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Where do you get your books?
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jaxnsmom
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Jan 14, 2013 03:41PM
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Kindle or the library. In the summer garage sales. Not to interesting. I have no friends who read cozys so that is a dead end street.
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Unfortunately, books in Australia are prohibitively expensive - even used books (and I do mean USED) usually start at 5-6 dollars for a paperback. Hardcovers, if you can find them, start at $35 and go up from there... Libraries here don't have a lot in the way of cozies and the library culture here is a bit different: no Friends of the Library having book sales, and when I tried to donate a large bag of books that were all in like-new condition and some even brand new, they informed me they don't take donated books.Fortunately, I discovered Bookdepository.com. Very competitive prices and *free* shipping to Australia. It's saved me and made me a very happy camper. :)
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Sometimes I just have to buy a new release. Especially if its part of a series. But upon completion, (usually a day) I take it to the library and tell them its a new release hoping they will get it on their shelve ASAP.
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If it's a new release and isn't available from our library system, I talk to the woman who orders books for our library and beg her to order it for our collection. She has yet to let me down, especially if none of the other libraries in our system have ordered it yet :) We don't get many other perks for working there, so I consider this one of the benefits of the job LOL
jaxnsmom wrote: "I've heard from others living in Australia how bad the book situation is. I can't believe the library system isn't better. Is there an attitude in government that sees books and reading as a low ..."You can imagine my culture shock when I got here! I've traveled quite a bit around the world, and I've never seen books priced so expensively. I can't explain it really.
It's slowly starting to change, mostly because internet book stores like amazon and bookdepository are putting Oz-based companies out of business. The online bookstores here claim they'll beat Amazon prices - but what they call 'Amazon prices' includes Amazon shipping, so it's still 10 dollars more expensive for any book. I'm a huge fan of buying local - but books are my exception. I read too much to be able to buy locally - it's just too expensive.
The libraries I can't even begin to figure out. Why wouldn't any library except a free book that looks like it's never even been read?!?! The libraries here buy paperbacks for their shelves, so it's not the format. I could probably single-handedly build my local library's cozy mystery collection but they aren't the slightest bit interested - not even to resell the books for their book-buying fund. And it isn't like they are so well funded they don't have to worry either. Very very short sighted and, well, stupid.
i get alot of my books from the library. Our librarian is awesome!!!! She could probably tell you what every person reads. The library has an interlibrary loan program which helps out too. If our library doesn't have we can see if the others have and get it sent to us. I also get them on my NOOK!!!!
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Are your libraries funded by the government? Maybe they have some sort of restrictions due to that? I know that when we withdraw materials from our collection, we have to GIVE them away, we can't sell them, even at the Friends' sales. It has something to do with having used 'government funding' to pay part of the purchase price of those materials, but I'm not really sure why that matters?
Barb wrote: "Are your libraries funded by the government? Maybe they have some sort of restrictions due to that? I know that when we withdraw materials from our collection, we have to GIVE them away, we can't sell them, even at the Friends' sales. It has something to do with having used 'government funding' to pay part of the purchase price of those materials, but I'm not really sure why that matters?"Yes, our libraries are government funded, but you'd think they'd be able to accept donations of books. Maybe they're afraid if they accept free books, the government will use that as an excuse to cut funding...
You not being able to sell books from the library once they've been cycled off the shelves is weird, I agree. I could understand not being able to give away books that the government purchased (in part or whole) but not to be able to recoup a portion of your investment makes no sense. They don't give away cars in the government fleet or old desks and chairs... why books???
I know I should use the library more, but I don't. And when I do use them it's not for books. I buy mostly from Amazon and bookdepository. I like Amazon's 4-for-3 deal on paperbacks. I read a lot and when I'm done with my books (I keep very few) I turn them back around on eBay and recoup a lot of my money, especially on hardcovers. I have a Kindle Fire and most of what's on it was free. When I buy e-books, my price limit is pretty much $1.99, unless it's something I REALLY want to read and electronic is the only way I can get it, and then I'll go up to $4.00. But that's only happened about 3 times. I just hate the idea of paying regular book prices for electronic books when I have nothing tangible to show for my money. I really don't like reading books on the Kindle, but I love it for reading magazines.
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I'd be tempted to ask the folks at your library WHY they don't accept donations. There could be a logical explanation -- although I can't imagine what that would be LOL
Mainly Kobo but if they don't have a book I want I got to Amazon
Rachel wrote: "Living in the UK where cozies are not a recognized genre it is Amazon or nothing! I got a Kindle Fire recently and every day I look at the free or cheap listings hoping to stock up the ereader with..."Rachel - Check out Bookdepository.co.uk (it's actually a UK company, if I remember correctly). They have ALL the cozies and they ship for free. Excellent customer service as well. One of my books was recently lost in the mail on it's way here and B.D. shipped me a new one out, free of charge, no questions asked.
I get most of my books from Barnes & Noble. Some from the Mystery Guild and Literary Guild book clubs. And the moderator of the mystery forum on B&N sends us books from her own collection if we participate in the discussions - I have more than a whole boxfull from her!
I borrow most of my books from the local library. I also download a lot of free books from websites that I found on facebook. Books I buy usually come from garage sales or the Goodwill.
I go to the public library 3 times a week or more if my kids are going to programs. I would just die if I didn't have it available to me. I am blessed enough to have 4 large branches within 15 minutes of my house. Most paperbacks are uncataloged so it is always a suprise as to what is in at the time. Harbound versions are almost always available and if they aren't we have ILL. I haven't had the need to buy a book in years. I used to hoard them, visit used half-price book stores often and hang on to them all. I purged all but the most precious and I'm so happy for it! My tax dollars (paid through property taxes) are being put to good use and I get my moneys worth!
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I've switched to the library for both both hardcopy and ebooks over the past six months. Otherwise: church book sale table; ebay, ebook websites; B&N sale table; Goodwill, etc. I put myself on a spending freeze with around 200 paper books TBR. LOL
We have a wonderful charity here that holds book sales every other month on the first Friday and Saturday. The book sales are called "Read to Feed" and they use the proceeds for their food pantry for food insecure families. The hardbacks are $1 and paperbacks 50 cents. The following weekend is half price. I always leave with bags full of books and spend around $20. After my mom and I have read the books, we give them back to the charity. It would be worth checking around to see if you have something like this in your area. Also, I find books at estate sales, flea markets, and church sales. But, I scoff when the books are more than $1 now. If I really want to read something people are talking about and I haven't found it used yet, I do use my library.
Our church has an ongoing book sale, right outside Fellowship Hall. 25cents/50cents. I was able to put blinders on for several months but I caved a couple of times and found some good ones. Now I'm back to the blinders. LOL
library or kindle but also half price books and a store from the library that sells books. I am hooked on amazon.com
Barb wrote: "...If it's a new release and isn't available from our library system, I talk to the woman who orders books for our library and beg her to order it for our collection...."And Barb, authors LOOOVE it when readers do this! Most libraries are very willing to buy books to fulfill patron requests, if they have any $ left in their book buying budgets, because if one patron wants to read a book, it's likely that others will want to, too.
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I buy mine either from the library, Dollar Book Fair (a store near me), or online mainly, sometimes at Target/Walmart if it's on sale
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And Barb, authors LOOOVE it when readers do this! Most libraries are very willing to buy books to fulfill patron requests, if they have any $ left in their book buying budgets, because if one patron wants to read a book, it's likely that others will want to, too. "
That's good to know, Beth, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised to hear that. If they buy one book to fulfill a patron's request, not only is it likely others will want to read that book, but they're likely to want to read future books by that author -- assuming, of course, that they enjoyed the first one :) -- and the library will be more inclined to order future books without having to be asked. (Hmmm ... guess I remember more than I thought from those marketing classes I took all those years ago LOL)
I've been good curbing spending by using the library, getting e-freebies, getting books from friends, etc. I am lucky to live in a large county with several city library systems available to me. I personally have (now) five library cards for systems within 20 miles of my house. Though there are inter-library loans, I can get it faster reserving it and getting it myself.When I do purchase, I tend to go used for the most part. I hit local used book stores (buy local!) and Half-priced Books (two within 10 miles)---oftentimes using previous reads for credit.
I found a few places on the internet Cozy Book Cellar and Powell's, both which offer free shipping at a certain minimum. I also had some luck searching authors or older series at AbeBooks and Alibris, but shipping with those and other "affiliate-type" sites can be high because it's usally per-item (though I have seen some affiliated sellers who offer free shipping).
If I wind up going new it's for something newly published and for whatever reason I just can't wait for it to hit my other avenues. So, if my "used" places don't have it and I can't wait for the library, I hit Poisoned Pen (local!) or Barnes & Noble.
Right now, I'm getting alot of books for reviews. When I buy the books myself, I get them for my Kindle or Nook.
I'm a "dead tree" reader, peferring a book with paper pages and two covers. I love used book stores and book sales. I have many different genres that I like to read so for the most part, I rely on my library which is great and does get public funding. I often reserve my favorite cozies if the library owns them and go pick them up when they come in. I visit my library at least once of week. Our library system in Dayton, Ohio is a great one and I support all thier efforts. I have an average of 20 books checked out at any given time so I always have one in my hand when I have free time. So many cozies....so little time. They are a great way to relax, laugh, and of course try to figure out "who done it"!
In person the library, thrift stores, and used bookstores. Online I get them from Alibris, Powells and EBay.
I am an avid e-book reader, so I get my books through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or Kobobooks whenever possible. I also subscribe to BookBub and BookGorilla which sends me a daily email of temporarily hugely discounted or free e-books. If you really want to fill up your e-reader quickly, I highly recommend both services.
Sallee wrote: "I'm a "dead tree" reader, peferring a book with paper pages and two covers. I love used book stores and book sales. I have many different genres that I like to read so for the most part, I rely on ..."Hey, Sallee! I was born & raised in Dayton, and they always had a great library system back then. I loved the main one that was downtown. I can remember my mom taking me to a branch that was over on 5th Street not far from Bomberger's park when I was 3 or 4. We used to walk to it every Saturday from where we lived then. She'd put my sister in her stroller and off we'd go. Mom taught me to love books from the time I was born practically. (And we used to go to Ludlow Falls to see the Christmas lights every year, too!)
J.C. wrote: "I am an avid e-book reader, so I get my books through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or Kobobooks whenever possible. I also subscribe to BookBub and BookGorilla which sends me a daily email of temporarily..."Melodie wrote: "Sallee wrote: "I'm a "dead tree" reader, peferring a book with paper pages and two covers. I love used book stores and book sales. I have many different genres that I like to read so for the most p..."
They are building a new huge library in Cooper Park where the current downtown library is. It is going to be fabulous. Also, the Dayton Metro Library system has a huge booksale every 6 months at Hara Arena and there are thousands of books to be had for 50 cents and on one day, it is all you can carry for $1.oo. I took a shopping cart and for a buck, I bought about 20 books...can't beat that! Sadly to say, they no longer do the Christmas lights at Ludlow Falls, but in Clifton they do light up the falls there at the Cliffton Mill.
For most books, it's all about the library (if it's books being read in a GR group where I can get to it whenever I want to and I don't own it already) and for anything else, yard sales, library sales, church sales, Goodwill, whatever comes up. I haven't bought a new book in years (not since being in college forced me to). As far as cozies, though, I almost never buy them. I have so many books that I do not buy anything that is so widely read and discarded that I could pick it up anywhere (James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark, the theme mystery series, etc). If I know I can get it at the library, or one similar, I do not buy it, unless it's a series or particular book that I really like. Or it's given to me...I can never turn that down!I didn't know about the book costs in Australia, that's crazy! Why on earth wouldn't they take donated books? That's why books are so easy to come by here in the States... we just read them and trade them around all the time. I love donating books to my library because I feel like I'm giving back a little for the intense amount of usage I give to this "free" service. I have a list of books in a series I already own so that I don't buy duplicates, but with classics and such it's hard to remember sometimes and I never mind buying a duplicate because I like giving them to the library so even if they already have a copy or two, they can sell it and put funds back into the system.
I like that charity for food, what a great idea! I need to look into what charities like that are available here so I can put my used books to best usage. Something my church is doing is providing a kind of half-way house for girls they have rescued out of human trafficking. It's in its infancy, but I'd love to be the person out buying used classics and other books for those ladies to read while they are there, something they probably have not had the pleasure or ability to do in years, if ever.
Jennifer wrote: "Libraries here don't have a lot in the way of cozies and the library culture here is a bit different: no Friends of the Library having book sales, and when I tried to donate a large bag of books that were all in like-new condition and some even brand new, they informed me they don't take donated books."Have you thought about opening your own "library"? Check out Little Free Library. I don't know where I first heard about this (maybe here somewhere), but this might be a way for you to share what you get and get what others can share.
Though the original idea was to bring libraries to rural and remote areas, I've seen locations listed that are in big cities, too. The idea is basically a free book exchange. There are three locations in Australia on the map.
Though they sell "library" kits, you don't have to purchase. I didn't read too deeply into it, but I believe the lowest cost involved is buying licensed, "official" Little Library signage. (Truthfully, I don't know if you even have to have one of their signs or if you just have to agree to their licensing terms in order to use the name and get your location on their map.)
Karen wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Libraries here don't have a lot in the way of cozies and the library culture here is a bit different: no Friends of the Library having book sales, and when I tried to donate a lar..."Love the concept! I'd love to run my own library! :D
But I'm happy to report that there is a library system about 30 minutes away from me that *does* have a FOL organization setup and accepts books for their twice a year book sale. I took them two big bags of books and I was just giddy to see them go to a good home. The librarians even said some of the books they'd like to put in their collection! Yay!
I already have another bag started for my next trip out there. :)
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For those of you e-readers, I posted this in the Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge group and figured I'd put it here, too.Harper Collins is having a 99-cent sale on 700 e-books (sorry... assuming US only). I know the pricing applies to Barnes & Noble and Amazon (but have not checked others).
The Amazon link is easier for scrolling through the listings. Since I prefer Nook, I just searched the title or author on B&N and purchased there if the pricing was the same.
There are a lot of mysteries in the list, including cozies. The only negative is that most of the "series" are middle-of-the-pack offerings (and I prefer to read in order, if possible).
I am not familiar with Bartholomew Gill, but nine of his Peter McGarr Mysteries are on the list (available at both vendors noted above).
I don't usually buy e-books unless I know they're keepers, but I figured for 99 cents, I could try a few.
The Peter McGarr books are pretty good reads. I've read a few of them. Wouldn't call them cozy.
I get alot of my books from Paperback Swap, the library, friends, and even win a few from different reading blogs that I subscribe to! =)I like to support my favorite authors by sharing their tweets, ( and using other Social Media like Pinterest to spread the word! )
