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The Best "Entry Level" Fantasy
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Gifts tend to lose magic when we can buy what we want ourselves. In my opinion anyway. When I have money - and I want something - I'm likely to buy it myself. I'm actually very easy to buy for. B&N gift cards... But does anyone ever get me B&N gift cards... Only my family. Really. Instead of spending $5 on a gift I'll never use, get a $5 gift card. A book will always make me happy. :)
I was annoyed this Christmas. I had printed out a detailed list of the books that I needed. I did get some of the ones I needed, but some people opted to just buy whatever book they felt like (some self help -_-), thinking that I should be ok with anything.
I know what you mean...but I don't think I enjoy the "stuff" I buy myself as much as I "used to". I just saw the Big Bang Theory where Sheldon went "oh goody, oh goody, oh goody" when he got his Spock figure... I'd like to feel that way again.
I like a few surprises, but I give people wishlists, too - especially my folks and my sister. I mean, Jer can usually surprise me with something good - but my family is hopeless.Jer surprised me this year with some an awesome Sandman/Death bookend set. I wasn't expecting it, and I even teared up a bit that he'd remembered that I mentioned liking it months earlier.
He's a good boy... :)
I generally direct people to my Amazon wish list.
My uncle always blows me away with his gifts. He gave me Rothfuss's books this Christmas and he didn't even know I wanted them. Plus, he doesn't know the first thing about fantasy. Another time he bought me an amazing reading stand. I mean, just amazing. And one of my favorites, a very nice leather bound copy of The Art of War.
With books, I have a tendency to get whatever I want out of the library (or buy it). While I also will make gift suggestions (although that can be confusing for me too), I think it can be fun to see what people will come up with.
I guess it's age, experience and so on. We'd like to be able to be kids again for just a few minutes sometimes. Can't do that I know. Once we're adults we have to be adults.
True. I wouldn't want to "relive" childhood and youth unless I took my mind with all it's knowledge and experience with me.But I miss the moments. Too bad our memory won't work so as to let us relive moments. :)
Well - at the moment I'm going through something that has really put things in prospective for me. Being unemployed I can't spend money on myself as I had grown accustomed to. On one hand it sucks -- man does it suck. But on the other hand - I see how spoiled I was. And this is teaching me a lesson that I'll value... I won't say I'm enjoying it. Because I'm not. But believe me every little thing means more to me right now. Today I went to the library - renewed my card (got a new card) and I felt like a kid in a candy store. :)
Nienna, you made me smile and relive old memories. Thank you :)
I know Nienna. I'm disabled and my income dropped to about a quarter what I made when I was working. The medicals bills and other expenses for myself and my wife wiped out all savings including our IRA. I make extensive use of the library now. Most books I'm interested in I check the library first. Then of course there are used books. Hang in, hope the situation changes for you soon.
Thanks. I'm lucky. I live with my mom, my aunt, & my grandmother. And we all take care of each other. Believe me - I know how fortunate I am.And there's some good in this too. I've been spending more time with my grandma. Yesterday we went to the library together. And today we're going to the used bookstore - I have a lot of credit there. And, yeah, my grandma is a big reader too - we all are actually. But I never realized how boring and lonely her day is when everyone else is at work. I'm not going to take that for granted again. When/if I get work again I'm not forgetting her.
Last night I sort of gave myself a mental slap. I can only do so much. Worrying or feeling sorry for myself isn't going to change things. And I'm going to take the time to read more - always a good thing.
I am going to save more though regardless. And I'll still go to the library. It was fun. I even started a chart last night of my library books and how much they would've cost me to buy them. Because I like doing things like that... Lol.
So. Yeah. I'm good. :)
I grew up going to the library on a near weekly basis and actually prefer it than going to the bookstore. At least at the library I can bring as many books as I can carry home, not so in a bookstore. :P I know there are people that want to buy every book they read, but I just have never understood the need. At the rate that I read (usually 100+ books a year) I wouldn't be able to comfortably afford it. I would be agonizing over the money spent on a book I read and didn't like or owning a book I didn't want to read anymore. My current collection is mostly used books purchased at library sales, so at $1 or $.50 a pop I don't care if later down the line I don't want to read the book or dislike it.
I know not everyone has a good library system, but if I were in that situation I would probably purchase used books or try out a bookswap as opposed to purchasing new.
Anyway, Nienna it sounds like this unemployment situation is turning into a good learning experience for you and I'm sure your grandma will appreciate the time spent with her. :)
Oh - I'm a book hoarder. It used to be out of control before ebooks. Its still a little out of control but I can... um... hide it better. ;)My #1 pet peeve with ebooks though is that you can't pass them on. With a book- book you can pass it on to a friend, sell it to a used bookstore, or donate it to the library. I've missed doing that.
I have a tendency to buy what I want, too. ANd I love getting deliveries and opening packages. But I don't get that excitement that I used to, either.
Plus, I'd gotten to the point that I was buying books and neglecting other important things - hey, money is finite.
So this year I've been hitting the library a lot harder - most of the books I've read for the group have come from the [public] library or my personal library...
So I've bought some clothing this year. It's shocking but I have. I've also tried to stick to books I can get my hands on for free...
But that still hasn't stopped me from book buying. But I'm getting better at it.
Yeah. I'm definitely taking this as a lesson. Doesn't mean I'm not buying books because I've tried that and it doesn't work. Like trying to stop drugs cold turkey - it ain't going to work. But - I have given myself an allowance & I'm going to keep to it. Whatever happens. I do not need more books than I can read... I do not need more books than I can read... its my new mantra. Lol.
Nienna wrote: "Oh - I'm a book hoarder. It used to be out of control before ebooks. Its still a little out of control but I can... um... hide it better. ;)My #1 pet peeve with ebooks though is that you can't pas..."
I think I am to a point, but I'm more of a "used" and "cheap nook" book hoarder. I had to ban myself from library sales at one point. :/ Not because of the money though, but because I ran out of space. Now I've learned to purge every few months and try to read what I can from my own stash. I've also put myself on an ebook allowance, because those cheapie books do add up.
The library sales here are just frustrating. They're filled with book re-sellers. They have people lined up at the door when it opens and let a certain number in. Then as people come out they let an equal number in. I've had people take books out of my hand...they aren't (in general) readers they're buying books to re-sell on the internet. The library even has boxes of books they sell (you know, buy the box not knowing what's in them).My (grown) daughter lives with with me it allows us both to have things we'd do without otherwise. I still love "actual books" but space is at a premium. I've put a strict limit on my E-books but still have managed to "accrue" quite a few still waiting to be read.
Still I love to read and that's good as I "can't" do the things I used to do.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "The library sales here are just frustrating. They're filled with book re-sellers. They have people lined up at the door when it opens and let a certain number in. Then as people come out they let a..."I'm pretty luck. The Main library here has a permanent "book nook." It's this little area filled with books of all types (fiction, non-fic, childrens, SFF, and even texts). The prices are great: $1 for 3 paperbacks or $0.50 each, $1 for hardbacks and I can't remember the price for childrens.
There are some books I will not touch. Period. I can take some stains. I can take yellow pages. But if the book looks like I need a hasmat suit to read it - yeah -- nope. Can't do it. I felt much the same way. I'm not into clothes. Shoes and purses bore me. I have just what I need and no more.
Nicki wrote: "Jackie wrote: "I know there are people that want to buy every book they read, but I just have never understood the need."I'm one of those people, and I get that a lot.
I wouldn't spend the money..."
I love used books - I buy a LOT of used books.
But I'm OCD and I'm particular about the ones I buy. I prefer Hardback Like New or Very Good.
I won't touch the rest unless the book is impossible to find.
I like library books, too. I do not borrow steamy romances or anything that might be even slightly sexual in nature from the library. Because bodily fluids. Ugh. Like, people who would borrow 50 Shades of Grey from the library are seriously taking their health in their hands. *shudder*
But I could borrow light romances and romances without sexual content.
And anything else. I'm finding libraries are great for all of these monthly books - now I know already if I should buy it (or not. Mostly not.).
I still get excited by bookstores. It's probably because, while I have the finances to buy about as many as I could possibly read, I'm married to a miser (not necessarily a bad thing). So, it's a big deal when I can actually get away with buying books.Plus, the selection in my town is fairly limited. I know just about every book in stock at my local store, so when I get to shop in another city, it's very exciting!
I'm also a huge "buy it now" kinda guy. I hate waiting between purchasing something and receiving it, so I don't do Amazon much.
OH! And I finally succumbed and got an e-reader (I didn't actually buy one though). It's an ipad mini. Funny story, my company actually won a raffle through Intuit (the company that owns Quickbooks among others), but we didn't even realize that we were in one. This mysterious ipad mini just shows up one day with no explanation whatsoever. It took us forever to figure out what it was for.
I'd love to have an iPad just show up for no reason. :)
MrsJoseph wrote: "I'd love to have an iPad just show up for no reason. :)"I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty awesome. But we thought it was sent to the wrong place, even though it was addressed to us. There wasn't anything inside the box besides the packing paper and the ipad. We finally noticed a little note on the address label that said, "raffle winner".
I'd like to use the library more, but it seems that the people who do the buying don't enjoy or are aware of the books we like to read. Very few are ever in stock here, despite inter library sharing.
Laurel wrote: "I'd like to use the library more, but it seems that the people who do the buying don't enjoy or are aware of the books we like to read. Very few are ever in stock here, despite inter library sharing.":(
That sucks.
I know! They have books 1 & 2 of Transmetropolitan then nothing until book 7?! It's like they put a list on a dart board and start throwing at random to make selections.
I have 2 libraries near me. One is absolutely tiny and the selection is terrible. The 2nd though is pretty big. 3 floors - the basement is for DVDs, audio books, etc. I would rate their scifi & fantasy as decent. Not great. But not horrible. We do have a really good selection of mysteries though. And there's a really big selection of books on school lists. I hadn't been in years but I was actually pretty impressed by it. We used to have a ton of bookstores in the area when I was growing up. And being a family of readers that was how we'd spend our weekends. Going from one bookstore to the next. I miss those days. Sometimes it would take going to all of them to finish a series. And when I finally found that missing one--joy!
There's a new-ish bookstore (OK - its been here for 2yrs) in my area that we're going to try on Saturday. Mysterious Galaxy - they sell SciFi, fantasy, horror, & mysteries. I'm really looking forward to it. Well not *too* much - I do have a book diet to follow...
I just got a library card for the first time in 10 years. I went online when I got home, every single book I want to read I need to put a hold on (either its out/they don't have it/or it needs to be transferred)Which makes me wonder, just what the heck is in my neighborhood library Sci Fi, Fantasy, Horror sections.
So much for saving money...
There is one [non-chain]bookstore (that I can find) in my entire city.I have no real clue where it is or what they sell.
They don't advertise...
We do have a B&N. One. Which sucks.
They don't carry Trade versions of Malazan and the SFF section isn't that great. We also have the random books in the series thing going on. And the salesperson told me that "if I wanted a better SFF selection then I needed to have all my friends shop there and it would change." (insert pic of middle finger here)
And that's it for reading.
So my options are Amazon, library or B&N. I will hunt down that bookstore one day...
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "The library sales here are just frustrating. They're filled with book re-sellers. They have people lined up at the door when it opens and let a certain number in. Then as people come out they let a..."I read an article the other day on this. Not sure if it was on Book Riot or another site that talked about resellers fighting with patrons at library sales. That's really disgusting to me. That type of behavior shouldn't be allowed.
I don't know if we have resellers here, but I've never witnessed that type of behavior at any of the sales I've been too. There's a really huge one that I look forward to every year. Takes place during the summer and is held outside in tents. Tons of people go, but it's all pretty civil. Even the people hauling boxes around are nice about not getting in the way.
In Nashville we have 20 branch libraries and the main downtown. There was a time when it seemed i could find almost any book I was looking for there. Then we changed mayors, the budget was cut...Now more and more the library seems to have less and less. If I want a print book I can often get it through interlibrary loan. They don't contract for audio or E-books however.
They do have a contract with Overdrive and Hoopla and that makes for a wider range of audio and E-book, but I still have to buy more and more to get books I want.
@Nicki- You know, I don't understand the clothes or shoe thing either. :) It's all good. I'm not looking down at those who buy new just because I don't share the need (you could also read that as I'm too cheap ;) ). Shit, someone needs to buy books so authors can survive.I found a local indie bookshop not far from my house the other day. I recently joined their book and food clubs. Her selection is lacking, but she can order whatever books you want. It's a pretty simple place, but I like the atmosphere and the owner and bibliophiles that frequent the place are all really nice.
As for my current library, their selections are lacking in practically every department except for YA and children's. But, I can request from other libraries or go directly to my old library in Bridgeport. Bridgeport's library system is awesome, which is really suprising because it's the 5th largest city in New England and it's known mostly for it's crime/murder rate.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "In Nashville we have 20 branch libraries and the main downtown. There was a time when it seemed i could find almost any book I was looking for there. Then we changed mayors, the budget was cut......"
I've been lucky that - although my county system SUCKS and has NOTHING - the Marina system for the state wide system usually has at least one copy of what I'm looking for. But don't get it twisted, I have to wait. And wait. And wait.
And wait. And wait. And wait.
Like The Martian for example. There are a total of 5 copies I can get my hands on and I'm #5 of 5 on the waiting list. Each person will get at least 3 weeks for the borrow (no renewals if someone is waiting). SO that's 3 months before I get my hands on it.
Well, I have a library card for the next county over and I placed a hold there. I'm number 58. O_o
Sooooooo...
and that's why books sell.Jackie I'd buy new books (and sometimes do manage it) if I could/can afford it. But in "reduced circumstances" I have to get books as I can. I do get many from Audible and the author is getting a small amount there. Still used books make it possible for us to afford books we might not get otherwise.
That said i don't buy romance or....explicit books anyway. Getting those used would be...risky. If you choose to I'd suggest heavy gloves and disinfectant soap for washing. It's still a bit of a risk I'd say.
shiver
"risky", do you mean to say you don't have a hazmat library reading suit, Mike?
☆αlly☆ (litєrαry єscαpist) wrote: ""risky", do you mean to say you don't have a hazmat library reading suit, Mike?"LOL!!
OMG, don't say things like that when I'm at work!!
Nicki wrote: "LOL.Oh yeah, that's another issue with me and used books. They have to come from a smoke-free home. I have asthma which by and large isn't very bad -- I'm fine with pets and stuff -- but for some..."
Good point.
But, what about fireplaces? Can you deal with fires?
My wife is that way. When I smoked half a cigarette outside, 3 hours before she got home, she could STILL smell it. She has horrible trouble breathing if she's ever around smokers.
Nicki wrote: "MrsJoseph wrote: "But, what about fireplaces? Can you deal with fires?"Nope. :( Our fireplace is purely ornamental. Can't even do it outdoors with a decent breeze. Guy Fawkes sucks. I stay indoor..."
:(
Trae wrote: "So much falls under the "fantasy" banner these days I think it makes the topic too vague. For example, Song of Ice and Fire or Memory, Sorrow and Thorn barely seem akin to Drizzt or The Dragonlance..."Good call!
Flights of Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
The Martian (other topics)Alanna: The First Adventure (other topics)
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again (other topics)
A Wrinkle in Time (other topics)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ursula K. Le Guin (other topics)Larry Correia (other topics)
I can recall spending entire days in book stores.