Daily Grind » books

Book-selling Lesson #1

simon — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 18:54:40 +0000

Some lessons: 1. Modern fiction is worthless as soon as it’s purchased. 2. Modern first-editions won’t become really valuable for a long time. 3. Make sure your book is worth more than it costs to post it. Significantly more. 4. … Continue reading →

The Rise of the Iron Moon

Simon — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:07:45 +0000

Selling this first edition on Amazon. It’s the one that is used, though it’s brand new – unwanted prize.

The Rise of the Iron Moon – Stephen Hunt.

Might be Getting Somewhere

simon — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:31:59 +0000

I might be getting somewhere with my second-hand book selling venture. I’ve got relatives searching through their attics and hopefully I’ll be able to get some stock together, to get started. Need to get my other website set up with … Continue reading →

Second-hand Books

simon — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:40:43 +0000

I’m in the process of setting up a business (sole-trader probably) to sell second-hand non-fiction books. This’ll be run from home (once I get one), probably using Amazon Marketplace to start with, along with my own new domain.

The economy is in no fit-state to be looking for work, nor will it be for ages. I have to do something to keep my brain active.

Initially looking at scouring my local area (Pembrokeshire) for people getting rid of bulk-loads of books, either for free or for small amounts of money.

Insignificant

simon — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:04:10 +0000

Currently reading – Tricks of the Mind, by Derren Brown (check out some of his caricatures on his website). An excellent read! Magic tricks, memory techniques, NLP (neuro linguistic programming), self-confidence tricks (reason I bought the book), how to spot lies…. haven’t quite finished yet. I would recommend this book wholeheartedly.

Currenly listening to – Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volumes 1 and 2. Classics!

Best Photo, So Far

simon — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:57:27 +0000

This is the best photo I’ve taken so far: Flickr. I’m putting off purchasing a macro lens, if I can get more pics like this.

The original resolution (3888 × 2592) is even better.

On Photography

simon — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:40:58 +0000

I’ve started reading – On Photography, by Susan Sontag. First off – one thing that surprised me is that there aren’t any photos in the book. The first chapter has been really interesting about the first photography taken. It’s something that I’ve noticed a lot travelling – that tourists all have cameras, taking pictures of every single moment; yet they’re not really looking at what’s around them. Ok – I take quite a few pics, but I tend to leave my camera in its bag most of the time.

The End of Mr. Y

simon — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:29:08 +0000

Just finished The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas. Not the most cohesive of reads, but reasonably easy to read. Dips in and out of existentialism, in an understandable form, unlike trying to read Being and Nothingness by Sartre – which requires a dictionary and headache tablets.

Blood River

simon — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:52:30 +0000

Really interesting factual book about a journalist travelling to the Congo, following the original route of Stanley. I’m not sure that Africa appeals to me any more than it did, after reading it.

Blood River: A Journey to Africa’s Broken Heart

Buddhism

simon — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:32:26 +0000

The more I encounter Buddhism – the more it appeals to me. I’ve come back from Laos and Cambodia where Buddhism is the main “religion”.

It doesn’t have any imaginary deities, no prescriptive doctrines and doesn’t incite hatred. Make others happy, make yourself happy. I purchased The Accidental Buddhist: Mindfulness, Enlightenment and Sitting Still, American Style at Siem Reap airport – it’s a light-hearted intro to Buddhism.