Book Buying Habits

I've always been a book lover ever since I was able to read. My book buying habits have changed with the introduction of internet and when I was able to obtain my own credit card.

When I was younger, I frequently visited the library for my reading needs. If I purchased books, I would visit the New England Book Fair. It's a warehouse with books and everything is at least 20% off. New York Times bestsellers are marked down even further and the bargain books section is seriously amazing since the prices are so low. During my elementary and middle school years, I would purchase paperbacks. They were cheaper and were easier to hold.

In elementary school, I always look forward to the Scholastic Book Fair. My mother would let me buy a book or two every year I went to the fair.

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Starting in high school, I started purchasing more books. I still, however, visited the library quite frequently. My middle and high school years, I pretty much lived in the YA section of the library. I didn't start purchasing books online until my senior year. Amazon was my go for online shopping. For brick and mortar stores, I would go to Borders, Barnes & Noble and Wellesley Booksmith (now Wellesley Books).

My first book release party was when Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released. My sister and I attended the midnight release after work. And can I say it was amazing? Being in the same room after hours with a bunch of book lovers and Potterheads. Not only was this my first book related event that I attended but it was also my first Harry Potter event.

The release party actually encouraged me to attend my first midnight film showing when I was a freshman in college. My RA, my roommate and some friends ended up marathoning the first three films before heading to the movie theater to see "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." That was probably one of my favorite days during my freshmen year.

Since my college years until present day, I often purchase books at independent book stores, Barnes & Nobles (online and brick and mortar), BookOutlet, Amazon, thrift shops and eBay. I also began purchasing more hardcover books, especially if I wanted to collect a series or if the book is one of my favorites. I'll still purchase paperbacks though, depending on price and if the cover art looks more amazing than the hardcovers.

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But enough about me, what are your favorite places to buy books? Do you prefer clothbound or softcovers?