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It’s ridiculous that books are more affordable overseas

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This is in response to Tammy February's column: So, when last were you able to afford a book?

I will treat myself three of four times a year to a new book, as you just can’t beat the feeling of a new book in your possession. I usually try to hold out for a week before starting to read it.

I am totally lost without a book to read, I literally go in to panic mode when I don’t have a book to read. I usually buy my books at the Hospice book shop, which is much cheaper and has a good variety of books, and it also goes to a worthy cause.

When I finished reading a book, I take it back and buy new ones. If you cannot afford new books, support the Hospice and buy your books there. – Ina

I could not agree with you more. I used to purchase paperbacks from Exclusive books on a regular basis and I used to pay around R190.00 to R200.00 per book.

Now the same paperbacks are costing R300.00 to R400.00 and even having an Exclusive books Fanatics card does not help as the points and cash back is so poor. I have now resorted to reading my collection for a second time. – Kevin

I was recently in London, where even with an exchange rate of R21 to the Pound, it was cheaper to buy my books there. For example, Terry Pratchett’s latest book, in hardcover, The Shepherd’s Crown, costs £12 (i.e. R252). I saw it for close to R500 at the local bookshop chain here in Johannesburg.

Needless to say, I brought back a mountain of books from London.

With books so affordable overseas even the smallest Waterstones was packed to the gills with people buying books, while Exclusive Crooks the local bookshop is closing down its stores or are making them smaller.

It is time to rethink book pricing if they don’t want to lose customers and go further to second hand book shops and e-publications (and consider how easy it is to get free e-books). – Gerlinde

Nobody needs to buy expensive books. Ever.

The newest best seller or prize winning book will be just as good a year later and will then cost next to nothing at a second-hand bookstore, or be virtually free from the library.

Good bookstores like Exclusive books also have regular sales where new books (condition, not necessarily publication date) are dirt cheap. – Barbra

Where do you buy your books from and why do you choose to shop where you do? Are you happy with the prices of the books? What do you think should be done?

Share your input with us and we’ll feature it on Women24.

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