I'm in Tennessee, and I read Dutch books. It's tough tough to obtain Dutch books here. Especially the ones I like. A few on E-Bay from time to time. I look at Amazon and Bol.com but the shipping cost for Dutch titles is just too expensI've. So here's what I'm thinking. I could buy Dutch books for you to read (either while there or when you get back)! Here's the catch. You just agree to send the books to me after you return to the United States. I can only buy 1 or 2 at a time. On a tight budget, you see. Could order them at a bookstore in Holland for you to pick up, reimburse you after, whatever. I am particularly interested in Dutch mystery novels, especially the winners of "de gouden strop" award (their version of our "Edgar" award. I've read one or two, and want to read more. (De Macht van Meneer Miller, that's a title I've been seeking for months.) I would also like to get a copy (even tweedehands/second hand) of Harry Potter en de Steen der Wijzen (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, in Dutch, 1st of the series. This message was originally intended for USA travelers going to Holland and returning to the USA but a Dutch national coming to the USA for a visit would be perfect as well! Maybe you've read this far and you have another idea how I could more easily obtain Dutch mysteries, etc., that would work as well. Please let me know. I live way out in the country in Tennessee. Ik hou van Nederlandse boeken. Help! Thanks.
Posted by
Estes Park, CO, US
34 posts
You don't say that you want to permanently OWN the books, merely read them. If that is the case, have you thought of asking your local library system to get them for you via Interlibrary Loan?
Posted by
Genesee, ID
1840 posts
Have you used abebooks.com?
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
Amazon has a selection of dutch language titles via Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/a8fgkt9
Posted by
OP
Johnson City, TN, USA
7 posts
Thanks for your replies. Yes, I check abebooks regularly. They are a good source though not lately and not for the books I am looking for. Interlibrary loan in Tennessee for Dutch language books is not a possibility. I don't own a Kindle but I will check that out. Thanks for the idea. Yes, I'd like to own the books after I buy them, but if someone absolutely has to have them back, I would send them back.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I'm not sure if they'll ship to the US, but here's the website of a book store chain in the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) community of Belgium: http://www.standaardboekhandel.be/home.action And if you're interested in audiobooks, check out Luisterboek: http://www.luisterboeken.nl/ Luisterboek does not accept credit card orders, but I'm pretty sure they take Paypal. For Dutch-language mystery writes, look up Pieter Aspe.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
Check out www.bookdepository.com They have free shipping worldwide and a large selection of books in many languages.
Posted by
New Paltz, NY
9110 posts
"...I don't own a Kindle but I will check that out. Thanks for the idea..." You're welcome. Be aware that you don't need an actual Kindle to read kindle titles. Amazon has free software that allows you to read their ebooks on lots of other devices like PCs, notbooks, tablets, iPod touch, smartphones etc.
Posted by
OP
Johnson City, TN, USA
7 posts
Thanks for the link, and the tip about Kindle.
I have several by Pieter Aspe. I also like Heuvel & De Waal, Janwillem van de Wetering, and also enjoy Swedish mystery writers translated into Dutch. If anybody in the USA is looking to trade Dutch novels, let me know. Ik heb an plankvol. But I really want to read all the "Gouden Strop" winners. I'd love to have all of them, even second or third hand.
Posted by
OP
Johnson City, TN, USA
7 posts
Beatrix - Success! Thanks for that link to www.bookdepository.com I found a copy of De Macht van Meneer Miller at a very reasonable price.
Steve
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
Glad to hear that you were able to find the book. I did a test for Herman Koch's "Het Diner" - one of my favourite books last year (I read it in German translation). I was surprised that it was available in several languages but the Dutch version was the most expensive one of all. I just received my first order of a German book. Good price and shipping took 15 days. I'm happy :-)
Posted by
OP
Johnson City, TN, USA
7 posts
Beatrix,
Yes, there is a stiff postal tariff on books from Holland, a bit less from Belgium. With the Dutch/Flemish language endangered, I would think they'd do the opposite. I looked over a description of your favorite book of last year, "Het Diner" by Herman Koch. It reminds me a bit of the situation of Yasmina Reza's play, "God of Carnage" (made into a film called "Carnage" with Jodie Foster), though I'm sure they are very different. Seen the play or the film? Steve
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
I'm not familiar with that play/film. The description does indeed sound similar. However, there are some very surprising plot twists in "Het Diner" .... It also won prize for best book in 2009 in the Netherlands with the "NS Publieksprijs"
Posted by
OP
Johnson City, TN, USA
7 posts
I'll put it on my list. Thanks again.