The Bookworm's Thread 2016

whiteslice

carbootcrazy wrote: »

I'd be interested to know whether many of you have several books 'on the go' at the same time.
it.

I have two. One that fits in my handbag (to read on the go) and one that doesn't (usually left in the bathroom). I also try and alternate between fiction and non-fiction.

Callie22 wrote: »

to read a lot of 'older' books - I am a huge fan of Persephone.

Word! I love Persephone Books as well, although usually from afar...No budget for books nowadays, books just come and find me anyway

Callie22

whiteslice wrote: »

Word! I love Persephone Books as well, although usually from afar...No budget for books nowadays, books just come and find me anyway

I have to admit that most of mine are secondhand, and I scour ebay for bargains. They're not cheap brand new, but they are lovely books to hold as well as read. Persephone are one of the reasons I can't bring myself to buy an e-reader ...

whiteslice

I'm not keen on an e-reader in general. I think it's an amazing tool for people whose vision is declining, as you can make the letters bigger and switch the light on, and all that. But to me the smell of a book is important, the cover, the weight of it in my hands.

Met a guy once who believes paper books will disappear and then will become amazingly valuable, particularly books that tell you how to do stuff (i.e. DIY and the like). Not sure I buy that, I actually think people try to spend less 'screen time' and so books are not losing the appeal. Or that's the impression I get.

missbiggles1

whiteslice wrote: »

I'm not keen on an e-reader in general. I think it's an amazing tool for people whose vision is declining, as you can make the letters bigger and switch the light on, and all that. But to me the smell of a book is important, the cover, the weight of it in my hands.

Met a guy once who believes paper books will disappear and then will become amazingly valuable, particularly books that tell you how to do stuff (i.e. DIY and the like). Not sure I buy that, I actually think people try to spend less 'screen time' and so books are not losing the appeal. Or that's the impression I get.

Most people I know buy far fewer books than they used to because it can be so cheap to buy and read on a Kindle. I do still buy some because I love to read in the bath:o and my book group shares books around.

I'm having a massive cull since my husband died and that includes taking books to the tip, which I would never have done previously, but now I know how many scruffy books go the same way from charity shops it isn't worth donating them unless they're in really good condition.

mumps

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Most people I know buy far fewer books than they used to because it can be so cheap to buy and read on a Kindle. I do still buy some because I love to read in the bath:o and my book group shares books around.

I'm having a massive cull since my husband died and that includes taking books to the tip, which I would never have done previously, but now I know how many scruffy books go the same way from charity shops it isn't worth donating them unless they're in really good condition.

It annoys me that alot of books cost as much for the kindle as for an actual book. When you consider no transport costs, no costs for books sitting on a shelf, no printing costs I really think they should be cheaper. I know you can get some really cheap books but if I am waiting for the latest book from a particular author and it costs the same on kindle as a book then I will go to my local independent bookshop and give them the business. I can then pass them on, lend them out or let the CS have them.

I do use the library alot now I have retired, we have a small local library with fairly limited hour so it wasn't much use to me when I worked but has saved me a small fortune in the last year.

[Deleted User]

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I'm having a massive cull since my husband died and that includes taking books to the tip, which I would never have done previously, but now I know how many scruffy books go the same way from charity shops it isn't worth donating them unless they're in really good condition.

I know exactly what you mean about taking books to the tip. Reluctantly I do the same. There are huge signs everywhere at ours warning us of the dire consequences if anyone removes anything from the site:eek:. I took some boxes of really tatty books that I obtained for nothing to start with and that I had no way of disposing of otherwise. As I was putting them in the massive walk-in shipping-style storage container they have for books I noticed piles of books in excellent condition had been dumped there. The man who works there followed my in as he was helping me with my boxes and I asked if I could take a couple of them in exchange for about 100 of mine that I was leaving. His face was a picture:rotfl: as he pointed to the signs forbidding removal.

What a criminal waste of good books:mad:. When I asked what would happen to them he said they were for pulping but I suspect some middle-man will be cherry-picking the best and selling them on. I have no evidence to support that of course;)

missbiggles1

mumps wrote: »

It annoys me that alot of books cost as much for the kindle as for an actual book. When you consider no transport costs, no costs for books sitting on a shelf, no printing costs I really think they should be cheaper. I know you can get some really cheap books but if I am waiting for the latest book from a particular author and it costs the same on kindle as a book then I will go to my local independent bookshop and give them the business. I can then pass them on, lend them out or let the CS have them.

I do use the library alot now I have retired, we have a small local library with fairly limited hour so it wasn't much use to me when I worked but has saved me a small fortune in the last year.

I think that there's VAT payable on ebooks and not on real books but whether that accounts for the difference, I'm not sure.

I'm gradually getting to grips with not owning something tangible when I buy a book and I'm looking forward to being able to hang some pictures when I can free up some wall space from all the bookshelves. (My husband would be turning in his grave if he could read that.)

mumps

missbiggles1 wrote: »

I think that there's VAT payable on ebooks and not on real books but whether that accounts for the difference, I'm not sure.

I'm gradually getting to grips with not owning something tangible when I buy a book and I'm looking forward to being able to hang some pictures when I can free up some wall space from all the bookshelves. (My husband would be turning in his grave if he could read that.)

I love my kindle and yes the VAT could account for some of it but if I am buying a book on Amazon I do compare the prices and sometimes I can buy a new book cheaper than an e book and frequently I can buy a secondhand book cheaper even paying £2.80 p and p which seems to be standard.

An example was last week I bought a book than was £7.99 as an e book and 1p secondhand so £2.81 with p and p. That is quite a difference and when I visit my son next week I will give it to him as it is a writer he likes. It really did look as good as new. I also got the Survivors book you mentioned, it came today and again cost £2.81 with p and p and just has a small tear on the cover where someone has pulled off a price sticker. It wasn't available as an e book though.

We don't have a market where I live but in a nearby town there is a bookstall in the market, I sometimes buy secondhand books there and then get 50% back when I take it back which goes towards the next book. As I get through 4 or 5 books a week it all adds up:T

whiteslice

I've heard of a couple who covered their living room floor with books (I can see problems with cleaning, but top points for originality). At the time I flinched at the idea of walking on books, but I didn't take into account all the pulping/binning that goes on. Perhaps using books instead of a carpet wasn't such a bad idea.


I try to give unwanted books away to friends (end up giving away the ones I like more often though!) or through BookMooch, but some do end up in a charity shop. Generally the ones I deem unworthy of reading anyway, so not too much of a heartbreak. Books are the most valuable thing in my household and we have loads, but each time we have to move it's sheer hell dragging all of them about.

pollypenny

I had stocked my Kindle for my visit to New Jersey, but couldn't resist buying The Revenant and A God in Ruins at the airport. OH bought a war book, surprise surprise, so I picked up another book, The Quality of Silence, by Rosamund Lupton

It's a Eco-thriller set in Alaska, I'd say it is a teen-read, really, but it was good. The main character is a deaf child.

DiL has just taken the book to read and I can't remember the author.

Time to choose one from the Kindle now, maybe a Dana Stabenow.

Edit to add: the author.