<p>What I find gross about libraries is that many people check out the same book. The person before you might have sneezed on it, not washed their hands and touched it, eaten while reading it…so many things. That book is essentially a mobile germ collection that I can do without. I do not care for the rooms and tables they have available for wide usage because so many people interacted with them, too. It’s like a McDonald’s playground. </p>
<p>^^^The same can be said though of pretty much every public space/restaurant and is certainly a lot worse when it comes to things like paper money.</p>
<p>Germs probably don’t live too long on paper. I love the idea that I’m reading a copy of a book that many other people have also read and enjoyed. I’ve read thousands of library books and never once considered that they might be unsanitary. That’s a new concept for me.</p>
<p>Books aren’t a good medium for germs. Plastic covers are, but they can easily be wiped. Heck, the worst things are menus in restaurants. I always wash my hands after ordering. </p>
<p>We have a great library. It’s a short walk but then my area grades out as around 100% walkability. The library is part of the Minuteman Library Network, which gives access to a large number of libraries that share materials. I can order most things. For new books, we have a great local store, Brookline Booksmith, and the intensely odd New England Mobile Bookfair, which is not mobile and is not a fair but is a vast concrete bunker of a building stuffed with new and old books.</p>
<p>Borrow form the library - 80%
Buy from B&N (or specialty bookstore in town) - 20%</p>
<p>Back when I made the big bucks, those percentages were probably reversed (except that back then I bought most of my “bought” books form Borders…sob…) I have an e-reader too, and I occasionally borrow books from the library - but the electronic lending library here isn’t the greatest.</p>
<p>I buy ebooks for my Kindle. I’m a fast reader so I limit myself to the $3.99 and under section. In general I don’t pay more than $1.99. My S2 gives me a $50 Amazon gift card for Christmas and another Amazon $50 gift card for my birthday in July. By sticking exclusively to the less expensive books, I’m good for a year’s worth of reading.</p>
<p>My background is working in publishing/bookselling/school book fairs and now I am in educational sales so I go to lots of conferences where there is always a bookstore set up run either by local independent or B & N, so I usually will pick up a few books there. Of course I know lots of publishing folk who will hand out freebies or their books are 50% off on the last day of the conference. I do use my local library quite a lot as well as we are part of a good county system and I can easily put a title on reserve and do that online making it quite easy. I used to buy a lot of books at Borders because it was across the street from my office, and B & N is not as convenient. I do order books and ebooks from Amazon and I also sometimes will pick up a book in small independent bookstore in Penn Station in NYC and sometimes when I am travelling if I run out of books. Now that I have a Kindle, I can easily order a book. Haven’t yet used Overdrive to get an ebook from the library but I am determined to do so soon.</p>
<p>When I was a child and a younger adult I can think of 3 close bookstores. Dutton, Hunter and Brentanos (?). And that in our city limits. We also had a gorgeous public library. I admit: I don’t use the library. I buy books. I should say bought. We no longer have ANY bookstores. Amazon is available. But they don’t have anyone to tell you about this great author…the new…It is so sad.</p>
<p>I’m almost totally Kindle books. Every three months I travel 6 hours one way to visit my mom so I borrow an audio book from the library. I love real books but I have totally gotten sucked into the ease and portability of the e-books.</p>
<p>I am sad about bookstore access. We had a thriving selection of bookstores in this smaller academically minded city. Borders was such a draw, that many closed or downsized. Used bookstores remain, and I buy from them at times, if I want a travel guide, language phrasebook or book on a specific topic. Barnes & Noble is in mall areas, which I avoid like the plague. </p>
<p>The Kindle is ok, but I prefer the paper, the weight, the ability to skip around easily, as well as the ability to lend. Figuring out the kindle library interaction is on my to do list. The library and I parted ways during a particularly insane time, when returning books on time seemed beyond my ken. Things are calmer now. </p>
<p>For book group books, sometimes I use Amazon, sometimes the kindle, and for one book group, they are loaned around. </p>
<p>However, much of my eclectic reading comes from the Little Free Library that is on my walking route. These have sprung up like wildfire around my city. <a href=“http://littlefreelibrary.org/”>http://littlefreelibrary.org/</a> My neighbors are sufficiently well read, that I have a free place to pick up interesting books, as well as leave my discards. Between the NY Times book review and the Best Book in the last Six Months thread, I have a feeling for what might be of interest.</p>
<p>The closest bookstore is at the Grove. It is a Barnes and Noble. There isn’t a single person there to advise me. Most of the employees are ringing up purchases. I hate this. The Grove is about 20 minutes away without traffic or parking space finding.</p>
<p>I would never go to the Barnes and Noble if it was in the Grove. Don’t have enough patience. My Barnes and Noble is away from the hustle and bustle. Peaceful and comfy. There are never long lines or crowded aisles. I just wish it was a bit bigger. Missing the two story Barnes and Noble from my old hometown. </p>
<p>acollegestudent, I would get an e-Reader, except I don’t think I like eBooks enough to commit and entire device to them. I’d rather go for an iPad rather than a Kidle or the like. </p>
<p>Another library lover here. I’ve never considered soliciting advice from anyone at a bookstore, and in any case I read way too much to consider investing in books, so the demise of the bookstore is not a real heartbreaker to me. I read reviews, browse the shelves, and find a lot of interesting suggestions in the “best book I’ve read” thread here. I always have at least three or four books on hold, and and the waiting list can be long, so not infrequently I get notified that a book is waiting for me and have no recollection of why I picked it! </p>
<p>If I commuted or traveled a lot I’d invest in a Kindle, but since most of my reading is done curled up in my favorite easy chair or in bed, I’m perfectly happy to be one of the dinosaurs who still reads only “real” books.</p>
<p>Packmom, with Amazon prime you can borrow ebooks.
It is pretty cool, it just disappears when your time is up.
I like " real" books and have a mountain of them, but my eyesight is such that the ebooks work better for now.
I admit I also like being able to carry around 500 books with me.
A friend gave me a cover for my iphone though that makes it look like a leather book.
Its adorable.</p>
<p>I participate in a book exchange meeting every other month-we have about 20 members - we grab what we like and contribute what we have-works well. I also have a kindle that I love for travel and just sticking in my purse each day. I borrow ebooks from our library and also buy from Amazon.</p>
<p>@greatlakesmom, I am a supporter of Little Free Libraries - I hope to put one in front of my house in our neighborhood soon. Follow them on FB, Instagram or Pinterest to see some REALLY awesome little libraries! </p>
Follow them on FB, Instagram or Pinterest to see some REALLY awesome little libraries! </p>