Bookshops. Ooh I love them, I could, and frequently have, spent hours in the big Blackwells on Broad Street in Oxford. Especially the second hand bit on the top floor, bargainous.
Now I find that I can get BOB to deliver items to me free of charge from www.blackwells.co.uk That's books and parcels in the post, which are surely some of the best things which can happen to a girl. So no more debating which of the piles of books I have to sacrifice so that I can actually carry them all home. My lovely postlady brings them to my door.
Blackwells is certainly great for academic books. They tend to have branches in or around most major universities, so they carry text books and more specialist tomes. And a search of their online store with your reading list is quick and easy. Infact, you don't even need a reading list, cos they have some uni approved ones already listed on the left hand side of the site home page! How handy. Infact, the whole site is very easy to use, and you can customise what you see.
It's well laid out, with the home page giving you links to media lists of bestsellers, it's easy to sign up, and you can receive customised emails when new products or specific items become available. There are also competitions, and details of up and coming store events, so you won't miss your favourite author coming to town.
In comparison to Amazon, I think Blackwells are better in many respects, not least because postage is free. They don't offer quite so many discounts, but there are a few to be had on their bestsellers lists (look for 'books of the month' or other promotions), and I would certainly trust the reviews given on the site. As far as I can tell you, every undergrad biology book, or post grad law book I have needed, Blackwells has come up good. They will also help you find any out of print titles you may need.
The other advantage to shopping online is I am less likely to get distracted by the fiction (mum? are you reading this...) ok, it's all lies, I still indulge myself with bathtime books as well as study ones. But, well, at least I don't choose trash.
And did I mention there's no p&p...?!
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Apr 26th, 2003
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