Philosophy and Books

Some people are into philosophical discussions about important things like What does it mean to be a human versus what it means to be a person? or What is the meaning of life? or other deep and worldly things (my husband, who got his BA in philosophy, is one of those people). These conversations are interesting but usually end up giving me a headache because OH MY GOD THERE ARE NO ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS.

Not that I am completely a-philosophical (unphilospohical?). I have a book-buying philosophy.

The philosophical quandary goes like this: I love to read. In fact, reading is a crucial part of my craft because reading makes you a better writer. The problem is, however, that I cannot afford to buy all the books I would like to buy because
my children insist on petty luxuries like food, clothing, and shelter I’m a responsible adult.

Books are too precious to me (and my paycheck too tight) to just randomly go into a store and buy whatever suits my fancy. And perhaps because I hope to one day see my books on such shelves I firmly attach a person to every book I buy. I follow many authors on Twitter and when I look at the newest shiny, pretty cover I don’t just see a cover. I see Maggie Stiefvater contemplating how many tank tops one should pack for tour. Sarah Dressen planning her daughter’s birthday party. Richelle Mead welcoming a new baby boy. And then there are the agents, also affected by who buys what books. Michelle Wolfson just had to get a new nanny. Janet Reid needs a drink.

So, in the interest of supporting all the authors (and agents) I can (and building some good karma for when my books are on the shelves) I subscribe to the following philosophy of book buying:

Spread the love.

I try to buy books from all the authors I like. Sometimes this isn’t possible. This is when the philosophical quandary gets deep.

Have I already supported this author by buying his/her books? Is this a debut author?

Debut authors and authors I have yet to support get priority. So, for example, in October and November a ton of amazing books are coming out. Some of these I really REALLY want to read are The Scorpio Races (Maggie Stiefvater), The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Michelle Hodkin), Silence (Rebecca Fitzpatrick) and Shatter Me (Tahereh Mafi). I can’t buy them all. So I will buy Shatter Me and Mara Dyer because these authors are brand spanking new and need a big debut. I also have already bought the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy by Stiefvater and the first two Hush, Hush books by Fitzpatrick. Spread the love.

Let’s get wild and add another dimension to this moral quandary. A final aspect of book-buying philosophy for me personally is to support diversity in YA (all genres, really). This means when Rick Riordan’s Son of Neptune drops October 4th I will be buying two copies (one for me, one for my out of state stepson) not because he needs the money (he doesn’t – no offense Rick!) but because I adore him for giving my son a book to read with a Black boy who saves the world, interracial families, a Native American daughter of Aphrodite, and a Hispanic boy who holds the key to a prophecy (Kane Chronicle and Heroes of Olympus series). There simply aren’t enough characters of color in MG and YA books and I firmly believe in supporting books that include those whom are often excluded. Same goes for LGBTQ. I will also be buying Malinda Lo’s next book, whenever and whatever it is because I enjoy her writing and her books have non-white leads and lesbian retellings of fairy tales. Winning! (Are we still saying that?)

For the books I can’t afford to buy, I get them from the library. Sometimes there is a ridiculously long waiting list and I crack and buy just one more book that month (side note – I am FIRST for Scorpio Races. How cool is that?). But usually, my system works. The books I can’t buy I try to give good reviews on the internets and a recommendation via Twitter or to my friends.

And never, ever illegally download a book. That is some super bad karma right there.

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