattoo removal surgery later. 
  15. You could get like 10 used books for the cost of a pair of jeans from the Gap.
  16. “Baby Got Back” was originally called “Baby Got Book” because even Sir Mix A Lot knows reading’s sexy.
Contact Deputy Editor Sara Newman here and follow her on Twitter here


 

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