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You're right. We don't have to buy them.
Unless we want to read, expand our minds, our perspectives, and be entertained. If there was an alternative choice for similar entertainment, then the issue would be moot. But while not food - one's mind needs stimulation to grow and develop.
If we had a choice, we'd take it.
Alas, while shipping from the US to Canada is low via USPS...most sellers in the US seek to make a profit on the shipping itself. Seeing quoted rates of $8-15 on a $2 pocket book isn't unusual. Considering it costs under $3 to ship (I've had some private sellers send it without profiting), we still lack much choice.
I'd say that one factor in the decline of the book market is cost. So people are reducing their purchases. The industry increases cost to make up for those loses, and surprise...the units sold again decrease.
Was it a coincidence that each time the price of a pocket book from a major manufacturer went up by $1.00 or so, the others followed suit...simultaneously?
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