BookThink provides resources for online and open shop book dealers, book collectors, and serious readers. Resources already in place or scheduled to be added in the coming months include first edition designations and issue points for 1,000’s of publishers; detailed and illustrated book terminology; a moderated book forum; an extensive library of active and pertinent book-related links; reviews of books about books; and tutorials on practical book repair, grading, buying for resale, selling books online and off, building a personal collection, and more.

The BookThinker Newsletter

#8, 15 December 2003

BookThinker Update
29 December 2003>>>
Update Announcements
Important announcements for BookThinker readers.

SearchSite now available for BookThink
A SearchSite button is now on the menu. Click it to search BookThink and BookThinker.

		Book Grading for Dummies or Mummies? If comic books aren't your thing, it's possible that you might not be aware of a fairly recent and controversial development that may ultimately affect how books themselves are bought and sold. We're referring to the growth and expanding influence of the Comics Guaranty Company (CGC), a professional, independent grading concern that has, in a few short years, become the grading service of choice for comic book dealers and collectors everywhere.

BookThinker Update
22 December 2003>>>

Update Announcements
Important announcements for BookThinker readers.

Time Travel Collecting Science Fiction Tim Doyle's column, Collecting Science Fiction, continues in today's Update. The topic is Time Travel, one of SF's most venerable themes. Tim features many of the key titles in this category, discusses some of their plots, pinpoints important issue points, estimates values, and offers specific advice for those selling and collecting this genre.

From the Editor
Introductory remarks for BookThinker readers.

Life Cycles of the Common Used Bookstore Using aquarium life (and death) as an analogy for the life cycles of used bookstores may seem far-fetched at first glance, but on closer inspection, it helps us understand why bookstores, like aquaria, have distinctly observable, sometimes radically different life cycles, some evolving, some devolving. The bookseller who is able to evaluate this process will be more adept at choosing productive stores for inventory purchases. If you've ever wondered why some used bookstores start brightly and soon fade to dark and others consistently glow, the answer might be here.

How To Buy Inventory in Used Bookstores The golden age of buying inventory in used bookstores for sale online, if there ever was one, is, as of approximately two years ago, history. Opportunities that abounded then have dwindled to a fraction of what they once were. Pockets of opportunity still exist, however, and if you're persistent, who knows. You may go home with some great candidates for resale. Look here for a discussion of where to go and what to look for.

BookThink Review
Whether you're a bookseller looking for inventory, a collector, or simply a book lover, David & Susan Siegel's "Used Book Lover's Guides" may be the treasure map to things you otherwise never would have found. A complete review of the online and print versions of these popular guides appears here.

Previous BookThinker Update - Update Announcements Important announcements for BookThinker readers.     Altered Books Adding or Subtracting Value? As a bookseller, the ability to build value into your books is perhaps your most valuable asset. Until now, we’ve focused only on adding intangible value. Today we’re going to talk about tangible value - literally adding seeable, touchable things to a book. This is the essence of book altering, and though many of us may cringe at the very thought of substantially changing the appearances of books, believe it or not there is some potential for profit here. Don’t worry. We’re not going to suggest you take a class in collage, but peripheral opportunities for booksellers do exist.