Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Another Way to Save a Few Bucks
Avoid buying books whenever possible, especially read once and discard type fiction. If you want a historical or otherwise nonfiction book for knowledge and reference that is great. If you really have to have the newest book by your favorite author that OK from time to time. However instead of grabbing a random $8 murder mystery by the checkout line get one that is a few yers older at the used book store for less than half that price. If possible use the library.
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8 comments:
Why don't you learn how to beg?
I depend on the library for my fiction reads - about 4 per week. I also depend on my library to review non-fiction books I think I'd like to own.
I urge everyone to use the library - our library system has just reduced hours again - second time in two years. For libraries to remain open they must be used. Municipal budgets for libraries are based on use. Remember libraries have books, movies, CDs, reference materials, computers, genealogy, free programs, children's sections with story hours, magazines, book discussion groups. Many also offer free use of rooms to clubs that are based on library collections - maybe someone can start a group on self-sufficiency, or get a guest speaker on gardening, canning, etc. A selection or list of books that the library offers could be displayed.
Can you tell I love my library??
electronic texts are a great way to cut costs... Gutenberg press has thousands of older open domain books to read ....
I use the library for new books, but I get most of my plain old fiction reading from yard sales - paperbacks for 50 cents, hard backs for a dollar. Then if I really like the book, I keep it; and if I don't want to keep it, I give it away or put it in my yard sale box to sell at the next yard sale.
The library is a good option. Most of the used book stores here have paperback fiction for <$1 each.
Check with your library for when they are having a book sale. Around here they will often give you a brown paper grocery bag and you can have all the books and videos you can fit in it for $10 per bag.
Also try out paperbackswap and trade books online.
TOR,
I grew up battling my mother. I enjoy reading, mostly science fiction. When I was young, Mom traded off my books to friends and neighbors for books I hadn't read.
Myself? If a book is worth reading - it is worth re-reading. I don't see a book as a marker in life's progress, "Yep, I read The Great Gatsby." Instead I continue to re-read Paula Ashwell's Unwillingly To Earth, and Anne McCaffrey's The Ship Who Sang (maybe 30 years old?). The signed copy of McCaffrey's Nerilka's Story I bought in the late 1980's is still a favorite.
I keep my books. And re-read them. Mike Shepherd is coming out with the next Kris Longknife story in November - and I am re-reading the preceding stories. Sharon Lee and Steve Miller's Liaden universe stories, C. H. Cherryh's Chanur and Cyteen stories are great every other year or so. And the books hold together well.
Look for books at flea markets and especially yard sales and second hand stores - few people know or care what the market value really is. Like you, they figure they read the book so it is valued somewhere between yesterday's newspaper and today's newspaper.
Let your friends and neighbors know you have a stash of tradeable books. Keep track of the reading level, genre, etc. Trading even-steven will save a lot more dollars, and keep more good reading material in use.
And do keep the library in use. Make sure that the people setting the library budget - city, county, and state - know you value the library. When TSHTF, the library will again be a meaningful and treasured community resource, if we can hold onto them in the meantime. Later, when the need is great, will not be a good time to restore the local library, using resources squandered away on cash for clunkers, uncaring Health Care, and stimulus packages for crony retirements.
libraries are awesome! They typically have relatively new movie releases, and a wide assortment of other entertainment. For example, we just checked out seasons 1 and 2 of 24. For free. Feels good.
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