Book collecting is one of the most enjoyable and diverse pastimes available.
Any one can collect books. The gamut runs from the very economic collecting
of paperbacks to the expensive (but usually worth it!) collecting of rare first editions.

There are as many ways to begin collecting as there are collectors. Here are
some tips for getting started:

Decide What You Want to Collect	This is the easy part! This could be anything from a favorite author, illustrator (Muirae collects Eloise Wilkins' work, for example), or a favorite book series.] Maybe you'd rather collect Hemingway's works in first editions (be prepared to shell out the big bucks on this one!). There are myriad possibilities.
Research What You Want to Collect	Don't go into this blind. There are a lot of books out there about collecting. Here are just a few: ABC for Book Collectors by John Carter Collected Books: The Guide to Values 2002 (Collected Books, 2002) by Allen Ahearn, Patricia Ahearn A Pocket Guide to the Identification of First Editions by William M. McBride Points of Issue: A Compendium of Points of Issue of Books by 19Th-20th Century Authors by Bill McBride
Buy the Best Books You Can Afford	Usually, a first edition copy of a book is more desirable than any later printings and should be worth more in the long run. Also, remember that old real estate adage "location, location, location"? Well, in book collecting, it's "condition, condition, condition"! Before buying, be sure that all the pages are intact and the binding is secure. Be sure to look hard at the condition of the cover. Most reputable dealers grade their books. When buying online, pay close attention to these grades.
Not All First Editions Are Valuable	Remember, every book that is published has a first edition. The ones that gain in value are the ones that are more scarce and gain in popularity over time. If no demand develops, the fact that it is a first edition is a moot point. It will never be valuable.
Last But Not Least: Protect Your Books!	Protect and care for your books! Don't write your name in them. Don't let them get damp. I could go on and on. (See: Caring for your books)