In dire times, consumers turn to books — at least certain kinds of books.
Guides to living simply, do-it-yourself projects such as making clothes, and affordable hobbies such as gardening are flying off the shelves, says Jed Lyons, chief executive of the Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group. In fact, the topics are so popular that he’s also reissuing books that are decades old because they reflect current mood.
One of those old books enjoying new life is The Guide to Good Cheap Hunting, first published in 1978.
I’m not sure it’s entirely
I’m not sure it’s entirely the economy that’s causing this behavior. I’ve noticed it’s a trend among my friends. People are getting interested in building their own stuff, cooking and preparing more of their food rather than buying pre-mixed boxes of stuff, and creating their own clothes. I don’t know if it actually reflects a cultural shift or is just a temporary fad. It seems broader than a “fad” though. I also notice many times it’s not more economic or at least it’s not that much of a savings. Usually though you can get something much more customized and a higher quality. I think it’s also just that people are watching less tv and looking for other ways to occupy their free time.
also forgot, these books have high “ev”
Also forgot one other comment. These books tend to have high “entertainment value”. As opposed to a fiction paperback you can read in under a few hours, these books tend to be project-focused. It’s a bit like a reference book or a cookbook.