frugal Fridays: Building a Personal Library

I have a secret. I am really, really in love with the idea of having a lot of books. Actually acquiring said books, well, not so much. I have a few frugal rules that I try to keep to: 1. I don't pay full price for anything unless I absolutely have to. (No big surprise.) 2. If I have to pay full price, I research the heck out of it, to be sure it's sonething I actually need to pay full price for. 3. I find it cheaper than that. In the casr of books, I refuse to pay full price. Ever. It would have to be something so outlandishly rare and amazingly desireable for me to pay full price for a book. Why? Because every book you want to read is available free at the library, a friend or online; because you can buy books for almost nothing at yard sales and thrift stores; and you can still get them cheaper than new at used book stores and online! Why in the name of Heaven would you pay full price?! I also never buy a book myself unless I have checked it out of the library and know it is something I truly want. Ocassionally I will purchase a book because I have read another of the author's work and enjoyed it, or I have heard such amazing reviews of it that I am sure it is a sound investment. However, this doesn't happen often. I keep a running list of books I am looking for on my iPhone and in my LifeBook. If I am ever somewhere and see a book I want, I can check my list and inquire. Currently my library holds (but is not limited to): 2x The Complete Tightwad Gazette (1 copy off Amazon for $8, the other from a yard sale fot $0.25) Joshua by Fr. Peter F. Gizbone ($2 at second hand book store) The Lord of the Rings series ($1 each at second hand book store) The No Cry Sleep Solution ($5 off Kijiji) The Happiest Baby on the Block ($2 at second hand store) The Irrisistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne ($5 off of eBay) Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne ($12 off of eBay) While I enjoy reading, I do consider it to be a more expensive passtime than necessary, and so I do not read a lot of fiction (and very little modern fiction especially). I prefer research, history, or something that I feel will expand my mind and teach me a new technique, idea or mindset. I love learning new things.