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How many of you prefer libraries over buying books for reading?

How many of you prefer libraries over buying books for reading?

Rao #get the book

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138 Answers

Andrea

I’m a librarian…duh lol

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Jolly

I prefer buying them. They become my close friends over the years. For me, a library book cannot evoke quite the same connection.

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Hilary

I’ve had a library card all my life,so mostly use my local library & buy books occasionally.

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Melissa

Whatever my pockets allow. Broke = library
Payday = bookstore

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Jeannette

I do. I save a lot of money that way.

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Melissa

I love both. I’ll usually with books that are new to me from the library. It’s rare for me to buy a book I haven’t already read. It happens and I’ve found a few favorites that way but I usually borrow them first.

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Karen

I need both! I buy books only for my favorite collections, and library for weekly books that I don’t need to own…

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Alex

This!

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Sara

I love libraries. If it’s a book I know I will reread I will buy it.

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Linda

If I bought books the way I read, I’d be broke! I have the library on speed dial ?

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Julie

Need both…sometimes a person cannot afford too purchase a new book…they should not be kept from the sheer joy of reading! And they will be future book buyers….

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Sandy

Libraries.

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Lea

I do both – if I know I can read the book in like 3 – 5 hours -I will usually not buy it….I save buying for long lengthy reads…..

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Jeannie

I always use library for books from my own country.
Unfortunately I don’t like reading translated books, and they don’t stock many English books in their original form here, so I have to purchase those. ??‍♀️

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Hayley

Ebooks yes. Actual books where I find yucky stuff sticking to the pages, no.

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Amanda

Same!!!

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Lizvette

Me, most of the time. I can’t spend on every book I want to read.

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Ari

I used to. But now I prefer buying. And my husband is happy to buy my books so its all good ?.

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Sharon

Cross between library and the works

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Midawna

I buy all of my books from the thrift stores?But the library is an amazing place I Love to hang out. I have a library card and I use it for select books I need. I Love to own my books???

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Holly

I never use a library?I like keeping the book afterwards like proof?

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RaoQuestion author

I think it is hard for us to return the book after reading it ????

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Holly

Especially when the characters turn into our babies?

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RaoQuestion author

Which book made you felt that why?

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RaoQuestion author

Way*

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RaoQuestion author

Let me guess…harry potter for sure ?

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Aundrea

Same here!! ????

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Holly

Of course Harry Potter! But also ACOTAR and The Selection

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RaoQuestion author

Wonderful choice @Holly .?

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RaoQuestion author

What about Throne of Glass? Do you like it too

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Holly

I haven’t actually read Throne of Glass yet, reading too many other books?

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RaoQuestion author

Would love to see your review on it ?

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Holly

Thank you Rao, I have a Goodreads account full of reviews if you’d like to follow me?

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RaoQuestion author

Sure thing. I’d love to follow you on goodread ?

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Holly

Yeah?

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Mickey

I used to buy. Can’t afford it any more. I’ve been reading a looong time and can’t remember if I’ve already read something or not. Lol. If it’s a library book I just return it. No money lost.

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Sandra

With my faulty memory and my laziness and love of reading I prefer to buy my books. When I can force my lazy self to get up off the couch I go to the book store at the mall and trade some books.

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Rebecca

I don’t have the funds to buy books especially if I’ve never read it and don’t know if I’ll like it. I couldn’t imagine having wasted my hard earned money on something that didn’t please me. Having said that, i purchase books when i find them for cheap, most often from my library. That way i can check out whatever i want, buy books to help my library by more books for me to borrow, and i can always add it to my to purchase list if i really enjoy it.

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Maureen

I used to belong to a group I think called paperback swap, where you list the books you have and if someone wants it, you mail it to mail. In turn you can look for books you want and others will send to you.

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Gina

I love Paperback swap.

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Donna

I do both. Best so when I hit the library book sales.

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Andra

As a former librarian and lifelong book lover…. I borrow…but sadly some of the books I put on hold and transfer are sorry and old. Mostly paperbacks which I tend to dislike anyway. I find that more in metro library systems. Small town libraries see less flow so the books usually stay nicer. Let me say usually because I have seen coffee. Food. Gum….. 🙂

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Alex

both!

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Jennifer

I love the library but I need to be able to keep it after reading it ? I like a lot of my books for references after reading as well since I read a lot of educational and historical non fiction.

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Germaine

Libraries, bookstores, yard sales, and any store that has a book aisle will do! As long as I can get the books I want to read.

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Margaret

I don’t prefer it, it is just necessary to keep my budget in control. At one time I was buying $80 a week in books and magazines.

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Ivan

I use the local public library a lot for reading materials and even audio books. I buy when I can’t find a book at the library or it is a professional book

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Diane

Love both! I usually borrow books from new authors or books that I don’t want to buy. But occasionally I stumble o to something new and exciting at the Library and then want to buy.

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Traci

Library❤❤❤❤

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Jay

Always, my local library is my sanctuary! <3

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Edna

I use the Library. Then go to their book sales and purchase books I want to own. Can’t afford to buy new. Has to be something very special that I know I will read again or use often, like a cookbook.

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Gina

Library.
I can’t afford to buy new books.
I buy some at thrift stores.

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Greg

Buy

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Kristin

I do! I do not have the space to store all the books I’ve read or want to read

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Miles

If I buy something I can keep it for life.

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Jean

I love going to the library. When I’m able to buy books will go to a used book store in the area. Rarely will buy new books from bookstore or on line. Found Salvation Army are sometimes surprisingly useful. Book sales are a plus. Don’t usually need a list. It’s in my head. lol

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Christy

!!!Definely!!!

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Gretchen

Me, it’s a lot cheaper. 🙂

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Mandy

Money is tight with me, so I’ll take the library any day right now.

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Angel

Right now I can’t buy books too many bills not enough money so I go to the library

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Jana

I prefer Both 🙂

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Khristina

Both!

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Terri

Library because if I don’t like a particular book I can return it and I’m not out a dime.?

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Felicia

Went to the library the other day just to recheck one book and walked out with it and seven more.

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Peter

When cash is low the library is a friend. The price of books, especially hard cover, is becoming outrageous.

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Patricia

Library for audio. I love books and frequent book sales and stores

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Angela

I am so grateful for libraries, but if I can, I prefer to own the book.

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Sylvia

Prefer to own the book. Libraries also can be too peopl-y and noisy these days. Often bookshops are so much quieter than libraries!

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Cindy

I have fond memories going to the library when I was a child.
Unfortunately I grew up learned about germs.
I’m too concerned of where the books been if the people of wash their hands after using the bathroom before they read the book so I prefer new books and actually since I got my NOOK I prefer e-books because they’re cheaper.

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Layla

More germs on a computer keyboard then a toilet.

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Cindy

@Layla one can wipe down and keyboard. Can’t wipe down a book, unless it’s an e reader.

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Tara

The library in the small town I live in sucks. They have only a few shelves and never anything good. I buy books here. Now, when I live in North Carolina and Colorado, the libraries were great and there was more than one. Hell, even the library in Montana was great.

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Maggie

Not anymore. Local library is less about books and more about loud children, people with special needs hang out (i have social anxiety and being approached and yelled at as they tend to do sends me into panic attack) and computer games. I pre-order my books so they’re just on the reserved shelf inside; in out!

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Bernadine

I have my own library in my home.

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Maureen

As a child, the library was my refuge, the place where I belonged. I LOVED the library. My parents would drive me there on Saturdays and leave me and come back later. I spent so many hours just loving ever minute. when I was older, I would walk the mile and a half, then take myself to lunch at a shop that had a luncheon counter whose name or the life of me I can’t recall. Back then, until you were either 16 or 18, you were not allowed in the adult library, but oh how I dreamed of walking through those gorgeous wooden doors. One day, I was there with my friend and I was telling her all the good books to read when she turned to me and asked, “Did you read all the books in here”. Before I could reply, the librarian who was following me piped in with this, “Yes she has and that is why she is getting her ADULT library card.” It was THE BEST day of my life. Now how nerdy am I? lol

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Maureen

I was almost 13 when this miracle happened

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Shannon

I like to by books but mostly used..but I use my library alot

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Sylvia

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Clinton

I go to my library, for used books.

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Renee

I do both and I have limited space for physical books now.

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Samantha

I prefer buying only because only day I want to have my own house library. But I totally understand the space thing.

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Jess

Always, unless I have a specific new-release book in mind. Plus my library only charges 40c per branch transfer so I have a good chance of getting exactly what I want.

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Michele

Libraries

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Kathy

I love the library. I had my first job ever at my local library. But I can’t lie I love my own books!

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Richard

Bought plenty of books when the library sold them to make room for new ones. But I also have a ton of ebooks. I like to read, and the media I use doesn’t matter to me.

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Clay

I’d buy more books if I could, but I mostly rely on the good ol’ book barn!

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Deborah

I’ll take books any way I can get them.

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Bee

I prefer private books- HC…I just cannot get used to electronic reading…I love the feel of a book…Sometimes it’s my best friend

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Stacey

I like both

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Erin

When i was younger the library.. Our library now is kind of crappy so i buy books every so often

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Rene

I love both. But I’ll admit that I have quite a bit more preference to owning my own copies because I can write and underline in them, which is a forbidden thing to do with library books since they’re public property.

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Faith

I buy more then I should. But I like to collect.

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Clarence

Both.

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George

Never was much of a library person. I love used book shops. :):):)

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Heather

I don’t have the money to buy books. When I do it’s either super rare or I’m getting a book as a gift. So I rely heavily on my library or books I own.

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Alisha

I love the library for classics, but I am a meme bet of BOTM and uppercase box so I still buy books tooo

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Robert

I like them both, but visiting a library is less expensive!

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Maryellen

I love my library!!

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Laura

I own a ton of books but the majority of books I read are from the library, either physical or ebooks.

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Rikki

My library has something like 120 locations, endless books. I have two within walking distance alone. We can put a book on hold and get it from the other side of the city for free (and it’s quick, usually 2 days) so – needless to say, I use it a lot. Plus, it’s online collection is massive so I use that a lot. In the month and a half I’ve used it again, I’ve saved probably $250 bucks easily so… definitely the library as a primary source from now on.

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Diane

I like to go to the library and buy books at their booksale…my husband thinks I miss the point of RETURNING library books. ?

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Layla

I do. Unless I really want to keep the book or its a series I love then I will buy books.

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Alisa

Public libraries are great but nothing beats having your own home library. 🙂

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Mary

I must own everything I read lol

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Sandy

I like to buy my books and I don’t have access to a library anyway

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Linda

I use the library a lot. I reserve ebooks and when it’s my turn, they send me an email, I click into the library, click borrow, it takes me to amazon where Iclick which Kindle it goes to and they send it.

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Courtney

I love both so much, in very different ways. The library was where I first discovered the magic of reading. I love the smell of the library! ?

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RaoQuestion author

Wow…I started loving book by stealing my relative’s book who never use to read them. I stole it and read it. ???

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Stephen

I read too much to buy books unless I can’t get them at Chicago Public Library or through Interlibrary Loan, and when I buy I generally buy used (great range of quality) from http://abebooks.com/ I’m pushing 70 and need to be divesting myself of stuff. Books are the most difficult items for me to get rid of. I give them away to family and friends mostly; still I have several boxes of books to be read or reread, three bookshelves, and, again, the Chicago Public Library system.

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Shawn

I don’t do libraries. When I was younger I would check out a book and if I realy liked it, I wanted to keep it. I would lie and said I lost the book and would end up paying for it. It’s cheaper to buy my own.

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Shellie

I love them both.

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Magda

I do both! I buy books that I find on sale that I think I’ll enjoy, and perhaps want to lend out (or just pass along), but I go to the library often for my grandmother. While I’m at the library I’m constantly distracted by their lovely displays, and I wind up getting more (distracting me from my already huge TBR pile).

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Amber

Libraries Don’t carry all the self published authors.

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Brenda

Love my library!

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Shedana

I use to love libraries but now I buy all my books. I like for the kids to own their books now,too!

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ᜃᜇᜒᜐ᜔

I do both.

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ᜃᜇᜒᜐ᜔

I buy books to make my own library.

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Jennifer

I also read too much to buy. I only have a handful of authors I always buy! Any new discoveries I save for library days. If they are good enough they get added to the list.

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Deborah

We have an awesome library so no need to buy books. I can check out as many as I want and would certainly go broke if I had to buy all of them!

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Jennifer

We went in to a Books A Million yesterday and the urge to buy was tough to fight. I did it though I’m proud!! Lol

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Alex

I love the library used book store! Lol. I go weekly with my kids and check out like 25+ kids books. When I get books for myself I end up buying them after i return them. Oops. I fail at library ?

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Syloan

me

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Sihl

I like libraries bcz I can borrow lots of books. It I prefer buying books bcz I can have them on my shelf sitting pretty waiting for me to read them anytime. ?

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Magdel

Love 2 have my own books ….

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Gail

I’d rather buy–I can make notes on the inside of the covers. Things like foreign language phrases or words; keeping Tom Clancy characters straight. Like in “Debt of Honor” where there was a character name, their government work title and their Secret Service code name and depending on the circumstance, the character was referred to as one of the names on one page and then another name several pages further on. I still remember my notes informing me that Anthony Bretano, Secretary of the Treasury was code named Cardsharp.

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Mikael

That would depend on what kind of book, and also on how many books I have my mind set on reading. 🙂

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Linda

I use ebooks due to vision….regular books would have to be in large print. Used to belong to Doubleday large print book club…boy,, did I put out the money. Now, I only buy a hardback if it’s by a special author. I buy ebooks from amazon but always wait for them to go down to around 2.99.

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Judy

I can’t afford to buy so libraries are a must

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Zoe

I like libraries, because then I don’t feel compelled to finish the whole thing if it doesn’t reel me in.

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Lennine

I love buying books, but I enjoy libraries and go often to read books by authors I don’t know.

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Stephen

I checked out fourteen books from the Harold Washington Library Center today (main branch of the Chicago Public Library System). I’ll have most of them finished by the end of the month; ah, the joys of retirement.

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Helene

Our Willow Glen Library in San Jose,CA.

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Kim

I love both:))

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ម៉េង

I love to have my own books than borrow!

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Michele

I love our library and wouldn’t be able to read all that I do without it.

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Amy

I’ve gotten out of the habit of going to the library. But when I was a lot younger, I LOVED the library. (And then I discovered used bookstores while in college.)

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Terri

Only library for me.

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Fay

90% of what I read is from the library. If I actually purchased all that I read, I’d be broke, in debt and run out of my house due to having to store all those books.

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