I went book shopping today and now I'm depressed

[Rhonda in TX]

My MIL gave me a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble for my birthday. One of my goals for this year is to read more for myself, so I was thrilled. I put together a list of book recommendations I've found here and at several blogs I read and went shopping. I figured with a paperback running $7 or so, I could get 6 or 7 books. Wrong. Every single book I looked at was a nice, over-sized paperback that was $13-15. These are books that have been out for quite awhile. They've just been reprinted in this newer, more expensive style.

I was so bummed that I just left without getting anything. :(

[Pster]

Rhonda....have you ever heard of bookmooch? Recycle your old paperbacks - and get new ones - relatively free!

Course that doesn't help give you any ideas for what to spend your B&N gift card on but.... it's a cheaper way to read some of the books you may want!! Or....get 1 pricey "newly" released book and then head to a used book store!

It's a shame they have been printed lin a arger size and given a larger price tag. It's like how the food industry changes the sizes of containers - actually puts less in - and charges more!

anyway - sorry you got bummed out! ((hugs))

[Crissy]

Oh, I hate it when I underestimate the price of things! :mad:
I'm sorry you can't get all you were hoping for.

Have you ever tried shopping at your library's book sale, or Half-Price Books?
I know it won't help you this time since you have a certificate to B&N, but maybe one of these will help in the future.

[Brigitte]

Can you use the gift certificate online? I think B&N has used copies available from private sellers (sometimes those copies are really new) like Amazon. That might stretch your gift certificate.

hths

[Jean in Wisc]

Find the cheaper, smaller books. Then take the ISBN's to the bookstore and ask them to order them for you. There should be no shipping charges, and you can get exactly what you want.

I do it all the time.

[Jenny in Atl]

The price of bks is insane. When I worked for B. Dalton and Chapter 11 bks, paperbacks were ~ $5 & hardbacks $15. OK that was 12 years ago but...

Now, well I rarely by at any brink & mortar stores unless I have a gift card; even then I look in the bargain section, or the best sellers which are often 30% off.

I feel your pain as a fellow bk addict, :(

[Rhonda in TX]

Rhonda....have you ever heard of bookmooch? Recycle your old paperbacks - and get new ones - relatively free!

Course that doesn't help give you any ideas for what to spend your B&N gift card on but.... it's a cheaper way to read some of the books you may want!! Or....get 1 pricey "newly" released book and then head to a used book store!

It's a shame they have been printed lin a arger size and given a larger price tag. It's like how the food industry changes the sizes of containers - actually puts less in - and charges more!

anyway - sorry you got bummed out! ((hugs))

Oh, I hate it when I underestimate the price of things! :mad:
I'm sorry you can't get all you were hoping for.

Have you ever tried shopping at your library's book sale, or Half-Price Books?
I know it won't help you this time since you have a certificate to B&N, but maybe one of these will help in the future.

Yes, I do paperbackswap (like bookmooch) and used bookstories all the times. Love them, in fact! I was just looking forward to having a nice, new book for a change. It's disappointing, especially since money is tight this week and I can't spend any extra. Getting a treat with a gift certificate was going to be nice.

[Rhonda in TX]

I'll try that. I hadn't thought of used from private sellers. Good idea!

[Rhonda in TX]

Excellent idea! Thanks!

[melissel]

You found this at the off-line store? I never buy anything at off-line bookstores (at least, not the big-name ones) anymore. The discounts are so much better online, and they're likely to have several versions of the books you're looking for. Definitely check bn.com instead. And with a $50 GC, you'll get free shipping too.

[LaMere Academy]

Books are expensive!
I totally agree.

However, you have that gift card, so do some research maybe on Amazon.com and find 3 books that sounds like they are worth owning and then go back and shop again.
I try to use the library for the books I'm not sure if I'll like and buy the books that are classics or 5 star rated that I have a better chance of wanting to read again and again.

[Rhonda in TX]

Books are expensive!
I totally agree.

However, you have that gift card, so do some research maybe on Amazon.com and find 3 books that sounds like they are worth owning and then go back and shop again.
I try to use the library for the books I'm not sure if I'll like and buy the books that are classics or 5 star rated that I have a better chance of wanting to read again and again.

Now that I've calmed down, I'm trying to look at it this way. Even if I don't get as many books as I'd like to get, I'll still end up with more than I have now. :)

[Rhonda in TX]

You found this at the off-line store? I never buy anything at off-line bookstores (at least, not the big-name ones) anymore. The discounts are so much better online, and they're likely to have several versions of the books you're looking for. Definitely check bn.com instead. And with a $50 GC, you'll get free shipping too.

It's all about instant gratification. :) Getting books in the mail is fun, too, though. I've already start browsing around the B&N web-site. I'm sure I'll find something.

I'm glad to know I'll get free shipping.

[melissel]

It's all about instant gratification. :) Getting books in the mail is fun, too, though. I've already start browsing around the B&N web-site. I'm sure I'll find something.

I'm glad to know I'll get free shipping.

LOL! I do hear you on that. (And that's how B&N is earning its incremental revenue, of course!) Sometimes I find it hard to wait for interlibrary loans. I've often contemplated driving all the way across the county to pick up a book THE SAME DAY rather than wait 3-4 days. I hope you get what you're looking for!