Hi Suzie! I don't live anywhere near Framlingham but if I did I'd be in your shop!
I look for undiscovered gems that you can't find in new shops like Waterstones. Once I know about a book I can go online to find it, but if I come across it in a secondhand shop it's more likely to be a rare survivor and a special find.
There are certain authors I'm collecting, most of which have fallen out of fashion - Nevil Shute, Elizabeth Taylor, Gavin Maxwell, RC Sheriff. I also collect recipe books, which have a swift turnover in the commercial world so get remaindered and forgotten very quickly, so I always check those shelves. Ditto biographies and memoirs.
I’m glad to meet another admirer of Elizabeth Taylor. I went to a recording of R4 Book club some years ago with James Naughtie and David Baddiel, who is a fan. I recommend her when customers ask for 20th century female authors. An old Nevile Shute hardback is always a secondhand classic!
There was a second hand bookshop near me where I found a near-complete collection of 1960s James Bonds. That was a good find! I like collectable paperbacks like that - and the "now a major motion picture" special covers that books get when they're made into a film. And the 1960s and 1970s Agatha Christies have very evocative covers with the still life photos. But that said, the older paperbacks get, the more fragile are so those kind are more for collecting than reading, of course.
Seeing as the Star Wars franchise keeps rolling on, do the novelisations do well? Although that said, my partner's had a copy of "The Empire Strikes Back" on eBay for a while with no takers....
Best Salesman in Britain for Amnesty ( Probably ) until ousted by The Communists ( There is a Song ) .
It's the Craic they come for - They stay so long they end up buying. Sometimes it Frightens them away !!!
On Till Best Charity Shop in the World - Books are Fair but not Amnesty or Oxfam
World Book night 2013 - Covid ( Until Medical Librarian Usurped my Throne & made a Mess of The Event )
Three Genres - Romantic / Crime / Historical
Nurse worryingly Love Crime and a bit Romance ( The Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond they ALL raved about the following year - Spoiler alert there is a sequel )
Anybody who Thinks they are Intelligent will ask for Historical
In North East especially Northumberland - LJ Ross is Queen of Crime ( Self Published in a Proper Way - Set up her own company - Premium of 50p on similar books at least )
I subscribe to " Peter Harrington " of London emails for Expensive Book facts. They list Authors they will buy I believe from memory.
Barter Books of Alnwick ( Only give Credit for books ) have a List on website of books they take and books/authors and genre they refuse.
They are Massive ( Bought one online 1831 Edition The Horse by William Youatt but never visited yet )
Take Note from the Experts above.
Agatha Christie still popular with younger buyer.
Children's Books I sell most of .
Oxfam always play Natalie Merchant or usually Laura Marling - Our Music usually drives away my customers but I have No Say.
The Terry Pratchett crowd ( Big Sister & The Geek ) have moved on to Jodi Taylor ( Big Convention at Coventry recently) . Historical Time Travel apparently.
I buy books most people wouldn't - If I like & think someone I know would like then I buy and keep in MY Cleadon ( Reference ) Library.
I buy Music Song Books mainly Folk / Knitting & Stitchcraft & Good Reference Books on any subject but not Text Book Types but Interesting Subjects
and his other one I have but not logged - Seven types of customer in a bookshop ( Something like that )
Heard him talk at a Library a few years ago.
He owns the Biggest second hand book shop in Scotland Wigtown like Ross-on-Wye .
Lady next to me in talk said " He's just as Rude to his customers as he is in his books."
He seems quite bright and seemed to " Get " my Songbook title " The Empress that doth Opprezz " He also signed my second hand copy of his book No Problem !!!
I read this after completing my formightly stint as a volunteer at my local community bookshop. Between 10.30 - 1.30 we sold 13 books and that was a slow morning. Granted we have a heritage railway delivering fresh ‘ customers’ every 90 minutes; but what really works for us is good quality second hand books. We cater for all tastes and our non fiction section is almost as big as our fiction. But the main thing is books that could almost be new in quality, and constantly restocking the top sellers. Yes we have a bargain shelf and a vintage section but ‘like new’ books really draw the punters in. That’s what works for us in a small coastal town in Somerset. x
I loved living in Somerset! I agree, having as good as new really impresses the customers- how much do you charge if you don’t mind me asking? At Christmas we wrap as new up as mystery presents as a fundraiser for charity and people love it.
It varies Suzie, from 50p for the battered paperbacks in the bargain rail to £1.50 - £2.50 for the good paperbacks. I think it’s £3 and up for the hardbacks. The Folios are more.
Are you on the line that goes to Minehead through Dunster and Watchet? I was just thinking about the bookshop at Watchet station where I got a 1980s or 1990s reprint of a 1930s travel guide of Europe! They had lots of travel books, but it makes sense in a railway station like that!
We’re in Watchet on the harbour, do come and visit if you’re in the area again. The stations sell second hand books, not sure if Watchet still does but Minehead station has some real old gems, vintage Penguins for a couple of quid- that sort of thing x
Hello! My thoughts as someone who does buy second hand books, but typically through our local charity shops, when I scan the shelves, I'm consciously looking for books that I know I want to read at some point in the future but don't have - or a book I used to have or read in the past, and would like one of the children to read (my readers are 12 and nearly-19). As such, I tend to buy familiar titles.
Examples: I bought some volumes of Shakespeare (hoping my literature-loving teen would read them); Alex Haley's autobiography of Malcolm X (to re-read but also for the children's access); a biography of Frida Kahlo which sparked my son's interest so much so that he studied her for his Spanish A'Level and presented a talk on her life and one of her paintings at a Royal Art Society competition; yesterday I bought Milkman by Anna Burns for £1, because I know I do want to read it; I'm sure we have two copies of One Hundred Years of Solitude because one of us or both of us picked them up from the charity shop bookshelves; previously unknown titles that I discovered for the first time and took home include Bonjour Tristesse, The Right to Sex (Amia Srinivasan), Loud and Proud, a collection of speeches by various speakers known and unknown going back more than 100 years (Tea Uglow); classics I hope my daughter will read like Watership Down and Little Women because regretfully in a fit of generous decluttering decades ago, I must have given away my own copies, including my hard back complete collection of Louise Alcott - was I mad - no, ignorant; the commercial fiction trilogy of Me Before You, After You and Still Me; some of the Jacqueline Wilson and David Walliams titles my daughter went through.
So, you get the idea.
But I'm just one reader.
There's a fairly quiet local gift shop in my area and though there is often someone in there looking around or picking up a thing or two, most of their business is done online, hopefully selling direct from their shop.
I think if you can make a name for yourself online through BlueSky as 'a must-visit' for your town's visitors with a strong online presence and brand recognition for the wider reading market, you might be able to increase online sales as well as footfall from tourists. I'm not (yet?) on BlueSky but if ever I set up a tent there with my author profile, hopefully I'll find you there.
You can emphasise the circular economy angle too - how in this century our survivability rests on being sensible about re-using and re-circulating and re-purchasing, rather than believing the good life is 'new' and 'shiny' as we might have done in past decades. You are likely, of course, already doing this.
What a marvellous comment, thanks Amanda! Yes, online sales and the sustainability aspect of reused/preloved/secondhand is a big part of our plan, especially as we get to Christmas with all the inevitable waste associated with present giving. What I liked about your list of purchases is its random nature. This highlights the dilemma we have - there is simply no way to second guess what people want secondhand.
It's desperately annoying when people come in and say how much they love your stuff then leave without buying anything. I am a book freak, so for me, old Penguins, travel writing, vintage crime, Jane Austens, nineteenth century novels (preferably obscure), poetry and most novels would hit the spot. I will be in soon and I will be buying. Social media does work. Bluesky is probably pretty good. Maybe check out what others are doing on there. Carve out a niche. I love the ceramics.
Thanks Ruth! We’ve got a few you’ll enjoy. Thanks for the comment on the ceramics too- Peter loves feedback. Let me know when you’re in. It’d be good to have a chat.
I wish I lived nearer to visit! Also I totally forgot about Peters amazing pottery. The book necklaces are lovely!
Hi Suzie! I don't live anywhere near Framlingham but if I did I'd be in your shop!
I look for undiscovered gems that you can't find in new shops like Waterstones. Once I know about a book I can go online to find it, but if I come across it in a secondhand shop it's more likely to be a rare survivor and a special find.
There are certain authors I'm collecting, most of which have fallen out of fashion - Nevil Shute, Elizabeth Taylor, Gavin Maxwell, RC Sheriff. I also collect recipe books, which have a swift turnover in the commercial world so get remaindered and forgotten very quickly, so I always check those shelves. Ditto biographies and memoirs.
Looking forward to talking to you soon! Roz x
I’m glad to meet another admirer of Elizabeth Taylor. I went to a recording of R4 Book club some years ago with James Naughtie and David Baddiel, who is a fan. I recommend her when customers ask for 20th century female authors. An old Nevile Shute hardback is always a secondhand classic!
There was a second hand bookshop near me where I found a near-complete collection of 1960s James Bonds. That was a good find! I like collectable paperbacks like that - and the "now a major motion picture" special covers that books get when they're made into a film. And the 1960s and 1970s Agatha Christies have very evocative covers with the still life photos. But that said, the older paperbacks get, the more fragile are so those kind are more for collecting than reading, of course.
Seeing as the Star Wars franchise keeps rolling on, do the novelisations do well? Although that said, my partner's had a copy of "The Empire Strikes Back" on eBay for a while with no takers....
We don’t get a lot of the Star Wars books but Sci Fi in general is really popular. Yes those Bonds were a real find!
Hi Suzie, I remember being really impressed with your poetry selection. It was so helpful when I was running my courses.
Do any poetry appreciation classes run in Framlingham? Maybe you could link up with them and order sets of poetry books in specially.
If you fancied running something like that yourself, feel free to discuss ideas with me.
Mai x
That’s a great idea Mai. I’ll have a think about it.
Suzie Grogan
Best Salesman in Britain for Amnesty ( Probably ) until ousted by The Communists ( There is a Song ) .
It's the Craic they come for - They stay so long they end up buying. Sometimes it Frightens them away !!!
On Till Best Charity Shop in the World - Books are Fair but not Amnesty or Oxfam
World Book night 2013 - Covid ( Until Medical Librarian Usurped my Throne & made a Mess of The Event )
Three Genres - Romantic / Crime / Historical
Nurse worryingly Love Crime and a bit Romance ( The Beach Cafe by Lucy Diamond they ALL raved about the following year - Spoiler alert there is a sequel )
Anybody who Thinks they are Intelligent will ask for Historical
In North East especially Northumberland - LJ Ross is Queen of Crime ( Self Published in a Proper Way - Set up her own company - Premium of 50p on similar books at least )
I subscribe to " Peter Harrington " of London emails for Expensive Book facts. They list Authors they will buy I believe from memory.
Barter Books of Alnwick ( Only give Credit for books ) have a List on website of books they take and books/authors and genre they refuse.
They are Massive ( Bought one online 1831 Edition The Horse by William Youatt but never visited yet )
Take Note from the Experts above.
Agatha Christie still popular with younger buyer.
Children's Books I sell most of .
Oxfam always play Natalie Merchant or usually Laura Marling - Our Music usually drives away my customers but I have No Say.
The Terry Pratchett crowd ( Big Sister & The Geek ) have moved on to Jodi Taylor ( Big Convention at Coventry recently) . Historical Time Travel apparently.
I buy books most people wouldn't - If I like & think someone I know would like then I buy and keep in MY Cleadon ( Reference ) Library.
I buy Music Song Books mainly Folk / Knitting & Stitchcraft & Good Reference Books on any subject but not Text Book Types but Interesting Subjects
-
Other ( Fellow ) Poet's Thoughts :-
-
Le Poete / Irish T'inker
-
Rodin's Thinker
Irish T'inker
Represent Intellect
Le Poete - Respect !
-
Lyrics by © HughofDurham@Gmail.com
© BardofCleadon@Gmail.com
-
Ivar Gabot
Chartered Management Accountant
Lowest Paid Qualified Accountant for The Empress for over Twenty Years
( & THE BEST )
Philosopher Pauper and a Poet
Chilled Skilled Wordsmith
One Hundred and Sixty-Two Songs since Lockdown
One Hundred and Eighty-Eight in Total
Cleadon Library - Not a Business but a Mission to Educate the World One Book at a Time
Suzie Grogan
Read The Diary of a Bookseller
Shaun Bythell
and his other one I have but not logged - Seven types of customer in a bookshop ( Something like that )
Heard him talk at a Library a few years ago.
He owns the Biggest second hand book shop in Scotland Wigtown like Ross-on-Wye .
Lady next to me in talk said " He's just as Rude to his customers as he is in his books."
He seems quite bright and seemed to " Get " my Songbook title " The Empress that doth Opprezz " He also signed my second hand copy of his book No Problem !!!
Ivar Gabot
Philosopher Pauper and a Poet
Yes Shaun has cornered that market - we just don’t do curmudgeonly bookseller and don’t want to!
I read this after completing my formightly stint as a volunteer at my local community bookshop. Between 10.30 - 1.30 we sold 13 books and that was a slow morning. Granted we have a heritage railway delivering fresh ‘ customers’ every 90 minutes; but what really works for us is good quality second hand books. We cater for all tastes and our non fiction section is almost as big as our fiction. But the main thing is books that could almost be new in quality, and constantly restocking the top sellers. Yes we have a bargain shelf and a vintage section but ‘like new’ books really draw the punters in. That’s what works for us in a small coastal town in Somerset. x
I loved living in Somerset! I agree, having as good as new really impresses the customers- how much do you charge if you don’t mind me asking? At Christmas we wrap as new up as mystery presents as a fundraiser for charity and people love it.
It varies Suzie, from 50p for the battered paperbacks in the bargain rail to £1.50 - £2.50 for the good paperbacks. I think it’s £3 and up for the hardbacks. The Folios are more.
Are you on the line that goes to Minehead through Dunster and Watchet? I was just thinking about the bookshop at Watchet station where I got a 1980s or 1990s reprint of a 1930s travel guide of Europe! They had lots of travel books, but it makes sense in a railway station like that!
We’re in Watchet on the harbour, do come and visit if you’re in the area again. The stations sell second hand books, not sure if Watchet still does but Minehead station has some real old gems, vintage Penguins for a couple of quid- that sort of thing x
Hello! My thoughts as someone who does buy second hand books, but typically through our local charity shops, when I scan the shelves, I'm consciously looking for books that I know I want to read at some point in the future but don't have - or a book I used to have or read in the past, and would like one of the children to read (my readers are 12 and nearly-19). As such, I tend to buy familiar titles.
Examples: I bought some volumes of Shakespeare (hoping my literature-loving teen would read them); Alex Haley's autobiography of Malcolm X (to re-read but also for the children's access); a biography of Frida Kahlo which sparked my son's interest so much so that he studied her for his Spanish A'Level and presented a talk on her life and one of her paintings at a Royal Art Society competition; yesterday I bought Milkman by Anna Burns for £1, because I know I do want to read it; I'm sure we have two copies of One Hundred Years of Solitude because one of us or both of us picked them up from the charity shop bookshelves; previously unknown titles that I discovered for the first time and took home include Bonjour Tristesse, The Right to Sex (Amia Srinivasan), Loud and Proud, a collection of speeches by various speakers known and unknown going back more than 100 years (Tea Uglow); classics I hope my daughter will read like Watership Down and Little Women because regretfully in a fit of generous decluttering decades ago, I must have given away my own copies, including my hard back complete collection of Louise Alcott - was I mad - no, ignorant; the commercial fiction trilogy of Me Before You, After You and Still Me; some of the Jacqueline Wilson and David Walliams titles my daughter went through.
So, you get the idea.
But I'm just one reader.
There's a fairly quiet local gift shop in my area and though there is often someone in there looking around or picking up a thing or two, most of their business is done online, hopefully selling direct from their shop.
I think if you can make a name for yourself online through BlueSky as 'a must-visit' for your town's visitors with a strong online presence and brand recognition for the wider reading market, you might be able to increase online sales as well as footfall from tourists. I'm not (yet?) on BlueSky but if ever I set up a tent there with my author profile, hopefully I'll find you there.
You can emphasise the circular economy angle too - how in this century our survivability rests on being sensible about re-using and re-circulating and re-purchasing, rather than believing the good life is 'new' and 'shiny' as we might have done in past decades. You are likely, of course, already doing this.
What a marvellous comment, thanks Amanda! Yes, online sales and the sustainability aspect of reused/preloved/secondhand is a big part of our plan, especially as we get to Christmas with all the inevitable waste associated with present giving. What I liked about your list of purchases is its random nature. This highlights the dilemma we have - there is simply no way to second guess what people want secondhand.
It's desperately annoying when people come in and say how much they love your stuff then leave without buying anything. I am a book freak, so for me, old Penguins, travel writing, vintage crime, Jane Austens, nineteenth century novels (preferably obscure), poetry and most novels would hit the spot. I will be in soon and I will be buying. Social media does work. Bluesky is probably pretty good. Maybe check out what others are doing on there. Carve out a niche. I love the ceramics.
Thanks Ruth! We’ve got a few you’ll enjoy. Thanks for the comment on the ceramics too- Peter loves feedback. Let me know when you’re in. It’d be good to have a chat.