Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Where we get our books and things like that...

I've been reading a lot of blogs lately where people are disclosing where they get their books. It's been really interesting so I thought I would contribute where I get my books. I don't want to speak for everyone else who blogs on here, because everyone has different circumstances, but I bet most us here on Oops are basically the same.

I have served on a Texas Library Association committee for several years in one role or another and I get books sent from the publisher due to this. Rarely, although it has happened on occasion, has a publisher contacted us via the blog to send us a book to review.

I get arcs of books I'm interested in when I go to the TLA conference every year. I'm pretty selective, I really don't take it unless I want to read it. And I have co-workers who attend ALA. We all share our books with each other. Especially when we get one that is really popular.

Our library also gets review copies sent to it. All of our staff are able to review these books.

The rest of my books come from the public library. I check them out. I'm not a big buyer of books. Strange and unusual, I know, since most library people tend to be book collectors. I'll usually only buy books after I've read them and like them enough to think I'll read them again. I tend to like to buy books as gifts. I buy my kiddo lots of books too. I also buy books for the library I work at. So really, if you look at it that way, I spend a hell of a lot of money on books.

Anyhow, I think I'll put a little blurb at the end of my reviews like I've been seeing out there on other blogs just in the interest of full disclosure.

2 comments:

Kerry said...

Oh, man, I spend a lot of money on books. Most of what I review here I have bought myself, with the exception of the last review.

I feel poor every time I look at my bookshelves. But satisfied, as well. :)

Jenn H. said...

Yeah, I've noticed that people put that line about where the book came from in their blogs. Esp. if it was an ARC. Kind of makes sense.