Is giving used books as gifts not ok?

Fran101

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#1
I know of this great used book store.. and it's a small business I really like, so I do A LOT of shopping there.
but this christmas I did a lot of shopping there for other people, finding books I think they will really like.

But one of my housemates mentioned that this seemed kind of wrong or tacky.. to give people previously used books.

Do you think it's ok? I feel a little self conscious about it now. They don't look very used, some more than others but they aren't like ragged, they just aren't brand spanking new.
 

Grab

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#2
I'm just one person, but I, for one, am a huge fan of used books and would not think twice about receiving one as a gift.
 

PWCorgi

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#3
Agreed, for people who love reading and books it is awesome. Books are books!
 

Saeleofu

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#4
Pretty much all the books I want are only available used, so I think it's perfectly fine!
 

Airn

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#5
I think as long as it's not falling apart and stickered and 'looks' old or disrupts the reading... it's fine. And if you're getting books you know they'll like (or that are relevant to their interests) it probably means more than just buying a new one. Used bookstores tend to have more gems than new ones :)

Plus you're a single college student so screw them :rofl1:
 

RBark

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#6
Used books are a great gift, but some people interpret that as re-gifting.

That being said, it's a present. If you know your person then you probably know if they will like it or not. As a gift for everyone? Many people don't read books, and/or will take offense at being given a book when they don't read (as though it was an elitist gift).

Then again, many people give fruitcake and NO ONE likes fruitcake. :) I wouldn't worry too much about it.
 

Saeleofu

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#7
I think as long as it's not falling apart and stickered and 'looks' old or disrupts the reading... it's fine.

Pffft, I'm not picky. So long as I can still read it, it's good lol
 

Snark

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#8
I'm usually thrilled to get an old book, especially on a subject or by an author I like... In fact, my sister once sneakily outbid me on ebay for an old book, then gave it to me for Christmas. Best present ever...

That said, know your recipient - if they're book lovers, go for it. If they read the occasional bestseller, maybe something else.
 

Fran101

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#9
You guys are right. I am such a firm "EVERYONE GETS A BOOK!" person this year.. and I think this is where I'm running into problems. People who I don't know like books might not appreciate them, especially used ones.

I think I may stick to used book for the book lovers and try something different for those who I'm not sure would "get it".

Plus you're a single college student so screw them :rofl1:
Preach it sister lol
 

Xandra

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#10
Then again, many people give fruitcake and NO ONE likes fruitcake. :) I wouldn't worry too much about it.
:rofl1::rofl1:

I don't have a problem with used books and have gotten them before! Some books are just cooler if they're used, and depending on the book sometimes I dont' mind if they've been written in either. I enjoy used novels with a note in the front cover :)

I mean, I can see how it's tacky. I feel like one of those unspoken rules is that cheaper things you generally shouldn't get someone used (like, I dunno, used tank tops). I just don't agree with it, at least where books are concerned.
 

AmandaNola

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#12
So long as it has all it's pages and doesn't smell like cigarettes I'm perfectly okay with it! New books are stupidly expensive.
 

crazedACD

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#13
I'm not one to look down on any gift anyone gets me, and especially not a book. I love to get books. I will say I don't have a huge use for those sort of gag books, or the short little ones, like "Why do dogs do that?" or a book of pictures and quotes/euphemisms.
 

Toller_08

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#14
I don't think that's a bad idea at all. I would be super happy with a used book! I love reading. New or used doesn't matter. Once I read a book one time it's used anyway haha. As long as all the pages are there, most avid readers would be very appreciate I am sure.
 

Fran101

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#16
I'm not one to look down on any gift anyone gets me, and especially not a book. I love to get books. I will say I don't have a huge use for those sort of gag books, or the short little ones, like "Why do dogs do that?" or a book of pictures and quotes/euphemisms.
I never know what to do with those. It's not like they can be re-read.. I usually put them in the guest bathroom or around the casual living room for guests to read.
They really aren't my cup of tea. I call them sugar-packet-books lol one time use only.
 

Snark

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#17
I'm not one to look down on any gift anyone gets me, and especially not a book. I love to get books. I will say I don't have a huge use for those sort of gag books, or the short little ones, like "Why do dogs do that?" or a book of pictures and quotes/euphemisms.
The short little ones (quotes by Lincoln, famous last words, gravestone epitaphs, how to survive a...) I keep in the guest bathroom (and change out occasionally), but the picture books, it depends on the photographer. I have a pretty good collection of Robert Vavra's work and I'd be thrilled if someone wanted to spend the bucks to get me another, or something by Ansel Adams. Wouldn't care if it was new or used...
 
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#19
Some of my favorite gifts have been used books. I think it is perfectly fine, especially if the person you're gifting to is a book nerd. I personally wouldn't be comfortable gifting a book in poor condition (unless it was an antique), but that's just me.
 

Red.Apricot

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#20
If someone thought less of me, a broke college student, for carefully choosing a (used) book that I thought they would love, I wouldn't care much for their opinion anymore.
 

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