One thing to consider here is that Amazon accepts returns. You have to pay a bit for shipping, but you could easily buy a copy of each book you might want, keep the ones you do, and still end up ahead.
Re:What Went Wrong at Borders
by dmlorenzetti on Thursday January 13, 2011 @03:07PM
(#2101138)
Thanks. That's at least an option, especially once/if the local places close.
I will still feel bad about it. With the Borders coupons, I usually ended up spending no more than I would at Amazon, anyway. And I really like the experience of browsing. I often end up with three or four books spread out in front of me, dipping into each one, comparing their style, presentation, TOCs and indices, etc...
Or for those who want a meaningful preview of a book before buying.
Over the years, I've saved much more money by avoiding purchases of books I imagined I would like, than I've saved by buying from discount warehouses.
Libraries are one way of doing this, but for new technical books, my local Borders was a go-to place.