Star Wars Book Hunting Is a Complicated Profession
I once again find myself in the presence of Star Wars books.
The first time I went out of my way to snag a rare Star Wars hardcover, I spent almost $150 on a first edition that’s probably worth much more now. It was not my last foray into the complex world of book hunting — specifically, Star Wars book hunting.
My hardcover copy of Lords of the Sith sits quietly on my shelf now, nestled comfortably between other canon hardcovers in timeline order (between Catalyst and Tarkin, if you’re curious). I do not regret purchasing it.
I have found over the last year or so, however, that finding Star Wars books in the wild is much more thrilling than any online search. Perhaps I don’t find as many first editions, and perhaps I still end up paying more for old books. But it doesn’t bother me. The rush comes from the hunt almost more than the bounty itself. Especially when money can’t go toward books.
Whenever my husband and I go hunting (him for battle droids and Vaders, me for books), we often stop at the usual places — the collectibles stores at the mall sometimes yield gems. And I’ll never pass up the opportunity to snap an Instagram photo of the Star Wars sections at Barnes & Noble.
But it’s the local shops that stick with me, even on the occasions we walk out with little or nothing at all. I am a hunter. I love collecting, and I love coming home with treasures. The chance to touch a used book, to run my fingers across a row of gently deteriorating spines — yes, sometimes even to smell the pages, you do it too — it’s worth it. Always.
These days, though, I don’t get to go on these adventures as often. I’ve been laid off from day jobs twice this year; financially, I can’t justify feeding my hobby as fruitfully as I used to. I’m learning to feed off the hunt, rather than what I bring back from it. I have to. It’s a survival skill.
My shelves are filled with special editions, many first editions; I can’t yet say this is my livelihood since Instagram Reels don’t contribute to my income anymore. But it’s part of who I am; these books are the background visual of every interview and meeting. Thousands of people see them every day in my posts. They do not define me, these books — but they bring me so much joy. They remind me why I keep working as hard as I can for the good things I deserve.
Sometimes strangers ask me how I could possibly afford a collection like mine. Sadly, the answer is that for most of my 20s, I worked 16-hour days and spent a lot of my income on bookish delights. I’m a much happier person now, even though my full-time freelancer income is a daily stressor in my household (not my chosen path — see above). Much of what you see was purchased during the pandemic. It was not a happy time for any of us. My shelves look great, though.
I dream of being able to collect at the rate I did before I put my family before my career (not that I would walk that back, the money was just nice). To be able to hunt again without worrying. But I’m a journalist and there is no hope for me, I have to accept that my collection will never be as I imagine it could be one day.
At least I have the hunt. Oftentimes, if I am careful enough, it is free. Complicated, sure — always keep a record of what you own on your phone so you don’t grab duplicates, friends. But it is joy. It is mine.
We — the collective Star Wars book community — are so fortunate to not only have the books of publishing years past, but also to be getting so many new books every year. I’ve lost count of canon’s 2023 load so far. Even when our dreams of owning every Star Wars book are too far off to touch, it’s the stories that matter while we wait for the physical treasures, if we ever get our hands on them.
I won’t be paying $150 for a Star Wars book anytime soon. I’m happy for you, if you plan on it this season. Perhaps my days of building the collection I always wanted are behind me forever. But the future is always in motion, and you never know what you’ll find for $5 in the back of a local collectibles store on a random Thursday in September.
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