Which is your preference?
For me, I would say that it really is a toss up between the "real deal" and e-reader books. I really love holding an actual book in my hands but I love the accessibility & ease of "carrying" so many books with me at one time on my Kindle. Especially when I am on vacation! I do occasionally listen to audiobooks but I really have to be concentrating or it just doesn't sink in. I do have an Audible account for my daughter though since she loves listening to her books.
I have recently found some websites that send daily emails for free or bargain books (you can find the links on the side bar). I look forward to those emails each day! I really have been trying to expand my reading horizons so I pretty much download all the books that are offered. Let's just say that my e-reader library really has expanded this year and I am not complaining! I also have a Kindle Unlimited account that gets a lot of use!
It is just so easy to get the books for my Kindle too! I don't have leave the house...I can go on Amazon or even Libby/Overdrive through my public library and get it the same day (well, if there isn't a hold on the library books). I just love that especially when I see a book recommendation on social media!
However, I do love the Used Book sales at our library. On Sunday's you can fill a shopping bag of book for only $5! My daughter and I always make a date for those days! Last weekend was actually the Spring Used Book sale and for the first time, we went on the first day of the sale to scope things out. I ended up with 14 books and I think she picked out 17 books but that did not stop us from going back on Sunday each getting a full bag of books (and she picked up some DVD's). When we get home, we show each other our haul. It is so much fun and I love spending this time with her!!!
Here is a picture of my book haul from last week...lots of great books!
Another place I love getting actual books is Thrift Books. My daughter actually got me hooked on that site - I actually made purchase from there today since it is double point day for Independent Bookstore Day! I picked up three books from the Maximum Ride Series by James Patterson, a two book series by Elizabeth Craft/Sarah Fain (Bass Ackwards and Belly Up Series). I listen to the Happier Podcast that Elizabeth does with her sister Gretchen Ruben and wanted to read some of her stuff. My daughter asked for a copy of A Room with a View by E.M. Foster. And with that purchase, I earned myself a free book (and of course the free shipping is awesome too)!
Recently though, I started reading ARC books on BookSirens and signing up for the GoodReads book giveaways. In less that two weeks I have won 5 Kindle books and a book that will be coming in the mail. How exciting!!!
I will admit, one good thing that has come out of the pandemic is that it really pushed me to get back into reading. After over a decade of not having a library card, I have a new one and it is used on a weekly basis (often multiple times)!
~Shannon