Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

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RRR Discussions & Top-Lists > Where do you get your books?

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message 1: by Bella (new)

Bella Foxygobble (dcrain02) | 77 comments I have a bunch that I inherited from my mother-in-law. She tends to buy and never use the library. I generally do not take books that she wants back though because inevitably those are the ones that disappear on me. :/

Lately I've been trying to use the library as much as possible, but the wait time kills me sometimes while waiting for transfers. Even I plan ahead sometimes things just take too long.

My big problem is that my husband is a huge fantasy fan and tends to buy all his books. Unless we devote another room to books in this house I'm running out of space for my much smaller collection.


message 2: by Danielle (new)

Danielle (Smiley1881) I get my books from the library, used book store or from amazon on my kindle. I have the same problem with the library taking forever and the used book store you never know what they'll have so as a last resort I download on my kindle. I love my kindle and the great thing is you don't have to worry about were your going to put all your books.


message 3: by Bella (new)

Bella Foxygobble (dcrain02) | 77 comments I would love to get a kindle. My only beef is that the prices are the same for the e-books as they are for paperback and of course I'd much rather have a book in my hand.

Are you able to borrow e-books from the library on your kindle?


message 4: by Kathy Anne (new)

Kathy Anne (kathyanne) I grt them from Amazon or B&N on the Web-my library is a lost cause and UBS are few and far between


message 5: by Alexis-Morgan (last edited Jul 12, 2010 08:55AM) (new)

Alexis-Morgan Roark (alexismroark) | 36 comments I try to get as much from the public library as possible unless I really like the book then I get it through Amazon.com, Borders, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords (one book-not well edited, btw), Ellora's Cave, or eBay in a "Lot" with other books. Also, I get 2 credits per month through Audible.com and have a Blaze subscription through the same. Then there's the FREE stuff you can get via the "bookstore" apps on my iPhone (some free stuff is not well edited): Kindle, Fictionwise, eReader (I think that's the name), and Stanza. Sometimes there are free reads on author's websites.

Recently, I've picked up a few books at this little table at our local YMCA. It's basically a book swap. I haven't had much luck with used book stores and usually don't have the necessary time to look for hidden treasures.


message 6: by Sandy (new)

Sandy | 205 comments I get as many books as possible from the library since I'm running out of room for books. I recently got a kindle so I'm trying to buy any new books in ebook format. But I still like to visit used bookstores since I never know what I'll find there.


message 7: by Danielle (new)

Danielle (Smiley1881) Dani "The REAL Cullens_Girl since 2002" wrote: "I would love to get a kindle. My only beef is that the prices are the same for the e-books as they are for paperback and of course I'd much rather have a book in my hand.

Are you able to borrow e-..."


I haven't tried downloading ebooks from the library but I have download ebooks to my Kindle and all I had to do was email the book to my Kindle email address. I find a lot of the books are usually at least 1 dollar cheaper than the original and new releases that are in the $20 range are just $9.99. I also love to actually hold a book and it was a little scary buying the Kindle but I fell in love. I still get my book fix by borrowing from the library or the used book store. :)


message 8: by KimKirt (new)

KimKirt | 1638 comments I get mine from the library, 2nd would be a local used book store, if they don't have it I buy it online. Usually from Abebooks. I also buy from garage sales. The ones I buy I keep in a stack to donate back somewhere.


message 9: by Ann (new)

Ann Noell (fantasyannie) sad to say but I never use the library. I have a favortie used book store ( Linda's) and also I have a booksfree.com account. I buy off of amazon sometimes but not alot and then I go to Borders sometimes.


message 10: by D.G. (new)

D.G. | 4477 comments I get most of my books through www.paperbackswap.com -which is an amazing site to swap books (good for anybody that doesn't keep books.)

I'm a Tour Guide (a volunteer member that helps new people) so I totally recommend it to anybody. :)


message 11: by Kaila (new)

Kaila (kailak) lol and i agree with D.G. i also go through www.paperbackswap.com and am also a TG haha. :) its an awesome site and ive gotten tons and tons of books along with passing tons of my books to new homes.. plus made some awesome friends. :)


message 12: by SandyC (new)

SandyC (sandyc88) | 1287 comments D.G. wrote: "I get most of my books through www.paperbackswap.com -which is an amazing site to swap books (good for anybody that doesn't keep books.)

I'm a Tour Guide (a volunteer member that helps new peop..."



D.G. I've seen you mention PBS several times, but had no idea what it is. Thanks for posting the link, now I am member. This site is GREAT!


message 13: by Bella (new)

Bella Foxygobble (dcrain02) | 77 comments I think I might be registered at PBS but never did anything with it. I'll have to check it out again. Of course the more I read about the kindle the more I want one!


message 14: by SandyC (new)

SandyC (sandyc88) | 1287 comments I recently bought a Nook (Barnes & Noble) and I do love it. It helps solve my storage problem, but still the ebooks aren't typically free. There are many free books available on bn.com, which is nice. I usually get my books at B&N, bn.com, or amazon.com. Lately, though, I am trying to make better use of the library. True it takes a couple of days to get a transfer, but it's FREE! :-)


message 15: by D.G. (new)

D.G. | 4477 comments I was going to say that if you join because I recommended the site please put me as a referral (I'll earn a credit that way. :)

My nick there is riahekans so once you join, please feel free to add me to your friends list or send me a personal message. :)


message 16: by Alexis-Morgan (new)

Alexis-Morgan Roark (alexismroark) | 36 comments Thanks, D.G., just signed up on PBS and used you as my reference.


message 17: by D.G. (new)

D.G. | 4477 comments Awesome Alexis! Thanks. ;)

I cannot say enough good things about the site. :) Of course, it requires a bit of patience - you cannot expect to get a new book the day it comes out and some genres are posted a lot more than others - but if you take a bit of time to learn your way, you'll meet tons of good people and exchange a lot of books. :)


Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim) (jim_formerly_photojim) | 5294 comments I get books from everywhere. My mother buys bags of books at yard sales for me. People give books to me. I hit one of the libraries 3-4 times per week. I go through streaks where I stop at HalfPrice almost every day when I'm into a series and really want the next book. I hit B&N a couple of times a month. I've had a few people trade books online with me here through GR. I trade books with the neighborhood ladies. People through work give me books. Amazon.com has seen me a few times... I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but that's where I get most of them.


message 19: by Desperado (new)

Desperado (lethallovely) | 822 comments Back when I was living in the bosomy warmth of my family, I'd hit Borders/BN every other week but since I'm in college now, my budget has decreased drastically. Now I get the majority of my books from that beautiful place known as the LIBRARY. My city has over 20 of them so I can pretty much check-out any book I want except for erotica/erotic romances. *tear* I also recently became a member of PBS so that helps me with those books not at the library. I do order books online when I have the spare cash, but that is very far & few.


message 20: by Alyssa (last edited Jul 12, 2010 03:20PM) (new)

Alyssa (shyluck13) I, on usual, get my books from the library, although I hate it - it's not the wait time that kills me; it's the fact that when I read the perfect book, it's not mine , if you know what I mean. Plus, I don't like the feeling of not knowing where the book's been, in whose hands have they laid.

I do though, monthly or weekly, depending on my luck, have the luxury of buying books from the local book store franchise, or used-books stores. I only have about one book from Amazon, and a few from the sell-section of my library, where books are well...sold. Generally, these books aren't too good.

I wish I could have each book I love on my bookshelf, but I do have the problem of running out of space - i bought a massive bookshelf back in June and it's already full with the books I'd previously owned, and the six books I've since acquired.


message 21: by Danielle (new)

Danielle (Smiley1881) @ Alyssa, I know how you feel. I wish I could keep all the books I love. My husband and I were having the "if we win the lottery" conversation and he's talking about boats, cars etc. The first thing I mentioned was the huge library with all my book collections I would have :)


message 22: by Alexis-Morgan (last edited Jul 12, 2010 05:54PM) (new)

Alexis-Morgan Roark (alexismroark) | 36 comments Alyssa wrote: "I, on usual, get my books from the library, although I hate it - it's not the wait time that kills me; it's the fact that when I read the perfect book, it's not mine , if you know what I mean. Plus..."

I know how you feel. We've got like two bookshelves per room FILLED with books, and it's still not enough. My DH wants to buy me an iPad, but we're waiting on them getting the kinks out..and the money!

Nothing, absolutely nothing takes the place of holding paper in hand, but I just don't have room anymore and I refuse to get rid of my books. Maybe I could put the boys in one room then use that extra room as the library-for me only, of course!

Ah, anyone ever dreamed of having your own library while reading historicals? I drool practically every time I read a description of one. *SIGH*


Amy ~Lover of Books~ | 957 comments Library mostly to read the books before I decide if I wanna buy it for my collection because I would hate wasting money on stuff that I won't like.


message 24: by Julianna (last edited Jul 12, 2010 07:36PM) (new)

Julianna (authorjuliannad) | 1888 comments I borrow from the library sometimes. I'm a member of two different local libraries and they are also linked to a fabulous nationwide inter-library loan system, so there's very little I can't get, if I don't already own it by the time I want to read it.

As for buying, I'm pretty frugal. I get books cheaply through the library sales, UBS, clearance sales at chain bookstores like B&N, etc. That way I don't feel bad about spending a lot of money on a book if I end up not liking it. I also trade books on PBS, Bookmooch, and Swaptree. I'm a pretty patient reader who rarely has to have a book right now, but on the rare occasions when a favorite author has a new book coming out that I want quickly, I'll usually order from Amazon.


message 25: by Mary X (last edited Jul 13, 2010 07:06AM) (new)

Mary X (marymaryalwayscontrary) | 1103 comments I buy maybe 1 or 2 a month new on average. I like to support authors by buying new but I just can't afford to do it that often. I have great thrift stores near me and find a lot of books at them. I use booksfree, booksfreeswap, paperbackswap and bookmooch.

I would shop more at the small local bookstore near me. But they have really small sections for my favorite genres. Their romance section is like one small rotating cart that holds maybe 50 books and then another shelf that hold maybe 200. When you factor in multiple copies of many titles-they have a really small selection. And that's all forms of romance in there including paranormals, sci-fi and fantasy romance. They have no tradesized erotica type books. Also they tend to only have the mega authors. I'm sure to find a Nora Roberts or a Fern Michaels in there. And they usually only have the most recent in a series. They will order stuff but then if I'm just going to order it through them-I might as well use Amazon and do the 4 for 3 and free shipping deal.

I like some sci-fi/fantasy and if I was really super into those I'd be there every other day. They have 1,000 of sci-fi fantasy.


message 26: by Kim (new)

Kim (catmommie) Our town library is pretty bad and I got away from going to others in neighboring towns. I usually buy mine from our church's ongoing book table, ebay, or the bargain table at B&N.


message 27: by Bella (new)

Bella Foxygobble (dcrain02) | 77 comments I just spent the last 24 hours logging in all my books (and that was just the romance) I tossed a lot of stand-a-lones into a box for now. I have too many books that belong to a series or written by favorite authors just to get through. I'm seriously considering a kindle now, but my biggest fear is that eventually the technology will change and I won't be able to use the e-books I buy anymore. I still have at least another 40 years of reading to do!


message 28: by southpaw285 (new)

southpaw285 | 588 comments I have a Kindle Dani and I love it. I understand what you mean about the technology changing though.


message 29: by Alyssa (new)

Alyssa (shyluck13) Danielle wrote: "@ Alyssa, I know how you feel. I wish I could keep all the books I love. My husband and I were having the "if we win the lottery" conversation and he's talking about boats, cars etc. The first thin..."

I always, always fantasize about that! That would be...a dream come true :P


message 30: by Danielle (new)

Danielle (Smiley1881) Mary wrote: "I buy maybe 1 or 2 a month new on average. I like to support authors by buying new but I just can't afford to do it that often. I have great thrift stores near me and find a lot of books at them...."

What kind of book store is that? There should be a law against that? All the book stores I have here have huge romance sections its their biggest seller.


message 31: by Rachel-RN (last edited Jul 14, 2010 05:54PM) (new)

Rachel-RN (rachelgoodbyeborders) | 202 comments I have a great, independent bookstore that sells used and new that I go to a lot. They're pretty picky about the books they buy, most of the used they sell are very gently used, which I love. I've gotten several books this way. I also am a Borders rewards member and go to Borders at least twice a month with coupons:-) I get a lot of books from PBS too. Feel free to friend me- I do look at friend's wishlists and have posted books to several...
http://ra7.paperbackswap.com/profile/
Anyone a B&N member? Is it worth the $25 a year?


message 32: by Bella (new)

Bella Foxygobble (dcrain02) | 77 comments We used to be a B&N member. For us it was worth it. I'm not sure if the rewards have changed or not.


Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim) (jim_formerly_photojim) | 5294 comments As for the B&N thing. You save 10% off everything all the time and get coupons in the mail for additional discounts to use whenever. So if you spend more than $225/year on books/movies/cd's/games/whatever at your local B&N then it is worth it.


message 34: by Tatiana (last edited Jul 15, 2010 07:33PM) (new)

Tatiana (tatiana_g) I get most of my books (if not all) from my local library. My library is great and honors pretty much all my purchase requests, so I have access to everything I ever want to read - all new releases or rare book which they can request for me through Interlibrary Loan. I buy only those books which I love so much that they will be a definite re-read for me. For buying I usually use Borders, this store always has coupons which makes purchases extra-thrifty plus Borders' membership is free, unlike that of B&N or Books-A-Million:)


message 35: by Emily (last edited Jul 18, 2010 04:24PM) (new)

Emily (rumpfie) I like to use the library since it is WAY cheaper than buying books but I get in moods and sometimes don't like to read the ones I get in after waiting for it for centuries... so I prefer to buy. Usually I buy them online at Half.com but I shop around... Oh and if I go into a Target or Walmart I almost ALWAYS come out with a book!


message 36: by Danielle (new)

Danielle (Smiley1881) I've started using Paperback Swap and I love it. Thanks D.G.


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