Top 10 Out of Print Books for 2008

Promise Me TomorrowBookFinder.com has released the Top 10 Out of Print Books in the US, or, more specifically, the books most sought-after. Now, the article doesn’t indicate HOW they know these books are “sought-after.” What does “analysis of national demand” mean. Price? Frequency of searches? Amount paid on eBay?

Anyway, check out #3 and #7 on the list, yo.

#3-  “Promise Me Tomorrow” (1984) by Nora Roberts; early novel that the bestselling romance novelist refuses to reprint, describing it as “mediocre.” (BookFinder.com Report 2008 #2 Fiction and Literature title)

#9 –  “Comanche Heart” (1991) by Catherine Anderson; coming back into print June of 2009, “Comanche Heart” is the second book in the Comanche series; in 2008, the first book, “Comanche Moon” was reissued and placed on the “New York Times” bestseller list.

A search on BookFinder for Promise Me Tomorrow yields prices in the hundreds, with one copy in the UK fetching $68.00.

[Thanks to Tara R. for the link.]

Categorized:

General Bitching...

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  1. Lisa J says:

    I have “Promise Me Tomorrow”.  Wow, who would have guessed having every old Nora Roberts book would be worth so much money.

  2. AgTigress says:

    The very high prices commanded by some books are due to a standard combination of collector’s instinct and rarity:  if somebody has ALL of Nora Robert’s books except this one, and passionately desires a ‘complete set’, then no price is too high.
    🙂

  3. Cat Marsters says:

    $68, which in today’s money is about seventy zillion of our British pounds.

  4. loonigrrl says:

    I read Commanche Moon this year when they re-released it.  When I got to that part in the book -if you’ve read it you know what I’m talking about- I just had to put it down for a few days.  It was either that or cry or throw up or something. Difficult book to read.  I’m very curious about the sequel and will definitely be reading it when it comes out (again).

  5. Joanne says:

    When I’m recommending older Historical Romances loonigrrl, I always preface the Catherine Anderson Comanche series by saying: Just in case you’re not depressed enough. I loved this series and wouldn’t sell my original over-the-top covers for anything.

    Good for Nora Roberts for not reprinting PMT… I think of it as my grand-children’s inheritance *grin*

    The rest of the list… I dunno.

  6. Joy says:

    I haven’t read Catherine Andersen – but just ordered Commanche Moon based on the comments above.

  7. willaful says:

    Just a quibble – has it actually fetched $68, or is that just what someone is asking for it? Because just because they’ve priced it that high, doesn’t mean someone is necessarily going to pay that much.

    happened69… that sounds like an interesting explanation to try to give to an irate spouse…

  8. Silver James says:

    There are a huge number of Comanche Moons for sale used for a penny. Go figure.

  9. Joanne says:

    Silver James, Larry Mcmurtry wrote a western called Comanche Moon too so that may be what you’re seeing, or the re-print of Anderson’s?
    The original cover was the one that always sold high on the secondary market but maybe that’s over now. 

    I’m always happy to see the authors have their books go into reprint so they can get the $ they worked for…. as long as they’re labeled reprint and we don’t end up with books we already own.

  10. Diane/Anonym2857 says:

    Willaful,

    Back in the days of early eBay,  I was into book selling in a big way.  I can remember when PMTs were going for absolutely obscene amounts of money… like $600 or more. The mind boggles.  These days I think they go more in the $50 – $60 range, but they do indeed sell.

    I actually have two – signed US and British versions. I figure they will be part of my retirement portfolio someday. LOL

    Diane :o)

  11. ksquard says:

    I love the Comanche series – I still have my complete set. They’re definitely not for sissies, but they’re worth the emotional angst. I felt that the first three were the best and wasn’t as enamored with the son’s book, but the entire set together is not to be missed for the romance reader. I’m really thrilled they’re being re-released.

    Damn it – now you’ve made me want to go drag those books out from the depths of the storage box they languish in when I have Other Things to Do today!

  12. JenB says:

    What an interesting list. I’m surprised The Windflower (Tom & Sharon Curtis aka Laura London) and Stormfire (Christine Monson) weren’t on it. I see people looking for those everywhere I go.

    Hmm…there are 157 people wishing for PMT on PaperBackSwap right now.

  13. Maybe this might provide Senora Roberts a little incentive to get that book back out there!  I know you think it’s “mediocre,” Nora, but come on, in this economy, who couldn’t use a little extra pocket change?  And it’s pretty clear that people are willing to buy it!

  14. Nifty says:

    The very high prices commanded by some books are due to a standard combination of collector’s instinct and rarity:  if somebody has ALL of Nora Robert’s books except this one, and passionately desires a ‘complete set’, then no price is too high.

    This is why I own PMT.  I bought it several years ago for $50.  At the time, it completed my Nora Roberts collection.  I’d be fine with selling it today.  I just haven’t found my ‘round-to-it to getting it posted somewhere.

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