I’m helping out at my stepfather’s used bookstore in Lake Bowen today, and I’ve been thinking about how the vast majority of his sales are coming from his online storefront rather than walk-ins. It’s been a tough transition for him, actually, because the whole process is new to him.

Of course, I generally buy my used books online, but that’s because I have fairly specific interests and there are few used quality books stores near my house. And while you can find cool, random stuff at used book shops, it’s all but impossible to find a specific title at most of them.

So, where do you get your used books? Online? In a store? From the library used book sales?

Downtown Books & News

I usually hit Downtown Books and News about once a week and just check their new arrivals and staff pick shelves. I’ve also been checking the Pack library twice a week for $1 deals.

Steve, the thing about bookstores for me is not the guarantee that I can find what I am looking for. Wandering and picking through is a big part. Sometimes I find something I’ve been hunting down (The Road at DTB&N;and Cryptonomicon at the library) and it’s that much better.

Sometimes I stumble on something I never would have heard of otherwise.

I’ve window shopped online at sites like half.com, but never pulled the trigger. But then again, I still think print newspapers are pretty cool too, so what the hell do I know?

I tend to shop on-line as well, usually Abebooks or Alibris.  Once a month or so I wonder through various book stores locally, just for the tactile experience, but tend to rarely find titles I want.

I usually buy online as most of the things I look for, when I am looking for something specifically, are not something you will find in your average used book store…but whenever I am downtown I usually stop in downtown books and news and browse, and occasionally buy.