College textbook prices cause blogger revolts

University students across the country are standing in lines to buy textbooks for their new classes. They’re handing over clenched fistfuls of cash. They’re griping. And, in some cases, they’re protesting. Reacting to exorbitant textbook prices, illogical and self-serving bookstore policies, and few choices about where else to turn, students are up in arms.

The red faces, shaking heads, and profanity-peppered murmurs that are being observed outside college bookstores are now commonplace at the start of each semester. However, some students (and even professors) are marching their displeasure through the blogosphere.

• Cheaper Than Therapy: This bloggin’ momma (and student) slices open the textbook issue and shows us its diseased-yet-beating heart. Okay, she’s not that graphic or scathing. But her post is spot on, a hoot to read, and mentions the great textbook deals you’ll find at Alibris, so we heart this blogger!
• Astroprof’s Page: This professor rants about issues that pump up the blood pressure of most college students: textbook prices, resulting student-loan debt, and greedy publishers. Read this post and you’ll likely agree that it’s insightful, frank, and refreshing. Astroprof for president … of the universe!
• Odyssey: Here’s another student who’s (rightfully) bemoaning textbooks, textbooks, textbooks. Odyssey balances the hand-wringing, however, with some interesting proposals, such as book rentals and textbook subsidies.

Perhaps all is not lost/hopeless/hell-bound in a handbasket. Xpress Online, the Web publication of the Journalism Department at San Francisco State University, reports that government officials are investigating textbook controversies. The article is a detailed look at the world students find themselves navigating. There’s some hope in it: Maybe the Feds will do something to help. Until then, bookmark the Alibris textbook page—where we’ll do our best to find you that textbook at up to 90% off.