Retro Reads discussion

I tried to break down the books I read into percentages in a few categories and came up with

bought at a thrift store 59%

bought at a regular bookstore/Amazon 1%

library books 39%

found online for free 1%

Add your own categories and give us a breakdown. 🙂

Off the top of my head--

Borrowed from library--80%

Brick and mortar bookstore--2%

Online ebooks (Amazon, Kobo) 8%

Online physical books (Amazon new, Abe used) 10%

2024 and this year, I’m trying to read the many Kindle ebooks I’ve purchased and forgotten about, and and physical books I’ve acquired over the years from a local used bookstore (moved out of town). I used to rely heavily on the subscription site Everand for ebooks and audiobooks, but they changed their business model and I cancelled; I’m still working out where to get books for group reads, and skipping some I can’t get (don’t care to acquire more books). So, I’d guesstimate:

My own physical books (nonfiction and fiction): 35%

Libby through my library, ebooks: 30%

Online ebooks, Amazon : 30%

Physical books, borrowed from library: 5-10%

I know that’s over 100%, but as I said, I was relying heavily on Everand, and only cancelled at the end of 2024 - so I’m still working out what I want to read, then where to get it!

Barb in Maryland wrote: "
Borrowed from library--80%

"

My library used to tally up how much money I saved by using them instead of buying books but they stopped. Does yours do that?

I've had to think about this.

For most of my adult life nearly 100% of my reading material came from the library. The only time I would buy a new book was if I had been given a book card.

But many, many books came home with me when I was volunteering at a charity shop. I pick up a lot at LFL & dump shops.

So, at an estimate

Free, LFL, Charity or Dump shops 83%
Spending my Amazon Gift Card 5%
Local Library 10%
Paying retail 2%

CindySR wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "
Borrowed from library--80%

"

My library used to tally up how much money I saved by using them instead of buying books but they stopped. Does yours do that?"

No, but that’s really smart, they should - get taxpayers on their side when budget discussions come up, and the library has to fight for their share! Anything that can quantify their value to the community is helpful (sad but true, but nowadays…)

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "I've had to think about this.

For most of my adult life nearly 100% of my reading material came from the library. The only time I would buy a new book was if I had been given a book card.

But man..."

Yes, I got so spoiled for many years when our excellent used bookstore was here, with recycling books - they gave store credit or cash for books you brought in, so I just racked up credits and used those. It was a great way to declutter my and my son’s bookshelves, and pass them on to another reader. Our library stopped taking donations, and a local church that used to have a huge, yearly book sale stopped during the pandemic, and only restarted it in the last few years, very much pared back. I don’t go because it’s such a small place, hard to negotiate for me, and likely not worth the fatigue.

CindySR wrote: "Barb in Maryland wrote: "
Borrowed from library--80%

"

My library used to tally up how much money I saved by using them instead of buying books but they stopped. Does yours do that?"

One of the three libraries I use does that, the other two don't. I think it's a clever idea.

offhand:

90% library

1% bought new at local books store

the rest made up of reading free online through Open Library or whatever, and 3D books from thrift shops.

Susan wrote:

they should - get taxpayers on their side when budget discussions come up, and the library has to fight for their share! Anything that can quantify their value to the community is helpful (sad but true, but nowadays…)

I agree 100% !

I've gravitated to buying from Ebay - especially the more difficult to purchase (some of the older virago titles) I can get free postage from the UK which is a big plus. Maybe 5%

90% is from amazon kindle (valiantly trying to read ebooks from my kindle stockpile that I've purchased over the years)

The other 5% is from a wonderful UBS near where I live.

Ok, I lied! The library does still tell me how much I saved borrowing books!

The problem is that I always use the self-checkout and never get the receipt. But today, the self-checkout wasn't working, so I did get a receipt from the librarian, and there it was.

I have saved over 22k by using the library.

CindySR wrote: "Ok, I lied! The library does still tell me how much I saved borrowing books!

The problem is that I always use the self-checkout and never get the receipt. But today, the self-checkout wasn't worki..."

Wow, impressive!

Cphe, what is a UBS?

Jackie wrote: "Cphe, what is a UBS?"

Jackie--Nothing mysterious or exotic, merely Used Book Store

:-)