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Holtzc321 t1_j4vbx8c wrote

I go to the library every week. They have a great selection of dvd’s that no one knows about.

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coreynj2461 t1_j4vdast wrote

Cds and video games too. Its like a modern day blockbuster that most dont know about or assumes libraries just have books

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Holtzc321 t1_j4vdvxe wrote

I don’t think my library has video games. I usually only go for the books and dvds.

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brickxbrickxbrick t1_j4vz37d wrote

Check to see if your library is part of a library system such as BCCLS, LMxAC, MAIN, or PALS Plus. If they are, then then can very easily request those materials from their partner libraries. Also, many libraries can place special requests for materials from other libraries in the state or the rest of the country through interlibrary loan (ILL).

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goatodoom t1_j4vyudy wrote

The one near me in Monmouth County doesn't have video games, but Ocean County ones do. Thankfully there is some program where you go get a card for the other counties system if you have one in yours.

I love having access to more/different books from both, but the video games alone has been a big money saver. I've gotten to scratch the itch for some games I just want to play but not worth the price tag for the amount I'll play (like Madden, NBA2k, etc.). and games my son sees and really wants to try.

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Holtzc321 t1_j4w18p2 wrote

I didn’t know that I will check it out.

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throwawayjonesIV t1_j4vu516 wrote

Yea I just picked up (one of) the new McCarthy novels and Horizon Forbidden West on ps4. All the better that my library has a no late fee policy, so I can really take my time.

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MANWithTheHARMONlCA t1_j4vxctv wrote

The passenger? Good book can’t wait to read the follow up.. amazing that this dude is almost in his 90s and still writing quality

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throwawayjonesIV t1_j4wfuqf wrote

The Passenger yeah. And same, we're all collectively better off with that guy still writing. After Pynchon I think he's the greatest living American prose writer.

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MANWithTheHARMONlCA t1_j51ohq3 wrote

I’m sorry I’m not even familiar with the name. We seem to share similar tastes so I’d like to add him to my list. Where would you recommend I start?

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throwawayjonesIV t1_j5pptdj wrote

Sorry meant to get back to you. I would say only jump into Pynchon if you're up for a serious challenge, but it is a rewarding one. A few of his books in particular are the most difficult, dense novels ever written. I thought I had read challenging literature before Pynchon, and I had, but not in the same way.

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That disclaimer aside, there are a couple places you could start. Some folks say Inherent Vice is a good entry point, and I don't totally disagree. It's a very unconventional detective story with a disorienting, complex plot, but a whole lot of heart and some beautiful prose. That said it is certainly his most accessible and maybe least dense. There is a wonderful film adaptation from a few years ago.

The Crying of Lot 49 is a short novella and his first published "long" work. It has many of the themes that would come to permeate his career and the prose will give you a good idea of what to expect from his more challenging stuff, while still being rather short.

Gravity's Rainbow is probably his most difficult, but is worth reading at least for the absolutely transcendent prose. I did not know english could be written in such an inventive, elastic way until this book. It is my favorite novel. It is not a book that is about a simple plot that is easy to follow and at the end it all makes perfect sense. It is at times opaque, bewildering, and esoteric, but in such an enchanting way.

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Wherever you start you will be in a good place. I would suggest not starting with Mason and Dixon, however. It is incredible but it's written in 18th century style that is wonderful and unique, but is really the only example of it in Pynchon's oeuvre. Vineland also is regarded as not as strong as his other works, so maybe not a great start. Anyways, hope this helps.

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coreynj2461 t1_j4w5nsv wrote

How does that work with no late fees? BCCLS has late fees but very nominal

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MANWithTheHARMONlCA t1_j4w84z7 wrote

Bccls also has renewals fyi. For books it’s usually 3 renewals which means you’ll have the books for 3 months total if you renew them.

For dvds it’s usually 2 weeks per renewal so they give you plenty of time unless it’s a new or high demand book/dvd

And it’s (usually) like 10 cents a day for books or a dollar a day for dvds so even if you can’t manage to watch or read something right away, you have plenty of time and it’s relatively cheap even if you do return it late.

It’s convenient as fuck I love the system and if I can’t read a book in 3 months or watch a dvd in a month and a half I have only myself to blame

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throwawayjonesIV t1_j4wgbfd wrote

Any time I've forgotten to turn in something on time I get an email, but beyond that nothing happens. I try not to do this out of respect for the library and other patrons, but I've had stuff for months after it was due until I remembered to turn it back in. It feels slightly wrong honestly hahaha.

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librarycatlady t1_j4yjd5p wrote

Not all. There are so many BCCLS libraries without fees right now.

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victorfabius t1_j4ydf87 wrote

No late fees, but if you hold onto an item for too long, your card may be blocked, other access restricted and/or replacement charge levied until such time as you return the item. Then you're clear. There may be exceptions based on they type of material or if it was requested from out of system. This is PALSPlus policy as far as I'm aware, for libraries that are fine-free. Other systems or libraries may have a different model.

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frogsgoribbit737 t1_j4wx4ur wrote

You just return it when you can. Its been found that late fees actually can prevent people from returning books so the library loses money when implementing them.

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Lyraxiana t1_j4xiqr5 wrote

Where else are you gonna find VHS tapes?

Some libraries even have the old players you can check out too, to watch them on!

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