Where do you get your books?

[Debbie]

It is madness but it's so much fun. One day I walked into the library, went to the correct shelf and pulled my next book and headed to check out and a woman must have been watching me and laughed that I didn't even glance at anything else.
I had gone on line and checked to see that the book was there so I didn't have to think about it.
Maybe I'm a bit obsessed??????????

[Allison, Mod Nerd]

Just Elise wrote: "Great questions, StarMan! I'm not really sure why I collect books. I don't hoard them - it's only books that I really like that I have any desire to buy or keep.

I don't think I was deprived of b..."

Great reason to collect books: because you treasure them.

[Allison, Mod Nerd]

Mostafa wrote: "Julie wrote: "Mostafa wrote: "Julie... Thanks a lot, thats a research i didn't even think of doing "

You are most welcome. I am not sure if they are located close to you, but I hope so!!"

I went ..."

Glad you could find some good deals, Mostafa!

[Allison, Mod Nerd]

Debbie wrote: "It is madness but it's so much fun. One day I walked into the library, went to the correct shelf and pulled my next book and headed to check out and a woman must have been watching me and laughed t..."

I have done this too, checking out books on auto-pilot.

[StarMan]

[Julie]

StarMan wrote: "

"

"If it's wrong, I don't want to be right."

[Kelby *TwistedCactusReads*]

I always get pre-orders from Amazon! I will check the Kindle Daily Deals every day also. I rarely ever pay full price for a book. If Amazon doesn't have it for a discounted price then I check Book Outlet.

[Ren]

Thriftbooks, book fairs, Amazon, Google Play, Little Free Libraries, and used bookstores.

[Allison, Mod Nerd]

StarMan wrote: "

"

HAHAHA makin' it rain for the books! Love it!

[StarMan]

Kelby, thanks for the heads-up on BookOutlet.com (http://www.bookoutlet.com). I had been hesitant to give them a shot until you mentioned them. And I like their motto: "Read-iculously Low Prices."

I have plenty of adult SF (science fiction) books to keep me busy. But I decided to get some YA/adult titles and give BookOutlet a try.

So, here's my review of sorts:

[You can skip the spoiler if you already know how BookOutlet works, or if you've ordered from them before]

(view spoiler)[
The low-down: They advertise lots of NEW books at $2.49 (mostly "scratch & dents") to $2.99-$3.99 and up. Supposedly overstock and such, and inventory changes pretty often. I see children's books there as low as $1.49.

They don't have the huge selection of Amazon, but if you are patient, popular books often seem to show up sooner or later at BookOutlet (you can start a WishList there to keep track). Sometimes the hardcovers are cheaper than the paperbacks.
(hide spoiler)]

So, I ordered 6 books from BookOutlet; some for me, some for a friend (but I reserve the right to First Read, shhhhhh!)


Reboot by Amy Tintera (SF)


Starbreak by Phoebe North (SF, #2 in series)


Truthwitch by Susan Dennard (fantasy)


The Forever Watch by David Ramirez (SF/mystery)


Fox Forever by Mary E. Pearson (SF/dystopia, #3 in series)


Illusive by Emily Lloyd-Jones (SF/dystopia)


VERDICT: I was pleasantly surprised, after receiving books in worse-than-advertised condition from some other discount book sellers!

ONE of the books was supposed to be a "scratch & dent" but it looks 100% new to me.

Total WITH shipping worked out to an average of $3.99/book. Again: these are NEW books, not junkers.

And the books arrived in a cardboard box, not just thrown in a poly bag like BetterWorldBooks or ThriftBooks usually does (often with the bag torn and book corners a bit worse for wear).


FYI BookOutlet currently has Station Eleven in stock for $4.99. It's a book I've been hearing a lot about lately, but haven't read yet. Direct link is:
http://bookoutlet.com/Store/Details/9...

I am NOT affiliated in any way with BookOutlet. This was my first time purchasing from them.

Has anyone else used BookOutlet? Good or bad experience?

[Julia]

I usually only buy new books by my favorite authors, otherwise I usually get my books from garage-estate sales, thrift-goodwill stores, the library and overdrive.

[Bkwmlee]

I actually splurge on books (that person in the comic that StarMan posted -- that's exactly me, lol!) Like most people here, I also have an obsession with collecting books, though the difference is that I can't bear to part with any of the books I have, regardless of whether I like the book or not or whether I plan to ever re-read it.

As for where I get my books from -- pretty much anywhere, though I prefer to buy/own books rather than checking them out from the library, mostly because I have this thing about being able to pick up a book and read it whenever I want to (or have time to) and also take as much (or as little) time as I need to without worrying about having to return/renew the book.

I also have a preference for paper books, though in recent years I've resigned myself to reading ebooks as well due to the time constraints involved with getting physical copies of books (even with that said though, I still buy more than I really should). The thing I don't like about ebooks is that oftentimes, it's hard for me to tell whether the version I have is "legit" or not (meaning the same / as close to same version of the physical book). Also, I hate reading "abridged" versions of books but alot of times with ebooks, it's hard for me to tell if the version I downloaded is abridged or not, especially with certain classics where there are already dozens of different versions out there....

[StarMan]

I present to you... the BiblioBurro:

(view spoiler)[

(hide spoiler)]

[Allison, Mod Nerd]

StarMan wrote: "I present to you... the BiblioBurro:





"

This just made my evening! Book love...

[StarMan]

Glad you liked the 4-legged bookmobiles, Allison...

More Biblio Burro:

http://www.pbs.org/pov/biblioburro/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuTsw...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bibliob...


Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia


Waiting for the Biblioburro

[Pien]

Where are you all coming from? Do you know the 'little libraries'?
Here in Holland they are quite a success. They look like big bird houses on a pole, with a glass door, and people leave their read books in there for others to take with them. Those others also leave their books there and this way there's always new reads waiting for you. In our neighborhood I know of three such little libraries. (To be honest I always go to the usual library but I love the idea.)

[StarMan]

Pien wrote: "Where are you all coming from? Do you know the 'little libraries'?
Here in Holland they are quite a success. They look like big bird houses on a pole, with a glass door, and people leave their rea..."

That's awesome, Pien... and we actually have a LFL (Little Free Library) topic here in the Book Snails Group.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

There are no LFLs where I live (southern USA), but some other Book Snails have posted some photos of nearby ones.

[Pien]

Thanks, I've read about it now. It's such a kind and great idea, especially in front of a school!

[Julia]

@Pien - I have seen some in some of the smaller towns in central Flordia, and in some of the state parks, but none near me. I think they're a great idea!

[StarMan]

Lots of good comments in this thread!

I put up a related poll:

"Where do you prefer to get your physical (non eBooks) from?"

Vote at: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

[StarMan]

19 Magical UK bookshops:

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone...

Which one would you like to visit first ?

Sample photo:

[Bkwmlee]

StarMan wrote: "Kelby, thanks for the heads-up on BookOutlet.com (http://www.bookoutlet.com). I had been hesitant to give them a shot until you mentioned them. And I like their motto: "Read-iculously Low Prices."
..."

StarMan: Speaking of discount retailers....

I just ordered a large haul from Book Outlet (they’ve got a promo going on this week where if you order $35 or more, they’ll enter you into daily drawings to get your order for free!). Even if I don’t win though, I’m still fine, as I got quite a bargain on the books (12 books for less than $45).

Book Depository (www.bookdepository.com) also has a sale this week with 40% off bestsellers and new releases. I ordered from them previously and the books aren't necessarily super cheap like at Book Outlet, but definitely way cheaper than regular bookstore (and Amazon at times). Plus they offer free shipping on all orders (vs Book Outlet which charges for shipping). Shipping is prompt, items are well-packaged, and they include freebies too (special bookmarks designed by book lovers around the world).

Here are a few of the titles I acquired from both places (didn’t list all, as there are too many, but all were titles already on my TBR list so this gives me a chance to work on paring that down as well):

The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck

My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan

The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

The Lotus and the Storm by Lan Cao

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

[StarMan]

Thanks, Bkwmlee, for letting us know about http://www.bookdepository.com . I hope you enjoy your current book orders :)

[C.L.]

If I'm looking for a specific book that I need to add to a series or complete a collection, I normally buy them from Barnes and Noble. The internet is always a good place too. If I just want to explore and browse to find hidden treasures, I normally got to an old bookstore. There's a place in Newburgh, IN called Book Nook that's amazing, and Book Warehouse in Evansville, IN is also good. I stay away from electronic books. I like the feel and smell of books too much to switch to e-books.

[StarMan]

C.L. wrote: "If I'm looking for a specific book that I need to add to a series or complete a collection, I normally buy them from Barnes and Noble. ..."

Thanks for sharing, C.L. :)

B&N is probably my favorite retail bookshop... coffee & book smell, and nice place to find gifts for bookworms.

I like paper books much better than eBooks, but am trying to rid myself of so many physical possessions. I find that the e-Ink readers (grayscale) such as the Nook Simple Touch or Kindle PaperWhite are the next best thing to a real book, and are very easy on the eyes. Still not the same, though! But one advantage is you can change font size on eReaders.... very handy if you don't have your reading glasses, or don't want to wear 'em.

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse]

I get most of my books from used book sales at my library, but I am also a huge fan of the Discount Shelf at Chapters. I can't pass a bookstore without going in for a browse, and more often than not, I come home with at least one addition to my shelves! ;)