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I usually order new and used books through amazon.com. I've recently started ordering books through alibris.com as well.

Hamiltonbook.com used to be a favorite, with their flat shipping rate, but their selection is hit or miss.

I recently received a nook, so I've purchased a few e-books at bn.com.

I buy a lot of used books. One favorite bookseller is http://www.betterworldbooks.com/. They are a 'green' social venture company--working with schools, colleges and libraries around the country--
to do books drives. A portion of their sales are donated to support local and international literacy programs/

Hi, My favorite book store when I was growing up in San Francisco was The Green Apple on Clement street in the Richmond District. I would be there browsing for hours and hours. I bought a lot from them and outside they used to have a free box. I got great stuff, like the Jane Austen novels and Shakespeare from that box. In NYC, I used to go to Barnes and Noble and Borders. Now, when people move the first of the month, I get to pick up really good books too from the sidewalks. The libraries are terrific as well. Eugenia Renskoff

I purchased a Nook just a few month's ago at $250 (before the price drop. I have to say even though I caught it at the higher price, I absolutely love it. I am in the military and currently stationed at a rural area in Alabama with the nearest book store about 45 minutes away. As as avid reader this involved may trips to the book store. The Nook took care of that by letting me get books in seconds, carring many books with me when I travel without the weight and in one simple package, plus, I no longer have to figure out what to do with a book once I read it as my bookshelves are full and I rarely re-read a book, there are two many others I want to get to read! As much as I love my Nook, I panicked yesterday when I heard Barnes and Noble was going to be sold due to competition from the Kindle. Am I still going to be able to get content for my Nook? Did I just buy the "Betamax" or the "HD DVD" version of an e-reader? I hope not!!

To David from Great Neck:

The Dolphin Book Shop in Port Washington has been in business for decades (i.e.: 65 years), so it might just be "new" to you...

Independent bookstores whenever possible (& Felix, they can order books too). You can find them at http://www.ibnyc.org/.

On buying books you don't get around to reading, I have a button that says, "Buying a book is buying the illusion you will have time to read it" (don't know who said it, though). Although I am finally getting around to reading Twain's "The Innocents Abroad," which I bought many years ago!

I'm an avid reader - for my purchases, small and large bookstores have been increasingly supplanted by used books from amazon marketplace, favorite used bookstores and paperbackswap.com which is a great way to save money and recycle. And yes, I do also have a kindle which I use for travel and the cheaper version of a new hardcover (which I never would have bought before)

I actually owned a bookstore in lower Manhattan many decades ago. But today I simply have no room for any more physical books in my flat. So these days I'm into e-books. You don't even have to own a Kindle. You can download a free Kindle app to your PC or mobile device to read them, and don't have to shell for an actual Kindle itself. While physical books are going to be around for quite a while, I do see e-books as eventually becoming the backbone of physical distribution of printed media to the masses.

I try to buy my books at my local independant book stores. If I can't find what I need there, I head to the chains, Barnes & Noble or Borders. However, sometimes I buy from Amazon or from one of the independant book sellers on that site if I can't find something elsewhere, or if I'm on a tight budget and they have good deals.

I want to support my local stores so they don't go away. I enjoy browsing before I buy and actually looking through a book. Also, I sometimes discover a book while browsing that I wouldn't know about otherwise.

I actually owned a bookstore in lower Manhattan many decades ago. But today I simply have no room for any more physical books in my flat. So these days I'm into e-books. You don't even have to own a Kindle. You can download a free Kindle app to your PC or mobile device to read them, and don't have to shell for an actual Kindle itself. While physical books are going to be around for quite a while, I do see e-books as eventually becoming the backbone of physical distribution of printed media to the masses.

normally, I'm not opposed to any of the three options. I do prefer a physical bookstore--and find smaller ones more dependable in finding more hard to find books.
Lately--because I live in an apartment with my wife and child and space is scarce--I'm hanging out at the library more. It was always a wonderful place to go when I was young, and now that I'm older, I feel like I'm rediscovering an old friend

I buy most of my books on the street, or at the Strand. If I really need a particular book, I can get it online.

I had an "only in NY" moment when I got in from a plane in the west coast, came home on the train and found that the same sidewalk book dealer was there, where I found a great copy of Sartre's "Being and nothingness." In the past I've found Yeats, chess books, art books, etc. through the same guy who happens to be homeless.

There is a terrific new independent in Port Washington, The Dolphin Book Store, which also has a big kids' area. Too bad Great Neck doesn't have one (we used to, but with all the Iranians and the ultra-Orthodox crowd that has come in, guess community couldn't support it).

I love selection. That was one of the beautiful things about those huge bookstores. I love shopping for books. Lately, I have been purchasing my books off of Amazon through either Amazon or one of those selling their merchandise those selling under consignment. I hope that the huge stores don't go away. I was heartbroken with the downsizing of Strand.

Would never go to Amazon. I support local bookstores whether Barnes and Noble, Borders or Independent. Coliseum Books on 42nd street was a great independent bookstore. If that store couldn't make it, I don't know what independent store could be viable.

Online shopping for books will always be a better source for what you need and want immediately. A book store is great to relax and browse.

popped inside the new limelight mktplace last nite, and to be honest, that was the last place i would've expected to find a (small) bookstore. nice little place in the middle of a very chi-chi (sp?) setting. a little weird, but hipsterish.

Since the recession, I have done all my book "shopping" at the library.

I do both -and I love the bookstores for the atmosphere but my choice based on price, not convenience would be online purchases. Recently I am purchasing books more frequently online for the deals.

Independent book stores for most things and Borders Books for books that need to be ordered. Independents have interesting old paperbacks and Penguin classics at better prices than the big box stores.

whenever I went into a bookstore I found they don't have what I'm looking for? so I just started ordering online. they always have it.