Comments on: An offer I really could refuse

By: Electric

Electric — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 16:43:38 +0000

I’m so happy… Today I got “The Seals of Wisdom” by Muhyiddin Ibn al-Arabi from my library (translated into English by ‘Aisha at-Tarjumana)

By: Tasmiya

Tasmiya — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 07:00:53 +0000

Electric is right. Libraries are great. They even offer extensions on loans so you don’t have to pay the overdue fees. Except if you’re me and then no matter how many extension you get, you still manage to return the book too late.

By: thabet

thabet — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 11:33:10 +0000

assalamu alaykum

I don’t think I’ve ever purchased anything from Borders. It doesn’t inspire anything in me, let alone loyalty.

Foyles is good, but I prefer the academic Waterstone’s on Gower Street, largely out of habit I guess. They do seem well-stocked on books, including obscure academic titles. Having a coffee shop on the premises helps too. Those two with Amazon and Abebooks are sufficient to cover all my interests.

By: Thersites

Thersites — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 09:04:10 +0000

Foyles- from my point of view- was much better in the old disorganised days: books that had been out of print for years still on sale at their original prices and books that first edition specialists kept locked away. In 1990 I bought a book still priced in £.s.d. I had a long debate with the cashier in her cage as to whether to round the 6d up or down. The only problem was when you actually wanted a specific book which- of course- was unfindable. When Miss Foyle retired and they decided to make Foyles like every other boring bookshop they got rid of the ancient stock at £1 per volume. I spent a very happy and profitable week buying as many academic books as I could carry, taking a ‘bus up to Waterstones’ university bookshop and selling them at a profit.

By: JDsg

JDsg — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 03:53:29 +0000

It’s a shame you don’t live in S’pore; there’s this decent-sized bookstore here that’s about 99.9% devoted to computers, software, e-commerce, etc. I’ve bought a fair number of their books since I discovered the place two years ago.

By: Electric

Electric — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 01:49:00 +0000

I generally don’t buy books though I read many.

If there is a book I want, I put a request in my central library for it. Usually I succeed in getting the books I wanted.

I advise you to do the same. Any central library of any major town/city should allow you to put in requests for books. And then the library will use its links with all the libraries across the nation to obtain the books you requested.

Yesteday I requested 6 books, and last week I requested 8 books.

I’m surprised by the books my library will manage to get for me.

I requested Principles of Sufism by Al Qushayri, translated by B R Von Schlegell, and got it. I requested Brainwash by Dominic Streatfeild as soon as it came out, and my library actually brought the book because of my request. (Btw both are great books I recommend)

Sometimes I’m charged a pound for the service, but usually nothing.

I wholeheartedly recommend everyone to make full use of this service from their libraries. And don’t hesitate to recommend any book (so long as amazon.com stocks it, you have a fair chance of getting the book)