Personal Library
Building a Personal Library on a Budget
“I cannot live without books,” Thomas Jefferson said. The third US president was a passionate bibliophile. In fact, he spent so much money on his favorite hobby that he went bankrupt, losing his beloved Monticello estate.
It is easy to get carried away with books. Nothing is quite so luxurious as curling up with your favorite novel. A full bookshelf adds elegance to your home and regular reading habits add power to your mind.
Furthermore, studies have shown that children who come from homes with books have higher grades and better careers than those who don’t. By keeping books in the home, you give your child a head start in life. But how does one avoid losing one’s estate?
A hardcover novel can easily cost twenty-five dollars. Art books are likely to cost twice that much. A set of encyclopedias is considered an investment. However, it is possible for you to build a book collection on a budget. Follow these steps and your favorite hardcover classics, children’s books and even brand-new copies of the latest bestsellers can be yours for a few dollars or even pennies.
Step 1. List Your Favorites
Sit down and make a list of the best books you have ever read. Pick the ones that you love to read again and again. The classics that changed your view of the world, the romance novels that made your heart pound and the definitive works on your favorite hobby. Once you have an idea of which books you want the most, you can shop for exactly what you need.
Step 2. Pick a Number
How much can you afford per month on books? $200?$25? Whatever it is, stick to it. Knowing how much you want to spend keeps you from overspending.
Step 3. Shop-or Swap-Online
Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble’s website both have sections for used books. You can find three year old bestsellers in good or new condition for as low $1.99. You can find older out of print versions for literally one cent. Oftentimes, the shipping and handling costs more than the book itself. According to the article “Websites About e-Books and e-Readers“, electronic books also become increasingly more popular and cheap, particularly with the launch of Amazon’s Kindle in the UK and Europe (dbReaders).
It is also possible to find free books online. At websites like Paperbackswap and Bookmooch, you start by posting your own books. When someone requests a book from you, you receive a point and can use it to get a book mailed to you free. Both of these websites include a wish list feature, so the minute someone posts a book you want to own, you can request it. All you pay is the cost of mailing a book to someone – usually less than $3.
Step 4. Buy Used
Used bookstores offer a great variety of books at the lowest prices, usually with a comfortable atmosphere. Many stores allow you to trade books and are likely to have editions that are no longer in print. They also tend to have piles of popular books at half price or lower. Books like Pride and Prejudice and the Works of Shakespeare are assigned to students who read them once for a grade, then bring them to the bookstore. Works by Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark and Nora Roberts are also given away after one read. So, if you love mystery and horror novels, buy a stack at a Mom & Pop’s style store instead of paying eight dollars per book at the big places.
Step 5. Pace Yourself
Don’t try to get your whole list in one sitting. If your budget is $20, don’t sneak in an extra $7.50 for your favorite Hemingway novel. There are other (probably cheaper) copies of The Old Man and the Sea in the world, you don’t need to overspend for anything.
The written word is mankind’s greatest achievement. It can broaden your horizons, show you new worlds and teach you new skills. No matter how much (or how little) money in your pocket, you can be confident that quality copies of the most important books are within reach for you and your family.
About the Author
Marco Gustafsson is a high-tech industry journalist writing about electronic gadgets, e-newspapers and more. Visit Digital Book Readers to see his new articles and reviews.
Web 2.0 Expo NY: Gary Vaynerchuk (Wine Library), Building Personal Brand Within the Social Media Landscape
|
|
Cricut DesignStudio Software with Bonus Pack $19.05 This design studio is a phenomenal creation! With this program, you can load your Cricut cartridges (not included), and mix and match the designs from all of your cartridges to make truly unique designs. Features: On screen cutting mat with measuring grid, pop-down menu bar, cartridge selection window which lists your cartridges, your favorites, and allows you to search using keywords, an automati… |
|
|
Atlantic Library Express CD Holder $9.66 39504245 This CD wallet is an ideal storage spot for up to 96 of your CDs. Always have your CDs when traveling with this CD binder. The durable material allows you to tote this CD wallet on business trips, family vacations, or daily traveling. Double this as DVD case and you can bring your entertainment with you wherever you go. Features: -Easy CD viewing and selection -Holds up to 96 CDs or DVDs… |
|
|
BURYING THE HATCHET – Art Print – Medium – 28×35cm $15.99 This fine art print is created on archival photographic paper from the original negative – resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for museum or gallery display…. |
|
|
Personal Finances – Larry Burkett Financial Freedom Video Library – Includes: Budgeting & Debt Reduction (VHS) $89.87 … |
|
|
Neale Donald Walsch on Abundance [VHS] $19.95 … |
|
|
Emotional Eating : Personal Weight Management Video Library $34.85 … |
|
|
Library Shelf Carts – Library Shelf Cart – 1 ea $1,245.71 Cart offers three slant shelves to conveniently transport books or charts around your facility. Top and middle shelves each have a 75-lb. weight capacity; bottom shelf weight capacity is 150 lbs. Six wheel with non-mar casters provide a tight turning radius for easier mobility. 36″W x 16″D x 42″H. Durable furniture grade steel. Shipped assembled…. |
|
|
Sony – Air filter $58.00 Sony’s worldwide reputation for creating unique attractive high-quality advanced technology products rests on a long line of innovations embraced by people from all walks of life. With a diverse product lineup serving a variety of lifestyles and industries Sony continuously strives to introduce new products and technologies to meet changing market needs. Primary InformationProduct Type : … |
|
|
Library Shelf Carts – Library Shelf Cart $1,715.98 Cart offers three slant shelves to conveniently transport books or charts around your facility. Top and middle shelves each have a 75-lb. weight capacity; bottom shelf weight capacity is 150 lbs. Six wheel with non-mar casters provide a tight turning radius for easier mobility. 36″W x 16″D x 42″H. Durable furniture grade steel. Shipped assembled…. |
|
|
HCG Mixing Kit – HCG Diet 43 Day Injection Kit & CD loaded with a hcg library (with extras AND UNLIMITED COACHING) (HCG not included in this kit) ON SALE IN TIME FOR SUMMER ONLY $22.95 $22.95 This is everything (except the hcg) you will need to do a long round of the hcg protocol. People have reported losing 1-2lbs. a day. We also supply where you can buy the hcg for a fraction of the regular cost. We have sold over 800 of these kits on Ebay. We have many testimonies like this one: As of Thursday i have been on the vlcd for 2weeks. Within those 2 weeks i followed the protocol just as… |
February 18, 2011 2:58 pm 
Subscribe
