Definitely used books, both because they’re cheaper and because I feel like they have more character. Some of my books have notes or indications in them of who their previous owners were.

I try to get used books over new almost always. The only exceptions are for books that just came out that I desperately need to devour instantly and the library physical/digital wait is months.

This is pretty much true for most things in my life, I look for used/freecycle first for anything I need for environmentalist reasons. I remember seeing a comment years ago about how even those who are anti-consumerist still have a huge blind spot when it comes to books, and that was totally me - I had dozens of books I’d bought before ever reading, only read once, and didn’t even like that much. Having to declutter all of those books for a move was exhausting - used bookstores wouldn’t even take most of them for free, regardless of condition or how much I’d originally paid for them - and I’ve been trying to only purchase books I’ve already read, know I’ll reread, and that I can find used in good condition.

Used book stores are great, and I’ve used Thrift Books online many a times. The problem is that I have a lot of physical books and the wife wants me to scale down. As a result, I had to switch to a Kindle so that I can have more books without cluttering up our space more.

With Thrift Books, I’ve found their ‘book condition’ references to be much better than what you’d expect. For instance, I’ve received books that were labeled as “good” and found them to be in much better condition.

YMMV, but I’ve found them to be a good option.

Conversely, since I’ve had my Kindle, I’ve found a lot of free books through Gutenberg.org.

Nowadays, I have to stay away from physical bookstores or else I’ll pick up something and my wife will not be happy.

Used books because of the affordability, and the fact that an old book gets a new home. But also new books due to the new book smell

Like you I also really enjoy that ‘hunt’ for a used book. I enjoy browsing stacks of books and trying to find a book I’ve heard good things about while also maybe stumbling onto something interesting I’ve not yet heard of. When I visit a new book store, or buy online, it always feels like I’ve cheated the system somehow by not finding it naturally. It feels sterile, in a way. I don’t enjoy reading hardcover or the mass market size of books – they make my hands and arms hurt after a while. Trade paperback is ideal!

When I used to read more I usually browsed based on publisher rather than author or a specific title. I just trusted a few to have curated interesting works. It made browsing stacks a lot easier as you just look for the logo on the spine. Now I don’t read as much and am not interested in taking those sorts of risks haha.

I personally love old books. When I buy a new book I’m afraid of tearing a page by accident, dropping it and cause it to get a dent, I feel like it has to stay clean etc etc.

Feel much more relaxed handling a secondhand book. (I’m not mistreating books I’m just clumsy!)

I love the smell of new books.

I generally prefer older books, with the exception of brittle paperbacks. Seems like a lot of cheap paperbacks from the 50s/60s/70s used paper that aged very badly.