I am in the last days before turning in Leo’s Story, the book connected to The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor, so naturally I’m in panic mode. Forgive a brief blog.
My son’s birthday is today so over the weekend my in-laws came, my son and his girlfriend, her cat and her dog. Needless to say it was a busy but fun-filled weekend for everyone except my cats. One cat immediately terrorized the dog, one didn’t care, and the other two hid the entire time.
My mother-in-law, one of my greatest supporters, had bragged about me writing books to one of her friends in Williamsburg and found me another potential reader. The problem is there is no bookstore in Williamsburg that sells Harlequin Historicals, at least the last time I looked (see Where In Williamsburg Can You Buy Diane’s Book, my 12/31/2007 blog).
This got me to thinking…Where do you buy books these days? There’s been much press about ebook sales rising dramatically and about Borders financial woes. Book selling seems to be in the throes of change.
My book buying habits have changed in recent years, I’ll admit. The fiction I buy is almost always through Amazon for my Kindle. My research books are almost always purchased online. I don’t spend nearly as much time browsing bookstores as I used to.
So a little survey (a la Carolyn, who does this so much better).
Where do you buy books?
1. Online? If so, which vendor?
2. Bookstores? Which one?
3. Other stores, like Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc?
4. What do you purchase more of these days, ebooks or print books?
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I am in the last days before turning in Leo’s Story, the book connected to The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor, so naturally I’m in panic mode. Forgive a brief blog.
Diane, I buy books almost exclusively through Amazon, for ease of delivery and laziness (both the same thing, I guess).
When I do find myself in a bookstore, I usually buy one thing I’d been thinking about, or an out-of-genre book like a SF/F.
Good luck with deadline!
1. Just about always Amazon, unless it’s a special reference book
2. My local independent is fabulous. I shop there a lot.
3. I never shop at the Big Box stores
4. More eBooks.
I shop Amazon, the book Depository, and for out of print books I buy Abebooks, Amazon, and http://www.1stchoiceusedbooks.com and Amazon for out of print books. I try to remember to shop these site through GoodShop web site so the online stores will donate to the charity of mt choice (no cost to me. I don’t shop in bookstores antmore and I don’t have an e-reader.
I used to buy my books at Borders, but the one nearby closed recently. Now I just buy them from Amazon and The Book Depository. Although I pick up a book from Walmart from time to time. I usually buy print copies, but I like getting e-novellas that have been published by my favorite authors.
I tend to buy my books online, mainly because anything that I want an actual book (reference, history, non-fiction books I know I will keep) they are usually out of print, or not available in ebook format. Then most of my fiction books are through the ebooks so of course, those are online. I do tend to shop around between Amazon and BN.com, surprisingly there is a big difference (especially with what they have for used/out of print books) in prices/shipping. Most of my reading now is ebooks as long as it is fiction – print books for everything else.
I used to work at Borders, so I still shop there because I can find everything. I’m reading more ebooks lately even though I don’t have an ereader, just my laptop. I don’t have a car and work evenings, so during my prime shopping and reading time the stores aren’t open even if I could get there.
Like the posters above, I purchase new books through Amazon almost exclusively–and now e-books for my new Kindle,too. I do frequent used book stores, but the ones near me don’t have good Regency sections. For older Regencies, I rely on BookMooch!
I buy from a lot of different places. We just lost our Borders but we still have a Barnes and Noble. Online there is Amazon, Borders & B&N. Once in a while at a Sam’s Club and used book stores too. I don’t have a reader so I don’t do ebooks. I spend way too much time at this computer as it is lol.
1. I buy my Harlequin books from eharlequin, and all others come from Amazon.
2. I did buy the last HP book from Borders at their midnight party, for fun.
3. I used to buy from Target and Walmart and Fry’s, but it’s less expensive at Amazon, so I’d take note of the book and then go home and buy it from Amazon.
4. Print books only.
I’m looking forward to your next book! 🙂
Because I read on iThings, I use more than one ereading app. These days I buy most ebooks from Amazon; before Agency pricing it was mostly Fictionwise, but they carry very few romance books now. If I have a B&N gift card, I buy there.
For new paperbooks, I look for the 25% off deals at Target.
Older books can be found at Thriftbooks, which now has a network of USBs from which to order.
The only real bookstore I visit anymore is a great USB half a mile from my house. I get credit for books I take in, then pick up other books, with just a fifty cent per book transaction fee.
Since my hubby purchased me a Nook I must admit rarely have I been in a bookstore. I loved my local Borders alas it I no more. Any book that I am wanting and isn’t available online I purchase thru Amazon. BTW, can’t wait for Leo’s story, I just finished Deb Marlowe’s “How to Marry a Rake”.
The question is, where don’t I buy books. I buy both from Amazon and Amazon.co.uk, although mainly DVD’s from the UK store. I also buy books from Book Depository as well as Alibris for out of print books. Physically I will buy from Borders and B&N, particularly when I have a coupon. And of course, I can spend hours in the Strand bookstore (and often do).
Amazon. eBooks for fiction and paper for research (occasionally I buy from Edward R. Hamilton too).
I used to buy all my eBooks from FictionWise, but after agency pricing started, they didn’t have anything I wanted anymore.
Used to buy lots of books at my local Borders, but it closed and my book buying has dropped precipitously. I occasionally go to B&N, but I find their romance section skimpy and unsatisfactory. Where the old Borders had four big bookcases full of romance, the B&N has one, and they carry very few category romances. There’s a wonderful UBS in Silver Spring, MD that I go to as often as possible, but it’s hit or miss since it’s dependent on what other people have brought in. Plus I like to support authors (especially mid-list ones), and they get no royalties from the books I buy used. Don’t feel guilty when the books are OOP, however (recently got 3 old Maggie Osborne’s, which I’m enjoying).
I very, very rarely buy from Amazon.
The ubiquitous Amazon empire gets the lion’s share, especially if purchasing backlist books.
I also buy ebooks from a variety of places.
And, some from rummage sales (library etc) and thrift stores. Target (never Walmart, ugh) on occasion. They sometimes have some fun reads.
And, since I can’t pass a bookstore without stopping in, a moderate percentage from them. I love browsing bookstores but they have changed in the number of titles offered and variety offered. I miss the old stores. And, well, I admit I browse most often to then search out the titles through the library because I would be living in a fridge box under the viaduct if I bought all the interesting books out there. It would be lovely to reward all you authors for your hard work, but impoverishing and impossible for me to fund my reading obsession if I had to buy every title outright.
I buy most of my books through Amazon, but use Book Depository for some as well. I have a kindle and prefer to read on it. But that doesn’t mean I get all my book ideas from Amazon. I often go to Target and check out their Emerging Authors section. I find some of my favorite authors in this section. My dream job would be to be the person who picks these books. I also use Alibris and Abebooks for some out of print and research volumes I can’t find other places. I don’t shop at Barnes and Noble and there isn’t a Borders nearby. I also read Bookmarks and a few other reading magazines to get ideas as well.
The last few years, I’ve been able to buy your historicals at our local Walmart. Nice 25% discount, too!
Susan in AZ
I buy books through Amazon, but I love to browse the shelves wherever I see books for sale. I have bought books online and downloaded them (Sourcebooks for example), but I am not a huge fan of ebooks. I enjoy holding a book in my hands, curling up in a comfy chair or bed, and the computer makes me sit up straight! Plus my husband sees more of me if I read beside him in bed, rather than in front of the screen.
Wow. I wish I could respond to every one of you, but I’m only half way through my word count for today.
Thanks to all who mentioned buying my books in any way, shape or form!
Amazon is really successful, isn’t it? I buy most things from them. Even shoes!
Love The Strand, and Book Depository and thanks, jcp, for telling us about GoodShop. I never heard of them before.
1. I prefer to buy online because it’s so convenient. I buy from both Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com, as well as swap books at PaperBackSwap.
2. Occasionally I’ll browse Barnes & Noble, but not very often
3. The only other place I buy books is occasionally Target, because I shop there and they discount their new releases.
4. I only buy print books, I don’t have an e-reader.
1. I buy online by downloading through iBooks or Borders. No Amazon at all.
2. Unfortunately, I only have a tiny Borders in my town, which I’ll check periodically. If I can get to Portland, I always go to Powells!
3. If I’m not downloading a book, then I’ve probably picked it up at Walmart (have no Target either) 🙁
4. I download books I don’t really expect to keep in my collection. And buy paper copies of those I do– so it’s 50/50
I agree with Elizabeth–where do I NOT buy books?? If I’m in a place that has books I always seem to end up walking out with at least one. Lots more from Amazon since I got a Kindle…
I buy my books at Walmart (I work there so I get a tiny discount.) If I can’t find them at Walmart I order them via Amazon or the Book Depository.
I buy strictly print books at this point.
I buy my research books from a variety of sources – Amazon, Abe’s Books, Alibris, Ebay and I have a couple of book dealers in England who keep an eye out for specific books on my list that are out of print.
And bookstores are like crack to me. I can’t stay away and I can’t leave without at least one in my hot little hand!
I buy books pretty much where I find them.. SAMS has a good selection as do Target, WalMArt and Kmart. Many drugstores like Walgreens will also have a selection.
As for book stores, in our town we are lucky enough to have both a Barnes & Noble and a Books-A-Million, The closest good indie-bookstore is about 70 miles away. They have guest authors and will order just about anything00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000.
Hate it when I fall asleep.
I buy print books (haven’t gone e yet). Online mostly at Amazon, & then wherever I find them.
sallans d at yahoo dot com