RTW: Confessions of a Book Buyer
Not my local B&N: ours is not nearly this big!
It’s Wednesday, so you know what that means? Another Road Trip Wednesday question from YA Highway! This week, our YA Highway friends want us to confess: Where do you buy most of your books?
In an ideal situation, where money is no object, I would buy my books from a local independent retailer. In this ideal situation, we would also do all of our grocery shopping at The Fresh Market. I love The Fresh Market–the atmosphere, the quality of the food, the range of products… sorry… we’re talking books, not food. I haven’t had my breakfast yet. *Ahem!*
At present I am not living my ideal situation. I have a wife and six kids, so money is an object. This means most of my book buying happens online. Amazon and Barnes & Noble mostly. And… [blushes]… often Amazon Marketplace. I feel *really* badly about buying books from Amazon Marketplace because I know this means the author and publisher get nothing from the sale. But I’m frequently faced with the reality of buying books on a limited budget, and it’s either buy cheap, or not at all. I suppose I could just get the books from the library, but a) I live in a small town, and our best library doesn’t always carry the books I want to read, and b) I like to own my books. In fact, I am building a theology/history/fiction library that will be part of my kids’ inheritance. Over 1,200 books and counting so far.
So I mostly shop for my books online. Sometimes I will purchase from our local Barnes & Noble brick-and-mortar store, but usually it’s because I’m getting a good deal, or I’m compelled to make a purchase there and then (which rarely happens–I’m not a compulsive shopper). One of the things that annoys me about B&N is they don’t price-match with their online store. This means when I actually drive out to the B&N and browse through their books (which I enjoy doing, by the way–I love the atmosphere of book shops), I’m more likely to see a book I want and then order it online, because it’s often cheaper (especially as a B&N Member, which I am).
So there you have it, my book-buying confession. What about you? Are you an online buyer, or do you prefer to get your books in a real bookshop? Or perhaps you get all your books from the library. Join in the blog carnival fun! Blog about your buying habits and leave a link on YA Highway. Or leave a comment below.
[Afterthought: This just occurred to me–a number of indie retailers sell used books on Amazon Marketplace, so I’ve probably bought a lot of books from indie bookstores… just not locally. I feel a little better now. š ]
I can be a very impusilve buyer when it comes to books…(my husband is trying to change this but no such luck so far :-))
I do get my books mainly online these days but I also buy books from bookstores (big, small…ancient :-))
I can spend ages in a bookstore sometimes just deciding if I’m going to buy a book and, if so, which one is worth getting there as opposed to ordering online (yes, I know, heresy–but that’s my situation). It’s a good job I enjoy the bookshop atmosphere, otherwise book shopping could be quite frustrating.
I wish we had Barnes and Noble in the UK. Every time I’m Stateside, I drag my poor friend around the nearest B&N for as long as I can ^^;
The last time I was in the UK (about 6 years ago), we went to Waterstones in Cardiff. It was bigger than our local B&N. I could have pitched a tent there. There was also the novelty of being greeted by the shop assistants in Welsh. š Waterstones was also our University bookstore back when I was at Uni in the UK. It was a much much much smaller store, though, and focused almost exclusively on course books. I did pick up the two volume set of the scripts to the Monty Python TV series there, however.
And don’t forget, you have Hay-on-Wye over there. The last time I visited Hay, I went to one second-hand book store that had a theology *floor*–not section–I mean *floor*! I drooled.
So you’re not so bad off in the UK, depending on where you live, I suppose. š
Oh, I’m lucky! Brighton has plenty of fantastic bookshops and lots of independent ones. But there’s just something I really, really, REALLY love about B&N.
hee, I love the Welsh accent. They always sound like they’re about to burst into song!
I’m also an impulsive buyer … I have over 50 books on my kindle waiting to be read atm lol
But I do get about budget and all. Of course, when I have the option, I go for the cheaper books š
I think my wife is grateful I don’t shop impulsively. It means she has more money for other things, like… food. I really wish it was otherwise, though. One reason for becoming a successful writer, for me, is so I don’t have to be so penny-conscious when buying books. And that’s not just about me–I really would prefer to buy new hardback books, because I know that’s where the bigger profits are for the writers, publishers, and retailers.
I also have to buy books on a budget. Like you I feel guilty about it but I have to read. I’ve never explored Amazon’s marketplace but I do use Ebay. You can buy in bulk at a really cheap price. I got all the Harry Potter Books-hardcover-for twenty bucks total. You can’t beat that.
New follower š
You’re right, Theresa! Sometimes Ebay can be a great source for books (and, again, many indie retailers put used books on Ebay). I’ve managed to find some really good deals on sets (e.g., a set of 25 Doctor Who Target novelizations for about $20).
Thanks for commenting, and thanks for following too! š
Personally I don’t think it matters so much where you get the book as helping to generate buzz about your favorite reads and authors. I can’t get to the library or favorite indie shop as much as I’d like to, so I blog and tweet about books and authors as much as I can.
I really need to do more book reviews on my blog, because you’re right. Wherever we get our books from, what’s important is encouraging others to read books we’ve loved. And our blogs can be a great platform from which to share the book love. š
I can definitely relate to your dilemma. I have a husband, three children, and I work for a nonprofit, so no one’s getting rich around here anytime soon! I so would like to buy all my books, and my groceries, and everything else for that matter, from local suppliers, but cost is certainly an issue. I am giving many books as holiday gifts this year, and aside from the ones I purchased at my kids’ school book fair, they all came from Amazon. And somehow I’m still over budget! š Alas, we do what we can do.
Indeed, Amy. I’m a bit of an idealist at heart, so I’m not comfortable with these choices. And in my younger days, before having the responsibility of being a husband and father, I might have had some harsh words for me. But, again, I would sooner be buying books for me (and my kids, for that matter) from *somewhere* than not buying them because I can’t afford to get them from where I would ideally like to get them. Yes, we do what we can. š
I think doing what’s best for you and your family is what’s most important. If bargain book shopping is what works for you for now, then do it. You’re so great about sharing great titles, so it seems you’re still helping authors and publishers to be successful. Great post, Colin!
Thanks, Katy. Actually, I don’t think I do as much sharing of titles as I could. I’m definitely resolving to do more book reviews on the blog next year. I appreciate the encouragement. š
I’m thinking about starting to do book reviews on some kind of planned basis in 2012, too! Maybe once a month at first.
Also–don’t discount the fact that you’re raising six children who will surely be lifelong readers–so there’s that contribution to the publishing industry!!!
I totally understand money being an object. I used to live across the street from a Barnes and Noble and I would spend so much money on books. Then I discovered the library which was good for my wallet. No I live closer to a library than bookstore.
I probably should make more use of the library for books… but part of my book problem is that I like to own the books I read. I don’t know why–that’s just the way I am. Some people read almost exclusively out of the library and have few books that they own. Maybe I just don’t like the look of empty shelves. Of course, when you can’t afford to buy all the books you want to read, this makes things difficult. I just need to get over it and go to the library more often, I suppose.
I totally agree with you on buying where I can justify the price. I also feel your pain about the brick and mortar version of a store selling books for way more than their own online store. Crazy. Indigo/Chapters here in Canada does the exact same thing and it drives me around the bend. When money is an object (and it is), I’m going to buy it from where it’s cheaper. I feel like they’re kind of shooting themselves in the foot by doing this.
Best Buy guarantees the same price on their in-store products as you would find on their website. Which means for my electronic needs, I will go to the store for what they have in store, and for what they don’t, I’ll go to their online store. If B&N were to institute a similar policy, it could totally revolutionize my purchasing. Amazon would lose business from me for sure. I would certainly make my brick-and-mortar purchases based not on where it was cheaper, but on availability alone. And, in fact, they might make more money because you can’t buy a cup of tea while browsing on the B&N website. š
B&N are definitely pointing the barrels at their toes on this one.
I wouldn’t feel bad about Amazon Marketplace. Bargains are always a good thing! I go to book stalls whenever I can at the market and car boot sales for a cheap price.
Being on an English degree meant university was very expensive so places like Amazon Marketplace and Waterstones Market were very helpful as well as buying from former students. There were so many books to get each year that you had to find cheaper places.
I love books but I know can’t afford to buy them at normal price all the time. Even when I went to Waterstones for some required reading books I tried to find penguin popular classics prints because they were only two pounds compared to other publications which were more expensive.
Ooo, don’t get me started on Penguin Classics. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Penguin paperbacks. I love the cover designs, the paper, the binding, the smell… If I’m ever in the position where I have competing offers from agents, one question will decide it: Can you get my book published by Penguin? š
Thanks for the comment, and for following, Robin! š
I’m not an impulsive shopper either. I would love to be, but my parents instilled a strong sense of self-flagellation in me for purchasing anything that wouldn’t be considered a Necessity. BUT! It can still be nice to let loose and buy something on the fly every now and then š I just have to turn off my brain and open my wallet–which is always a perfect combination, right?
Instead of wandering the aisles thinking, “Should I buy that? Or should I buy that? Which do I need more? Do I need either of them? Which one do I most want to read? Do I really want to read it that badly? More than that?… etc.” it would be nice to just say, “To heck with it” and buy whatever. One day, maybe. š
I’m just glad you’re buying books. And hey, one way or another, you’re stimulating the economy.
That certainly is a consolation. Thanks, Karen. š
Yes I agree have to be economical with what you have to spend. My local library is small as well and doesn’t have much in the way of new books for a while after their release. Plus I’m like you. I like to own my books so that when I’m thinking of a book I read and have this random need to reread a section of it I can go grab it.
And you just never know when you might think about a book you read a long time ago and how you’d like to re-read it… or you suddenly realize your WIP sounds a lot like a book you read. Those are the times you want to be able to go grab that book from your shelf, not check to see who has it in stock, and either buy it or borrow it–if it’s available.
Thanks for commenting, Eve! š
I too buy primarily from Amazon and feel guilty about it. But I do buy a number of used books from sellers on there, so I suppose that’s a drop in the right bucket. I wish somehow the power of Amazon could be harnessed to benefit the publishing industry.
I suppose you could argue that the mere fact of reading a book, regardless of where or how you got it, helps the industry. Especially if you tell others about the book after you’ve read it. I don’t know about you, Tarah, but I’ve found some great deals on Amazon Marketplace, and bought some books I might not have otherwise bought if I’d had to pay full price.
Great post, Colin! I”m hoping the Nook well help me cut down on my ever-expanding library. I don’t know if I have 1000 books, but all our bookshelves our double stacked, and I’m running out of room in my house!
*are- oops, left handed typo š
One way I think my book purchasing will change when I get an e-reader (I’m hoping for an iPad), is that I will buy most of my fiction in e-book, and continue getting history and theology in paper form. I’m starting to run out of shelf space, and I’m running out of places for new bookshelves! š
I get books from a variety of places – one of them, the library. I used to feel bad that I wasn’t buying the books I was reading, but then I realized how much my checking out books supports the library.
And there’s the fact that you read the books, then tell your friends and relatives and blog audience about them, who in turn might go out and buy them. As you know, word-of-mouth is very effective for selling books. That’s why publishers send out ARCs. š
The Amazon Prime membership has paid off for us; I originally got it when I needed a camera lens quickly and thought “If I’m going to spend that much on shipping, I may as well put it towards a Prime membership.” Now it mostly gets used for books and CDs! (Yes, we still buy CDs and vinyl)
I nearly renewed our Prime membership when the trial period expired, but we needed the money elsewhere. I really think it would pay for itself the amount of money we spend on shipping.
I’m with you on this. I’d love to only shop at independent bookstores but I’d also buy way fewer books if I did. (Not just because they’re more expensive but also because it’s more of a hassle to get to an independent bookstore in my area than it is to go online or even to go to B&N.
Six kids?! Yikes! If not for my budget’s sake, I’d buy online to avoid having to bring six kids to a store. (Can you tell I don’t have kids?)
Wherever we shop, at least we’re buying books, which is more than the majority of Americans do.
Once the kids get out of the “I want this… buy me that…” stage, it’s not so bad. My three oldest are at the point where they can enjoy going to B&N just to look at the books. My wife insists on grocery shopping alone, though. It’s a small concession considering she’s at home with them all day every day.
And yes, buying books is better than not buying books–no matter where we get them from.
B&N is the closest book store to my house as well. I love the atmostphere in there in the holiday season. So long as I am not waiting in line!
As I said, I’m not a compulsive buyer, so I can easily spend hours in B&N and come out without buying anything. But I love going there–just being there surrounded by all those books. *sigh*
I also hate that about shopping in the actual B&N store. It’s so much cheaper to get the same book online, they make you not want to shop in their physical location. Boo.
I *know* I would spend more at the physical store if they would price-match. It makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. Boo indeed.
I juggle between the library, Amazon, and a local favorite indie, The Tattered Cover. When I buy books one at a time, I always make the twenty-minute drive to the TC because I love them and want to support them. If I have to buy a book last-minute, or I don’t care if I have a new one (typically for school), I turn to Amazon. And I typically borrow from the library if I’m not sure I’ll like the book/author. Books are expensive and I can’t buy every book I want to read!
WOW! I am so jealous of your kids’ book inheritance. My parents have a lot of books in their house, but not that many. But I love that you can find books on display in every room in their house. That’s a goal in my own home.
Some years ago, a family at the church we were going to at the time invited us over to their place for Sunday lunch. Their house was clearly old, but the thing that impressed me most was that they had bookcases stuffed with books all over the place–the living room, the dining room, the hallways… it was great!
I try not to be impulsive about buying books (and often I can get the ones I really want from the library), but sometimes I’ll see one that sounds interesting and I’ll end up buying it if I have a few extra bucks (which happens on occasion).
Used bookstores are also a good way to go =)
A town or city that has a good used bookstore is certainly blessed. š