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Topic: Shop at BOOKSTORES, with pad and pen

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dulcimer42 avatar
Subject: Shop at BOOKSTORES, with pad and pen
Date Posted: 1/26/2009 3:50 PM ET
Member Since: 2/18/2008
Posts: 24
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I love to go shopping at bookstores,  see what are their best sellers,  newest fiction or non fiction.   Whatever looks really interesting, I jot down on my pad of paper.  THEN  I come home and go to paperbackswap and see if I can find those books.  I can at least put them on my wishlist.

Another thing I love to do:   Our local Goodwill Store has 30 percent off on Wednesdays for seniors.   (This is a great idea, even if you don't qualify for senior discount).    I shop there weekly, and find that our local store has a quick turnover on newer books.   I look for books I know to be new or best sellers.   My quick scan down the bookshelf, I look for book that,   when I glance at their tops,  the pages are  bright white, not browned or yellowed.    THEN,    I buy books that look like they would be wanted.....  frequently finding books that I've read and know to be good.   Paperbacks sell for sixty nine cents, without the discount.       Then,   list them right here.      I LOVE Paperback swap.   Such fun swapping and looking for good reading material.    And my husband, who is not a reader,  loves that I NEVER  buy books at full price any more.

lambkins avatar
Date Posted: 1/26/2009 5:56 PM ET
Member Since: 11/23/2008
Posts: 329
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I have also done the same thing at bookstores.  I always felt wierd writing down the titles and authors that interested me.  I guess, It almost felt like shoplifting.  I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one.

ChicagoCubs avatar
Date Posted: 1/27/2009 8:23 AM ET
Member Since: 9/20/2005
Posts: 14,915
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I do this all the time.  It saves me a lot of money.  Sometimes I just like to go to the bookstore and browse. 

mblisa avatar
Date Posted: 1/27/2009 11:31 AM ET
Member Since: 11/25/2007
Posts: 792
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I also shop at several Goodwill stores in my area.  I love what Goodwill does, in the fact that they support and teach people with disabilities.

Ive found many great bargains at Goodwill! including books for PBS.

CocoCee avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 1/27/2009 11:32 AM ET
Member Since: 1/17/2007
Posts: 1,051
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Oh, I'm so glad I'm not the only who does this (goes to retail store, then buy somewhere else used)... but I don't use a pen and pad... I take a picture with my camera phone! So I can remember the bookcovers.

LuckBeAPanda avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 1/27/2009 3:37 PM ET
Member Since: 1/2/2009
Posts: 408
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I spend at least one night a week at the local Borders Bookstore.  I'll read or write and maybe buy a cup of coffee.  It's an inexpensive relaxing evening, and a good break from staying at home.  Also if I really like a book, or I'm not finished by 11 pm closing time, I'll buy it. :)

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niffir - ,
Date Posted: 1/28/2009 11:33 PM ET
Member Since: 2/13/2008
Posts: 495
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I do the opposite sometimes.  I go to Goodwill and write down info on books I think might be wishlisted on PBS.  I come home and see if they are and return to get them to list if they are.

scrappingsteph avatar
Date Posted: 1/29/2009 12:44 AM ET
Member Since: 1/13/2008
Posts: 1,728
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when i go to the bookstore, i either take a picture of the books cover, or i text myself the name and author

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 1/29/2009 11:44 AM ET
Member Since: 7/31/2006
Posts: 14,634
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I have trouble in a new book store..sigh..books keep trying to jump into my hands! I've improved though.there are some I just dont wait around for..I'm in there or walmart or wherever to get them asap...I know I need to get over this and luckily there are only a handful of authors I do this with..

I've also discoverd that my library surprises me sometimes. I'd pretty much given up since books i'd think they'd get they don't then others they do..but I've found some there that are on my wishlist so I can check it out and if I don't like it I remove it from my wishlist..and if I decide I want to own a copy I stay on the wishlist.

I scrwed up in Borders a year or so ago and bought a book I just 'knew' would be wishlisted here and turns out it was the only book by that author that was available..as a reprint. :-( bummer.

Generic Profile avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 2/1/2009 3:59 PM ET
Member Since: 4/26/2006
Posts: 3,201
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I have done this too, I feel kind of weird doing it too, but oh well:)

tanjkn3 avatar
Date Posted: 2/2/2009 11:02 AM ET
Member Since: 7/15/2007
Posts: 25
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I do this too, I usually take a picture of the cover with my camera phone cause I never remember pen/paper

sevenspiders avatar
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Date Posted: 2/2/2009 3:39 PM ET
Member Since: 6/19/2007
Posts: 5,987
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I always bring a notebook and pen when I go to the bookstore, at least once a month to get a new batch of titles to look for here or at the library.  Never felt weird about.

jennbot13 avatar
Subject: Amazon
Date Posted: 2/3/2009 3:48 PM ET
Member Since: 1/24/2009
Posts: 2
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I always search Amazon for new titles- If your local bookstore leaves something to be desired this is a great way to discover new authors and then add them to your list here or at the library. Looking at member lists on Amazon is really helpful as well!

Mistry avatar
Kim (Mistry) -
Standard Member medal
Date Posted: 2/4/2009 9:59 AM ET
Member Since: 6/23/2006
Posts: 4,135
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i do this quite a lot when i get out to the bookstore.  it helps me remember what new books are out or what authors looked good to me.  I very rarely buy a new book, but I still love to get out to the bookstore ;)

hugbandit7 avatar
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Date Posted: 2/6/2009 10:07 AM ET
Member Since: 5/10/2007
Posts: 5,526
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I've done this for years....it used to be i would get them from the library and then it moved to here and now I'm working on going back to the library when it is available.

Generic Profile avatar
Subject: Re: Shop at BOOKSTORES, with pad and pen
Date Posted: 2/6/2009 11:00 PM ET
Member Since: 1/28/2009
Posts: 1,247
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I do this too!

I was worried I was doing something wrong, standing in the aisles like that, I am SO glad to know I am not the only person who does it! lol.

I WISH our Goodwill was fair priced as yours is! =)

I buy most of our books there, but the paperbacks at our stores are $2.99 and hardcovers are more. Crazy! I also try to hit garage sales, we also have numerous second hand book stores in our area.

They are TOO expensive to buy from outright (charge 60% of retail price on book) but they are always taking new books on trade and give you a store credit for each, which if they have something I really really want, makes it worth it.

I don't know if all or most libraries do this, but ours has a weekly book sale. They offer paperbacks for 99 and 2 for $1 type things. Most of those are in fair condition, but once in awhile you will find a good one.

 

Generic Profile avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 2/22/2009 7:27 PM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
Posts: 26,510
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I do the title write down thing as well. Even if I'm at a thrift store and the book is cheap. If I think it's WL and it's in postable condition then I buy it then. But if I know it'll be a readily available book on PBS-I add it to my RL and look for it on a deal.

Sometimes I'll take pictures of a book with my cel phone to look it up on PBS.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 2/26/2009 8:03 AM ET
Member Since: 9/6/2008
Posts: 1
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The local library here has a  a "donation" for books it is like 15 cents!!! I bought a james patterson book that was brand new!!!  When ever i hear about a great book I come here first!! ;) my cousin just told me about joanne fluke she went out and bought her first  book  in the series LMAO i just got it from here.

Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 2/28/2009 7:43 AM ET
Member Since: 12/31/2008
Posts: 3
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I search Barnes & Noble and Borders web site to make my list of books I want.  Then I don't feel funny in the store.

I pick up books at goodwill also. 

I recently went to a magazine store and found books at 80% off.  I purchased a whole bunch.  Some to keep, give away as gifts and some to list and share with my friends on this site.

I also search on the web at my favorite authors web pages.  I get to see what is coming up and keep a running list of each author.  Also if I find an interesting series the authors web site usually has then in the correct order so I know which one to read first and what comes nest.  Great for adding to my wish list.

Happy book searching and READING!!!

 

Generic Profile avatar
Subject: Writing down titles at bookstores
Date Posted: 3/4/2009 6:23 AM ET
Member Since: 2/21/2009
Posts: 7
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I do this all the time too. I used to work at a bookstore and I can say that no one who works at a bookstore would care if they saw you doing that (unless they're the owner). Clerks at bookstores are book addicts just like us and believe me, they also go to the thrift stores or yard sales or anyplace else they can get books! So feel free to write down anything you want while browsing in a bookstore, no one will look at you funny (unless, like I said, it's a really small place and the owner is looking at you). In big chain bookstores, no problem. The clerk would probably lend you a pen if you need one. At least, I would have when I worked there!

kacey14 avatar
Subject: Shopping at my library's book store
Date Posted: 3/5/2009 10:03 AM ET
Member Since: 2/8/2009
Posts: 2
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My library has a "Friends of the Library" book store within the library itself.   It contains donated books, and overstock books from the library shelves.  Last night I went to the library book store and wrote down a bunch if ISBN numbers from some Large Print books I thought might be on people's WL.  (Large Print books seem to be on more WL than similar titles in other versions.)   Then I was able to log into the internet at one of the computer terminals in the library and search for the ISBN numbers on the Paperback Swap website.   I found that 3 paperback Large Print books were on Wish Lists.  I bought the books for $1.00 each.  

I posted them last night, and have already had two responses.   I'm mailing out two books today.  Wa-hoo!   I think I'm going to have to use this method more.  It gives me some guarantee that the books I've purchased will result in PBS credit soon.  

I can't wait until the book stores next 1/2 off sale.  Paperback books go will then be .50, and hardbacks go down to 1.00.   Ka-ching!



Last Edited on: 3/5/09 10:08 AM ET - Total times edited: 2