Amazon Kindle discussion
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Buying books vs borrowing from your local library
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Darlene
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Jun 21, 2012 07:37PM
Before eBooks I rarely bought a book. I couldn't afford the expensive hard copies, so off the library I went. Now, I buy eBooks all the time as they are so affordable (I'm not talking the 99 cent books here) and haven't been to the library in months. Am I the only one finding this to be the case?
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Definitely. Same here! It's so wonderful!
It sure is. I especially loved my Kindle when I was in Mexico - no books available there in English.
I still go to the library once a week even though I have a Kindle Fire.
I actually use the library more now that I have a Kindle - I love the ease of being able to use our large state library in the CBD without travelling in for an hour!
I buy my kindle books because I can;t read a book in 3 weeks most times.
Sonya wrote: "I buy my kindle books because I can;t read a book in 3 weeks most times."So just check it out again. The Kindle will retain your spot in the book and you can pick up where you left off.
I use my library more than ever now that I have my Kindle. It's so easy to borrow books from my computer. I can have 10 books on hold, (wait list) and up to 10 books checked out at a time. I'm usually maxed out on holds and have 1 or 2 checked out at any given time. My library, Boston Public, has a huge selection. We can borrow for up to 2 weeks and that's usually plenty of time for me. You can check them out again if you don't finish but if there is a waiting list for it you might not be able to check it back out again for a while. Anyway, I love using the library with my Kindle!
Karen, I haven't tried that yet, but our library does loan ebooks too.
i usually just buy all my books i hate waiting for books from the library...
BK (Before kindle), I rarely got things from the library, because I liked to own books. I had thousands; bookshelves in every room of the house, including the bathroom and the hallway. However AK, I'm starting to rethink that. Yes, if I really like a book I want to own it so I can reread it over and over, but there are many books I will never reread, so why clutter up my kindle? or even my cloud? Part of why I liked to own hard copy books was show. I liked to show off how many books I owned -- see how intellectual I am! See how educated! See how smart! And I had fantasies of leaving my valuable library to my heirs.
How silly! Very few people ever see my fabulous library and even if they did, it doesn't really say anything about my intelligence or education or intellectualism. Especially since I haven't read a large portion of them. And my heirs? They don't read much, and what they do read is not what I read. So I don't think they'll particularly want my bequest.
So, I'm in the process of clearing out my library -- painful. And I keep trying to talk myself into trying the library deal. It's just such a habit to click Buy on Amazon. I have trouble even doing the sample thing first.
My biggest objection to library, like Sonya, is the time limit. I'll try it one of these days.
Betsy wrote: "BK (Before kindle), I rarely got things from the library, because I liked to own books. I had thousands; bookshelves in every room of the house, including the bathroom and the hallway. However AK..."I used to like to own books but after packing and moving several times I lost interest in lugging them around. Before Kindle I would read and then get them out of the house as quickly as possible by giving them to friends to share, donate, or sell at used book store. With the Kindle I delete them from the device as soon as read but don't mind having them at Amazon to download again if I want.
I agree that waiting on the library is a drag. What I do is put in several requests for books that I am interested in reading and then forget about it. I am pleasantly surprised when I get the email from the library telling me it is my turn.
The complaint I have about the library is that my library does not seem to order many electronic books. I see that they have a lot of YA and children's books but not much adult fiction. I know they have budget constraints but it does seem that their purchases are geared more toward younger readers.
I always just purchased ebooks from Amazon..I never would think twice about buying a book that was 9.99 but since the publishers forced Amazon to charge more for books i would wait now until the book was cheaper than 9.99..I have been using the library for Ebooks and now Audiobooks for the last few months...I am addicted now...I love it. I am always worried that I wont finish in time ...I do wish that there was more ebooks or audiobooks available. I cant complain with my options but a girls gotta dream
I have 35-40 books on my DigitalLibrary Wish List and 3 On Hold and one on Loan right now. I've been borrowing since I bought my Kindle back in November. I only download free books on Kindle but I still buy paper books. Still can't wrap my head around paying for virtual books that I don't really own, goes against the grain for me. (shrug)
I use my local library more, since it carries e-books. I miss my library in Orlando, FL--they delivered books for free to your house. It's actually what I miss most about living there! Now, I never buy a book unless my library doesn't have it. I probably go there once a week for hardcopies of books.
I use the library as another source of books. Sometimes I use the library, sometimes Amazon and sometimes Audible.com. just another reading option. I even like to go in and get a real book every now and then!
The library is typically first on my go-to list when I hear about a book that sounds interesting. I go to the library website, get it for my Kindle reader or in audiobook format if either of those are available, or place a hold if it's not digital. If the library doesn't provide access to the book (or if the waiting list is just too long), I go to Amazon and either purchase it or put it on my wishlist there.
I heart the library and it would be my first stop to find something to read. Unfortunately, I can't use it anymore. My evile ex-roommate stole all of my books, movies and CDs when we parted ways, including those I had checked out from the library and he refuses to return them to me or the library. (He even took all of my dishes, glasses and utensils! Terrific person, eh?) Consequently, I owe the library for the cost of them. There were so many that I can't afford to pay for them. The charge is several hundred dollars and until paid, the library is off limits to me. This is exactly why I asked for a Kindle for Xmas and I'm so grateful I received one, or I wouldn't be doing nearly as much reading.
before I had a kindle I borrowed books unless I was at bookshop and saw something I really want to read - or heard of a good book then brought it but it was mostly from library. (i have a sack of books in the attic - only the ones i have put on my kindle/nexus 7... and i have some on the shelves)then I brought my kindle in 2010 and brought ebook all the time (i am now with loads of books i havent read. I have recently got Nexus 7 for my xmas present so currently i am not looking at books till i read all the ebooks.
hopefully all be read before christmas this year... then be getting more ebooks :)
Tousled Elegance wrote: "I heart the library and it would be my first stop to find something to read. Unfortunately, I can't use it anymore. My evile ex-roommate stole all of my books, movies and CDs when we parted ways, ..."do you have a list of the books? could you try to buy them and replace them that way - then you would just have to pay the processing cost of the book - I have done this in the past when I lost library books - or see if you can pay it off bit by bit
and if it is several hundred dollars like you claim - try looking in small claims court (think Judge Judy) - the cost to file is relatively small (IIRC), and if you can provide proof that they did what they did, you might luck out and win
I still go to the library at least once a week. I have so many unread books on my Kindle that I only add more if they are either free or not available in printed form and it's something I'll read right away. Otherwise I'm just adding books to my wishlist until I catch up.
I don't borrow from the library much because I feel constrained by the time limit. If it's a dense nonfiction book, it may take me longer than 3 weeks to read even if I'm able to start it immediately. However, I was just looking at a book I was thinking about reading and the Kindle version cost $28 -- more than the paperback. Fortunately I was able to find it at the library and borrow it.
It's really nice to have options.
If its a book I'm interested in, I try to check the library first. However, most of the time, the library doesn't have it; so I just continue to check ereaderiq.com for price drops on books.
I started visiting my library again a few years back when I heard that the local authority wanted to close it down - use it or lose it I guess. It's still open (although obviously not due to my sole efforts!) and I probably get around 2 books out a month, generally new ones which are priced too highly on Amazon or books by authors I've not tried before.
The library has a good online system so books can be held and renewed. Sadly no ebooks on loan but I still like to alternate my reading between Kindle and the old fashioned variety.
I used to love the library until I got a book that had some hair clippings in the pages. Also my local library found bedbugs returned along with some books. Yuck.
I will borrow an ebook from the library if its available. I have certain books I like in paper and others I don't mind on ereader. I also get some paper books from library if they are clean. So many times the books look worn and dirty. I haven't checked out any books lately. I have several on my own book shelf, that I either need to read, or donate.
I had one cat pee on some library books. I told the library I'd pay for the books
I recently borrowed an ebook from my library and it seemed to work well, but I couldn't figure out if there was some special way to "return" the book when the loan period was up. I found a way to do it on Amazon. The thing that really bugged me, though, was that I wasn't allowed to renew my borrowing even once. It wasn't just that there were holds on the book -- the library said it doesn't allow any renewal of any digital material.
So, I'm going to have to wait weeks, if not months, before I can check the book out again.
Libraries have to purchase the rights to those ebooks and they only get to lend them out a certain number of times before they have to pay again. That's why you can't renew them like a print book. When they buy a print book they own it and can lend it out as often as they like. But when you buy and ebook you only own the right to read it on your device for as long as the publisher allows. Although I think it's pretty rare that they take back ebooks. But it has happened when there's been a problem with publishing rights. I borrow a lot of ebooks. But I'm careful not to get into too many waiting lines for them or to check out more than I can handle reading. If it's a book I know will take me more than 2 weeks to read then I get it in print.
Betsy wrote: "I recently borrowed an ebook from my library and it seemed to work well, but I couldn't figure out if there was some special way to "return" the book when the loan period was up. I found a way to ..."I don't know about your library - but at mine, if there are holds on a book, you can't renew it anyways...even if you aren't finished reading it
@Mary - IIRC only HarperCollins has instituted a limitation on borrows before new licenses have to be purchased - none of the other publishers that make their books available to borrow have
Hmm, I used to be guilty of 'abusing' library books in my teenage years, eg borrowing a book, taking it on holiday and returning it with sand in it!
Hi everyone. I buy my books on kindle, get many free books there and borrow from the library (e-books) on kindle plus go to the library once a week for what people refer to as "real" books!!! i think the kindle is the best thing ever. A friend got it for me almost 2 years ago. at this time i have well over 1000 books and 4 borrowed e-books. I tell everyone i see reading about how great the kindle is . i have the kindle keyboard with 3G and wifi. i think another friend is going to get me a kindle fire soon. i can't say enough about how happy i am with the kindle. i also have the kindle cloud on my desktop and laptop computers. everyone can download those apps. even for their phones. what an age we live in. :) at my library in Westchester county I use Overdrive to get my e-books and get to keep them for 14 days. so the next 2 days I am going to be reading which makes me very happy. alright everyone enjoy your day. i have been up all night and need to get some sleep as it is 7:20am already. good night or Good morning Peace A
When I was very young, the library was much more popular than it is today. I loved libraries then, for the unequaled mass of reading material that must have altered the very fabric of space-time (as Terry Pratchett says.)As a teenager, I was a paperback addict and the mall bookstores were where I had to go to get my weekly or even daily fix.
As with many people, as I became older, I had much less time to read, but as my own children were born and grew to a reading age, we did make the library part of our Saturday routine.
Sadly, as time went by and other things took precedence, we just stopped going.
When online bookstores appeared, I embraced them because of their natural efficiencies.
I also took whole heartedly to the ebook revolution and there is no doubt but that the Kindle allows one to mainline prose in an uninterrupted stream.
However, I don't think that I will ever have the same fondness for Amazon's website as I did for the library.
I love the library...but my Kindle has made it soooo easy to borrow eBooks. I probably borrow more books than I buy, but I also have two kiddos who I will want to help thru college. So, I am more frugal and love freebies!
I have to admit that free books will always get my attention because I have a limited budget.I originally got my Nook because it enabled me to get books from my local UK Library, thereby still supporting it....plus, they often have books that are way out of my price league.
Now that the Overdrive app is also available for Kindle Fire, it's possible to do the same with it...
My library is on the other side of town, where I don't get too very often. I do on occasion check out a book there, especially the older ones no longer in print and not in ebook form. Otherwise, with my limited reading time, it's good to be able to go to an ebook and not worry about if I'll finish before it's due. :)
Living in Finland, the English language section at the local library is very small (and I don't read translations if I can read the original language). Thus, I generally buy any and all books that I read either in physical or in e-book format (depending on price difference and whether it is a book I want to actually put on our bookshelves).
If its a book I think that I'm just going to read once and be done with then I always check the library first, why pay money for a book when I can check it out for free. If its a book that I think will be something I may want to read over again then I'll buy it.
The President of the New York Public Library weighs in:http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/01/opi...
He says both are important ... for democracy.
I love owning books, hardback and ebooks. I have a hard time giving books back.
I don't live near a library. It would be special trip out to go and I forget to take the books back. I tend to read e-books now or sometimes buy second hand or new print ones.
I use the library more now that I have a Kindle, largely because I have access to my state's rather large digital collection. Also, with the price of ebooks starting to rival those of print books, the library's a great money saving measure for books I know I won't reread.
I mainly buy my Kindle books right now just because I can. There's plenty of books I have that I know I will reread at some point, so it doesn't bother me.I wish I could borrow from a library other than the Kindle Owner's Lending Library. I would save money and read more books that I consider outside my comfort zone of reading or those I am not sure if I would like. I tend to hold back on purchases if I think I may not like the book. And with the prices of e-books getting pretty steep I may resort to the library.
I know my local library lends e-books, but I don't have a card yet. I still have to go all the way down there to get the card and I don't like going out there. Well...it's not in a great area and its just not pleasant.
I go to various websites and get a lot of free books. I need to update my library card so I can borrow books from the library.
I think I buy them just as much as I get them from the library. But either way, I read a lot more now than before I had my Kindle. The convenience of getting new books any time, nearly anywhere. It also means I'm not nearly as limited by space as I am with paperbacks and hardcovers. No more dusting them, no more packing them up and moving them...although it also means no more "new book" smell.
I still borrow books from libraries, for studying texts. It's not so common finding this kind of book with specific issue, mostly if it's old, even a classic one. I use my kindle to read novels.There is another thing in my case. Amazon arrived in Brazil just recently, in the beggining of the year I think. So there wasn't many ebooks, novels or not, in portuguese. But now, if I want to buy portuguese books I'll have to migrate to the brazilian Amazon, and then log the kindle device on my country store. The problem is that the brazilian Amazon doesn't offer the same amount of books as the American's does, not even close.
Is there any way to simply have page numbers listed instead of percentages read in my basic Kindle?
It's up to the publisher/author whether they include page numbers.
Betsy wrote: "It's up to the publisher/author whether they include page numbers."Darn. Kind of frustrating when I have to go back to find something and it's done "by percentages." Thanks, anyway, Betsy.
Chris wrote: "Darn. Kind of frustrating when I have to go back to find something and it's done "by percentages." Thanks, anywa..."In my experience, most of the ones without page numbers are older books, or at least ones that re-published later as Kindle books (there are a few exceptions, though. Must cost extra or something?) Anyway, I once read a book that not only had page numbers, but calculated time to the next chapter based on my reading speed. Why they're not all like this is a mystery to me, why can't they all be like that?
