Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Arggg, I'm getting very frustrated here.

Okay. Before I just went to library and borrowed whatever they had. But now, when I see how people recommend me this book and that book (and also me searching on goodreads to see which fits my taste), I get frustrated when I realize my local libraries don't carry them.

Today I ordered 6 books online (which is first time in my life!!!)

Well, I prefer historical romance novels, and I guess they are hard to find in local libraries? Urggg!!!!

Try PBS-if you haven't already. They're really good when looking for OOP books. http://www.paperbackswap.com/home.php

I get my books from Amazon and by using my library's online catalog to request books and to do ILL interlibrary loans from other libraries outside my county.

I find a ton of books in the library, and the usual spots like Barnes and Noble and Amazon. As a reviewer, I also get to hear about new authors and books which I love.

My library tends to have lots of historical romance which I am so not a fan of (except for Amanda Quick). It also has loads of mysteries and romances by big name authors like Nora Roberts. If you want anything PNR, fantasy, or SF, it's hard to find. So I go to the bookstore (We have a great indy here) and buy what I want.

I get a lot of my books from a used book store but I also have an account with booksfree; it is like netflix but for books.

Like Lethal said if your library doesn't carry the books you want, I recommend PBS. You could also try the Bookswap here on Goodreads.

If you don't have many UBS (Used Book Stores) where you live, you can try many online resellers that carry used books: Half.com, Thriftbooks.com and some more.

I have been very lucky that my library carries a lot of the HR books! But they also are very flexible with having us "suggest" a book to buy..if its new enough then they will buy it. If not they will borrow it from a different library in the area!

My library system carries most books I'd like (even erotica!) but I cannot request MMPB from other library branches and mine is very small. So those I get via PBS and I'm trying to get all hardcovers and trade paperbacks through the library. :)

I get them everywhere. I have a lifetime irewards card from Chaptersas they have recognized my book buying addiction. I also buy secondhand at several different stores in my city, use the library a lot (except I find I don't always read everything I get from there - sometimes I am just not in the mood to read what I've got from there). And there's also an awesome site called bookcloseouts.com where I get a lot from - they often have great sales like $1.99 sale. Check it out.

If I'm unsure about an author I download an ebook first. But any of my 'must buys' I get from the Book Depository - free freight. I'm in Australia and with our dollar near parity with the US, buying o/s without freight makes it all incredibly cheap!! Books in our local retail store are nearly 3 times the price that I can buy from the Book Depository.

I have bought some from second hand book stores, but these are about the price of a new one from BD so it is hard to justify unless the book is out of print!

I also recommend people check out the lots that people list on ebay...you can quite often get a box of books for $20 - and get 10-15 books in it (if not more)

I find mine mostly at the libraries or thrift stores. I get at least one book a month from Borders; they send me a lot of 33% off coupons. Occasionally I will pick up one in Walmart while I'm there.

I find used book stores a little pricey, and we only have one in town, although if you're looking for a quality used book and want to pay a little more, they're a good option. The used book store donates a lot of books for the library sales as well.

We have our quarterly library sales next week and I'm helping with the set-up. I like to volunteer but I confess I also do it to get a first crack at the books. I just hope I can control myself this time. I have no room left at home.

My library charges $1.50 for InterLibrary Loan so I never use it. I browse the local thrift shops, the annual library summer sale, the used bookstore, Paperbackswap is a biggie, and if I have to buy online, I usually go to Amazon's used marketplace.

I use a variety as well. I have been hiting up the local Libraries more since signing up for the challenges since it is instant gratification for my book needs. lol

I have been using Booksfree for almost 2 years now. Because of it, I never have the desire to buy books anymore so it has helped me GREATLY reduce the money I had been spending on my book addiction. The downside with using Booksfree is that, for me, it takes about 5 days for the books to get to me and 5 days for them to get back. And for some locations across the country it takes even longer. So, this may not be for everyone. It would greatly depend onyour reading speed, but I highly recommend the service.

For new release books that are in hardback I hit the Library since they will almost always have those in.

Hope you find the best source for you Vicky!!

i started off buying my books from a used bookstore here in Katy called Katy Budget Books. i also buy from Half Priced Books. both places have a decent PNR section and tons of HR. if i can't find some titles there i buy them new. if i'm starting a new author i use the library. they actually have several PNR titles as well and lots of HR. and now i'm getting into audiobooks, so i definitely use the library for that cause they're expensive.
quick question. what's SF and MMPB?

SF=Science Fiction
MMPB=Mass Market Paperback

Julie (Mom2lnb) wrote: "SF=Science Fiction
MMPB=Mass Market Paperback"

ohh. thanks =)

You're welcome.:-)

If my local library isn't holding the book I so desperatly desire. I make my way to Books-a-Million!!!
My next big investment, is going to be either a Kindle or the Nook (I can't decide which). That way I can order my e-books online and get them immediatly. :D

thanks to all who mentioned the book depository! i was able to find some ebooks in print on that site. yay!

Book Depository actually have two sites - the US site is .com and the UK site is .co.uk. Both sites have different prices and different stock. In general the US site is cheaper for me (could be the exchange rate) however occassionally the UK site comes through. Plus the UK site will sometimes have the book you are searching for which is out of stock on the US site. It also has different covers of the same stock.

They are all shipped from the UK so I'm not sure why this is so!!

Fortunately, they somehow amalgamate all the purchases into the one account for your purchase history, but beware - the wishlist on each site is maintained separately...

i've noticed the different covers; seeing them in the used book stores. i'll check out the UK site if there are some titles i can't find. will take the separate wishlist in consideration =)

I've been rather extravagant and bought most of my Dark series Christine Feehan books from the UK site 'cos I MUCH prefer the UK cover!! :)

that's a really good idea. some covers i'm not so excited about myself and would like a different one.

I used to buy a lot of ebooks or buy the paperbacks at the local chain bookstore. However, when my hubby lost his job over the summer, I reaquainted myself with the library and have discovered it to be an excellent, FREE alternative. My library has a good selection, though many newer PNR books have a waiting list. I do enjoy being able to look up, reserve, and check reservation statuses online. It never occurred to me the library system caught up to the internet age. *lol*

It just might cost a bit extra!! (I think my 'Darks' were about $3 more... But they are keepers and I know I'll be re-reading them...)

i'm a fan of the cover art, and like the risque stuff but for work i'd like something a little more subtle. i noticed in my fav bookstore that the Anita Blake series from the UK has a more subtle cover. =) now i just read my favs at home and save the "safe" books for work. hehe

Amber wrote:I do enjoy being able to look up, reserve, and check reservation statuses online. It never occurred to me the library system caught up to the internet age...

I must say, I was really impressed when I realised how much libraries had advanced since I was a teenager! Downloading over the internet and burning to CD! Fantastic! ...Now I just have to get them to expand their range of audiobooks!! :)

Meme wrote: i noticed in my fav bookstore that the Anita Blake series from the UK has a more subtle cover. =) now i just read my favs at home and save the "safe" books for work. hehe

I've noticed that the UK versions are more subtle across the board. Australian book stores seem to stock the UK version too. Generally I don't particularly care - but when you think people may 'judge' you on your reading material, then more subtle may be the answer!! :)

Meme wrote: "i'm a fan of the cover art, and like the risque stuff but for work i'd like something a little more subtle. i noticed in my fav bookstore that the Anita Blake series from the UK has a more subtle c..."

I hope I'm getting a book cover for Christmas. I mentioned it to my MIL at a craft fair a week ago and she disappeared for 10 minutes before we left. No more worries about needing "safe" books for work!

Amber wrote: "Meme wrote: "i'm a fan of the cover art, and like the risque stuff but for work i'd like something a little more subtle. i noticed in my fav bookstore that the Anita Blake series from the UK has a ..."

ur lucky Amber. i can't wait til i don't have to worry about my covers and work. =)

I buy a lot of mine from the library because they sell them for really cheap :) like 25 cents for a good paperback cheap and a dollar for a hardback. and they are decent books in good condition perhaps read once. Library's here only want hardbacks and no paperbacks so they sell even the new ones they get and if they have overstock with the hardbacks they will sell those to. :)

Also, I work in a bookstore so I will borrow or get free books from them :)

and free Ebooks people :) woot to Goodreads and Borders

here is the link for the borders
http://www.borders.com/online/store/F...

good luck :)

I don't usually get too many from the library anymore...I have my own library, and sometimes when I get books from the library I'm like a kid in a candy store, get a whole lot but then not be in the mood to read them.
I have found so many great book ideas from this site, and like someone up above said, they're hard to get either in a store or the library. Right now, I think Chapters online loves me since I've been placing a lot of orders with them lately. And I plan to make a trip to Chapters this weekend this I have it off and was sent a giftcard with one of my online orders.
Also there's a fantastic site called bookclosings.com where I have gotten many over the years. Great prices, they arrive fast, and shipping and handling isn't too bad.

I usually go to Barnes and noble but have in the last few months been doing my searches at either the goodwill or Used books store. Good will has a bunch that are $0.60 to 3.99 for books that still look brand new. The used book store has books that are from 1.99 - 7.99. Sometimes Goodwill and the Used store have sales where they will have books on sale for 50-60% off. Last month I got 20 new books for 11.00. Was very excited :)

I get most of my books from paperbackswap.com . I've been a member there for five years and have gotten more than 1800 books from them. If it is one I don't want to wait for I'll hit up a bookstore - either online or in person. But PBS is my favorite.

Susan wrote: "I get most of my books from paperbackswap.com . I've been a member there for five years and have gotten more than 1800 books from them. If it is one I don't want to wait for I'll hit up a bookstor..."

How does the PBS work????

Now i'm using bookdepository.co.uk. They have books that i wasn't able to find on the online bookstore where i used to buy them. And they have the advantage of free shipping all over the world.

Basically, you list your books on PBS and people can request them. It usually goes first in, first out. Each book earns 1 credit when sent out. When you send a book, you pay the postage. When you order a book, you pay one credit, but it costs you no postage. This is the site's explanation http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/how...

It is very easy to do, and I have gotten both new releases and lots of older and out of print books.

Mostly online and a few stores around Dublin (where I'm from) like Chapters. I love that store. :)

Vicki wrote: "Arggg, I'm getting very frustrated here.

Okay. Before I just went to library and borrowed whatever they had. But now, when I see how people recommend me this book and that book (and also me sear..."

I suggest Kathleen E. Woodiwiss..if not read any of her books. In my opinion..the BEST Historical Romance Author by far..she is awesome..I can re-read her books over and over again.

Vicki wrote: "Arggg, I'm getting very frustrated here.

Okay. Before I just went to library and borrowed whatever they had. But now, when I see how people recommend me this book and that book (and also me search..."

Oh wow that's difficult! I feel for you. I am not able to buy many books every month either. So I was wondering if they do inter-library loans in your library group? My library does so I am able to put them on hold. Thankfully the library system here in Illinois is not run down with no budget. In California they don't have a budget for these kind of things at least the last time I lived there.
In fact, I volunteer at my local library here in hopes to help them never lose the current level of standards they have. =)

I use PBS sometimes. It's really a good way to go. Only costs around $2 and change.

I also buy used books from Friends of the Library book nook at my library.

I find used books at Thrift shops and even used book stores. Sometimes I even find them at garage sales.

Although it's difficult with those because you can't always find EXACT books that way. Perhaps you can make some regular friends here that would be willing to trade by mail books with you. I can't sorry I am feeding my 2 teenage daughters with ALL my used books in California. Just mailed out 2 boxes this morning. =(

I wish you luck though and hope you find a way.

I usually get my books from used bookstores. There is two used bookstores within walking distance to my house. One I prefer over the other (one of them seems to care more about selling band t-shirts and pipes) I still check that one out because they do have plenty of books. I also order online, when I can't get it used.

I don't get the chance to go to the big bookstore chains, so when I do I make sure I'm able to stockpile :)

I visit lots of second hand book shops, or I have a really good charity shop near my boyfriend that is just 50p a paperback so that is much cheaper than most shops dedicated to second hand books.

Or I don't know if you are in a position to do this but I'm a member of 5 libraries; 3 public libraries- one in my home county, another in the county next door and one in London where I'm studying-, and two university libraries- between them they stock all the books I would probably ever want to read!

Finally there's ReadItSwapIt.com, where you just have to agree to swap books with someone and then pay postage.... but I think that's only available in the UK?!

Rebecca wrote: "I visit lots of second hand book shops, or I have a really good charity shop near my boyfriend that is just 50p a paperback so that is much cheaper than most shops dedicated to second hand books.
..."

That sounds like Paperbackswap.com were you pay postage and you get a credit to use to pick a book for yourself that someone is offering.

I love my local library. And we live close (across the river and state line) from a major city (Portland, OR) so I found that my local library had a exchange with Portland, and I could get a library card from them as well. They have a much bigger selection. Also, it never hurts to check about Inter Library Loans and suggesting new books.

And both libraries, even my smaller system, have memberships to e-book (OverDrive) systems. So I can requests books and download them to my reader, both audio books and e-books. Usually it's quite a wait for a book, but I think the more I use it, the more likely they are to buy more books for them to circulate.

I don't have a Kindle, but I have both Kindle and Nook Apps on my phone and they work great. I also found a great website that every day lists the new books that have been offered on Amazon for free.

http://www.new-daily-free-ebooks.com/

Remember to check it daily because books go off being free fairly quickly. They have a good variety of books, usually from fairly new authors. You never know who's going to show up on the list. Sometimes they are losers, but other times great new finds. It won't be the New York Times authors, but its free.

I get most of my books from the library, more than half actually; sometimes I go to two or three different libraries to find the books I want. I will buy books now and again too, though. I buy them usually from indie book stores or online.

ebay.com half.com libaries and thieft stores

Vicki, there's this site: http://www.novelscribe.com that hosts books by self-published and small press authors on Amazon. Most of the books are cheap, and they've got filters for you to search your books by price and genre. Hope that helps!

Susan wrote: "Basically, you list your books on PBS and people can request them. It usually goes first in, first out. Each book earns 1 credit when sent out. When you send a book, you pay the postage. When y..."

Thank you for that suggestion, Susan! This looks really interesting.