Books have always been a very important part of my life. All of my family reads a lot, so piles of books, bookshelves filled with them, library books stacked in the corner, books on tables and chairs and beds have always been just a part of life. 

The article "A Home Library," tells of some of the ways I've used to obtain books, but I have only lately begun to keep a list. I recognize a book as something I want to read without having to have it on a list, of course, but having a list helps me stay focused.  

One of the best sources of used books is our local Goodwill store. The Salvation Army has books, but they're all old and boring to me - they look like leftovers from a library sale or something.

Where do you find books at reasonable prices?  

I cleaned up at a library book sale this weekend. Among my haul was a barely-used matching set of C.S. Lewis' Space Trilogy for 30 cents. They were listed as "children's books" so they went for only a dime a piece! I couldn't believe it.

Pat:

Where do you find books at reasonable prices?  

Thrift stores have the best prices on books. I also visit local used bookstores. I can take the books we have read and trade them in for credit at those bookstores to lower the price of books there.

 I too cleaned up at a library book sale this weekend. Three big bags of books for $15. It included cookbooks, sheet music and assorted novels.

I also keep an eye out at my library. They have a few shelves that are devoted to books for purchase. 

I thought this was a good and timely article!  I've been in school for a year, and have been building my library for the last several years.  A library is a very good thing and can be a money saver, too.  For a class I'm taking, we have been assigned to read seven required books and a few books on the recommended book list.  There are at least three books on that list in my library already, and another 2-3 books not on the list that I can also use.  One of those books was from a class I took over 10 years ago! 

Right now, I'm looking for very specific books so I don't always find great prices.  But I do check places like half.com before I order the books from the bookstore.  Even when I do order from the bookstore, I try to order used.  It's also good to find a local bookstore on half.com that specializes in textbooks because they may have more than one book you need, saving you a bundle in shipping costs. 

You can also ask friends for books; most of us have more books than we can use. 

Pat:

Where do you find books at reasonable prices?  

I do frequent our one locally owned used book store. However, where I splurge and treat myself is the annual friends of the library book sale every summer. They sell paperbacks for 50 cents (used to be a quarter each a couple years ago) and hardbacks for $1. Magazines are 50 cents a pound. I can get an AWFUL lot this way without it adding up to too much. Also, on sunday is their bag sale. All the books you can fit into a bag for $1. I've bought 2 or 3 bags most summers of romance books. For the same prices of 50 cents a book, the friends of the library also hold a romance book sale around valentine's day each year. (Some years I forget to go!!). If I'm looking for something very specific, then I go to amazon.com and check out their used marketplace. I've found many books from 0.01 to 0.10 cents plus postage of $2.99.

It's a rather nerdy/geeky thing to do, lol, but in my purse I have a small notebook with a list of books in it. Each author has their own page(s) and books I have are written down in ink. If there is something I'm missing and want, its written in, in pencil. This way I avoid buying duplicates. Even at the used 50 cents a book price, there is no point buying something you already have.

Kate:

t's a rather nerdy/geeky thing to do, lol, but in my purse I have a small notebook with a list of books in it.

Goodness, I hope it's not too nerdy because I do the same thing!   Of course I guess there could be worse things... 

Looking for old craft and sewing books in thrift stores is my favorite. I prefer the projects in the pre-1970's era books, before stores like Michael's and Joann's came on the scene. Usually the older the book the less it relies on cheaply made but expensive manufacturered supplies to complete a project. Better Homes and Gardens are some of my favorite old books, and some old sewing books.

 Also I look for some old cookbooks that don't use pre-packaged items for their ingredients.

I indulge in Amazon.com several times a year also, usually DIY type books. Edey

 Alibris.com is a good place to look for books. They do a search of different places for you. I have bought quite a few books from them. Babs

JennyC:

If you live near a college, it's often worthwile to stroll through the English and similar departments at the ends of semesters. As faculty clean out their offices, they often put out "free book" boxes.

I didn't realize that. I live very near a college; I'll have to check it out.