Moving across country was tough.
Moving across country with a 20kg weight limit was tougher.
But the toughest thing of all was only bringing a handful of books across with me.
I've been a reader for as long as I can remember. I'm passionate about reading. I believe that a well written book should be enjoyed by you, and then recommended to others. I don't buy into the whole 'popularity' thing with books - to me, if the first few chapters don't interest me, I'll generally move on to something more interesting.
I can't help it. I'm fussy.
You guys gave me a bit of a ribbing when I mentioned books last time - as if I were moving to the end of the world, where there were no bookstores or libraries. Well, I'm yet to find a local library nearby, and the bookstore prices make me cry when I convert things into Australian dollars, so I've been trying my best to find other ways to satiate my book fetish. (Oh, can you imagine the Google hits?)
Finding books for 50p in the market stall in Greenwich a few weeks ago was a great start. I also ordered a couple of books from Amazon (my favourite Aussie author Matthew Reilly has a new book out that I must have) so my tiny stash is growing slowly.
This evening whilst taking out the garbage, I noticed a box on the ground filled with books. A note was pinned to the top: 'Help yourself or they're in the dumpster'. I'm not one to turn down second hand books in good condition... so don't mind if I do! Four novels and a diet book later, and I'm well chuffed.
So thankyou, random book sharer who lives somewhere in my apartment building. You've made this nerdy Australian girl an extremely happy little vegemite bookworm.
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35 comments:
No worries about being fussy. I'm so bad that I won't [generally] read second hand books. There have been many exceptions through the years, but on the whole, I love new, never touched books. Have to own the books. My husband and I even saved up to have matching, built-in, floor to ceiling bookshelves put into our living room. It's definitely a sickness!
Good score! I am so glad that we have a good used book store down the street, although the piles of unread books are multiplying, so I need to hold myself back from visiting it.
Reason #30,000,000
Why I love you.
sooo what are you going to do when you move back?
Free stuff rocks! I don't know if you have this option where you are, but here in the US when we mail books and other media, there is a super-cheap media bulk rate. I used it to mail a whole bunch of CDs back to my mom so I could sell them at a local store there ($20 to mail, got over $200 for them).
Don't convert prices to AUD. You're getting paid in pounds now, so spend pounds, not dollars!
try charity shops, if you're book hunting. They're always selling them off cheap.
I often grab books on the 50% off bin, I love hard back books. It's a crap shoot and sometimes I come up with crap but for 4 bucks a book, I can't complain!
Wow, free books! I want to live where you live!
I have a rabid love for reading as well! I think that's where most my $ goes. Oy!
Well there is always ebay and I would highly recommend getting involved with Bookcrossing, maybe there is a bookcrossing zone near you?
Oh yay!
Do what I do and get a part-time job in a bookstore. Spend half your income on discounted books. Of course, we get lots of free galleys here as well...
ok gotta take you to the barbican libary! if you work in the area and i think you count you can borrow books they have quite a good selection! too and music. i will look ito it. seeya hugya *G*
That's sweet of them and so much better than just throwing out all the books. :)
The best option is free, the second is used. And when all else fails, Amazon. I hardly buy from a "real" bookstore now - even after converting back to $A and including shipping, Amazon's still cheaper.
That box of used books must have felt like a jackpot. :)
My dream one day is to have my own library in my house. Even more, I dream to actually read each book I own.
I have loads of books to take to the half price store. If I could afford the postage and make time in my day to go to the post office I would send them to you. I cannot imagine a life without a library, as I've sworn off buying books.
I want to find a box of books on the side of the road! I just find ripped lounges and a tv with bullet holes in the screen- I kid you not. You'd think I lived in the ghetto.
Haha, aww - adopted books! Thank goodness they've found a loving home :)
(clapping emphatically) That's better than Christmas!! What a good soul!
xox
I saw something on TV ages ago that was like a free library thing... where people would leave books in a public place for other people to pick up and read, and then leave them someplace after they were done.. But I don't know if it worked...
Seemed like a good idea, but I bet the englishmafia stole them to clobber people over the head with or something.
or used them to light fires.
Aww, book sharing is great. How cool of someone to just put them at your door!
Mm...I miss reading. I just simply don't have enough time to get to the library that's 3 blocks away. I am BUSY ...apparently.
congrats! that is awesome karma come your way, kid. :)
Lucky you. What a find. I am hoarding books as well, it is sick really. If my shelves break I will be buried to my chest in these damn things. I don't even want to calculate how much I spent on them already. Currently I have seven books on my nightstand to be read and I had to promise the husband not to buy anymore books unless I am down to the last one :) That's tough.
So what is your favorite book?
How wonderful that you fell across some unwanted books! I, too, am an avid reader and I would hate to give up my collection of books even though I know they are replacable. Having a good book is like having a good friend with you at all times.
You can't beat free books! Well I am glad your friendly neighborhood book trasher can help you build your personal library. Happy reading!
How nice of them! I wish everyone would do that with their stuff before they threw it out.
I have so wanted to go to the rich suburbs on trash day and scour the sidewalks :)
That is awesome! I often do the same thing with things that I'm getting rid of that still has some life left...I'll place them by the dumpster with a note attached, "Free to good home."
I'm sure there is at least on library in London.
Amazon's used books is the best deal ever. You can't beat a book for $3.99. But I don't know if they do the used thing overseas.
And I will read a crappy book until the end. Because I have to know if it gets any better! And I need to know how it finishes!
Free books = nectar from the Book Gods! Woo hoo!!!
Aw you saved them from destruction! In our old apartment complex people always put things out in the common lobby before throwing them out. We liked sharing things with other people instead of just throwing them out! Yay for books!
i just don't get you book people.
I just don't.
;-)
ohhhh that is like finding treasure
and wooo hooo re going to Chicago - what a great treat - a London stage show - i'm so envious
What a great find!! Definitely google around to see if you can find a used book store. The one I go to here in NYC has GREAT deals!
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