Reading Resources?!?

I go to Barnes and Nobel on line book store and plug in an author’s name, or genre to find my next reads.  Because they give you free shipping (with orders over $25) and discounted prices (if you’re a member) it’s a no-lose deal for someone who reads as much as I do.  And they allow readers and reviewers to post their thoughts on the books (to be taken with a grain of salt) as well as giving you professional reviews and a summary of the story.

There are many other on-line bookstores, and some of them also offer membership (in return for a discount), and free shipping with a minimal order.  I suggest that you check around for the best deals, but also look at their catalog to make sure they have the book titles, authors, and type of book that you’ll want (more on types in a later blog).  Some to consider are:

http://www.powells.com/

http://www.amazon.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.booksamillion.com/ncom/books?redirect=1

But don’t stop at the bookstores.  The publishers and distributors also make the books available.  If you have a favorite, look them up and see what they have that tweaks your interest.  And the online ebook distributors, like Fictionwise who have free book offers, and deep discounts on ebooks.  Some of the ones I use are: 

http://www.harpercollins.com/

http://www.zumayapublications.com/

http://www.hachettebookgroupusa.com/

http://www.simonsays.com/content/browse_books.cfm?tab=2

http://www.randomhouse.com/bantamdell/mystery.html

http://www.wings-press.com 

http://www.fictionwise.com/home.html (ebooks sometimes with deep discounts)

 And never forget the library.  They are free, and no shipping necessary.  I love libraries, the smells, the quiet–oh well, in today’s world we tend to sit at the computer rather than a table in the library.

Now think about what you’ll do with all those books that you get real cheap.  I know you’ve read my other posts and know that I read a lot, for reviews and for pleasure.  What do I do with my books?  I mentioned the local library–ours is not funded by any branch of the government and they make their money by selling books at book sales.  I donate my read books to the library, and the hardback books often find their way on the shelves rather than in the sale.  I’ve also donated many books to the troops out of the country through an organization that I belong to.  They send “care” packages to troops, and they include some of the books I gave them.  Don’t forget hospitals, homes (you can even take the books and read to the patients.  Make it a project.)

Well, I doubt that I’ve covered everything.  As you will learn at a later day, I tend not to lean toward ebooks, though my own is out in that format, but I do purchase and receive for review a load of hardback, paper back and trade paper books.