Tracking Down Books 101: From Free to Full $$
1. Free books – The best way to expand your collection is to trade with friends. For instance, in my lend and trade-in closet, I have, just to name a couple titles, Pursued by Cathy Mann and The Trouble with Valentine’s Day by Rachel Gibson.
2. Library books – If you haven't already, I highly recommend that you use the online method of reserving books.
· Marinet, the online library system for Marin, allows you to reserve a book before it’s even published.
· Interloans are a fantastic way to read an incredibly expensive out-of-print book. For example, Mary Balogh’s The Wood Nymph goes for more than $40 online and only $2 for an interloan (at my library – others may charge up to $8-10). The downside is that it can take some time.
3. Used books for sale in libraries – Because of budget cuts, libraries sell books that people donate. Prices range from .50 to $3 for hardcover.
4. Thrift shops – Especially ones in middle-class neighbourhoods. Prices range from .75 to $2 for paperbacks. I remember being on vacation near Charlottesville, VA and going into a Sally Anne that had huge containers of books. Don’t leave home without your “hunting list”!
5. Used book stores – A reliable ubs is a collector’s best friend – especially if they have a good trade-in policy. A good rule of thumb is that a recent book will usually be available for half-price the month after it’s published.
6. Online book sellers – I deal directly with Gail Williams, a wonderful lady in Illinois. Her email address is valleymedia@sbcglobal.net and her web address is www.amazon.com/shops/valleymedia. First book shipping rate is $2.50 and other books in the same shipment are only .75 each. To have a professional looking for elusive out-of-print titles for you is fabulous - feel free to use my name.
7. Buying online:
· Used - I can recommend Amazon and other online booksellers but be careful. Make sure their customer recommendations are strong enough for you to feel safe sending them your money. Use paypal for complete financial privacy.
· New – Booksamillion.com, especially if you’re a member, is cheaper than Amazon and they will break up an order for shipping. For instance, if the newest Kleypas was available a month before the next Mann, they would ship you the Kleypas and not make you wait. You aren’t billed until the books are shipped. Always make sure your order is $25 or more (no shipping charges, no taxes). Amazon is good too, particularly if you combine genres – like buying a dvd and a book – to reach that magic $25 free shipping, but it isn’t as cheap as Booksamillion.
8. Bookstores – Sometimes you just can’t wait – you have to have that book NOW! The Borders online search engine will tell you if the book is on their shelf so at least if you drive to your local Borders, using up your time and gas, you’ll know in advance that the book is waiting just for you.
Anyone else have any tips they'd like to share?
Janet