I also cringe at the cost of new books - and just don't buy them. I am also an ebay watcher and amazon's used book sellers... My local library has a used book store in it that I don't get too often because it has odd hours but I've done very well there - when there is something that is wanted. Most of the time they do not have quilting books in there...
My local library will get a book (if they are able to) from out of our county for $3. I am doing that right now (if they are able to locate it - I hope they can and that I find out soon so I can stop wondering if I'll be getting my book!) for the Foundation Pieced Nature Quilts book.. I found it on Ebay - made the mistake of mentioning it here and the price jacked up - the same seller has sold other copies of this book and it sold for only $10 which I would have done but nope.. not going to spend $22 plus shipping to make one quilt. grrr... then I remembered the library and their $3 book service...
I don't think they'd have that Buggy Barns quilt though - I also think it's really sharp! I looked for it used for cheap and came up empty... :(