- #31
J77
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Can the university require books that it doesn't supply in the library?? 
Why are books for school so expensive?
- Thread starter Cyrus
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The discussion highlights the significant financial burden of purchasing textbooks for school, with one user expressing frustration over spending $619 on books. Participants share strategies for reducing costs, such as buying books online during the summer when demand is low, opting for paperback or international editions, and selling books back at peak demand times. Concerns are raised about the high prices of specialized books and the frequent release of new editions, which seem designed to undermine the used book market. Some users note the limitations of relying on library copies, including availability issues and the necessity of having books for reference. The conversation also touches on the rising costs of photocopying journal articles in graduate school, suggesting a shift towards electronic publishing as a potential solution to high textbook prices. Overall, the thread reflects a shared frustration with the textbook industry and the financial implications for students.
- #32
mattmns
- 1,121
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My books were sooooo cheap this semester (well except for 1 of them, which was outrageous). My books were: 38 + (12 + 11) + 91 + 90 = $242 three of which I got from Amazon, saving me about $35. The expensive book was this little Combinatorics book that is listed at $115, but Amazon was selling for $91. Either way, $242 for books for 3 Math classes and Russian, I thought it was great 
- #33
daveb
- 547
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bestwebbuys.com is also a good site for textbooks.
- #34
Moonbear
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
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I can't read for content on a computer screen. I could never do that. I'd have spent just as much on printing costs in the end, and then had a bunch of printouts instead of a neatly bound book.Dimitri Terryn said:
Of course. Books are part of the expected expenses for a university education.J77 said:
- #35
J77
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Sadly, it will probably become that way in the UK also.Moonbear said:
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