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Oyster

Nov 4, 2003, 4:57 AM

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BOOKS!

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We're both elderly, and would find life without books hard, no matter how sunny the climate. Nobody seems to mention books here (lots about TV, which is fine, tho we don't use it much). If there are readers out there (around Chapala, where we plan to get our feet wet) : where and how do you get reading material in English?
BobB

jennifer rose

Nov 4, 2003, 5:26 AM

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Re: [Oyster] BOOKS!

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I used to have nightmares that there would be no unread books and that I'd be reduced to reading the copy on the back of the toothpaste tube. Fear not. There's plenty of reading material in English, and it's just a matter of finding it. And expanding your reading preferences.

Areas such as Chapala and San Miguel de Allende where English-speaking residents congregrate have substantial libraries. And used book networks and stores. And even English-language bookstores. Sanborn's has English-language magazines and books.

Out in the hinterland, many English-readers develop trading circles of books and magazines. Bring books with you when you move here, because they can be used as wampum.

Many of us order books from Amazon.com and Powells.com, waiting patiently for the delivery. Others have a shopping list of books for purchase on their trips up north, and visitors are always bringing English-language reading material.

While you may not be able to get your mitts on the NY Times bestsellers the very minute they hit the list, if you expand your reading horizons, you may find yourself surrounded by a surfeit of English-language books. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised by finding the time to read O. Henry's short stories or even Shakespeare.

Uncle Donnie

Nov 4, 2003, 7:24 AM

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Re: [Oyster] BOOKS!

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Bobby Oyster,

You CAN get those newly released NYT "bestsellers" (or nearly everything else) if you contact Sandi Books in Guad. She's ordered several things for me. Fast, inexpensive, but it requires a trip to town to pick up your order.

jj, I saw your idol Hillary's book in Spanish. When I was in Texas I also got a glimpse into how she made the NYT list. There was a discount bookstore (nothing more than $5) with piles and piles of her books. Is that the second or third book she didn't write?

Shameless self-promotion:
http://www.headformexico.com

sandykayak

Nov 4, 2003, 10:06 AM

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Re: [Oyster] BOOKS!

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So far, I have shipped 4 boxes of books to someone's daughter in Texas. After visiting their daughter, they then drove them down to Ajijic. These are donattions to the LCS library. I passed the tip on and Elke (n2ftur) also sent a box with books and videos.

This is part of the downsizing effort and it hurts less when I know they are going to a good home.

A small box cost me $5 to ship 10 lbs. via USPS, but a 38 lb. box of books only cost $10.
Sandy Kramer
Miami, Fla & El Parque

Marlene

Nov 4, 2003, 6:58 PM

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And.... here in Mazatlan we have several places to get books in English. Mazatlan Books and Coffee (where I expect to soon see copies of Uncle Donnies book being sold like hotcakes) is well stocked, as well as an English library with an annual fee, which seems well organized and staffed. There is also an English section upstairs in the Municipal library and they will loan you books gratis with proof of residency. I don't have much time to read books (other than Head for the Border of course) Today while out and about, I learned that there will be a book exchange in a local restaurant/bar recently opened by a Canadian couple. Hey, it doesn't get much better than that!

cuzalapa

Nov 4, 2003, 8:07 PM

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Carol Schmidt

Nov 5, 2003, 7:41 AM

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Jennifer Rose is right, there are plenty of ways to get English-language books. San Miguel's Biblioteca has some 25,000 books in English and a similar number in Spanish, mostly for the kids who also learn to use computers and have a quiet spot to study. Two bookstores have a lot of English-language books and several more have some, and you can get the top 10 mysteries at one of the art supply stores along with a large number of top U.S. magazines. We have swapping arrangements, and there are several book clubs which discuss and share.

Carol Schmidt

geri

Nov 7, 2003, 7:43 AM

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Since someone mentioned sending books, there's a little-known U.S. postal service rate called M-bag. The smaller post offices may send you to their main branch, but the rate is very cheap. On each trip home, I send to myself (in Oaxaca) a beer-sized carton of books and magazines, which is very heavy, for around $20. I wrap it with strong tape, just as any package, but the p.o. sticks it into a canvass bag. My friends save their mags for me all year. Lots of timeless feature stories give me endless hours of sleep-inducing reading. I don't know what M-bag stands for...maybe Mexico? Sometimes the clerks have to look up the instructions in their manual. This rate applies only to printed material and transport is slow. My care package to myself usually arrives within six weeks.

Geri

gpk

Nov 7, 2003, 2:09 PM

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I've used this service--very cheap--but one box arrived very late (more than 2 months late)--a Mexican PO problem, I think. Also, one box had a set of bookends included and that was enough to make the box "dutiable"--so make sure you only pack books and other printed matter.

esperanza

Nov 7, 2003, 2:52 PM

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Re: [gpk] BOOKS!

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The M-bag is why www.powells.com can ship FREE (yes FREE) to Mexico. Powells sells new, used, collectible, and rare books...and if your order is $50.00USD or more, the shipping to Mexico is free. Free. FREE! The postmaster here just sticks a little note in my PO box to tell me a package has arrived...and voilá. Yes, it takes as much as 6 weeks to get here, but so what? No duty and a fresh batch of what-to-read~no back-of-the-cereal-box for me!

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

jrice

Nov 9, 2003, 5:53 PM

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I've probably had about 10 orders from Amazon. All have arrived. Tends to take about three to five weeks, though if desperate, you can probably find a faster option.

lpiorkowski

Nov 11, 2003, 6:02 PM

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In Puerto Morelos (located between Playa del Carmen and Cancun) is a used bookstore.

all in ENGLISH - they buy your old books!!! great inventory - they ship all over Mexico.

see Alma Libre Bookstore
New & Used Books - Buy Sell Trade
Puerto Morelos, Q. Roo, Mexico
Phone / Fax 998-871-0713
www.almalibrebooks.com
info@almalibrebooks.com Sign Up for our Free Newsletter! http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=12755b