In this episode of Galaxies and Goddesses, Andrea and Elizabeth dive into the age-old debate of borrowing versus buying books. They discuss their personal experiences, motivations, and the joy of owning or sharing books. Highlights include anecdotes about book fairs, the allure of special editions, independent bookstores, and the ethical considerations of supporting authors and local businesses. The episode also touches on the thrills of discovering new reads through unexpected avenues such as estate sales and Little Free Libraries. They emphasize the underlying love for stories, regardless of how the books are acquired.

00:00 Borrowing V Buying

04:20 Different Feel to Buying Versus Borrowing

06:04 Dandelion Chocolate

06:53 Special Edition Books

09:26 Borrowing from Little Free Libraries

14:54 Unconventional Ways of Buying Books

16:48 Adventure and Discovery of In Person Book Browsing

20:09 The Debate on Supporting Used Bookstores

24:27 Atypical Library Books

27:48 No Patience for the Hold List

29:26 Concluding Thoughts on Book Buying and Borrowing

Books mentioned in this episode:

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe 

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 

A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin 

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig 

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig 

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros 

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer 

Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift 

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach

Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller

Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas 

Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers (November book pick)

A Sweet Shoutout to Dandelion Chocolate

Dandelion Chocolate’s 2025 Advent Calendar is a delicious way to honor 25 of our Solar System’s moons this holiday season. This is an affiliate link, not a discount, and another way to support the show while giving something special to yourself or others.

dandelionchocolate.pxf.io/7azQny 

Friends Of The Historical Museum At Fort Missoula’s Annual Used Book Sale

https://fortmissoulamuseum.org/event/annual-used-book-sale/

The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana

https://ninepipesmuseum.org/

Arts Midwest: National Endowment for the Arts Big Read

https://artsmidwest.org/about/updates/announcing-the-2025-26-nea-big-read-grantees/

FY2025-26 NEA BIG READ TITLES

https://artsmidwest.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/NEA-Big-Read-25-26-Titles.pdf 

Galaxies and Goddesses now has a Bookshop.org affiliate storefront! 

It’s a curated page where we share the books we talk about on the podcast. When you buy through our storefront, Bookshop.org donates a portion of every sale to independent bookstores nationwide and we earn a small affiliate commission. It’s a great way to support indie bookstores and our show at the same time.

https://bookshop.org/shop/galaxiesandgoddesses