Think of the book you’re currently reading, and the one before that. Where did you find it? Library, bookstore, Amazon? Someplace else?
30 thoughts on “Reader Friday: Where Did You Get That Book?”
Current: Library – we have a great online network and widespread system that allows me to search title or author & have it ready for pick up at my local branch, and allows online renewals, too…
Last: picked up an autographed Eric Larson at Goodwill~
Goodwill is a great place to find books!
Library. I read mostly non-fic so I always borrow them first to see if they are knock-out, will-refer-to-again quality before I purchase.
I did just download a novel from Amazon yesterday. To confirm the importance of word-of-mouth advertising, a friend had told me about a particular author she thought I would like a couple years ago. At the time, his books were only available in print and very costly so I said nope and moved on. She just alerted me to another title that he has out, and in checking, I see that the first book in the series is now available on Kindle, and much more reasonably priced, so I immediately downloaded. The second book she just mentioned to me is only available in print at this time, but I can only hope the author’s plans are to make that one available on Kindle as well.
I get most of my books at libraries and use several branches in neighboring towns. I’m kind of a library gypsy, going round to 3 or 4 libraries a month to see what’s new on their shelf and browse their stacks. Every branch is different in what they choose for their patrons. I do buy a good number of books too (Amazon mostly), but only ones that I want to add to my own library. I love bookshops and browse frequently.
I live in a small town where everyone still knows everyone else. It’s not uncommon for folks to leave books they’ve read on their front porch, available for others to enjoy. And that is how I came upon “The Girl on the Train” yesterday.
Thank you, kind and generous neighbor…
My last 4 books were purchased 2nd hand at a local Goodwill. It’s where I purchase all my unknown author books. I’ve stopped purchasing new books because of the poor quality I find in the writing of newer books. Until I find an author I absolutely love, this is the way I shop for fiction novels.
I read hundreds of books each year and purchase most of them new. Amazon is my favorite for print, although I’ve been known to fill the kiddy-seat of my grocery cart with paperbacks. I’ve had subscriptions to three Harlequin imprints for decades. And of course, there’s Books A Million. I had to stop going there because it was hard for me to stop putting books in my basket. One clerk told me she’d never rung up a sale over $200.00 before. So let’s see, I use Amazon for print and Kindle versions. And grocery stores, or anyplace with a book section for print books. I’ve also picked up used books at St. Vincent de Paul and the Friends of the Library books sales. There have been a few times I’ve been lucky enough to purchase books directly from the author. Is there anyplace I wouldn’t buy a book I wanted to read–if I have the money? Nope. Can’t think of a one. Did I mention I’m addicted to reading?
Mostly on Amazon (as with the book I’m currently reading). However, I do check out eBooks from my local library. I almost never buy print books anymore.
Current: “King” Stephen James – Amazon.
Last: “The Testament” John Grisham – Goodwill
Good evidence of the power of word of mouth recommendations–thanks, BK!
My last few books: one from our neighborhood’s Little Library book exchange; several Audible books; several out of print, hard-to-find print books ordered through Amazon; and finally, I’m currently reading a set of manuals, Infantry Tactics, written by an ancestor of mine, General Winfield Scott. I inherited this set from family. This particular version is from 1861, and belonged to a cadet at West Point. I can’t help wondering what happened to that cadet when he graduated, and most likely wound up fighting his fellow graduates in the Civil War. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott
Ohhh! That is so wonderful. What history you get to pass down.
I recently found two books about my pioneer family history in Canada and was utterly amazed that I was listed as a descendant, lol! My husband also received a family book called, The Remarkable Adventure of Portuguese Joe. I am so grateful for those who ventured out and wrote history!
I’m envious of your Little Library. I wish we had those in Texas. I posted something on them.
OH! That kind of stuff is right up my alley, Kathryn! Anything 19th century, especially military–Civil War, plus I like to read what I can get my hands on concerning the frontier armies of the west. I’ll have to put Infantry Tactics on my TBR list.
The last book I read is a new release from Amazon that I purchased for a Goodreads Bookclub. A friend and myself have put it together for a while now and I love it. We only read new releases for Young Adult Christian fiction.
The second was a library audiobook because I was super busy and thought it was a nice switch. Otherwise, I usually love to get new books. I hardly pick up ebooks. I also exchange books at a shop in another city. So, I collect books that I won’t read again, switch them out for new books, I pick through those and the process repeats itself. I also use my library for non-fiction books to read.
Me too, Melanie, especially because I find genealogy utterly boring. Fortunately for future generations my mother is an avid family historian. Her dream weekend consists of tramping around old cemeteries and swamps, tracking down bits of family artifacts. ?
Current book: Library – it’s a book club assignment. If not from the library, I get them from B&N for my nook. Our community also has a “little library” for exchanging books down by our community building. No true bookstores where I live, so if I’m buying, it’s always on line.
I get all my books (over 300 now) from Amazon Kindle. I need to find a way to organize and catalogue all my purchases.
The original Kindle had a way to make folders, but now I read on my regular tablet via Kindle app, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to sort them. That’s a bummer when you have 500 books or so on your Kindle.
This is a really cool program I saw working in Wisconsin. It’s called the Little Free Library. A picture is on the website. Basically small fixtures are located in residential neighborhoods, containing books neighbors donate for anyone to take or leave a book in return. It’s on the honor system and it works well.
In England, I saw a similar program where they were renovating the old red phone booths and turning them into mini-libraries. Very NOVEL idea, pun intended.
So a good book is only steps away from your house and these programs encourage reading and literacy.
For a site aimed at writers, it is rather depressing to see that few pay money that the author will see. (Used books don’t pay authors, and libraries only pay once.) At the very least, I hope that those who get books this way leave reviews at places like B&N and Amazon.
And, yes, I’m poor, too, so I understand free and used books.
Today, I just bought a Nook novel for myself and went to the local B&N for a few paperbacks I wanted to share to get friends hooked on series I like. They didn’t have any of the three books so I’ll have to order online.
Since I read so much, I belong to a number of book recommendation newsletters which offer free and cheap books, mainly self-pubbed and backlist. I always do reviews for a number of reader lists I belong to so I “pay” the author that way.
Here are links to a number of book recommendation services. The first link is for readers, and the second is for authors who want to promote their books this way.
Amazon or some other e-tailer. I have moved almost exclusively to ebooks.
Kobo, and before that, Sony. Lately, I’ve been picking up free and cheap first titles in series to test drive new (mostly indie) authors. If I like the book, then I reward the author pricing by leaving a review. Generally the price rises for the later books in the series, but I don’t mind paying it if I know in advance I’ll get a good product.
Primarily Amazon. I don’t have a brix and stix bookstore anywhere near me.
My reading tastes lately have been fiction, but for research. I’ve started writing for Kindle Worlds which is sanctioned fan fiction. You get a cut, the world owner gets a cut, and Amazon gets a cut. It’s an experiment in finding a market for novellas and short fiction.
My first release is called “SALT,” set in the world of “SAND” by Hugh Howey.
So, right now, I’m reading “The Perseid Collapse,” a prepper-thriller by Steve Konkoly to see if my writing style fits into that world. I have a historical romance, “Montana Sky” on tap for the same reason.
Open Road Media recently did a huge giveaway on their backlist titles, so I’m also nibbling on an old school political thriller called “The Kennedy Trilogy.”
All via Amazon. I am fully integrated with my Kindle. I have been assimilated. Print books are for autographs at conferences and signings.
I am almost exclusively an e-book reader and get them on Amazon Kindle. I can’t read the print of many of the print books, so I get e-books where I can adjust the font. I occasionally get them from the library too. I prefer to get the writing craft books in print, but I can’t always do it. Since I review indie authors with less than 3 published books, I read many new authors. I get a complimentary copy from the author and I sometimes get books from NetGalley.
Library sales, B & N, community swap program, Amazon online, sisters’ swaps, some have been gifts,
I usually write notes in the books I read. This is not very popular with our local library, so I pick up books at any one of a few used book stores, the Goodwill, garage sales and library sales. If I read about or hear about a book I really want to read, I’ll splurge on a new copy. So, the book I am currently reading was purchased at a used book shop. The one before that I grabbed at the library sale.
When I travel, I like to buy at local bookstores. Our local BN is crazy-small, so they almost never have the research books I need. Usually those come from Amazon. I have started making excellent use of a nearby public library for audiobooks, though. We are out-of-network so I pay $80 a year, but I’m happy to support them.
I want to note, too, that libraries actually account for a large portion of an author’s hardcover sales–this writer’s sales, anyway.
Current book – ebook from library.
Book I’ve just finished – bought from store.
I only buy books by favourite authors, otherwise I use the library and prefer print.
Meant to say that the book bought from store is a hardback.
Think of the book you’re currently reading, and the one before that. Where did you find it? Library, bookstore, Amazon? Someplace else?
Current: Library – we have a great online network and widespread system that allows me to search title or author & have it ready for pick up at my local branch, and allows online renewals, too…
Last: picked up an autographed Eric Larson at Goodwill~
Goodwill is a great place to find books!
Library. I read mostly non-fic so I always borrow them first to see if they are knock-out, will-refer-to-again quality before I purchase.
I did just download a novel from Amazon yesterday. To confirm the importance of word-of-mouth advertising, a friend had told me about a particular author she thought I would like a couple years ago. At the time, his books were only available in print and very costly so I said nope and moved on. She just alerted me to another title that he has out, and in checking, I see that the first book in the series is now available on Kindle, and much more reasonably priced, so I immediately downloaded. The second book she just mentioned to me is only available in print at this time, but I can only hope the author’s plans are to make that one available on Kindle as well.
I get most of my books at libraries and use several branches in neighboring towns. I’m kind of a library gypsy, going round to 3 or 4 libraries a month to see what’s new on their shelf and browse their stacks. Every branch is different in what they choose for their patrons. I do buy a good number of books too (Amazon mostly), but only ones that I want to add to my own library. I love bookshops and browse frequently.
I live in a small town where everyone still knows everyone else. It’s not uncommon for folks to leave books they’ve read on their front porch, available for others to enjoy. And that is how I came upon “The Girl on the Train” yesterday.
Thank you, kind and generous neighbor…
My last 4 books were purchased 2nd hand at a local Goodwill. It’s where I purchase all my unknown author books. I’ve stopped purchasing new books because of the poor quality I find in the writing of newer books. Until I find an author I absolutely love, this is the way I shop for fiction novels.
I read hundreds of books each year and purchase most of them new. Amazon is my favorite for print, although I’ve been known to fill the kiddy-seat of my grocery cart with paperbacks. I’ve had subscriptions to three Harlequin imprints for decades. And of course, there’s Books A Million. I had to stop going there because it was hard for me to stop putting books in my basket. One clerk told me she’d never rung up a sale over $200.00 before. So let’s see, I use Amazon for print and Kindle versions. And grocery stores, or anyplace with a book section for print books. I’ve also picked up used books at St. Vincent de Paul and the Friends of the Library books sales. There have been a few times I’ve been lucky enough to purchase books directly from the author. Is there anyplace I wouldn’t buy a book I wanted to read–if I have the money? Nope. Can’t think of a one. Did I mention I’m addicted to reading?
Mostly on Amazon (as with the book I’m currently reading). However, I do check out eBooks from my local library. I almost never buy print books anymore.
Current: “King” Stephen James – Amazon.
Last: “The Testament” John Grisham – Goodwill
Good evidence of the power of word of mouth recommendations–thanks, BK!
My last few books: one from our neighborhood’s Little Library book exchange; several Audible books; several out of print, hard-to-find print books ordered through Amazon; and finally, I’m currently reading a set of manuals, Infantry Tactics, written by an ancestor of mine, General Winfield Scott. I inherited this set from family. This particular version is from 1861, and belonged to a cadet at West Point. I can’t help wondering what happened to that cadet when he graduated, and most likely wound up fighting his fellow graduates in the Civil War. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott
Ohhh! That is so wonderful. What history you get to pass down.
I recently found two books about my pioneer family history in Canada and was utterly amazed that I was listed as a descendant, lol! My husband also received a family book called, The Remarkable Adventure of Portuguese Joe. I am so grateful for those who ventured out and wrote history!
I’m envious of your Little Library. I wish we had those in Texas. I posted something on them.
OH! That kind of stuff is right up my alley, Kathryn! Anything 19th century, especially military–Civil War, plus I like to read what I can get my hands on concerning the frontier armies of the west. I’ll have to put Infantry Tactics on my TBR list.
The last book I read is a new release from Amazon that I purchased for a Goodreads Bookclub. A friend and myself have put it together for a while now and I love it. We only read new releases for Young Adult Christian fiction.
The second was a library audiobook because I was super busy and thought it was a nice switch. Otherwise, I usually love to get new books. I hardly pick up ebooks. I also exchange books at a shop in another city. So, I collect books that I won’t read again, switch them out for new books, I pick through those and the process repeats itself. I also use my library for non-fiction books to read.
Me too, Melanie, especially because I find genealogy utterly boring. Fortunately for future generations my mother is an avid family historian. Her dream weekend consists of tramping around old cemeteries and swamps, tracking down bits of family artifacts. ?
Current book: Library – it’s a book club assignment. If not from the library, I get them from B&N for my nook. Our community also has a “little library” for exchanging books down by our community building. No true bookstores where I live, so if I’m buying, it’s always on line.
I get all my books (over 300 now) from Amazon Kindle. I need to find a way to organize and catalogue all my purchases.
The original Kindle had a way to make folders, but now I read on my regular tablet via Kindle app, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to sort them. That’s a bummer when you have 500 books or so on your Kindle.
This is a really cool program I saw working in Wisconsin. It’s called the Little Free Library. A picture is on the website. Basically small fixtures are located in residential neighborhoods, containing books neighbors donate for anyone to take or leave a book in return. It’s on the honor system and it works well.
https://littlefreelibrary.org/
In England, I saw a similar program where they were renovating the old red phone booths and turning them into mini-libraries. Very NOVEL idea, pun intended.
So a good book is only steps away from your house and these programs encourage reading and literacy.
For a site aimed at writers, it is rather depressing to see that few pay money that the author will see. (Used books don’t pay authors, and libraries only pay once.) At the very least, I hope that those who get books this way leave reviews at places like B&N and Amazon.
And, yes, I’m poor, too, so I understand free and used books.
Today, I just bought a Nook novel for myself and went to the local B&N for a few paperbacks I wanted to share to get friends hooked on series I like. They didn’t have any of the three books so I’ll have to order online.
Since I read so much, I belong to a number of book recommendation newsletters which offer free and cheap books, mainly self-pubbed and backlist. I always do reviews for a number of reader lists I belong to so I “pay” the author that way.
Here are links to a number of book recommendation services. The first link is for readers, and the second is for authors who want to promote their books this way.
http://mbyerly.blogspot.com/2017/01/book-recommendation-services.html
Amazon or some other e-tailer. I have moved almost exclusively to ebooks.
Kobo, and before that, Sony. Lately, I’ve been picking up free and cheap first titles in series to test drive new (mostly indie) authors. If I like the book, then I reward the author pricing by leaving a review. Generally the price rises for the later books in the series, but I don’t mind paying it if I know in advance I’ll get a good product.
Primarily Amazon. I don’t have a brix and stix bookstore anywhere near me.
My reading tastes lately have been fiction, but for research. I’ve started writing for Kindle Worlds which is sanctioned fan fiction. You get a cut, the world owner gets a cut, and Amazon gets a cut. It’s an experiment in finding a market for novellas and short fiction.
My first release is called “SALT,” set in the world of “SAND” by Hugh Howey.
So, right now, I’m reading “The Perseid Collapse,” a prepper-thriller by Steve Konkoly to see if my writing style fits into that world. I have a historical romance, “Montana Sky” on tap for the same reason.
Open Road Media recently did a huge giveaway on their backlist titles, so I’m also nibbling on an old school political thriller called “The Kennedy Trilogy.”
All via Amazon. I am fully integrated with my Kindle. I have been assimilated. Print books are for autographs at conferences and signings.
I am almost exclusively an e-book reader and get them on Amazon Kindle. I can’t read the print of many of the print books, so I get e-books where I can adjust the font. I occasionally get them from the library too. I prefer to get the writing craft books in print, but I can’t always do it. Since I review indie authors with less than 3 published books, I read many new authors. I get a complimentary copy from the author and I sometimes get books from NetGalley.
Library sales, B & N, community swap program, Amazon online, sisters’ swaps, some have been gifts,
I usually write notes in the books I read. This is not very popular with our local library, so I pick up books at any one of a few used book stores, the Goodwill, garage sales and library sales. If I read about or hear about a book I really want to read, I’ll splurge on a new copy. So, the book I am currently reading was purchased at a used book shop. The one before that I grabbed at the library sale.
When I travel, I like to buy at local bookstores. Our local BN is crazy-small, so they almost never have the research books I need. Usually those come from Amazon. I have started making excellent use of a nearby public library for audiobooks, though. We are out-of-network so I pay $80 a year, but I’m happy to support them.
I want to note, too, that libraries actually account for a large portion of an author’s hardcover sales–this writer’s sales, anyway.
Current book – ebook from library.
Book I’ve just finished – bought from store.
I only buy books by favourite authors, otherwise I use the library and prefer print.
Meant to say that the book bought from store is a hardback.