How to profit from these topical books

By Sharon Fussell, July 25, 2013

Recently we talked about what fantastic sellers study guides and reference books can be.

If you’ve got any lying around, list them! It’s always worth keeping an eye out for these types of books in charity shops and car boot sales too.

In fact, with this lovely weather that we are having at the moment, car boots are more popular than ever (let’s face it, it’s much more enjoyable to traipse around in the sunshine).

However, it’s not just study books you should be on the lookout for: look for topical reference titles too.

Topical books sell well

For example, with the incessant news coverage on the new Royal baby, I listed some book titles relating the new Royal parents, and low and behold, these are selling well.

Books about Prince William, Prince Charles, the Royal Wedding of 2011 and Lady Diana – anything Royal – will probably sell well right now.

However you need to act fast – the sales peak may well be short-lived, or exist as a series of peaks in concurrence with the story of the new Prince George, as it ebbs and flows in the news.

It’s also well worth taking note for news stories relating to other celebrities or well-known people.

When Margaret Thatcher recently passed away, I noted several copies of her book The Downing Street Years sold well that I had listed, and for a premium price.

There was a surge of interest in The Sopranos and James Gandolfini when he recently died.

I anticipate that with all the current attention on Nelson Mandela, this will result in a rush in sales of his book The Long Road to Freedom.

If you do happen across these titles, snap them up: they do tend to sell for a premium price, however the problem is finding them in good enough condition to sell.

The topical interest is not just limited to celebrities, living or dead. Take, for example, the fact that it’s not too long to the start of the next football season.

Books relating to past players from popular teams are often worthwhile looking out for (although I do avoid some players where supply outstrips demand, for example, Wayne Rooney and David Beckham biographies).

I also tend to look for past football statistical books such as Rothmans series. Some of the old editions fetch very high prices and do sell well.

Here are few to look out for:

* Rothmans Football Yearbook 1973–74 – 11 used & new from £9.95 – Bestsellers Rank: 425,604
* Rothmans Football Yearbook 1976–77 – £13.86 used (8 offers) – Bestsellers Rank: 760,300
* Rothman’s Football Yearbook 1977–78 – 4 used from £13.99 – Bestsellers Rank: 629,238

Also, as I write, there are trade-ins available on some copies for £5.01 on the gift card.