The value from old books

Books are considered an invaluable treasure trove of human knowledge. Currently, the trend of reading and appreciating this intellectual culture is gradually changing over time. However, on the journey of acquiring knowledge, for many book lovers, old books still hold a special appeal, serving as companions and an endless source of knowledge that transcends the limitations of time.

Many people come to used book fairs hoping to find books that have not been reprinted on the market.

As is our habit, every weekend my cousin and I go hunting for old books to add to our collection. Walking around all the stalls selling used and discounted books during the "Viet Tri City Consumer Stimulus Week 2024," we found the atmosphere bustling with people. Those buying books came from all walks of life, from students and workers to civil servants. From the elderly to young children, everyone was orderly browsing, carefully turning and cherishing the pages stained with the passage of time. The prices of used books here were also very reasonable, calculated by weight or sold individually, with the most expensive only a few tens of thousands or just over 100,000 VND per book.

Although not as aesthetically pleasing as modern newly published books or reprints, old books are like diaries, evoking memories of many people's special days. Furthermore, the trend of buying used books is popular because many people want to promote environmental protection, reduce the volume of old books, thereby minimizing waste and conserving natural resources.

Every month, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thom from Doan Hung town regularly takes her 10-year-old son to used bookstores in the district and Viet Tri city. Ms. Thom shared: “Back when I was in school, novels like 'How the Steel Was Tempered' and 'Without a Family' were priceless treasures for us students. Now I can afford better books, but I still maintain the habit of searching for and reading old books. There's nothing better than finding a book that suits my taste, flipping through the pages, and reminiscing about the days of my youth spent cherishing and sharing good books with my friends.”

Similar to Ms. Thom, Mr. Phan Quoc Thang from Thanh Ba town said: “Since retiring, I regularly look for and buy books and newspapers to read, both to update my knowledge and to satisfy my love of reading that I didn't have much time for when I was younger. Reading in old age also helps me stay up-to-date with my children and grandchildren. Knowing that there are many stalls selling used books at discounted prices during the Viet Tri City Consumer Stimulus Week 2024, my son took me there. Although the books are not new, they are still very valuable.”

Collecting old books has been Duy Cuong's passion for nearly 30 years.

In the era of the digital revolution and the development of Industry 4.0, users can now read books online without having to buy physical books as before. However, many young people and others still have a strong passion for old books.

The Duy Cuong used bookstore, located on Han Thuyen Street in Viet Tri City, has been in business for nearly 30 years and is the brainchild and passion of Mr. Le Duy Cuong. Spanning two rooms, Mr. Cuong displays used books on both sides of the walkway, stacked on wooden shelves, with each type of book carefully arranged by subject and section.

Mr. Cuong shared: “Duy Cuong Bookstore initially started out as a personal passion for collecting books, newspapers, and comics. Later, many friends and students came to me asking for help finding books, so I decided to open a store to create a place for book lovers and students who don't have the financial means to buy new books to interact and share. Thus, with my passion for books, I have dedicated a lot of time and effort to creating a book space for everyone as it is today.”

Every weekend, used bookstores are very crowded, especially in the mornings. Particularly during summer vacation and the beginning of the new school year, the number of students visiting used bookstores increases significantly. This is perhaps partly because used books often offer a wide variety of genres, meeting the reading and learning needs of all ages. Many rare old books, published decades ago and no longer reprinted, can still be purchased if you are willing to put in the time and effort to search.

Over time, the appeal of old books has been preserved by generations as a beautiful aspect of reading culture. That's why, even today, with the development of e-books, audiobooks, and more convenient forms of entertainment, old books retain their value in modern life.

Thu Giang

Source: https://baophutho.vn/gia-tri-tu-nhung-trang-sach-cu-216957.htm