Read Runners discussion

Heyya all!!

All book addicts are smart and intelli! That's a fact! And all bookworms are miserable too as we are always short of money to buy books. Intelligent people like us subscribe to libraries. So why not share something about our libraries and monthly acquistions.

Talk about your personal library, school library, dad's library, online or local ones. Share pictures and monthly hauls

I think it will be fun!

I subscribe to Sahitya kala Academy Library which has got a branch in Kolkata too. And a close friend subscribes to American Center Library. So we always go together and I borrow atleadt 2 books from her library as well. This time I got Shame by Salman Rushdie reissued and I got Name of the Rose from my library. I issued The Thirteenth Tale from American Center. :)

Great idea, Paakhi!

I subscribe to the Fairfax County Library, Virginia. They charge $27 a year and allow you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks. Smallish collection, but for such a small sum, totally worth it!

Hey Sumit! That's so cool that you can borrow audiobooks as well. And the yearly subscription rates are quite reasonable. :)

How has ur experience of audiobooks?

I used to subscribe to libraries when in Calicut, Kerala. An awesome one called Eloor (which shut down a few years earlier) and a one man show called Balan's (which also closed after the owner'expiry)
Both were cozy places to be in, and I was allowed to spend hours together just handling the books and going through the blurbs.
Here there are no good libraries except for my personal library.
I sorely miss a friendly library. :(

Eloor was here too, Smitha at South Extension, Delhi. They shut shop last year because people just don't read these days! :|

Paakhi, I think I'm too restless for audiobooks. I haven't finished even one so far. :P

Yes, Eloor was in south ex part 1...and wat a collection. We used go there weekly because it is opposite AIIMS. When it got shut down they called us to buy books. I bought 22 books all at 50% off. I really miss it.

Sumit I think you should try some while you read the same book. it is a great experience. I think first experience depends on the narration. My first book was The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. You must try!

Try listening to the Harry potter series, there are some great reviews about its narration and voice modulation. :)

I don't remember a time when I wasn't a member of some library. I simply love them. Alas, I have also experienced the closing down of some special ones over the past few years, much to my disappointment.

Currently I am a member of a small local library in my locality, which deals primarily in bestsellers. Also I am a member of Just Books, which does have a reasonably good collection and I am quite happy. Additionally, like Smitha I have my own library collection, which I am sure will last me for some time, given that I am fond of consistently adding to it :)

Haa haa Srividya! Yes personal libraries are a real saviour!
Is JustBooks an online library?

@Paakhi - It is actually an online portal, which allows you to choose books online and delivers them to your doorstep. The catch is that they should have a physical outlet in your city.

It works for me as I can get books delivered and don't have to worry about return dates! I am extremely forgetful and usually end up owing quite a lot of money in late fees :P :P

Lol about the late fees!

I will check this website out! It sounds really good! You know i have a kindle but I love reading from physical copies. The smell of the pages..aahh!! I wonder if there are soooo many book lovers why good libraries shut down? :/

Oh, I forgot to mention earlier. My office also subscribes to two physical book libraries:

1. Kwench - free to use for us. They deliver books to the office reception and collect them back too.
2. Books 24x7 (only for business books) - the challenge is that reading is possibly online ONLY. :| So, these books are good as references, but not really read-worthy.

Hahahahaha.. the smell factor again eh?? :P

Yeah I also like physical books as its fun to read them. At least from my personal experience, libraries here have shut down due to paucity of funds or in some cases lack of members. People are increasingly moving towards ebooks and therefore don't really visit libraries here.

Also, there are a few like me who prefer libraries that allow me to read at my own pace and return books without adhering to a tight schedule. While I may return it on a daily basis sometimes, there are times, when work intervenes and I am not able to finish. This causes problems, especially when the library does not allow re-issuing etc. or puts a heavy fine on late return!! So, library memberships dwindle and they are forced to close down.

At least, this has been my personal experience.

Sumit wrote: "Oh, I forgot to mention earlier. My office also subscribes to two physical book libraries:

1. Kwench - free to use for us. They deliver books to the office reception and collect them back too.
2. ..."

Sumit, Where do you stay in Delhi? I wish i had a office that subscribes to books for their employees for free! Do they have any vacancy for a multi-talented girl?

LOL Paakhi :D :D

Srividya wrote: "LOL Paakhi :D :D"

Whay yaar Sri!! I am serious!! My thirst for book is unquenchable! I got a scolding from mom too after yesterday's purchases! :(

@Paakhi.. I totally understand. But couldn't help laughing.. sorry :P :P

I never subscribed to any library but made great friends with every librarian of my town's library. They lent me as many books as I wish with no deadlines or fines. In stead I used to help them in sorting books and keeping them in shelfs (Library Science is very interesting). But it had only Telugu books back then and I finished all the non fiction books there. My bad I didn't like fiction much then. And the librarians were kind enough to give me old copies of Sportstar and Overdrive :D Soon after I Finished my 10th I had to go to hostel. End of library life.

Srividya wrote: "Hahahahaha.. the smell factor again eh?? :P

Yeah I also like physical books as its fun to read them. At least from my personal experience, libraries here have shut down due to paucity of funds or ..."


Yea, I couldn't agree more with you on this.

Hajarath Prasad wrote: "I never subscribed to any library but made great friends with every librarian of my town's library. They lent me as many books as I wish with no deadlines or fines. In stead I used to help them in ..."

Aww HP. But that's such a strategic plan...to befriend a librarian!! But how do you read books now? Purchase or e book?

Oh man, the smell point again! :|

*fears the arrival of Ishita on this thread*

Paakhi, I live in Gurgaon, which is like a graveyard of books. Let me chronicle the journey of bookstores in Gurgaon over the last few years:
1. Reliance Timeout - generally crappy, but some good books at really good prices. Poor cataloguing and horrible staff. SHUT DOWN!
2. Landmark - good collection, very ill-informed staff. Gradually moved on to devoting more space to toys and stationery and reduced the book collection. Eventually SHUT DOWN. (Last day, they were offering 2-3 books for 100/- each and the staff members were ACTUALLY PLAYING FOOTBALL in one of the areas. :|)
3. Crossword - started out nicely, but their location was too out of the way. SHUT AGES AGO.
4. Cafe Turtle - Interesting coffee + book shop run by a horrible, snarky lady. I was trying to buy 10 books from her for about 4000/- (at MRP!) and she offered me a lousy 3% discount. They shut soon after. (I wanted to do a tribal dance outside the store when the movers were carrying out the furniture.)

But yes, Paakhi - I can refer you in my company. *salivates at the idea of a fat referral bonus and dreams of spending it all on some cool gadget*

@Sumit.. that is so sad that survival of bookstores at Gurgaon is shortlived!

And I thought we were friends! but all you want is a bonus to buy a cool gadget! Hmph!!

Paakhi, I'll share some of the bonus with you - how does that sound? :D

Also, we'll be friends if/when you accept my friend request, which isn't accompanied by a 'cover letter'.*

*Sample cover letter:
"Hai deer, will u do frandsheep me?"

LOL Sumit :D :D

@Paakhi - Life doesn't offer you free lunches my friend.. its best you accept this fact early in life :P :P

Lol Sumit

Srividya-you must a short book of 'Quirky Quotes'

Paakhi, Sri is a great fan of Navjot Singh Sidhu. ;)

@Sumit - Absolutely.. ROFL Sidhu style :P :P

@Paakhi - Sadly they aren't original quotes!! :P

Lol!! Ya even i was wondering if they are siblings separated at Kumbh!

Srividya wrote: "@Sumit - Absolutely.. ROFL Sidhu style :P :P

@Paakhi - Sadly they aren't original quotes!! :P"

Borrowed from Sidhu paaji then?

Paakhi wrote: "Lol!! Ya even i was wondering if they are siblings separated at Kumbh!"

LOL.. Subah se koi nahi mila kya?? :P :P

Paakhi wrote: "Lol!! Ya even i was wondering if they are siblings separated at Kumbh!"

No, my 'deer frand'. They were never separated. They still stay in touch and share quotes.

For the reference of all those who have no idea what Sidhu style ROFLs are, please see this: http://youtu.be/kLQDIGc0RTc

Hey, fellow mod - AM I SPAMMING? *shudders*

Too much both of you!!! :P :P

@Paakhi - No.. this was from another source.. Psst.. one should never reveal one's sources :P :P

And yes mod buddy - YOU ARE SPAMMING!!!

Sumit wrote: "Paakhi wrote: "Lol!! Ya even i was wondering if they are siblings separated at Kumbh!"

No, my 'deer frand'. They were never separated. They still stay in touch and share quotes.

For the reference..."

ROFL!!

Srividya wrote: "Too much both of you!!! :P :P

@Paakhi - No.. this was from another source.. Psst.. one should never reveal one's sources :P :P

And yes mod buddy - YOU ARE SPAMMING!!!"

you are street smart eh!!

Hello!!
I got Adam, one afternoon by Italo Calvino
and The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman from library for this month.

Has anyone read any of these??

@Paakhi - I haven't read either of the books but I have read Neil Gaiman's American Gods and simply loved it. I have this one with me and it has been recommended by many to me. So I guess this one is a good book.

As for Italo Calvino, I have his other book, which I have been wanting to read for a really long time but have been lazy till now.

Hey Srividya..I believe that Italo Calvino's books are tough to read, so have never tried any. I got this book, which is a collection of short stories. I hope it raises my appetite for his books. :P

About Neil Gaiman.. does he use magic realism?

@Paakhi - About Gaiman - I would say fantasy with mythology thrown in for a great measure.. but that is only because I have read just one book of his, which dealt on this subject.

Sumit's a better person to ask about Neil Gaiman. I think he has read more books by the author.

About Calvino - As I said, I am yet to read anything but I have heard the same thing. However, am planning to read If on a Winter's Night a Traveler sometime this year. So lets see.

Srividya wrote: "@Paakhi - About Gaiman - I would say fantasy with mythology thrown in for a great measure.. but that is only because I have read just one book of his, which dealt on this subject.

Sumit's a bette..."

Sri I too recently added the book to my TBR, despite so many other books by Calvino, it does not have If On a Winter's Night Traveler

I have recently acquired these three books from the library and looking forward to reading them

Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales -- Paakhi this one was inspired by you :)

Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace -- Seems a lot like Burial Rites, at least in the beginning and the premise. Am curious to see the execution and the story! This is thanks to Smitha who recommended this book to me when I asked for Margaret Atwood recommendations :)

And

Alexander McCall Smith's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Collection

Srividya wrote: "I have recently acquired these three books from the library and looking forward to reading them

Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales -- Paakhi this one was inspired by you :)

Margaret At..."

Great Choices Sri... Smitha too recommended Alias Grace to me.. I wish we could do a buddy read with you, but I have too many books to read in Oct..sigh :(

Thanks Paakhi :)

Don't worry.. I doubt I will be finishing either of these books soon. Am glad I don't have a fixed return date on these books :P

If you want, we can do Alias Grace in November and I can finish the other books in the meanwhile :) Let me know :)

Srividya wrote: "I have recently acquired these three books from the library and looking forward to reading them

Italo Calvino's Italian Folktales -- Paakhi this one was inspired by you :)

Margaret At..."
Hope you both like it. It was a bit sombre and slow paced. But I relish such books.

Hello

This month i got The Body by Hanif Kureishi
and Remains of the day by Ishiguro. I am almost 50% through my first book. Liking it so far. And i wanted some opinion on Ishiguro's writing. I heard abt his work a lot, never read him though, was wondering if anyone here has read him and give me an idea abt setting my expectations.

I just renewed my membership with the British Library here, after much thought, given that those books have to be returned at a particular date etc ;) and here are my new acquisitions

The Night Circus

44 Scotland Street

Boom!

Tears of the Giraffe

From the other library I recently got

Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog

and am on the wait list for Hyperion.

Happy reading times for me :)

Srividya wrote: "I just renewed my membership with the British Library here, after much thought, given that those books have to be returned at a particular date etc ;) and here are my new acquisitions

[book:The Ni..."

Hi Srividya, i have the Night Circus in kindle edition and on audio as well, its a very good book as far as its review goes. I also have 44 Scotland Street in paperback, heard good things about this author as well. I have read Marley and Me..its a great book! I am so envious of you having a membership of British Library....remember our conversation about my plans to visit it and write to u about it....bleh. ..it never happened :( When do you have to return these books?

I can't remember if I've mentioned this before. But, I got myself a membership to the Fairfax County library (they allow foreign members!) for about $27 a year and they allow checking out ebooks and audio books for upto 21 days each.

My library does that too sum it.

RachelvlehcaR wrote: "My library does that too sum it."

Rachel, which one is that? I'll see if they have a better collection and sign up there instead. :)

P.S. It is unheard of in India to have libraries that lend anything except physical books and in some cases DVDs. We NEED e-libraries.

Sumit you mentioned this earlier in this thread. Do you like listening to audiobooks?