Alli the Book Giraffe

Hello readers! It’s tag Thursday, and that means it’s time for a tag post. This one centers book buying habits. I don’t buy books too often these days, but I still love to!

This tag was created by Booktuber Meagan Olivier, whose video no longer exists.

Where do you buy your books?

I usually buy my books from a few places. One of which I haven’t done in a long time.

First is Amazon. This is the best place to get books, especially Indie authors. I had a KU account for about 6 months and I’m going to get it back soon, but I also have bought a few physical books over there as well.

Second is Books a Million. BAM is my local bookstore. I love going there and seeing their discout books, but they don’t always have what I want.

Last is Better World Books. I haven’t used it in so long, but it is a used books platform. They buy books from libraries and all other places to sell. It isn’t for those people who care a ton about the way their books look, but I love it.

Do you ever preorder books and if so, do you do this in store or online?

I have in the past, but no I don’t usually. I think the last time I preordered a book online was in like 2013 or something. I’ve never preordered in a store at all, but I know my mom always preordered Harry Potter books when I was a kid.

On average, how many books do you buy a month?

Well, I wouldn’t say I buy books every month. But, when I do, I get two or three. In 2024, I have obtained 8 books total and some were sent to me.

Do you use your local library?

Yes! I actually need to go this week because my card expired. I use the heck out of Libby. I also like Hoopla, but don’t use it as often.

If I get a physical book from the library, it’s usually a graphic novel. I haven’t been to the actual library since I went and voted last year.

If so – How many books can you/do you borrow at a time?

I have both my and my step daughter’s card on my Libby account. So, I can put 20 books on hold. I try to not borrow more than 3 at a time on there.

I borrow books for her on my Libby and then send them to her Kindle. The Libby app on the Kindle is a mess, so we don’t use that.

For physical books, I’ll get 4 or 5 if I find that many I’m interested in.

What is your opinion on library books?

I love the library! Do people have negative opinions on library books?

How do you feel about charity shops/second hand books?

Honestly, about 70-80% of all the books I own are used. I love a good bargain. My logic is, I can go into a bookstore and either get one new book for 20 dollars or 3-5 used books.

I have bought more new books in the past two years because I have been reading new releases more. But, I still love used books when I can get them.

Do you keep your read and TBR pile together/on the same bookshelf or not?

I tried keeping them on different shelves once and it bothered me to break up series. I have tried so many organization methods.

I did alphabetized for most my life, then did the TBR seperate, and now have them separated by genre.

Do you plan to read all the books you own?

If this is asking if I will ever have a TBR at zero, no. I did get it down to less than 20 books back in 2019.

If it’s asking whether I want to read every book I currently own, of course! I’ve become much better at cycling my books so they aren’t sitting for too long without being read. Most of my unread books have sat on my shelf for less than 5 years, which I think is pretty good.

What do you do with books you own that you feel you’ll never read/felt you didn’t enjoy?

I used to sell them to Books a Million, but they have quit their buy back program. So, now I’ll be taking them to a little free library.

Have you ever donated books?

Yes! I have put some in Little Free Libraries and have also donated books to Half Price Books.

Have you ever been on a book-buying ban?

I have not. My TBR has never really been that out of control. I usually keep it right around 50-60 and I know I’ll get to them eventually.

It’s currently at 71, but it’s only because I haven’t really read anything this year.

Do you feel that you buy too many books?

Technically I haven’t bought any books in the last 6 months. I have been gifted them all!

I probably should slow a bit down, though. At least until I’m reading consistently again.

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This post was created by Allison Wolfe for www.allithebookgiraffe.com and is not permitted to be posted anywhere else.

Where to find me: https://linktr.ee/Allithebookgiraffe

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