A TO Z BOOK CHALLENGE discussion

Once a week, we are going to ask a question to hopefully help us figure out how to help make the group better, or just because it will help us get to know each other a little better.

So where do you get your books from? Do you buy your books from a local bookstore, a local used bookstore, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Do you borrow your books from family and friends, or the library? Do you prefer the good old paper books or the latest of e-books for the Kindle or Nook?

I get my books mostly from my drug dealer, oops I mean my local library. I fully admit that I am addicted to reading, and the books are my drug of choice. I can't afford to purchase the number of books that it would take to keep me happy every month which makes me that much more thankful for my local library. I can get most books even if they are not within my library system, through a system that is set up to borrow books from other library systems.

I also go to Amazon to look through their free Kindle books to see what is being offered. I have gotten a lot of good and top notch books, nearly all of Karen Witemeyer books, all for free by going every day just about. I do buy Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer, Cathy Marie Hake, and Kelly Eileen Hake on Amazon for my kindle when a new book comes out and I am too far down on the waiting list for the library.

I also get my books from library. I am addicted to reading and just going to library to look always come out with my hands full. i prefer a book then an eBook but do have nook and Amazon on my phone and tablet.

As a librarian, I am glad to see that you are a loyal library patron. Does your library offer ebooks? I get most of my books through our state wide digital library.

Anna my library does do the digital library as well, and there are times I get those books instead of paper books. I often laugh with the librarian's at my local branch for I am there so often that I just walk in and they pull my books down that I had on hold.

Darlene I actually try to avoid looking through the shelves at the library for I would walk away with far too many books. I actually "shop" for my books with the add of Goodreads, and the online catalog for the library. Our local library is actually a county wide system with something like 8 branches so my branch is limited. Today I did some "shopping" and really I need to be careful for I got my hold list down to 28 and now it is back up to 48, which means I only have 2 more books I can put on hold until books come in for me. I just need my son to come home, get a library card then I can put books on hold on his account if I had too LOL.

I also get my books from the library. I just started to read again. I used to read a lot when I was younger. It has helped me with my depression. I look forward to reading from A to Z.

I get my books from the library..my library also does e-books...win books from goodreads and authors...free books from amazon for my kindle..

Jessie wrote: "I also get my books from the library. I just started to read again. I used to read a lot when I was younger. It has helped me with my depression. I look forward to reading from A to Z."

I just started to read again,too, for my depression..I used to read a lot when I was younger and just got back into it this year. I even bought myself a kindle and love it!

Since my Rheumatoid Arthritis has made it impossible to hold regular books (which I love) I now use my Kindle exclusively. I have almost 200 on it and I'vr only had it since May. I download mostly free books but do occasionally buy some if they sound really good b

Brenda wrote: "Since my Rheumatoid Arthritis has made it impossible to hold regular books (which I love) I now use my Kindle exclusively. I have almost 200 on it and I'vr only had it since May. I download mostly ..."

I am SO glad I am not the only one out there that goes through all the free Kindle books and download mostly those. I mean that makes me sound strange if I am the only one doing it but with other doing it, I sound normal LOL.

Jessie and Rita, if you guys ever need encouragement or just to talk, please come to the group or even message someone privately for we are here for you I am sure. I suffered from a deep depression myself and understand how lonely a person can feel sometimes. But you guys are not alone for God is always with you and so are we or at least me since I really can't talk for the whole group, though I am sure there are people who will be here for you.

I was diagnosed with severe depression about a year after my husband passed away (which will be 9 years this Saturday). They put me on medication for awhile til I thought I was ok. I wasn't so I am back on it and have been on it for about 2 years now. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Yes please talk to any if us if you feel the need. We are here for our sisters in any way we can be of help.

I have suffered from depression too, and it got especially bad after my kids were born. I was on medication for awhile but I've been doing OK without it for now. If I ever need it again, I won't hesitate to get it on it though. It helps to have someone to talk to. I get most of my books from the library, but occasionally I buy them from the used bookstore or a yard sale. Or if it's something really special, like the newest Nicholas Sparks, I will buy a first edition brand new!

Ok for a laugh, for no one else will really understand. Today I had to say goodbye to a well used and well loved friend today for it broke. My library card had to be replaced today and well it is just sad for now I have to remember a whole new number :(

Janine wrote: "Ok for a laugh, for no one else will really understand. Today I had to say goodbye to a well used and well loved friend today for it broke. My library card had to be replaced today and well it is..."
Oh that stinks! I have my number memorized too and I would hate to have to change it. Luckily, the ones our library uses are like laminated paper, so they may wear out but they won't break.

Kim ours is like that two but you know after about 5 years they do wear out and if they hit the ground just right with the keys. Like I said it was well loved and used LOL. Now hopefully this one sticks around for another 5 years LOL

I try not to frequent the library much, I always forget or am sick and can't return the books on time and it would of just been cheaper to purchase it the first place. A lot of books come from Goodwill, Amazon, and half-com. I also use BookCrossing. See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/PaDu...

Wendy I just went to check out BookCrossing but it looks like I have to sign up for it. Before I do that I would be interested in knowing more about it.

Janine wrote: "Wendy I just went to check out BookCrossing but it looks like I have to sign up for it. Before I do that I would be interested in knowing more about it."

BookCrossing is pretty neat. You can leave books randomly "release in the wild" or you can sign up for a book-ring or bookbox that you send around to each other. The book that I show on my Goodreads list as currently reading is Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now and I received in the mail through a Bookray. Here is FAQS link which is helpful http://www.bookcrossing.com/faqs. If you do sign up just use my name PaDutchTravel as your referrer.
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/PaDu...

Wendy thank you I will check into tomorrow when my eyes are not crossed eyed. I just finished "Hopeful" again so I can read "Thankful". It is nearly 1:30 in the morning and I really really need to remember I have set time limits on what time to start a book so I am not up late.

@janine its funny at my library its the same way. the workers at the library at times have books the recommend to me and my son he is 8 and he loves the library he stays he gets everything he wants and it's free.

@ jesse i have just started to read also in the last to years with my heath issues and losing my dad and other things i found it great to read. it had helped alot

Sad as it sounds, I live too far from a library to check out books. Not that big of a deal, as they have a terrible selection and are not open to ordering anything worth while.
I stockpiled books from several thrift stores a few years back, when I was working in Ia, as they were 25 cents each. When I moved home, I bought all the unread ones and favorites back to Ga with me. So, I just stick my hand in a tote(barely lifting the lid so that I can not see what I am picking up) and that is what I read. I do borrow things from about 2 people that share the same tastes as me. I the only "NEW' books I have read in over a year either came from Goodreads, Dollar Tree or a friend. The rest of mine are all used from yard sales or thrift stores.
I read actual books, ones I can hold in my hand and turn the pages, I have not the money or the want for any kind of e-reader. Ever.

Thanks for letting me know if i need to talk i can ask for fellowship with the group. I am on medication for my depression which started when my mother passed away about 6 years ago. Then our finances have taken a beating as I lost my job and have several health issues from my heart to arthritis in my neck, back and knees which I got from falling 3 times last year. An a herniated disc in my lower back. I switched churches and now go to the Salvation Army and joined as a soldier. I started back reading because of a friend thorough church. It has helped me relax. I am looking forward to reading books that have been picked for me to read. I tend to stick to Amish love stories lately. Thanks again for letting me know my good read friends are there for me. Have a blessed day.

Jessie wrote: "Thanks for letting me know if i need to talk i can ask for fellowship with the group. I am on medication for my depression which started when my mother passed away about 6 years ago. Then our finan..."

God Bless you Jessie. I will keep you in my prayers. Feel free to send me a message any time you want to talk.

Wendy wrote: "Jessie wrote: "Thanks for letting me know if i need to talk i can ask for fellowship with the group. I am on medication for my depression which started when my mother passed away about 6 years ago...."

Thanks Wendy

Jessie I am apparently going through an Amish reading period myself so maybe we will be reading something that we can talk about. I go through cycles myself with going through contemporary romance, to historical romance, to Amish and who knows what in those things LOL.

There are no english books where i am
So i use my kindle and have friends who share their e-books with me..

But whenever i go home i go to the book store and buy books. I love having the actual book in my hands.

Fiona wrote: "There are no english books where i am
So i use my kindle and have friends who share their e-books with me..

But whenever i go home i go to the book store and buy books. I love having the actual b..."

Are you in Ireland Fiona?

I get most of my books from my library. We have approximately 50 libraries within our county that we can request books from, so I can get pretty much whatever I want to read. I rarely buy books anymore, because I have purchased books for previous book clubs and found that I have not liked them at all. Plus I have so many books that I want to read that I may not get back to the ones I truly love for a long time. I do purchase books occasionally, and they are usually ones that I have fallen in love with.
I sometimes get books that I want to keep from a site called Paperback Swap (www.paperbackswap.com). You list books for trade and then request books once you get credit for sending your books. You pay the price of postage. Not all books are available right away, however I can most of the ones I want fairly quickly.

Wendy I just signed up as ProudArmyMom987 so that you know.

awesome! You will have to friend me. I just got the The Hiding Placeas a Rabck (Random Act of Book Kindness) the other day.

Janine wrote: "Wendy I just signed up as ProudArmyMom987 so that you know."

Looks like you beat me Wendy on the friend request

I get mine that I purchase from Amazon and Christianbook.com. I get my books I review from netgalley.com and bookfun.org...a few from the author themselves. I always buy PB. I made one exception for my mom as due to RSD, she can't read real books...plus " The Hesitant Heiress" is an amazing read but currently only available in ebook format. We live in a small town with no bookstores and a very small library.

Noel wrote: "I get most of my books from my library. We have approximately 50 libraries within our county that we can request books from, so I can get pretty much whatever I want to read. I rarely buy books a..."

Wow, 50 libraries! Where do you live (if you don't mind telling me)? We have 5 within my county in Arkansas, but they are on the WorldCat network, which is global, so they can get books from a lot of different places. There have only been a couple I've wanted that they couldn't get that were very rare.

Kim wrote: "Noel wrote: "I get most of my books from my library. We have approximately 50 libraries within our county that we can request books from, so I can get pretty much whatever I want to read. I rarel..."

I live in the Seattle, Washington. Our library system is amazing. I feel very fortunate!

I get my books from Barnes and Nobles,Amazon, and some from Half-Priced Books. I have a few books that I got through Goodreads First Reads giveaways, which is always fun to do.

Noel wrote: "Kim wrote: "Noel wrote: "I get most of my books from my library. We have approximately 50 libraries within our county that we can request books from, so I can get pretty much whatever I want to re..."

I've got a cousin that lives in Olympia. She loves their libraries too.

Rachael wrote: "I get mine that I purchase from Amazon and Christianbook.com. I get my books I review from netgalley.com and bookfun.org...a few from the author themselves. I always buy PB. I made one exception fo..."

I love Christianbook.com. I have to be careful though too easy for me to spend too much money. ;-)

Janie R. wrote: "I get my books from Barnes and Nobles,Amazon, and some from Half-Priced Books. I have a few books that I got through Goodreads First Reads giveaways, which is always fun to do."

I have gotten some from first reads as well. Free books in the mail. What more could a bibliophile ask for?

Wendy, I know what you mean with buying books,so I always put gift cards on my Christmas list, then I take advantage of 15% to 20% coupons off at Barnes & Nobles,along with 10% off with my membership. I buy some books from Christianbook.com also-esp.when their books go on clearance.

Janie R. wrote: "Wendy, I know what you mean with buying books,so I always put gift cards on my Christmas list, then I take advantage of 15% to 20% coupons off at Barnes & Nobles,along with 10% off with my membersh..."

yes, I always tell my family you can't go wrong with getting me a gift-card.