3 ms·

I used to love libraries as a kid, but I stopped going sometime in high school. I realized that my reading habits just aren't fast enough to keep up with librar

by Swizec 9y ago

I used to love libraries as a kid, but I stopped going sometime in high school. I realized that my reading habits just aren't fast enough to keep up with library return policies. It takes me a few months to get through a book and libraries don't like that. After one too many late fees I resolved to buying books instead. Now I have stacks of books that have been waiting for my attention for months sometimes years. Maybe I should get back into libraries ...

jldugger 9y ago
Usually you can renew a checkout online if there's no reserve queue.
- swuecho 9y ago
  I have some similar situation. besides, when I have more income, a few dollars are not that much (the book price in US is cheap compared to other goods. Obviously not textbook). I end up buying more from amazon.
  - seanp2k2 9y ago
    A thousand ebooks can fit onto a giveaway USB drive, or sync with iCloud iBooks and Dropbox and whatever else you find convenient to use. You get used to reading on a screen, and Kindle Paperwhites are also nice to read on. It won't be exactly like paper, but I find that the convenience (searchability is a big one for me) trumps the feel of a "real" book. I also don't mind it much for fiction. Having stuff to read on my phone which is always with me is pretty tough to beat. I can pull out Cryptonomicon and read a few pages waiting in line at Safeway, in the restroom, during lunch, on a walk, in a Lyft, etc. You can definitely take books with you similarly, but then it's another physical thing to forget / stuff into a backpack / whatever. Edit: there's also the potential benefit to you of "trying before buying" pretty much anything you want. Just remember to actually support the authors if you value the continued creation of content. I've sent a few bottles of scotch which have been well-received :)
ZeroGravitas 9y ago
I have found the time limits helpful in motivating me to read, even though I often end up extending the loan multiple times when I'm too busy to read.

by Swizec 9y ago

jldugger 9y ago

Usually you can renew a checkout online if there's no reserve queue.

swuecho 9y ago
I have some similar situation. besides, when I have more income, a few dollars are not that much (the book price in US is cheap compared to other goods. Obviously not textbook). I end up buying more from amazon.
- seanp2k2 9y ago
  A thousand ebooks can fit onto a giveaway USB drive, or sync with iCloud iBooks and Dropbox and whatever else you find convenient to use. You get used to reading on a screen, and Kindle Paperwhites are also nice to read on. It won't be exactly like paper, but I find that the convenience (searchability is a big one for me) trumps the feel of a "real" book. I also don't mind it much for fiction. Having stuff to read on my phone which is always with me is pretty tough to beat. I can pull out Cryptonomicon and read a few pages waiting in line at Safeway, in the restroom, during lunch, on a walk, in a Lyft, etc. You can definitely take books with you similarly, but then it's another physical thing to forget / stuff into a backpack / whatever. Edit: there's also the potential benefit to you of "trying before buying" pretty much anything you want. Just remember to actually support the authors if you value the continued creation of content. I've sent a few bottles of scotch which have been well-received :)

ZeroGravitas 9y ago

I have found the time limits helpful in motivating me to read, even though I often end up extending the loan multiple times when I'm too busy to read.