Thoughts and What Not

So, as many of you probably know, I am an avid reader of books. They are my most treasured possessions next to my PC. I currently have a library of somewhere in the neighborhood of 450-500 books. I will definitely have 500+ books by the time I finish fixing the series that are incomplete on my shelves. My goal for the year is to basically double that number, by the end of 2010 I want to have a personal library of 1000+ books. Now, I am looking to you good folks in internet land for two things that would greatly assist me.

1) New books to read!
---One can't very well expand ones library if one does not have new things to add to it! The fact of the matter is, I don't want to add just anything to my library, I want to add GOOD books to my library. Now, I know, that just because someone recommends a book to me, that does not mean it will necessarily be to my liking. However, It does mean that there is a better chance of that happening. So, for those of you out there here is what I am specifically looking for. Sci-Fi, preferably series verses stand alone. Fantasy, Mystery, Etc.. are fine, its just that Sci-Fi and Fantasy are my two favorites and I believe that my fantasy collection quite overwhelms my Sci-Fi counterpart.

2) Places to buy them!
---Books are expensive, period. There is no sugarcoating it, one book can easily buy you a Nice dinner, or a decent portion of groceries if you are being cheap. As it is, even if every book cost me a dollar, this project would still cost me at least $500, and that is not taking into account taxes or book shelves. What I am looking for from you fine frugal folks is places online or in the Chicago Land area that will help me get the best bang for my buck.

This is my first grand project of the year, and lets face it, it probably is doomed. But none the less I must try for as I said, I cherish books above almost all else!

On that note, if anyone is interested I shall endeavor to post a blog every Saturday about the current Novel I am reading or have just finished. Hopefully my posts will lead others to enjoy them as much as I have (or help them avoid the bad ones).

-Phil

Pain is an illusion of the senses, despair an illusion of the mind