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i buy 95% of my books at garage sales. I figure I can't go wrong when I buy a hardcover book for $1 or less. Even if the books stinks, I'm still ahead. Then I either resell then on my own next rummage sale, swap it with a friend, or donate it to the library.
Library....because it's free! And my town has a huge public library with a ridiculous amount of books and DVDs (including pretty much every new release) to check out. Occasionally I'll buy a book from the Christian bookstore or Barnes & Noble, but that's few and far between.
I LOVE having books on hold - ohhhh, the anticipation! And the joy when I get that little email from the library telling me I have a book to pick up! YAY! It's like Christmas.
I'm the same way! Haha, I just got a call from my library yesterday saying the 3 books I requested were in. All Karen Kingsbury.
I find when I come across a phenomenal author, I usually get on a kick where I only want to read THEIR books until I've read them all...even if they've written over two dozen of them, lol.
Ever since I moved and had to get rid of literally hundreds of books, I've been using the library a lot. That's good, because when I read a book that's terrible (sometimes so bad I can't even finish it!), I'm not angry that I wasted $8 on it.
I also get books from Borders when there's a good sale or coupon.
My other resource is a friend of mine; she just gave me a bag of twenty-six books!
Growing up we used the library extensively as it was a small town and there weren't big bookstores and malls then. Later in my 20s and 30s I bought more books and ended up with a basement full. Eventually I more or less gave them away as they were incredibly hard to move and just got musty smelling anyway. It really seemed a waste of money at some point and I started using the library again. I do try to "preplan and get a list of books I want together from reading forums like this and then going.
I also have ended up buying books at B&N or Amazon, especially if I'm getting ready to travel or am following a particular author or just because. But I try not to as its just not fiscally smart for me. And for gifts. I give books or audio books as gifts a lot.
But....we just got a Half price bookstore nearby (the big chain Half something) so I stopped by and bought a couple of books. I can see that I will probably end up buying more books now.
I get all my books at the library because they are free and I am cheap. If I read a few chapters and it sucks, I can take it back unread without wasting any money.
I once lived in Knoxville, Tennessee, and they had an awsome used bookstore. you could get just about anything cheap and they'd buy them back (at a lower price, of course) when you were done.
I got to Hastings. I'm very satisfied with their stores. The manager is a genius, especially with books. I read quite a lot, and after I've read a hundred to two hundred books, I send them to Afghanistan so the troops can read them.
Location: Prescott Valley, Az (unfortunately still here)
2,543 posts, read 4,884,612 times
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Here, we have 2 used bookstores called Bookman's (one is in Flagstaff and the other is in Mesa). I love this bookstore. It's got just about any kind of book you are looking for.
My local library has some really good books too. And I get some from there also.
I love Barnes & Noble, but they are so expensive (I haven't bought a book there in like 2-3 years now). So, I prefer the used bookstores better.
I just picked up a first addition 'Gunslinger' by S. king in v. good condition for $2.
Also a privately printed copy of 'An American pioneer in science' by W.J. Beal, Also $2.
And an 1878 medical book on home remedies with a chapter on do it yourself surgery. That was $5.
In the last year or so there has been a flood of 100+ year old books available for some reason. Several thrift stores in my area have done an good job in putting together what might be considered low dollar rare book stores. Better than you'd expect for prices under $5.
The rain forest will regrow on it's own. Save the old books! They are helpless and few.
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