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Sunday Conversation Topic - 2/11
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Jason
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Feb 10, 2018 10:24PM
We read tons of books and books can be expensive. Where do you get your books? Are you good about returning books back to the library? Any special tips on where to get books? Does a books availability determine what you read for the monthly tag, or do you make sure you are able to obtain the book your want no matter what? And if it's not too personal, what is your book budget?
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Since I work at a public library, I would say that 99% of what I read comes from there. I will occasionally buy books for my Kindle but only if they are a bargain price, usually less than $3. I don't check out many books at one time so, yes, I am good about returning them. Availability definitely factors into what I will read for the monthly tag and since I am such a planner I will usually have several choices lined up. I don't have a book budget per se since all those free books are at my fingertips Monday-Friday.
For my birthday and holidays, I request Amazon gift cards so I can buy books (almost) guilt free. Otherwise I don't have a formal book budget but I usually limit my book purchases to bargain books; either Kindle Daily Deals or the Bargain Books section @ B&N. The only time I will consider paying full price, is if I need a book for a local discussion group. Even then, I will compare prices and also look for deals through Better World Books.
As for the library, I only borrow ebooks now. No special driving trips required and I don't need to worry about book returns. That does limit my choices though.
For monthly tags in PBT, I try to pick from books I own. That has been a great way to motivate myself to read some books languishing on my tbr shelf.
As for the library, I only borrow ebooks now. No special driving trips required and I don't need to worry about book returns. That does limit my choices though.
For monthly tags in PBT, I try to pick from books I own. That has been a great way to motivate myself to read some books languishing on my tbr shelf.
I do try to buy most of my e-books and audio books on sale. I recently bought a kobo reader, which I love. Many of the kindle deals are the same for Kobo. I also am a fairly regular library goer, especially when looking for something specific or new. My county library system is pretty good so I generally can find stuff. I don’t have a problem returning, but I don’t sweat the fines either as the money goes back to the library.
I don’t really have a book budget. I will almost always buy a full priced book if I go into a bookstore. I want to keep them in business and also support the local economy (jobs and taxes support things like the library).
Jason wrote: "We read tons of books and books can be expensive. Where do you get your books? Are you good about returning books back to the library? Any special tips on where to get books? Does a books availabil..."Until recently, I used to buy most of my books - either Kindle editions (many on discount for $3 or less) or used copies. Or swap for them using PaperBackSwap. But now, I used my library's Overdrive for at least half the books I read annually so that's definitely saving me a lot of money. I also get some titles for free from Amazon Prime.
That being said, I'd say I probably buy any Kindle title I see that I know I want to read and is on sale for less than $3. And maybe 1 or 2 additional new titles that I just can't wait for at the library. So I'd guess I spend about $30/month on average on books. I NEVER go to the movies, so figure that books are my entertainment and $30 is reasonable . . .that's my rationalization anyhow.
I get nearly all my books from the library. I own a lot of books that I got either as gifts or cheap from library book sales. I need to read more of the books I own so make some more room in the house but there are so many new books at the library :-). I have cut down a lot on buying books. Now I'll mostly only buy a book if it's by an author I really like. I hardly ever have overdue books at the library. Our fees are only 10 cents a day so the few times they are overdue it doesn't cost much.
I'm totally a Library Girl, although I still find myself buying or accumulating books here and there. Before I reiterate why I am in love with the library experience, I will inappropriately share a little history in book buying. Our family has been through three huge financial reversals in a lifetime, and the first was the worst. We had a pretty serious hit. So when we went to quickly revamp our life and lifestyle, one of the first things I noticed, is how freely and thoughtlessly I would spend money on books. And how many I had accumulated. I had no idea how much money I had been spending on books. That challenging experience led me to discover a lot of new things, but one of the eye opening revelations was the library system! And this was late 2008/early 2009. You guys have heard me speak about being amazingly low tech in the past, although I am surely catching up. But this was a time when nobody used the internet for everything, and there was no texting. At least not for me. I was very late to smartphones and texting and websites. But a lot had changed since I was young girl and I had a library card. I discovered then, that you could reserve books online, and then just go and pick them up. You could renew them online, wait on queues for popular new books. They told you when they came in, and when they were due. This was exciting, and I began to use it. Truly who knew? Then, the library informed me that I could have a library app on my phone. No joke, I could reserve a book right from my phone, and see what's in, and what's due.... Again, for me, revolutionary. Then came self-check out. Like, could this be any easier? I get kids books, total series in order, and movies and Xbox games from the library. They have speed reads, 7 day reads, and popular books out that you can take even if your number hasn't come up. They make recommendations and suggestions, and now they have community puzzles. I am in love with the library! Do I still buy books? Sure. The library has 2 and 3 dollar books (and movies) and I will pick those up without a thought. When I know I want to read something in a timely way, like for a book club, and I don't think the library will come through, or I want my kids to read it, I will Amazon Prime it. Easy Peasy. I bought Beartown four months ago, and my oldest illiterate son is almost done with it. (15 year old review to come. Then my turn.) I bought the Hate You Give, and after I read it, he eventually will. I bought Hunger Games 1, Ready Player One, Maze Runner One. And the Lightning Thief. With three sons, these were pretty good bets. But the library system is very quick. I happen to live in a very large suburb of a major city. Its a huge library, and things come fast. That's one of the things I love and I think is fun about my book pleasure. Is that things come in by surprise that you have been waiting for, or asked for, and then there is just a lot of choices of great things. As soon as the tag and decathlon is announced, I start planning and ordering. Sometimes the library wants a popular book back. I had to return the Keeper of Lost Things yesterday, unread, because a popular book can sometimes not be renewed after three weeks if the holds are great. Otherwise, you can get up until nine weeks. That happened to me with Rules of Magic, and I had to get on line again, like I just did with Keeper of Lost Things.
So its fun, but its tricky and a lot of guessing. But the fines are never all that bad. Like 15 cents a day, which is totally worth it. It is so much great fun to order things that fit the challenges, and get the surprise of new things coming in. I am constantly changing around my order of books based on challenges and whats in and what's due. I kind of think its half the fun, that my reading gets totally directed by lottery and chance. Library Girl signing off.
I just did a quick check and out of 102 books read last year 68 came from the library via Overdrive. Another dozen or so were Audible books. The rest are either Kindle books I already own, or free books from Amazon Prime or Kindle books on sale. I also have over 100 books that I own in my library at home. Almost all my reading is on my Kindle.
I am a library person. I went to them as a child, worked my way through high school and college working at them. Nothing beats the feel of a good book. My home has built in bookcases, as well as 5 other ones. Add to that all the children's books that I have boxed up (in waterproof boxes) so my grandkids can enjoy them from Gram's house (please note, my oldest is 15 and I can wait a long while), just like from my parent's home. I actually let the availability impact the rate I read new books - I am slow to the hot best sellers due to the lines. I remember the first time my kids came with me to pick up books that were ordered. They were in amazement. But we still went downstairs to wander through the kids collections and friend's books for sale at 50 cents each. Not only is it easy to find titles, request them, and return them, if you are running late, you can usually renew your borrowing time unless someone else wants to read it and has placed a hold. In the age of electronic everything, I will go out of my way to pick up a book, especially ones that mean a lot to me. But I will download from Hoopladigital to listen in my car if I need to!
Library girl through and through! I only purchase probably 5% of the books I read, and most of those are through my Audible membership.
Amy wrote: "I was very late to smartphones and texting.."Amy, I still don't have a smartphone (and I don't really want the (flip) cell phone I have, either. I don't want any cell phone, but i have it for emergencies. I also don't text.
Almost all my books are from the library, whether physical books (only if they don't have it as an ebook or audio, or if it would be faster to get the physical book) or ebook via Overdrive. And some audio books, also via Overdrive. I will occasionally buy a book, but it's almost always a Kobo deal (under $5). Sometimes I'll buy second-hand books, but those seem to get getting pricey, as well! Only if under $10, and even then I stop to think about it.
Audio, I will occasionally buy an Audible daily deal under $5, but that sometimes ends up more than $5 for me due to the exchange rate. :-(
From age 7 or so to my mid-20's I constantly used the library. Then I joined Shelfari and I started buying books and stopped going to the library. I just HAD to buy every new book that I heard about from my Shelfari friends. I spent a fortune because I usually couldn't wait until they came out in paperback and therefore bought mostly hardcovers. I finally realized the ridiculous amount of money I was spending and completely stopped buying books. Just went cold turkey. Now I get all my books from the library. The only book I have bought in the last 5 years is Hillary's "What Happened". I have a couple books in mind that I've already read but I want to own them so I plan to buy them. I just recently started going to used bookstores and love it so I'll probably buy them there.
I'm not the fastest reader so a lot of times I have to renew a book at the library. If I ever do get fines, like JoLene said, I don't sweat it because it's money that just goes back to the library.
Many many library people. I figured because as many books as we read it gets costly. I use Overdrive which is your library on your electronic device for those that don't know. Ebooks and audiobooks.
I now use librovox for audio version of old books.
I use the physical library some. We are a Pines library so I use the app to keep track of due dates and renewing the books. I don't use the physical library much though.
I use Google play books especially for my century challenge as really old books are available for free.
I have also been known to find ebooks and audiobooks online for free. I normally use this as a last resort after all the other options.
There was a time I bought books and had a large bookshelves, but now I try to keep my book budget at $0.00
Jason wrote: "Kszr. what is hoopladigital?"Our library has subscribed to both overdrive and hoopladigital for borrowing books.
Ksr, oh had never heard of that service. I'll check to see if my library does that one too.
We also have hoopla from our library. They have movies, TV shows as well as ebooks, audio books and graphic novels. The one downside is that you have to use their app for access. I don’t like to read on my iPad or phone —- I prefer e-ink devices like kindle or kobo.
JoLene wrote: "The one downside is that you have to use their app for access. ...."
I agree, Jolene. The Hoopla app isn't a favorite of mine. It doesn't work well on my device for ebooks. I prefer to borrow the Kindle book versions through Overdrive, when available.
I agree, Jolene. The Hoopla app isn't a favorite of mine. It doesn't work well on my device for ebooks. I prefer to borrow the Kindle book versions through Overdrive, when available.
Jason wrote: "Kszr. what is hoopladigital?"Hoopla is another service that your library might subscribe to. Mine did for a while, but I'm not sure if they still do or not.
JoLene wrote: "We also have hoopla from our library. They have movies, TV shows as well as ebooks, audio books and graphic novels. The one downside is that you have to use their app for access. I don’t like to re..."Yeah, when my library started with Hoopla, I was so disappointed I needed an "app" for it. That is, I needed either a smartphone or a tablet. Had neither at the time. I now have a tablet, but I've never gone back to check out Hoopla again.
Wait! I think I've used it for listening to Christmas CDs at Christmas on my PC. That's it.
At the moment my book budget is very limited because of space (I don’t have a bookshelf. Books I own physically are under my bed in storage bins and boxes while the vast majority are in boxes at a storage room). So I’m limited to maybe one physical book a month or more maybe...and that book is mostly from the Book of the Month Club subscription box. I’ve subscribed a year now and love their books and the way they’ve made their signature marks on the covers. So I don’t want to end the subscription.
All my other books have either been through Netgalley arcs, bought kindle books or overdrive and library books.
The only type of shopping that I like is book shopping. If I go in a bookstore, I almost invariably come out with something. And I go in far more often than my husband would like (it's the overflowing bookshelves that he objects to, not the expense, lol). Most of my family are readers too, so books are common presents for people.But this year, I've rekindled (no pun!) my connection with my local library - I want to support it in fact not just in theory. I still buy physical books, mostly from our wonderful independent bookstore, and digital books from iBooks. (I only use Amazon for special stuff now because their shipping costs to NZ are crazy, their packaging is excessive, and I get huffy about their attempts to take over the retail universe...) But I'm loving the ease of using Overdrive, and the community feel of going into the library itself.
Libraries also give me scope to experiment, which is brilliant. When I buy a book I want to be confident that I'll like it, which can lead to reading a narrower range than I should. With libraries I don't have to worry.
I get almost every book from the library. I download their ebooks from Overdrive to my Kindle (which I have thanks to Anita's suggestion.) There is also a separate Library Cloud app that I use on occasion if the Overdrive waiting list is too long. If I want it faster I put the actual book on hold at the library and go there to pick it up. I only buy one or two books a year.Great question. It is fun seeing what everyone does.
Notice my low tech lifestyle.... I am probably on the same library network as kszr and she is speaking a totally different language! I do see audios hanging about and see wierd stuff as options on my library searches. Have no idea about what Overdrive actually is. But hey, we’re not competing for the same physical book, so that’s good news.
Amy. overdrive is an electronic library on your computer, smarphone, or tablet. Your library pays for the service. you log in, search for an ebook or audiobook. Your library has licence to only so many electronic copies, so there may be a hold. If there is, you gut get in line for the book. When it's available you are notified and you download the book. you get the book for 14 day and the book is automatically returned. I love it. My only complaint is my library's selection us not as diverse as I would like. Your library selection may be better. Go to your local library and ask for help setting up overdrive.
Are you kidding? I need help to set up Facebook next month! Which I have finally decided to quietly join. It took me a year to get our Alexa Echo set up. Which we LOVE. I think I’ll stick with the physical books.
Amy, I garuantee you will never learn how to do it if you never try haha. just messing with you. If you get to that point I'll help you or the people at the library will set it up for you and show you how to use it
And when am I listening to these books? In my free time? Lol - You forget I live in high speed... with not a moment to spare. And with loud illiterate children up until 10 or 11 needing my attention. And one gorgeous dog whose perfect, except that she’s a bad barker. If I had a long commute or a job like yours, I’d be all over the audio option. And then where would I put my checks? I keep my receipts, checks, my daily list, and other important notes or paper right in the book I am reading, which is always with me. My whole system would default.
Just FYI. it's also ebooks which is electronic print not audiobook. But I don't want to ruin your system. I won't even mention you can put notes on your phone or tablet. haha.
I do love physical books. the smell of the paper. I go to our local books store and just sit with the books sometimes.
Aha! I do keep track of managing my book list on my phone. And a few other loose notes. I think many of us agree there is something very special about a bookstore. We all have this particular Love in common. Books can feel like old friends.
Amy wrote: "Notice my low tech lifestyle.... I am probably on the same library network as kszr and she is speaking a totally different language! I do see audios hanging about and see wierd stuff as options on ..."Ah, you make me giggle, Amy! :-)
As a retired librarian, I am a big library supporter (donating time as much as using services). However, I purchase books from the library's ongoing lobby book sale as much as I borrow books from the library. I tend to use the library system for new books, book club reads, and expensive non-fiction titles that I would never purchase. I use the lobby sale for anything that looks interesting and as a result have a huge TBR collection.I belong to PaperbackSwap and trade some of my used books for others (often to look for missing volumes in a series-I don't like to read a series out of order), the rest go back to the lobby sale rack. I also hit every library book sale in the area and scan Goodwill and Savers shelves for good finds. As you can tell the piles grow.
I also have a kindle loaded with books, mostly less than $3 deals. I only take my kindle when I travel, so I need a variety to be able to find things for challenges while on a trip. I try to keep my GR Want to Read shelf up to date with what I own physically and electronically, so I can search it from anywhere. I try to link the format I own so I can use GR to locate books that have cover requirements like color, since my kindle is a paperwhite and in black and white only.
Saying all that I still purchase a few titles each month; favorite authors I collect, bookclub reads that just don't show up in my other sources at the right time, books I fell in love with and need to own.
Amy wrote: "And when am I listening to these books? In my free time? Lol - You forget I live in high speed... with not a moment to spare. And with loud illiterate children up until 10 or 11 needing my attentio..."I admire you for reading with your children, Amy. I preached that sermon every year that I taught. But I think you are missing a great opportunity while you are chauffering them to their endless activities. With my kids, that's when we listened to audio books. And before you remind me of the age differences you deal with, my two are 7 years (and 2 days) apart in age. My daughter, the eldest, read early and well. My son has minor disabilities and was never much of a reader. But he listened! Can't tell you how many times I heard those Potter books from beginning to end! (His test scores always indicated a disabling slow reading rate with an above average vocabulary)
I had to either check out cassette tapes or CD's from the library or buy them. Sooo much easier and cheaper to do the wireless download from Overdrive.
Public Library--that's my number 1 spot. I do sometimes cave and buy from Amazon, but really I should support a local bookstore more; they give 20 percent off all new books. All I need to do is call & they'll order it, and since Amazon now charges tax and the store isn't that far away, I'm usually annoyed when I realize I've forgotten to do that.Sometimes through ebay booksellers.
Q. We read tons of books and books can be expensive. Where do you get your books? A. I prefer e-books, so I use my library's Overdrive and buy via Amazon. I keep track of the sales regularly and use the Amazon gift cards my family knows to give me. I enter Goodreads Giveaways sometimes, and have "won" 4 few books so far. When I can't find an e-book, I will get a hard copy from the library.
Q. Are you good about returning books back to the library?
A. Yes, I am a fast reader, so I don't have trouble finishing them, and my library is not too far away.
Q. Any special tips on where to get books?
A. I go to a local used bookstore, bring them a book I've finished and walk out with a new one for about $3. There are a few discount book sites online, but I haven't used them much.
Q. Does a books availability determine what you read for the monthly tag, or do you make sure you are able to obtain the book your want no matter what?
A. Not really. I have so many books on my TBR that I usually have no trouble finding one that fits the tag for a reasonable or no cost.
Q. And if it's not too personal, what is your book budget?
A. I don't have a set budget, but looking at the last few months, I've spent about $30 per month.
Where I get my booksI get the large majority of my books from the local library. Just a few months ago the website said that someone had left a large legacy. Expanded hours. Lots more books.
Very Grateful.
I also get books at a local used bookstore and at thriftbooks.com. I first use the local library then the used bookstore, preferring the almost exclusively the $3 and under clearance shelves. Only when I think I have to have a particular book do turn to thriftbooks.com.
I have come to a place where I have almost no budget for books as it is not really necessary. I chose to be a part of this group so I could select books based on what I might like and what the library has. It is working very well. I hope to have read 2 Asia-tag books this month.
Extra Note. My library, like many across US, has a Hoopla account where I can borrow online items, including ebooks. Sometimes it has been necessary that I read an e-book. I do not prefer them. I find that I too often end up just finishing off books rather than savoring them.
Amy wrote: "And then where would I put my checks? I keep my receipts, checks, my daily list, and other important notes or paper right in the book I am reading, which is always with me. My whole system would default."Just wanted to say your whole post made me smile Amy!
Oh, I was so busy chuckling over Amy's posts that I forgot to answer the question!I borrow heavily from the library. This is particularly because I am trying to widen the range of books that I read. It's less of a risk to borrow than to buy the book. Also, as Val (from Reading the 20th Century) suggested, I always now reserve the book even if they have a copy locally. I do this as a way of contributing financially to the library. They don't have a 'Friends' system or anything similar, so this is the only way I can donate a little to the cause. It's only £1 per book, but it helps a bit at least. :-)
Also, I've made a decision this year to buy all my books from local shops instead of Amazon. I've been a big user of Amazon since way back when it first started and it ONLY sold books. Who can imagine that now! But of course local book shops are closing down left, right and centre. I started this with my Christmas present shopping. I spent a bit more that way but, again, it's that well-worn phrase... use it or lose it.
The good news is that I'm intending to explore my local area hunting out all the second-hand book shops. That should be fun. And No, it's not going to result in a massive pile of books to read. No, no, no. Why would it?
Sue wrote: "It's less of a risk to borrow than to buy the book. ..."
😃 So true! One more good reason to borrow a book, versus buying it.
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Also, I totally forgot to mention used bookstores before. Once upon a time they used to pay $$ for books but now just offer store credit. Still, another good place to find some books in good condition and support the local economy.
😃 So true! One more good reason to borrow a book, versus buying it.
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Also, I totally forgot to mention used bookstores before. Once upon a time they used to pay $$ for books but now just offer store credit. Still, another good place to find some books in good condition and support the local economy.
