Cozy Mystery Corner discussion

I've been feeling a lot of guilt lately. There are so many authors out there trying to make a living through the sales of their books and I mostly use my library system.

For the first half of my life I had to have my own copy, then I went through a 10 year period where I would mostly buy from used bookstores and book sales. Now I use my local library system almost exclusively.

I visit my library up to 3 times a week and I would just not survive without it.

Do you buy or borrow? If you borrow, do you feel guilty like me? (I do buy books for my kids, just not me.)

I have a Kindle so I buy most of my books for that. Every now and then, I will buy a traditional book. I usually get those from Amazon too. The last time I checked a book out of the library was 5 years ago.

I buy dead tree books. I like to collect the series I really like, so that later can go back and read them all if I want. Sometimes there is such a lag between books, so it can be fun to read them one right after another. I also use them for reference sometimes.

I borrow from the library almost exclusively too -- kind of a job security thing, since I work there :) -- but if I *really like a book, I'll buy a print copy later. I guess it's my way of "rewarding" the authors who entertain me the most?

I use several libraries throughout the year, but I also buy a few used books and some used books. As a writer I try to support other writer friends by buying their books. I never feel guilty using a library instead of buying a book, but I do feel guilty when I buy books online instead of going to my local bookstore. I shop online mostly because I'm lazy--it's right there, and I don't have to drive or put in a special order.

I have a Kindle and I only use it when my my left hand and wrist hurt too much from holding a book. (I guess I have carpal tunnel syndrome.)

I really thought it would be a great thing to have but I suppose I'm old school. I like the feel of having a printed book in my hand. I also don't appreciate what the publishers are charging libraries for patrons to check out e-books so I try not too.

I've said this many times before but I can't even remember the last time I paid full retail price for a book. I think it is disgusting the price of books - especially paperback ones. I buy at 1/2-off the sticker or at publisher over-run sales, yard sales, library booksales or any other book sale I can find. If it's a newer book I'm looking for I use my local and statewide library system. I've also used books free, paperback swap and other similar sites.

I buy my books. I have a Kindle Fire, but really don't like reading books on it much. It's great for reading magazines, tho. I prefer a paper & ink book. I NEVER pay full price for books as list prices are just ridiculous anymore. I buy mostly from Amazon, bookdepository, half.com and sometimes on eBay. About the most I'm willing to pay for e-books is $1.99, but do have a very few that I paid more for. One I actually paid $5.99 for and ended up not liking it and it was an author I always liked before and e-book was the only way I could get the book. I have used the library for other things in the last few years, but can't remember the last time I checked a book out. Has to be over 25 years.

I am so blessed to have 4 branches of my library system within 15 minutes of my home. We go to all of them depending on what we are looking for.

There is a library just over 2 blocks from where I live, but I still don't use it. When I do buy paper books & not ebooks, I take them to the library when I'm done and donate them. That's what I go to the library for.

I buy all my books - mostly bookdepository.com, hardcovers from Amazon. You've all heard me lament the prices of books here in the AU, so while I'd love to be able to buy from my local, I don't feel guilty about not doing so, when it saves me 75% off each book (although prices here have come down a bit in response to international competition - yay capitalism!). I rarely use my iPad to read books - only those I can't get on paper.

Having said all that, I'd LOVE to have my local library stock a selection varied enough for me to take advantage of. It wouldn't stop me buying, but there are a lot of books I'd like to try but won't pay for because I might not like them. I wouldn't feel guilty about that either.

I'm happy that I'm supporting authors by purchasing new books, but I think the most important thing is that people are reading - no matter how they get their source material. You may check a book out of the library, love it, come to GR and rave about it in this group and 3 or 4 people like myself or Melodie might rush out and buy it - and without you we may never have heard about it otherwise.

I figure it all comes out in the wash. ;)

❂ Jennifer wrote: "You may check a book out of the library, love it, come to GR and rave about it in this group and 3 or 4 people like myself or Melodie might rush out and buy it - and without you we may never have heard about it otherwise."

I never thought about it that way...brilliant!

I very rarely buy books from a bookstore. I'd like to be able to support the independent booksellers, but I can't afford new books. I use my library systems all the time. If I buy books, it's mostly from a library sale. And a lot of times they're books I heard of here on GR.

Jennifer wrote: "You may check a book out of the library, love it, come to GR and rave about it in this group and 3 or 4 people like myself or Melodie might rush out and buy it - and without you..."

Or you could give the book a review on the author's GR page. Either way, as an author, I'd rather have people read my book that they got from a library or book sale, and enjoy it than not read it at all.

I got hooked on cozy mysteries because a good selection was available at my local library. Now they don't carry them. So, I buy. Both used and at times, new. I try to go to all of the library sales in my county and the neighboring counties. I also go to yard sales and trade lots and a used book store that has good prices. I get books given to me from friends that are finished with them, even though( most often)) I don't read those particular authors. Those go as trade- in's at the used book store. I do use my local library for research in the genealogy department and I scan the mystery section in case I spot a mystery that I might like. That doesn't happen as often as I wish. I love libraries. I also love holding a book in my hands to read. I don't own a tablet/Kindle and really don't have a great desire to but I do get books on my computer ,via Kindle PC. Only the freebies. If I like that author, I buy the book to go on my shelf at home and purchase further books in that series from the stores.

I do a combination of buying on my kindle and nook, buying at a big book store, buying at my local indie used book shop, and the library. My number one go-to spot is the library. I am fortunate to live where my library system has won all kinds of national awards so it is pretty good.

I buy my books. I buy them new or used. I also keep them all as I love books and have a room with bookcases on three walls. When my children were young, I could not afford to buy books. I would take my kids to the library every other week. They would also get out a few books. As they got older we started buying them. I have lots of children's books that I really should sell as they are in good condition...getting off topic so I will stop.

I mainly do library as well. I try to buy only authors/books I know I will read again and again. Though I'm not opposed to e-books, when I purchase, I usually get paper books because they're something I actually own (as opposed to e-books where I only "have access") and can dispose of as I see fit when I'm finished with them. I go paper when I purchase books as gifts, too, especially for the kids.

As for pricing and location... I think we all like bargains. I tend to shop local used stores and Half-priced Books first. I visit the local Barnes & Noble for new or specialty items. If I purchase online, I hit used places first (Cozy Book Cellar, Powell's, Abe's Books, eBay, etc.) If I go new, I hit B&N, Amazon, and a couple of others to check for the lowest price and default to B&N if pricing is comparable (and I really can't wait and have to have the book now).

99% of the e-books I "have access to" are freebies. I subscribe to several newsletters/ feeds that list freebies for Nook and Kindle. When I do purchase eDitions it's because they're heavily discounted -- $0.99 to maybe $1.99. I purchased a 900+ -page anthology for $4.99 or $5.99, but that's the most I've paid for an eDition. Most of my e-books are EPUB (Nook, iBook, Adobe Digital Editions) because I prefer the Nook app and it's flexibility. Kindle purchases have been items I have not been able to get elsewhere and have been within my cheap price range.

It's not that I don't ever purchase from Amazon, I do. But I sort of agree with what Senator Charles Schumer said last year, "If publishers, authors and consumers are at the mercy of a single retailer that controls 90 percent of the market and can set rock-bottom prices, we will all suffer. Choice is critical in any market, but that is particularly true in cultural markets like books. The prospect that a single firm would control access to books should give any reader pause." So, I pause and try to support a variety of entities when purchasing to keep competition alive.

I buy at yard sales, but whenever possible, I just borrow from the library. But I donate back all the time so I don't feel bad. After all, the library is purchasing the books, so the author is getting paid in some manner.

I LOVE going to the library here in my town!!! There are so many different genres and authors to choose from. The librarian here has started quite the collection of cozy, which I totally love. If it wasn't for her I would never I started reading them. Plus, I usually don't have a lot of extra spending money to spend on books so going to the library is PERFECTLY ok with me!!!!!

I borrow books from my library to save money and save space in my home.

I go to library, buy and borrow on nook. I have a couple of friends we sop back forth. Husband just got me a new book case.

My library has gotten rid of 90% of its mass market paperbacks making it extremely difficult to access the cozy mysteries I adore..the wait lists are horrid..I still to this day am on the wait list for 50 Shades of Grey..( I have bought and read all three just stayed on to see how long it would take!)..so I buy most of my books either from the used book store or one of a number used online sites .for new releases I use B&N...I keep only the authors series that I adore, as I do re read, the rest go back to the aforementioned bookstores for new books.

Love, love, love my Kindle. My local library's library of ebooks is growing all the time and I take full advantage of it. Of course I buy them online too. To Cathy's point...I just don't want to store all these books I read!

I love living simply and owning very little. As much as I love books, I limit how many I'll own. So, I get my books from the library. I'll buy a book if it's one I know I want to read several times but I limit myself to only 20 books.

I'm very traditional. I have to have an actual book in my hands. I have one with me at all times. Personally, I'm not a fan of electronic books at all. It's a development in publishing that I hate but will have to come to terms with because it's not going away. I don't care how many books you can easily fit onto them, it's the idea of being attached to the gizmo that I don't like. All of these gadgets are turning people into self-absorbed, anti-social robots. I have a desktop computer and that's enough technology for me. My phone sits on the table and stays home.

I enjoy buying the first book in a series. After that since I work in a library I try as much as possible to borrow from work. Sometimes I feel guilty when I buy books instead of borrowing from work, so I compromise by limiting myself to only buying cozies since they are my favorite.

Because I already own so many books and have to cull them every year, I borrow from my library which has an excellent system.. I buy some books used and always buy at the library book sales. I am a dead tree book reader so space is an issue. I am like Jack but own several hundred books not counting the 120 cookbooks I own. I do feel a little guilty that I borrow more than buy but as a senior I also need to live within my budget.

I buy books from library sales. Other than that I borrow from the library and download books through them too.

I buy and borrow. There are some books I want to own, some I just want to read, and some I pick up used at sales.

I only buy books that I plan to use/read repeatedly or books that the library doesn't have and I don't want to ask them to buy or get through ILL. I've used the library extensively the last 18 years, especially since I homeschool and have voracious readers in my family. For years I would fill three or four tote bags per week with items, before switching to a rolling cart.

I like getting ebooks from the library, because I figure that the author gets a little money, since libraries have to buy the books again after a certain amount of checkouts if they still want to offer the books. I check out a lot of eaudios, but I don't know if the eaudio publishers have a similar policy.

I buy books mostly from a favorite used book store in town. It's a great community gathering space and I like supporting this local business. I did buy about half a dozen books from B&N a couple of months ago but that's a rare occurrence because the prices are so high, even for mass market paperbacks. Of course, I will trade them for credit at my local UBS.

Borrowing from the library doesn't work for me because then I feel pressured to read the book within a set time. I'd end up paying fines and/or renewing multiple times. I do buy books from the library bookshop.

As someone mentioned above, the price for books is a little steep and adds up quickly. If I average 2 novels a week, at $17 a novel...that really adds up over time! I am not one who rereads books a lot so I use the library, unless it's a decorating book or a sewing book that I WILL use again and again. Do I feel guilty for using the library? No, that's what they're there for! They are a GIFT in my opinion! Do I wish I could support my favorite authors a little more? Yes, but I don't lose sleep over it because if the budget's just not there, it's just not there. And I don't have any desire to clutter up my home with books I will never read again but can't bare to part with because I spent the $15+ dollars for them. I do like to buy certain books that I discovered to be my favorites from time to time but I don't feel guilty using my local library at all!

Bonnie wrote: "As someone mentioned above, the price for books is a little steep and adds up quickly. If I average 2 novels a week, at $17 a novel...that really adds up over time! I am not one who rereads books a..."

I can't afford to buy all the books I want new either. I do feel bad for not supporting my favorite authors and new authors, but I try to post reviews or comments on twitter, goodreads and my blog to provide support in that manner.

I am really fortunate to have a good local used bookstore. I get credit for turning in books and then can apply that towards buying more.

Fanficfan44 wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "As someone mentioned above, the price for books is a little steep and adds up quickly. If I average 2 novels a week, at $17 a novel...that really adds up over time! I am not one who ..."

I do the same thing! Although, I'm not as consistent about reviews. But I do post on twitter as I read books and if its any good, I make sure I express how much I am enjoying the book. I also say so if I plan to read more by that author. The authors always respond instantly.

I also got a Nook HD+ this week for my birthday so I have been taking amazon up on their free offers! Can't beat the price!

I'd say I buy half of what I read/listen to and borrow the other half from various sources. Everything is on ereader or audiobook as I can no longer read paper text due to loss of vision.

All of these gadgets are turning people into self-absorbed, anti-social robots.
Bit of a sweeping generalization about those who use ereaders, don't you think?

Stephanie wrote: "I'd say I buy half of what I read/listen to and borrow the other half from various sources. Everything is on ereader or audiobook as I can no longer read paper text due to loss of vision.

All of t..."

I don't think e-readers are making people anti-social, but cell phones certainly are! :-)

Stephanie wrote: "All of these gadgets are turning people into self-absorbed, anti-social robots.

Bit of a sweeping generalization about those who use ereaders, don't you think? "

I was self-absorbed and anti-social llooonng before gadgets came out. Unless one has to have a gadget in their hand (as opposed to a printed ink book) to be considered self-absorbed and anti-social?

Jack wrote: All of these gadgets are turning people into self-absorbed, anti-social robots. I have a desktop computer and that's enough technology for me. My phone sits on the table and stays home.

When TV first was available in homes, anti-TV enthusiasts also called people who stayed at home to watch TV as self-absorbed and anti-social. People who have a paper book stuck in front of their face can also be self-absorbed and quite anti-social. Those who are rather intolerant of changes of technology can be the most self-absorbed and quite anti-social.

I have found gadgets has made me more social because I so much to talk about and compare the gadgets with people especially my nifty apps to read or audiobooks to listen to on my Android phone or iPad.

What gets me is when you're out at a restaurant and there's a group of people at a table and ALL are glued to their phones doing I have no idea what. Why go out with a group of people if you're going to ignore them and play with your phone the whole time? I just don't understand the need to feel "connected" all the time. I understand people who have jobs that require them to be on-call needing to be able to be reached, but for most people it's a way to make them think they're important! And for all these companies to get rich by us spending a LOT of money that even 10 years ago would go for something else. Awhile back I added up all the things I spend a pretty fair chunk of cash on that I didn't even have a few years ago. We don't even have "smart phones", just plain old cell phones and texting and I begrudge that payment every month. We have friends with kids and everyone has a cellphone and unlimited everything and they spend hundreds each month! My sister won't even talk on the phone anymore. If you want to communicate with her it's texts or nothing, and she plays with her phone the whole time you're around her! (I'll get off my soapbox now!)

I always buy. I believe in supporting fellow authors.

I borrow a lot from the library, especially through Overdrive. I listen to many books as well. Occasionally I'll buy if I really can't wait, however I usually end up listening to audiobook instead!

I mostly only buy paper books of non-fiction titles found only in National Park bookstores :) For most of my reading, I use the library--after all, I work there, so a LOT of books pass through my hands. Some stick :)

Getting an ereader actually increased the number of books I buy, since I will purchase books to take on longer travels, and am more willing to pay ebook prices than paperback prices. Since the house is getting pretty full, I'm really trying not to buy too much at library book sales, etc., but I am such a sucker for those! I have vowed to read those things and return them for the next sale, but. . .

I borrow and buy. A lot of it for me depends on whether it's a book I want to own or a one I just want to read. Although for a series I like to own those for some reason.

Huge sigh! I bought a hardback copy of from the library this week at the special price of $31. Jingo, one of my dogs, decided he wanted to read it and got carried away. Besides the bite marks, he chewed up part of the cover and the binding.

LOL, Jaxnsmom! I own a nearly brand-new but rather water damaged former library copy of one of Dana Stabenow's mysteries. My husband took it backpacking (!) and a water bag leaked all over it. It happens. As a librarian, thank you for being gracious and keeping your sense of humor about having to pay for it! It does hurt--but those library bindings are expensive, and libraries soooo under-funded these days!

I buy books for my Kindle.

Rebecca wrote: "LOL, Jaxnsmom! I own a nearly brand-new but rather water damaged former library copy of one of Dana Stabenow's mysteries. My husband took it backpacking (!) and a water bag leaked all over it. It h..."

That was the least expensive thing in the last two months, so I can't complain! I wish I could afford to give money to my library system. They lost 40% of their funding two years ago. We're voting on a levy in Tuesday's election, and I really hope it passes!

I love the Kindle app. I have it on all my devices and buy my books there. Also, I can read in bed without a light to annoy my DH. He claims the floor will collapse if I bring more paper books home. I have been donating some to the local library and trying to regain space in my house.

It is sad how library funding has been severely cut over the years for so many. It's gotten to the point where my 2 library systems (Maryland and DC) rarely have the books I need/want. If they do have the books I need or want, there is a long waiting list and I'm not patient enough to wait weeks or months for it.

Luckily, there are so many cheap or free ebooks available. I am so over reading books on paper and rely so heavily on audio and ebooks because of it's portability and they are always available to me on phone, ereader, computer, etc.

So I would have to say that at one time when I did a lot of borrowing when the library or ILL always had the books I needed and I was on a self-inflicted restricted book budget (horrors!). Nowadays I no longer have a restricted book budget but can easily buy the book online rather inexpensively.

I buy. I own a kindle and a nook and I read a lot of paperbacks. I still love to buy first edition hardbacks.
For some reason I have a phobia about buying used paperback books, which I don't have with used hardback books. Its weird.