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Last year I had numerous friends comment on there not being anything “good to read.” The new books that came out in their preferred genres just weren’t cutting it at the time. I do enjoy many new books and modern novels, but it does feel that many authors are trying really hard to come out with the next big thing or shocking storyline to make their mark and achieve success (with a movie deal too). When shock value or outrageous twists and storylines are all the rage, a lot of heart and meaning can be lost. Faceing the challenge of being original can be good sometimes, but it can also take away from the authenticity and the power behind strong characterization and a compelling plot. Authors do not have to reinvent the wheel to create a moving, beautiful, engaging, or meaningful novel.
Have you been struggling to get into the latest reads or have had difficulty finding a book that you had a hard time putting down? Have you been struggling getting into books lately or having a hard time finding something interesting to read?
My answer to that is there is a near endless supply of titles that you have never heard of. If you feel that your novels have been lacking something lately, why not turn to something a little older that you might have never heard of before? Suddenly, what is old is new again. Old stories are refreshing for new audiences. If you’re only looking at the latest books that are coming out, you’re likely to miss out on great books that came out years, decades, and even centuries before. Many of us know the classics or at least know of them, but there were thousands of books written at around the same exact time that did not achieve as much notoriety, which doesn’t make them any less good. What were the best sellers that came out the year you were born? Or even a whole century before?
Besides broadening your pool of reading material, searching for vintage books is a great way to be sustainable by not buying new, supporting local sellers and thrift shops, saving money on books as used books are often much cheaper, and keeping old books out of landfill.
A great place to find vintage books that are new to you is to browse the shelves of your local library. When I worked at a library in Maryland outside of Baltimore, they only kept new books on the shelves and would donate older books, so this might not always be the case at your local library branch. The libraries here in Connecticut often have very old books on the shelves, some of which have been on rotation for more than half a century.
You can also try library book sales, estate and tag sales, thrift shops, your local Goodwill, used book shops, or borrow a book from a friend. Online stores like Mercari, Etsy, Thrift Books, and Abe Books are also wonderful ways to find vintage books on a budget.
The next time you’re having a tough time trying to find a book that sparks your interest, try looking into books from the past. You might just find your next favorite story in a vintage book.
