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Original poster

To think there’s no hope anymore financially after seeing the price of this…?!

165 replies

Suteleynot · 21/12/2025 21:40

I’ve just been browsing the new books due to be released next year. Hardbacks are now 22 pounds????!!!

I know hardbacks have always been pricey especially when new but I am almost certain they were around 14-15 pounds only recently.

I have quite a bit of disposable income and I love reading but I cannot for a moment get my head around how expensive this is? It won’t be long before a new hardback will cost the best part of 30 quid!

I am paid close to six figures and hand on heart if I lost my job, I know I’d be worse off for sure, but not so worse off that I’d be devastated. In a way it’s quite liberating… I care less about keeping my job than I once did! What’s the point!!!!

I have only just seen this on Amazon so this is my very reactionary post to it 😅

OP posts:
LakieLady · 21/12/2025 22:31

Suteleynot · 21/12/2025 21:51

@Silverbirchleaf true. I don’t go to a library but it clearly would be the better option!

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I've reserved newly published books from the library a couple of times. The wait was so long that in both cases, the book was out in paperback before I'd got to borrow it.

I reckon they only buy a couple of copies for all the county's libraries to share.

Loloblue · 21/12/2025 22:27

World of books is mostly second hand. I buy all from there and they deliver fast too.

mindutopia · 21/12/2025 22:24

I have a chapter in an academic textbook that retails for £800. It’s a 4 volume set, but whenever I think about it, I laugh. I wrote part of the damn book and I can’t even afford it myself. Often the publisher sends you a free copy when it’s released, but I didn’t even get one or would have tried to flog it online for that price. 😂

SpoonBaloon · 21/12/2025 22:17

I bought the usual underwear and socks gift for a parent from a high street store (so not Calvin Klein boxer shorts or designer socks) and nearly died when they told me the price at the till. It was over £60!

I have bought the same gifts since I was a teenager and I had no problem affording it back then.

Makemeanonymous · 21/12/2025 22:12

Suteleynot · 21/12/2025 22:04

@Makemeanonymous because what I can afford and my perspective on my own affordability is directly related to the price of the book

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Sorry I don't really understand what you mean by this.

Genevieva · 21/12/2025 22:11

Sunak’s quantitative easing to pay for furlough is coming home to roost.

Nevernonono · 21/12/2025 22:09

Books are so expensive, it’s kindle for me!

Lazygardener · 21/12/2025 22:08

So many alternatives. Second hand book sites such as world of books, your local Oxfam shop, wait till the paperback comes out, or the library.

DJSteves · 21/12/2025 22:04

Spent £78 in Waterstones today. 2 hardbacks 1 paperback and a moleskine notebook!

Original poster
Suteleynot · 21/12/2025 22:04

Makemeanonymous · 21/12/2025 22:03

Yes books, along with most very basic things, are expensive now.
Though why your post has to include the information about the very high salary you earn and the fact that you can afford not to work is beyond me. I don't see that as relevant to your point about the expense of books.

@Makemeanonymous because what I can afford and my perspective on my own affordability is directly related to the price of the book

OP posts:
Dollymylove · 21/12/2025 22:03

Silverbirchleaf · 21/12/2025 21:44

I have a kindle and pick up books for 99p. New books have always been expensive though, which is why people use libraries.

I use a kindle as well. I like psychological thrillers. Ive just downloaded 2 Daniel Hirst books at 99p each 😄

Makemeanonymous · 21/12/2025 22:03

Yes books, along with most very basic things, are expensive now.
Though why your post has to include the information about the very high salary you earn and the fact that you can afford not to work is beyond me. I don't see that as relevant to your point about the expense of books.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 21/12/2025 22:00

I never buy hardbacks anyway - I don’t like them. Too heavy to read in bed! I’ll wait for the paperback version.

Publishers are IMO really sneaky, releasing novels by popular authors only in hardback shortly before Christmas, knowing people will buy them as presents. Presumably the HBs make more money for them.

Mt563 · 21/12/2025 22:00

Yeah, I went into Waterstones with a £10-12 budget thinking I'd be fine. First two paperbacks £15, £17. Coffee table hard backs (always expensive I know but still) £22, £27. Gave up, went to the local books only charity shop.

Tryingatleast · 21/12/2025 22:00

Librsries/ second hand shops or reading on kindle. It’s like saying some chocolate is twenty quid so there’s no hope, hardback books have always been a rip off!!

Catza · 21/12/2025 21:59

Got a hardback for my friend as a Christmas gift - £30.
Don't earn anywhere near six figures and yes, that was a bit of a difficult decision.
I love a house full of books but had to switch to kindle for reasons of cost.

Forever1973 · 21/12/2025 21:59

Borrow it from the library - if they don't have a newly released book, libraries will often buy it on request. If it's something you want to reread, you can buy the cheaper paperback later on.

Original poster
Suteleynot · 21/12/2025 21:57

Biskieboo · 21/12/2025 21:54

I am paid close to six figures and hand on heart if I lost my job, I know I’d be worse off for sure, but not so worse off that I’d be devastated. In a way it’s quite liberating… I care less about keeping my job than I once did! What’s the point!!!!

Riiiight. Well sack off your job and let us know how the life of leisure goes then. I suspect you'll quickly realise that it is in fact possible to be a lot worse off than 'thinking £22 for a hardback is a bit toppy'.

I mean, you have got a point re inflation but it gets lost a bit when you say daft stuff like this.

@Biskieboo it might be daft to you but given I don’t have much spending money in reality, sometimes I do question whether the stress and the hours is worth it

OP posts:
berlinbaby2025 · 21/12/2025 21:57

t depends to an extent on the book and where you're looking e.g Maggie O'Farrell's next book will be sold at £25 but Amazon the price is half that. I'm sure £25 has been the full price for most hardbacks for ages.

Original poster
Suteleynot · 21/12/2025 21:56

Pavementworrier · 21/12/2025 21:54

How much do you think a hardback book SHOULD cost? How much do you think you deserve to be paid?

@Pavementworrier I suppose it’s difficult to give an educated opinion on how much a hardback should be as I don’t work in that industry.

I do think on almost 100k it shouldn’t be a big decision to buy a hardback book, though.

OP posts:
Zov · 21/12/2025 21:55

Suteleynot · 21/12/2025 21:53

@cramptramp thank you for confirming.

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😆

mum2jakie · 21/12/2025 21:54

This is the 'full' price but will be selling for half price once released. I prefer reading paperbacks personally though.

Biskieboo · 21/12/2025 21:54

I am paid close to six figures and hand on heart if I lost my job, I know I’d be worse off for sure, but not so worse off that I’d be devastated. In a way it’s quite liberating… I care less about keeping my job than I once did! What’s the point!!!!

Riiiight. Well sack off your job and let us know how the life of leisure goes then. I suspect you'll quickly realise that it is in fact possible to be a lot worse off than 'thinking £22 for a hardback is a bit toppy'.

I mean, you have got a point re inflation but it gets lost a bit when you say daft stuff like this.

Pavementworrier · 21/12/2025 21:54

How much do you think a hardback book SHOULD cost? How much do you think you deserve to be paid?

LifeBeginsToday · 21/12/2025 21:54

Wait until you see the price of Folio Society books. I love those for a birthday gift but they are £££