Ah, Amazon! - Writers Forum

Drzava · 08-09-2005, 09:05 PM

I bought an English book today for $40, looked online and can find it for 57 cents. I'll return it in a bit, and extend a big fug you to the campus bookstore

Ilan Bouchard · 08-09-2005, 09:23 PM

Gahaha...

Zan · 08-09-2005, 09:47 PM

Yeah, amazon is definitely the way to go. If it weren't for their "used" selection, I wouldn't ever be reading. Unless I went to that dreadful place called the library.

Aeryn · 08-09-2005, 10:43 PM

I love Amazon. =]

Usually they have great prices. My grandfather wrote a book years ago and now that he has passed away I don't know where an extra copy is. I went to Amazon and they have it but they want $275.00 for it! This is the ONLY time I won't buy from them. lolol

Zan · 08-10-2005, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrwriter

You're the second or third member who has said they can't stand the library. What's wrong with public libraries?

There is nothing wrong with libraries, its not like I wish they weren't around or anything. I guess it just has to do with personal preference. When I was growing up, I never went to the library for the sole purpose of reading for pleasure. If I wanted to read for fun, I usually went to Borders and picked up a book.

During the times that I went to the library, it was mainly for academic purposes, research, studying, etc... Things that don't tend to be too much fun. That is probably why I choose to buy a book rather than go to the library.

I will say this. The library has been one of the greatest things in all of history. Its been around for who knows how long. Giving the ordinary man the opportunity to read. I guess I am just spoiled and would rather pick up the book for myself...

BookLover · 08-10-2005, 09:25 AM

Coming from a not-so-wealthy family, library was my main source of knowledge and fun. If I wanted to look up something, run to the library and get it.

Now that I am placed much better financially, I can afford to buy a book, just because I 'felt' like. Thats a luxury that I allow myself to have.

The only regret I have about libraries here is -- they are not uptodate. They don't have the the book that was released like two months ago.

Anyway, you get some and you lose some! I still like libraries.

Kane · 08-10-2005, 10:22 AM

When I was a wee lad, my mom used to take us to the Library once a week. I'd make sure to get enough books to last til the next excursion. I don't know why, but I haven't been to the library much as an adult. Even as a student, the only time I've been to the campus library is for my language labs. I do go to the bookstore at least once a week or so, though. Yesterday I picked up "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman, and 3 books by Sara Douglass, the Wayfarer Redemption. They seemed well written from my peek at the first couple of pages, and she is apparantly Australia's best selling author. I haven't read many books by women-if any at all in the last twenty years-so I thought I'd give it a try.

k3ng · 08-10-2005, 10:31 AM

Sadly Amazon can only deliver books to my country... anything else can't ship.

galt · 08-10-2005, 10:39 AM

I almost never go to the library yet I average reading two books a month. The reason is: I have a ton of books at home, and I order from Amazon, and that way you get to keep the book, not return it two weeks later. There are so many used books stores online that it is easier to simply order one for $3 dollars rather than go to the public library and spend time looking for it, and then you have to return it after a few weeks. Also, I think another reason fewer people frequent libraries is the Internet. I don't just mean because of online bookstores or Amazon. There are online maps and directories now, and you can look up just about any fact you want, whereas, in the olden days, you would have to find all that information in the library. Say you wanted to learn about horses. It used to be that the best way was to go to the library and check out a horse book. Now, you browse a few websites, and you learn everything you want to know on horses. I think that's why libraries are seldom used. And, like Sanyuja said, you can get books that just recently got published, you don't have to wait a few months. Oh, I just thought of another disadvantage, too: You can't read reviews on a book at the library, but you can on the Internet.

midlandsmuse · 08-10-2005, 11:47 AM

Amazon is great but their postage kills them. That's why I now use play.com. Prices, which usually match Amazon but include delivery to the UK mainland.

Way-hey.

Capulet · 08-10-2005, 01:27 PM

I just buy a couple of books from Amazon at a time, and they pay the postage for me. Whenever I find a book I like I put it on my wish list, and when I have a couple on there I just fire them down to checkout.

Oh, libraries tend to be smelly and full of old people. I try not to read any books I have to wipe down first.

galt · 08-10-2005, 01:43 PM

Heh heh, Capulet, when my brother buys books from used bookstores he also wipes them with disinfectent.

Pendulum · 08-10-2005, 08:05 PM

I got a $40 gift certificate for Amazon.ca. With tax and shipping applied, I can only order 28 dollars worth of items. I blame Amazon, but also the Canadian Government. Grr...

Hodge · 08-10-2005, 11:18 PM

Quote:

You're the second or third member who has said they can't stand the library. What's wrong with public libraries? If I hadn't spent a lot of time in my town's library when I was a teenager, I wouldn't have learned half as much during my high school years.

There's people there, that's why. You sit in a chair to read or you browse the books and you can feel everyone's prying eyes and probing minds—you think they aren't thinking about you and your choice of books? Oh, they are, believe you me.

Plus, you have to return the books. I hate deadlines. Anticipation kills me—if I know I have to return a book, I can't rest easily because that's another responsibility I have to keep track of.

galt · 08-11-2005, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hodge

—you think they aren't thinking about you and your choice of books? Oh, they are, believe you me.

Hodge, you sound a bit paranoid.
Neh, I'm kidding. I think it's funny. In truth, I don't like that either about libraries. Besides, who wants to sit in a public chair and read a book that who knows how many people have touched, when you can have a nice, clean, copy at home in bed?