BookFinder.com Report Fall 2010

Out-of-print and in demand

Every year BookFinder.com tracks the most sought-after out-of-print titles in America.  In this, the eighth edition, several books garnered enough attention for publishers to re-print them in the near future.  We also find some out-of-print mainstays which are unlikely to see a printer again despite their popularity.  But above all we collected the top 100 most sought after out-of print titles in America over the past 12 months, and here they are.


Born Collectibles:
If bookies took bets on out-of-print books our money would be on these titles staying off the presses for good.

Sex by Madonna
This explicit collection features photos of the Material Girl, without the material, has been a collector's item since it first hit shelves in 1992. Since Madonna is never one to do something twice, and the fact that the once highly controversial book is less edgy than it once was leads us to guess that Sex will remain out-of-print.

Promise Me Tomorrow by Nora Roberts
The Queen of Romance; Nora Roberts, has actively persuaded her loyal fan base to avoid this early novel for years. She hopes Promise Me Tomorrow is never republished.  We suspect a used bookshop is the only place you will find this title.


Bound for New Life:
The following books are set to be reprinted within the following year

Old Southern Apples by Creighton Lee Calhoun
A reference guide describing over 1,800 apple varieties from The America South, both extant and extinct.
 
The Centurions by Jean Larteguy
Set during the First Indochina War, this classic French novel has been out-of-print in the US since 1962.  The Centurions was made famous as the first novel to include "the ticking time bomb” scenario which debates whether the use of torture can be justified.

Aran Knitting by Alice Starmore
Last published in 1997, Aran Knitting is described by knitting enthusiasts as the definitive guide to the Irish Aran sweater.  It includes a history of Aran knitting as well as a complete workshop in technique, pattern, and design.


Out-of-Print Book Trends:
Last year, in the wake of a massive stock market crash, we saw a rush on personal finance and banking policy books as people tried to understand what had taken place and how to recover.  In 2010 manuals and do-it-yourself guides for sewing, home repair, and other productive pastimes have become more prevalent in this iteration of the BookFinder.com Report as people return to a more frugal lifestyle.

Basic Building Data: 10,000 Timeless Construction Facts by Don Graf
A compendium of tables and facts for architects, designers, homeowners, builders, and anyone with an interest in selecting the right materials, location, and layout for any size construction project; out-of-print since 1985.

Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt
Knitting circles have preached the usefulness of this book for years.  Principles of Knitting goes into extreme detail on how and when to cast on, cast off, pick up stitches and anything else a personal knitting mentor would teach you.

The Lovely Reed: An Enthusiasts Guide to Building Bamboo Fly Rods by Jack Howell
Fly fishing is as popular as ever and this classic guide book is considered by many to be the bible for fishermen looking to build their own bamboo rods, which if you are buying artisan rods can cost upwards of $1000.

Top 100 most sought after out-of-print books in 2010