The Simple Way to Success, Recycle books

Today I just finished the wonderful book by Larry Winget "The Simple Way to Success". His book is packed with practical, real-life advice to reach success as you define it. Call me a sucker, but I prefer real-life advice from authors who have done it over esoteric theories from "Positive Thinking" gurus who make a lot of money dispensing advice that they themselves do not follow.

I love reading because books have made the difference in my life. We are the sum of the books that we read and the people that we hang out with. There is no way that all of us can have direct access to every person that we want to learn from. However, we can often read books by people that we want to learn from. Therefore, I am a huge advocate for making many books available to people all over the world, and I believe that education is the way to cure world hunger.

Back off my soapbox now, the fact is that a book is "one man's heart in another man's hand". I don't claim originality here - I read this quote somewhere in the mid 1980's.

If you are stuck facing a problem then perhaps you need to read a few more books each month for fresh perspectives and refresh your thinking. Perhaps you will even get the answer in the books that you read. Don't be a statistic when it comes to reading.

I am appalled at the statistics of readership in the USA. Being from South Africa where so many people are illiterate I consider myself privileged to be able to read. I treasure my literacy. When I hear statistics quoted such as 58% of US adults never read another non-fiction book after high-school I just shake my head at the missed opportunities.

Enough said. You get my point. I believe that everyone on this planet should be able to read and have affordable and convenient access to readable material that can help them improve themselves.

Anyway, back to the conflict. My voracious appetite for reading conflicts with my desire to continually grow my personal library. I inherited frugality habits from my paternal grandfather. Oupa worked through the 1930's depression and for the next 50 years would not spend two pennies if he only needed to spend one. Frugality should not be confused with penny-pinchers. I abhor penny-pinchers because penny-pinchers usually also have shrivelled attitudes towards life. Frugalists spend wisely when we spend.

Here is the lesson for you. The conflict of my belief in frugality and my appetite for reading led me to sources of books that are sold as used, but are in perfect condition. I use ABEBOOKS.com and recently discovered that Amazon.com also sells used copies alongside new copies. So far, every used book that I have purchased is in perfect condition and I am totally satisfied. The only caution is that you should watch for is extravagant shipping costs.

You should also consider purchasing used books when you want to grow your library with timeless titles. Used books let you read for less and save the environment as you recycle books.