Library vs. Purchase?

[Starling]

I'm a Border's member. It was very useful when I was able to go to the store and browse. These days I don't get to do that, and I find that Amazon is cheaper for new books even if I've got a coupon from Border's. I also buy used books online from several sources including Amazon's storefronts.

I belonged to the B&N "club" back in the days when you had to join a different club for each genre you read. No longer belong. I don't know it they are still charging for each year's membership, but it never made sense for me to pay.

[Sandy]

I'm a Borders member but I can't see paying for a membership at Barnes & Noble. Plus Borders is only abouta 1/4 mile from my house.

[Zachary]

Thalia wrote: "I've had to put a bookshop ban on myself. Not allowed to buy any new books until I've read at least 20 of the 45 new books currently piled under my bed!

Haha same with me, I have about 15 new books that I haven't touched waiting to be read on my shelf and I have to stay away from bookstores until I finish those.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

I'm also a Borders member, and while I think the whole "get a $5 coupon after you spend $150" is a pretty lousy reward system, I do like getting the coupons in my email. There are two Borders near where I work - one express one and one full one - so I enjoy going there at lunch and browsing.

There used to be a Borders Express at the mall I sometimes go to, but it's been pushed out by a full-blown B&N, which sort of annoys me. I couldn't really explain why, but I just prefer Borders. Plus I also won't pay for the B&N rewards.

If there are a few books I want, though, I'll usually try and use the amazon 4-for-3 deal for the MMPB, and keep the Borders coupons for the newly released TPB which aren't generally offered at a discount from amazon.