In the bustling atmosphere of the Santo Domingo International Book Fair 2024the area dedicated to the sale of used books is a magnet for readers, collectors and the curious.
Booksellers like Manolo Sponsorshipfrom “Relic Book” and Radhamés Ramos Peñafrom “Librería El Poeta”, offer a wide variety of titles ranging from classic novels and rare editions to historical and philosophical essays, many of which are difficult to find in conventional bookstores.
“Outside the fair we operate mainly through WhatsApp, with home delivery,” explains Manolo, and emphasizes how technology allows bookstores of this type to remain active in a market in which digital access is increasingly relevant.
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Collectible treasures
Meanwhile, at the fair stand, Manolo highlights among his relics a special edition of Anna Karenina from 1895, a literary gem that could well achieve high values in the collecting market, although he offers it at the fair at a reduced price. Ramos Peña, for his part, mentions how he selects each title with the intention of capturing the attention of readers eager for hard-to-find classics. “When someone finds what they have been looking for for so long, it is a priceless satisfaction,” he says.
The most wanted
Among the most requested works, Latin American authors such as c, Gabriel García Márquez, Mario Vargas Llosa and Isabel Allende.
In particular, Manolo points out how the 25 novels he brought from Allende were sold out in just two days. On the other hand, Ramos Peña highlights the preference among young people for classics of universal literature and authors such as Dostoevsky, as well as their fascination with historical and philosophical works, especially those related to Dominican figures and topics of local relevance.
Accessible and enriching alternative
Both booksellers agree that used books represent an accessible and enriching alternative for those who want to deepen their reading without incurring high expenses. Furthermore, they consider that this type of books contribute to the preservation of literary heritage and the dissemination of knowledge. “Reading is power,” says Ramos Peña, who defends the importance of promoting reading to promote critical thinking and intellectual autonomy.
Improvement proposals
Despite the benefits that this section brings to the fair, both Manolo and Ramos Peña express the need for greater support and promotion to ensure its growth. While the Government and the organizers – they say – make efforts, both believe that a broader advertising strategy would help attract an even larger audience, especially tourists and local residents who may be unaware of the fair.
Treasure hunt
For those who visit the fair in search of a literary “treasure hunt,” the used book area is a paradise full of stories, knowledge and unique experiences. This is where everyone from students to tourists to university professors gather, all searching the shelves for something special. And while prices in some cases can exceed those of new books, the feeling of discovering a rare or out-of-print volume in the middle of the fair is an unbeatable reward.
The used books section of the Santo Domingo International Book Fair 2024 It not only offers an economical and rewarding shopping experience, but also serves as a space for preserving and encountering knowledge. In Manolo’s words: “There is always someone looking for these books. They are a necessity and a fundamental cultural element.”
Anecdote of a bookseller
During the Santo Domingo International Book Fair, among readers and collectors looking for literary gems, the bookseller Manolo Patrocino remembers a special meeting with the poet and essayist José Enrique García. In a recent edition of the fair, García approached his shelf in search of a first edition of one of his own books, a copy that was almost impossible to find.
To the writer’s surprise, Patrocino had not only obtained the work, but decided to give it to him as a gift for his career. “Those kinds of moments make every fair worth it,” Patrocino commented, highlighting the satisfaction he feels in connecting readers with unique pieces that hold a special value for them.
