Black Fridayish

Okay, I know. It's not black. Or Friday for that matter. But you know how some people can find amazing bargains on clothes and shoes? Or there's that legendary grocery shopper who can get $400 worth of groceries for say, $50? I'm not either of those people. My shopping talent is books. So,  in honor of all those ridiculous black Friday shenanigans, today's post is going to cover some of my favorite ways of acquiring books.

1) As a gift. Plus side? Free. Down side? Not everyone knows my taste in books, so there is the long shot chance I'll get a book I will never read. It's never happened yet (unless you count the copy of The Host my roommate randomly gave me, because she had two copies, that I never read, mostly on principle, because I boycott Stephanie Meyer. On principle. My own principles, you do not have to follow suit or agree). One of the beauty about books is that they are generally one-size-fits-so-many.

2) Amazon. This is a great way to buy books, because you can get them used. Now, having Amazon prime can be a bonus, but I have often found that I can still get a lot of books in very good condition cheaper even after paying for shipping, so Prime is not essential. The other nice thing about amazon is it sets a good baseline price. It's almost guaranteed (generally speaking) that you can find a used copy for $4.00, so you know that for most books, if you find it for less than that, it's a good deal. Another plus is that you can often find great deals on kindle versions, which only require the software, not an actual kindle. So, if there is a book I like, but don't necessarily love enough to want a hard copy, but still don't mind owning a copy, this is a good alternative.

3) The library. How did this not make number two, you ask? Because I was thinking about owning, not borrowing. However, the library works for both ends. The library is a great way to give books test runs. I often find books that I enjoy, but don't necessarily want to own. Which makes the library an ideal way to access those books. The downside is that access depends on your library having the book, and the book being checked in. But other than that--awesome!

Libraries can also be a fantastic way to buy books. Again, this is somewhat dependent on the library, but if you get lucky, library book sales can be a gold mine, literarily speaking. (Yes, I made that word up, and you know exactly what I mean, ergo, according to the Elise Reynolds' rules of vocabulary, it is a real word). I have found some incredible steals at the library. Once, I picked up 19 books and a DVD for $20. But, like all bargain shopping, you have to be consistent to get good deals on books you might specifically be looking for. But, you are bound to find a nice fifty cent copy of a book that you wouldn't mind owning, even if it's not on your wishlist.

4) Half.com is another place I like to check. I use them as a comparison for amazon. And while I tend to buy through amazon, I definitely like to keep tabs on half.com. Sometimes,, with newer books, you can find better deals through them. And sometimes the shipping fee is lower.

5) Used Bookstores. Used Book Bookstores? Hmmmm. Anyway, this is a good way to buy books. Like I said, I tend to use Amazon as my baseline, and if I can find it for less at a used book bookstore (it's the books that are used, not the bookstore...) then it's a deal. And I feel good about supporting a small business. Which it seems used book Bookstores generally are. A win all around.

So, there you have it. Some acquisition strategies for book nerds. Tried and true--I replaced the four missing boxes of books (courtesy USPS--a story for another day) using these methods. And, if you have other suggestions for book acquisition, please let me know. My budget (hypothetical though it might be at present) will thank you.