This idea that the buying, or even the reading, of books is an expensive hobby and beyond the reach of the average person is so widespread that it deserves some detailed examination.

In this piece of timeless propaganda from the Bookseller Association’s Minister for Information, George Orwell demonstrates that reading is a more cost-effective form of recreation than smoking. If you don’t believe him, keep track of your own books vs cigs expenditure on the handy table we’ve put in the back!