I miss the large libraries I grew up with in the North. We now live in a rural county in North Alabama where the library is nothing to brag about. Even larger cities where I've lived in the South are deficient compared to what I remember.

Back in the 90's, though, I developed a "used bookstore habit". Knoxville had McKay's, where a book sold for 1/2 the cover price. If you could find an old copy of a classic, say published in the 70's, you might end up paying $.40. I also traded in what I had read regularly, getting back 1/2 of what I paid.

Today, I haunt the bargain tables at Books a Million and buy used from Amazon, but some books can only be had new and in hardback. We are a family of 6 readers (all but the dog) and I would guess we spend over $1000 a year on books.

Reading on the road does get expensive. I alway take my current book and a backup with me and usually have to buy something before the trip home.