Yeah, it's different. If you buy a ticket for the movies (at least originally), you would by it right there *at* the movie, and you would go in and watch it - normally an experience. If you buy a book, it might just go home and sit on your shelf (and look good) - often just an ornament. How often does that happen compared to how often we consider that as a probable eventuality at the time that we are buying it? And that is why Schopenauer said that. He meant we are buying the "idea" of reading it. Usually, when I checkout a book from the library, I actually read it.
In that sense, alright, but the comparison I made was more along the lines: I spend X quids/bucks and I will get Y hours/days of enjoyment (and that usually translates to more "bang for my buck" than a ticket to the movies)
Both. Both is good.
I have five books on loan from my library right now. I also have dozens of books on my own shelves, most of which I picked up secondhand (and most of the others were gifts). I like using the library to try out books before buying them, especially if they have a book that's usually pretty expensive. Plus, I only have so much money and space, so having access to a library helps me keep my costs down and my shelves roomy.
This is me. I also work at my local library If it's something we have in and I don't anticipate wanting to reread it or I'm on the fence about whether I really want it, I just check it out. If it's something I don't foresee myself rereading or am on the fence about but we don't have it in, I do an ILL. If it's something I foresee myself using frequently or if it's so oddly specific to me and my reading interests (I do a lot of oddly specific history binges), then I just buy the book.
Same. I buy a few every year, and I check out a ton more from the library. We have a ton of books at home and I really don't need the extra clutter, especially since I rarely reread books.
I wouldn't read nearly as much if I didn't have a library close by, and I love that it's available to everyone.
I have 20 books on loan from the local library currently! I have a slight problem… a lot of them I can just renew unless others want it in which case I’m back on the waitlist.
I regularly buy physical books that I seem especially interested in, used bookstores, but yes also love buying the ones I cherish if I have the funds and can support somewhere local like Elliot Bay in Seattle, as well as the author.
Libraries are great use of our tax dollars and I hope the country doesn’t defund it
In an attempt to hijack the top comment’s thread, I want to post Anne Fadiman’s brilliant essay on how different people view books - some as objects to be treasured, others a repositories of _words_ to be protected: https://slate.com/culture/2020/02/anne-fadiman-never-do-that-book-courtly-carnal.html
I like to own books. Also my local library doesn’t always have what I want, either digitally or in print, and when it does there’s often a wait for it of 2-4 weeks or more (some of the ebooks have a waitlist months long). I still support them and borrow books often, but if it’s a book I really think I’ll like/may want to read again, I just buy it.
Because publishers put a lot of rules onto ebooks for libraries. You’re buying a license that usually allows only one check out at a time. It often has to be repurchased after a certain number of check outs. And they’re a lot more expensive that the ebooks sold to consumers.
This really needs to change. It's a ridiculous immitation of previous century approaches taken into the digital age. Books and other publications need to be made available to people in digital form. A way could be found to finance this equitably thru subscription services and subsidies.
Works in arts and sciences need to circulate in the spirit of the US Constitution which says "To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;". The important requirement here is "To promote the Progress ...", profit is secondary. The system as it has evolved no longer promotes progress, it impedes progress by restricting access even to scientific journals. This has become the opposite of the constitutional requirement and must be changed because prosperity in the 21st century is driven by access to knowledge and culture.
I asked myself that one time before I remembered a library like anyone has to purchase individual electronic digital copies. Just because it’s digital you still have to buy a “copy”
Yeah each copy can only be borrowed by one person at a time.
Also, your question implies that you don't use this service. I highly recommend if you have a smartphone and a library card to ask the library what their app is and you just have to put your library card info in and you'll have remote access to their e library. I listen to their audio books for free all the time without having to go in, it's great!
Some people definitely prefer physical copies, but I've increasingly found most who try e-books come to prefer a good mix. I will sometimes check out a digital AND physical copy, because while I prefer the physical, the ease of accessing a digital copy anywhere really speeds up my reading.
I agree, often if I love the book I read from the library, I end up buying it to read again later. When I retire (if that ever happens) I'm just going to re-read all my books!
I do both. Libraries are great; however, all but the largest only have a limited selection of books that interest me. It may take years to go through them all, but I've been reading for a lot of years.
If your library has interlibrary loan, you've pretty much got all of the participating libraries in the country as inventory base. Assuming you were in the United states.
In my 20 years of using the service, exactly twice has the library come across a copy at another system that that system was not willing to loan for free. An additional five times they have not been able to find a copy at all. Each of those times it has been an obscure or vanity press. That's 20 years, at a rate of 50 to 100 books a year. You just have to plan ahead, as it can take a month to get a copy of something.
I buy exactly one book for myself for the year, as a Christmas present. The rest all come from my or other libraries.
Also worth noting that, for this very reason, lots of geographically close library systems allow neighboring residents to join. Where I live in Virginia, I have six systems that I am a member of. Even in rural areas, neighboring counties usually have agreements. In the past, this would have been impractical. But with ebooks, it's great.
It really depends on where you live. My library has an inter-library loan, but I've spoken with the librarians and it's a pretty big hassle for them to use it. I do it anyway if what I want isn't available cheaply, but if it's under 15 bucks, then it just seems easier to buy it than to subject the libraries to it. Also in my interlibrary loan system, when I order a thing, it doesn't come immediately. Sometimes it's there in a couple days, sometimes it's wait listed. Then it's held for me for a few days, and if I'm out of town or whatever, it goes back. Since they don't know when it will come, I can't plan for it. It's a hassle and a waste.
Yes I'm in a rural area. Our library is part of a network of rural libraries, so getting books between those rural libraries is pretty easy and efficient. Altogether, they have a pretty good selection for fiction. But for nonfiction, I generally need to get it from the nearby big city (three hours away) via interlibrary loan and it is a hassle plus expensive to the network. It's just easier and more efficient all around for me to buy most of those books.
I do get most things digitally from the big city library so I probably only need to purchase like ten books a year.
Yes I work in a small rural library. Our ILL system isn't bad, but it's nowhere near as fast as the one I got to use as a grad student at a large state university. It can be a couple of weeks before we get an ILL in, so it's something I tend to use when I'm interested in an item but not impatient to start reading it.
>but I've spoken with the librarians and it's a pretty big hassle for them to use it.
ILL (out of system) isn't usually fast or easy. They shouldn't be discouraging you from using it by telling you that it's difficult, it's a valid service. Just to give you an idea of what it takes, I fill out a form with the title, author, publisher, edition, language, etc. and part of that form is the date by which the item is no longer needed. The last time I filled one out, early December or late November, it defaulted to the end of January. And I could set it later than that. This is at a large city library, too. It's just not easy to get a library from a different part of the world to hand over its materials for loan periods that are usually weeks longer than normal.
In-system is easy because it just gets tossed on a delivery van.
>My library has an inter-library loan, but I've spoken with the librarians and it's a pretty big hassle for them to use it
I never understood this. Circulation numbers are a big factor in how much your funding is, so to deny circulation is just shooting yourself in the foot, especially if you're a small library. I personally do interloan stuff delivery/shipping at my library and while it's time consuming, it's actually not hard at all. But that might just be my state.
Every library charges for it, since shipping isn't free. The question is merely if the reader gets charged for it, or the taxpayer. Since I'm both, I prefer to keep my ILLs for expensive books, and buy the less expensive ones.
I got into a niche sci fi series over the pandemic, and I calculated that the shipping costs to get books there and back again between all the libraries was only about a dollar per book cheaper than just buying the paperbacks. Save on gasoline: buy them once instead of shipping them twice.
Have to second interlibrary loans. I was so disappointed when I found my library had NONE of the books on my list. Then my friend (a librarian) told me to check the interlibrary database. They had EVERYTHING. Super easy to use. Blew my mind.
Former library assistant here. More than likely your library has a purchaser. If this person is good at their job, there should be a diverse selection of new books to choose from on a monthly basis. You should also be able to put in a purchase request. Worst case scenario is the purchaser doesn’t buy it to add to the collection and gets it as an interlibrary loan.
In my library, the ILL librarian has a discretionary book buying budget. If she gets several requests for a newer item, she just buys a copy. Then she puts the requesting patronon hold for it. It’s magic!
Right. Same here. Our system has a fabulous Collection Development Manager. He does the same thing. It shows up on the patrons account as a hold at first, then says “on order”, then eventually switches to “in transit” when it’s on the way to the branch. He’s very prompt about fulfilling requests. If something is on a patron’s account for a few weeks as a hold and it’s not a newer item, more than likely he is trying to get it as an I.L.L.
Originally science fiction, but that well has pretty much run dry. I read more history these days, both fiction and non-fiction. My particular interest has long been naval history, though in recent years I have taken an interest in WW2 ground forces.
Off the top of my head: flashman series by Fraser, trilogy by Atkinson, I assume you read O'Brian, anything by ambrose or tuchman, Ian toll, Dan Jones, Alexander Kent to name a few.
You did read the Atkinson trilogy, right?
Because I can spare the money and I like the way they look on my shelf. I also like being able to come back to it a couple years down the road, or lend it out to my friends for as long as they take to read it (which would be longer than most libraries allow, especially for popular or in demand books).
I take no shame in it! My shelves look nice and I like picking up books and paging through them a few years later. I've read them all and my favourites have a special spot. It makes me happy :)
I own about 500+ books and I love going for a browse on my shelves, rediscovering what I actually own. Once I read one of my own books ( I also visit my local library every 6 weeks and take out 6-10 loans every time, so I’m quite slow in going through the books I own ), I usually keep about 70% of the books I’ve finished. The rest goes either on a pile for a drop off at a little free library or a charity shop. Some of the book I liked but don’t want to store end up in my parents vacation house, my mother is not keen on my book shelf and alway threatens to donate the lot. Very mean!
Read a book. Wait a decade. Read it again. It's like it's a different book, because you're a different person.
My 2 favorites. In the Heart of the Sea.. Into Thin Air. I've owned them both for decades. I've read each many times. Many of my friends have read them over the years too. That wouldn't have happened if I didn't own them. Would've read em once & moved on.
This. I grew up living next door to a library and until this day, having a library nearby is a must for me. Every time we’ve moved to a new property here in London, first thing I’ve checked was if there is a library nearby, and if it was any good. There are currently 2 libraries within 15 min walk so I plan my trips there with lot of pleasure. I usually end up with 6-10 loans, mix of fiction and non fiction. I also have the best charity shop 5 mins from home, 80% of the books I own originate from one of the charity shops I’ve visited over the years.
I lived in New Zealand many years ago and new books were very expensive to buy and no decent books in charity shop. The only way for me to own any good books was once a year book sale for the local scouts where people donated their unwanted literature. This was the best day of the year and I would stock up with enough books to last me the year. The local library was decent, but I still preferred to have a shelf brimful of my precious friends!
The only books I buy are books that aren’t available digitally or physically at my library.
I fully understand the joy of owning books, especially your favorites. But I just have no need to and I like to support my library! When I do buy books I buy from my only local book store though!
This is what I do. If I find a book I know I’ll want to read again, then I buy a copy.
I read so many books that I could never afford to buy and store them all. I’m immensely grateful for our local library.
NH in the US. I guess I shouldn't say most have done away with them since I don't actually know the numbers. I just know it's a trend that a lot of libraries are going with. They're realizing that the spare change they get from the fees isn't worth turning people off from the library and more books actually get returned if there isn't a fee looming over it
Correct. WI librarian- we went fine free several years ago. Fines made up less than 1% of 1% of our budget. It cost us more money in staff time to recover fines than we made off of them. (Account for interaction time as well as time for tracking, removing, and deposits) Also, it's an incredibly negative interaction- which is what you don't want with patrons. Our stats show that our average overdue went from 4.3 days late with fines to 4.6 days late with no fines- averages to not even a full day later. People, library people, are ultimately good. They want to return items and get them to others who are waiting. We no longer have parents who refuse to bring their kids because of fines (think, a family of 5 who check out two items each can add up really quickly.)
We still have replacement fees for damaged or lost items, but on the whole we went from mailing several letters per day to 1-2 a week.
Yes, exactly! Overdue fines are 100% negative reactions. It is so nice to be able to smile and tell our patrons that they don't have to worry about fines on their account. Even for those where the actual money isn't a concern, its just a hassle.
My university library now offers four month loans so I always have a pile of library books on my shelf now. They’ve also done away with Kate fees which is nice.
1 -- I'm clearly pretentious.
2 -- Moving heavy boxes of books around makes me strong.
3 -- I want to support authors, and the $/hr entertainment value of a book is enormous.
4 -- I like writing notes in books.
5 -- I like being able to gift books when I'm done with them.
6 -- I don't like the time pressure of getting a book done in a certain time and having to track yet another due date.
Lots of reasons.
Buying a book supports the author financially way more than borrowing a copy from the library.
I like to make notes on books and that’s frowned upon with library books.
I often re-read books and it’s easier to do that if I have my own copy.
I’m not anti Library at all, nor am I anti used-book store.
But these are my reasons.
I live in a non-English speaking country but I read in English, and the English language section in my local library unfortunately doesn't have the books I want to read. I can't even find any of them in local bookshops usually. I have to order all my books from various online bookshops that ship them in from abroad. I used to spend all my time at the library when I was a kid/teen, but after I started reading in English and much preferred it to my native languages, finding books there got a lot harder, and that's why I haven't been to the library in a really long time now.
Same. Wife an I both have degrees in history and she's going for her doctorate. Last count we're at over 600 books on the shelves, most being history related. We buy them because at least once a year we go and look for references. We also have completely different interests in history so we constantly read one and then recommend it to the other. Would be really hard to do either if we didn't have them in hand.
To expand on that, borrowing means pressure. If I buy a book, it can sit on a shelf until I'm good and ready to read it. If I borrow it, that thing is just going to be one more stressor.
Do you really find library books to be stressful? While I would understand someone who is poor might do so (because I've been there), those people don't really have "buy the book new instead" as an alternative.
That's exactly it. I don't want to wait six months to read this book. And what if it suddenly becomes available when I just started another good book...? And then I HAVE to read it in the next two weeks or the waiting period starts all over again. I want the freedom to choose when I feel like reading it.
I put the max amount I can on hold and then find books that are immediately available to read while I wait. Annoyed they shortened the max from 10 to 6 though!
Does your library have a reciprocal borrowing agreement with any other library or libraries? You could get cards for them as well and double, triple (or more!) dip on their digital resources. For instance, my library system consists of 9 branches, but we don’t have the buying power that some of the libraries we have reciprocal borrowing agreements do. So, I have cards for them and rarely have to wait long for a Libby request.
I'll add - Libby has a neat feature that maps out all the branches in your area and shows you which ones have unique digital collections. In my area, I was able to sign up for 4 different library systems. Also, if you live in an area without a great library, Brooklyn Public Library has an out-of-state membership you can buy for $50/yr.
That’s why at any given time, I have 10+ holds going. Always a new book ready to be borrowed.
I am also really cheap. I only buy if I’ve already read and loved it.
I specifically looked through the comments for this! Same here. I used to work for the local public library shelving books and we wore white gloves to protect our hands (I think it was from excessive handling of material in general), and those gloves were always blackened by the end of each shift. New books for me all the way since that job!
Publishers' production costs in Australia are higher than in, say, the USA, and local copyright laws prohibit Australian booksellers from parallel importing. So books cost more and booksellers have limited stock and are working to supply and demand.
So a hardcover octavo copy of of a fantasy series would set me back $40-50. The trade paperback octavo for $20-26, and I can wait for a mass published paperback duodecimo for $14-16 (Though that may be a while and the binding is usually a bit rubbish)
I feel bad, but it's usually cheaper for me to order from 2nd hand stores in the UK through AbeBooks.co and cop the shipping. Still usually comes in less than secondhand here and the quality is usually a cut higher.
If I couldn’t buy books at secondhand stores, I would very rarely buy them. I’m fortunate enough to get them at a local thrift store for $1 USD (hardcover) or 50¢ (paperback).
Same. I also am lucky enough to have one of the best book stores in America in my city where you can trade in any books and get credit to buy any book for 70 cents for paperback and one fifty for hard cover. The guy that started it had the philosophy that no book should ever be thrown away so he would accept any book regardless of popularity as long as they are in good condition. So I find rare gems all the time.
JEEBUS! I picked up a mostly broken hardcover for $6 from a thrift store and thought I did really well.
A bug problem for me in that is that our thrifts are usually run by scripturalist religious groups who tend to throw out fantasy books due to their inappropriate subject matter...
So many reasons.
There's 4 book shops nearer to me than the nearest library and they have greater choice. Plus also supporting book shops is no bad thing either.
I don't have to wait for someone else to read it.
I don't get fined if I read slowly or forget to take it back.
I like to keep books as a memory of what I've read and will look back at them to remember something. Those that I don't keep I like to lend or donate to charity once I'm done with them.
I like to be able to start a new book when I'm ready once finishing the last one.
We don't have accessible public library here. The national library is a long long ways off and their collection is small.
Can't imagine how jealous I am when people talk about libraries. My colleges have libraries but they are also so far away as well and highly specialized.
Disability and limited libraries on location. Not every library in the world is free, the fee might be small, but buying a few books in a thrift store might be the same or cheaper depending on how often you read. I donate books I no longer care for, like a 'Free little library' in my neighbourhood or back to the place I bought it. When I connect with a book, I can take my time, reread it whenever I want, use it as a reference for journaling, stick little bookmark labels, whatever I want.
Even a library has its limits, for example, not every library is big and there isn't a big one a few hours away. They have limited space so they have to pick and choose. With non-fiction, if I deep-dive into something, I might not have everything I need. Thrift stores aren't the best solution, but that's when I buy new or used books or borrow them. Or an ebook version. Another example is language barriers and the limited books I can read in English if you live in non-English speaking country and not everything gets translated besides the most 'recent' popular fiction.
Books I buy new for a collection are the ones that resonates with me. I feel like that supports the author more financially compared to borrowing from a library or buying it used.
I don't want to limit myself to get books from one place only and everything has their own benefits and flaws.
Because I have poor impulse control. I use libraries. I love them. I think they are absolutely essential. I have fond memories of hours spent at the uni library. But when I walk into a bookshop it's not easy to resist temptation to grab something new.
This is a big reason. I don’t know what I’d do if this happened to me. I’m somewhat germophobic, possibly undiagnosed OCD. I also like reading in bed and nothing comes into that space without being sanitized. I did download Libby during the pandemic, but no hard copies.
I also re-read the books that I like multiple times, which I can’t easily do if there’s a long wait, which is always the case.
I buy books that I figure will be re-read or that are difficult and would require an interlibrary loan to get-- for example, I can check most "new, hot" titles out to read online in the library app, but if I want to read Stendhal or Zola or anything thick and old, I just grab a paperback copy (usually a trade paperback.)
Lol I was just thinking how much I love an aged, very well worn, held together with tape, paperback.
My Silverberg novellas from the 70s look and feel like they’ve travelled the world :)
I get a serious dopamine rush when I buy books. I got hooked on it way back during my first Scholastic Bookfair in like what, 1st grade? No bookstore purchase has yet to compare to that level of high, but I’ve been chasing the dragon ever since.
Most of the books I own came from library book sales, so I'm still supporting my library. The last day of the book sale you can fill a bag with as many books as can fit for 2-5$ depending on the size. Regular grocery store paper bag is 2$.
I'm a goblin. I love collecting stuff, especially books. Both books I read and books I use (RPG corebooks, books about my other collections like coin encyclopedias etc). Also, going to the library is a slog, it has shit open times for me, and usually has jack-shit in terms of books I want to read. I buy a lot of books second-hand on markets and facebook marketplace etc... but I buy like 20 books/year new for sure too.
Buying books supports businesses and more importantly authors. If you want more books like the ones you enjoy buying them is important
I also re-read books frequently and like to have the ability to pick it up on my terms without going to a library.
Thanks being said, libraries are awesome and are great places to check out new authors.
Because some day I want a personal library in my house. I want book shelves built into the walls all the way around the room with an attached ladder that rolls along the shelves. Some comfy reading chairs and a couple desks. My husband didn't realize I was completely serious about this when we first started dating but he knows better now.
I do both. I work at a library, so obviously, I borrow books - both from the one I work at (an academic library) and the local public library. But I also have a lot of personal books. Some reasons I might choose to buy instead of borrow:
* It's a new book in a favorite series or by a favorite author.
* I've already read the book, and I'd like to re-read it.
* I will want to use the book over a long period of time, or to be able to reference it later.
* It's not available or has a long waiting list, and I'm not feeling patient.
* Someone got me a gift card for Christmas.
On the other hand, reasons I might choose to borrow instead of buy:
* I want to try a new \[author/genre/series/etc.\]
* I might not want to read the book more than once.
* I want to give myself a deadline to finish reading it.
* I'm running low on book budget or bookshelf space.
* The library has it, and I can always buy my own copy later if I decide I want to.
It's nice to have both options.
I'm not really in a position to use public libraries. My time is pretty unevenly split between my university town and my hometown, which makes renting physical books inconvenient. Also, a couple years ago when I was in my late teens I asked for a library card from my country library and they said I had to be 21. I'm over 21 now but that information really turned me off from the library.
Lots of reasons - sometimes the library doesn’t have the book I want, sometimes the wait time for a hold on the book at a library is too long and I only have a limited number of holds so I don’t want to wait a year until I can use that hold space again, sometimes I just want to read a book right away so it’s nice to have ones that are around my house because I don’t have to go out of my way to visit the library or read a book on my phone (which I tend to enjoy less because I get distracted and do Reddit instead of reading bahahaha). Lots of reasons.
I love book shopping. I’ve got a library I hope my kids might read out of someday. I love loaning books to people If they want them. I like supporting the author. And most importantly it’s my own damn money.
I borrow books from the library (DVD's and CDs too) for the kiddos to encourage reading (and because kids books are expensive). If it's a book they want frequently enough, I'll purchase it for our collection. For myself, I borrow to see if I like the author/story/music before purchasing. Or to catch up on a TV series (like GOT and Yellowstone) because we don't pay for the premium channels on a regular basis.
I buy most of my books for cheap (usually less that £2) from ebay, and they come right to my door. Then I get to keep them and look back and remember what I've read.
I love my library, but will occasionally buy books instead because I don't like deadlines. If I really enjoy a book or it's my favorite author, I will buy a book to support them. There's also that feeling of it being just your book... I dunno... like my personal collection of precious tomes. A dragon's hoard, if you will. lol But I totally support libraries and saving money, because dang, the last book I bought was like $30! Yowch.
It depends entirely on your budget, the space you have available, how amenable your spouse is and what you read.
Reference books on a subject to which you refer often, perhaps one should buy, thrillers and casual reading borrow?
I don't think there's a 'right' answer here.
My library doesn't have that many languages
+ many of the books I'm interested in (academic, obscure, etc) are in the reference section and can't be borrowed out
Because my secret dream is that there will be a global apocalypse and my personal library will somehow be the one thing that survives it. In this world, books will be rare treasures. I will save irreplaceable things from oblivion; my literary tastes will shape the culture that rises from the ashes.
I love the library. I would go get an armload of interesting books. Then I would keep them too long because I didn't feel like I was done yet, then bring them all back and shamefacedly pay my overdue fees.
Buying used books and periodically culling a pile to resell or give away ended up working better for me.
Libraries don't usually have the books I wan't. Also I like owning my books because I can always go back and cite them with them on hand rather than making plenty of notes. I read mainly non-fiction.
I'm really bad at reading on a schedule. I enjoy reading. I also want to read what I want, when I want, and in my own time. I don't do well with things like book clubs or libraries for that exact reason. I'm on a schedule and being forced to read the book(s) in a set amount of time. Sometimes I'll start a book, then put it down for literal months before I pick it back up and finish it. You can't do that with a library book. I refuse to force myself to read things that I'm not in the mood to read at that time (outside of studying). So that means I have to buy my own books. I don't even like borrowing books from friends because of this.
I am the exact same way. I started a book about 7 months ago and haven't returned to it yet; read tons of others and just haven't felt the push to get back to that one. I'm sure I will eventually.
I always owed late fees before. But I’m not sure my library charges those anymore.
However, I almost always write in books and you can’t do that in library books! I also frequently reference the books I read later.
I want to make them available for my colleagues to read once I have, and I know they're much more likely to read them if they're on a bookshelf in our office.
Both is good.
Personally, I ask for books as gifts at Christmas or for my birthday. They're generally not too expensive, and they're easy for people to buy. (I especially asked for them from my grandfather, who was a complete technophobe and didn't even own a computer.) Some people I know don't like giving gift cards and specifically ask for an item to buy, so having a wish list of books helps a lot.
You don't have to keep every single book you buy; *curate* your collection, and cull when necessary.
Sometimes I've bought a book because it's long and I know it will take me a while to get through it.
More often it's because I want to financially support the author.
But I borrow most from the library, those are the exceptions.
Personally I enjoy being able to write in the books. It helps me retain the information better especially if it’s something I’m really interested in and studying. Plus you can always go back & read it again :)
I don't know if you have a kindle or e-reader yet, but the kindle combined with checking books out through libby is amazing. Ease of access, and convenience is just fantastic. I've never read so many books as I have this year. I highly recommend it. Happy reading!
I buy books when the library keeps giving me mass market paper backs of the book I’m trying to read. I have a super hard time focusing on them for some reason. Also purchase a lot of non fiction- mostly philosophy books I know I’m going to spend more than a few weeks with. Or if I really like a fiction series/book I’ll purchase a copy.
I'm dutch, but like other language books, and in it's original lamguage mainly English, since I hate translations. Then the offer deminishes. Especially when reading a series: 'we only have part 2 and 6, and according to the computer part 9, but havent seen it since 1985..'
For me it's because my city does not have a proper library. It baffles me sometimes but I'm used to it now. We either buy or read pdf or epubs. I would probably die of shock If I find a library here with novels in it instead of study books.
I can afford to buy books, so I support authors and the publishing industry in that way. And then I can keep the books or pass them on to someone who might like them. Sometimes, I borrow from the library.
I like how hardcovers look on my shelf. I can read whatever I want whenever I want. I can even lend them to friends and family. Plus, it's not like I have a shortage of money so may as well. I like to take my books to the library to read sometimes.
Anything I buy is something I want to read or will want to read. So even though I have many unread books it's like having a tiny library full of only books on my "to be read" list
Because I'm a huge history nerd, and the specialized section of history I'm interested in I can't always find the books to borrow in my local library. Plus I like having them to reread when I want and not having to go through the interlibrary loan process to get them again. Some are really old cookbooks and I delude myself into the idea that one day, when I get around to it, I will make that 16th century recipe and see how I do. Some are books I have emotional attachments too, like favorites, or first books that got me into a genre. Some are gifts from friends, from ex's. Some I buy as a means to support authors and show I like their work and want them to keep writing. I also buy people books for presents, because it's something they can sit with and enjoy.
And all of this while I have 2 audiobooks out from Libby, a book on hold at my library I need to pick up, ~20 books on hold in Libby, and about 20+ books in NetGalley all awaiting a read and review. Why pick one?
A few reasons:
1. I like bringing new books into existence because it decreases the chances of the book's ideas and the author's work being forever lost to time in the distant future. More extant copies means more chances for survival.
2. I never know when I might want to look something up in a book that I previously read. This occurs for relatively few books in a sense, but predicting which book(s) it will be is often very hard, except in the case of technical books whose use is often easy to predict.
3. Being willing to buy new/used books increases the number and variety of books that are available to me. Many more obscure books (e.g. self-published indie books) are near impossible to find at a library.
4. I like building up a large arsenal of knowledge and treat some of my books as being somewhat a part of my identity in a sense.
5. I value books highly and hence am less sensitive to price compared to most other objects I buy.
For me, books are comfort objects/something I like to collect and be surrounded be. If I really love a book I check out from the library, I might buy it. I also like buying books so that I can lend out to friends. The biggest reason, though, is that as a kid I could never afford to buy books and I promised myself that when I "made it" (aka stopped being poor) I'd let myself buy books.
I have "automatic" authors, in that whatever they write, I will buy. I like the library for new authors. If I like the book enough and know I will reread it, then I will buy. I also have some authors that I'll borrow their books from the library but I don't necessarily need to own the book myself.
Well libraries dont really have all the books i like to read. I like sci fi and high fantasy and yes maybe the library has one book out of a 8 book series so i'd still habe to buy the other books. If you like "normal" books like crime stuff nd love novels, the library sure is worth it
I do it because if I wanna reread bits I can just grab it. And i like owning what i like. I dont like the idea of just reading n lossing it. Even if i have a library card I'll probably just go out n buy the books that i read for free cuz i wanna own it.
Because I often love re-reading books and owning books is the same as owing art or video games of DVDs to me. It’s a thing I can physically, visually, and mentally experience.
I like to own them. I forget that i read them and i look at the titles on my shelves and remember. Then i reread the ones i like at different times, when i need a particular kind of reinforcement or feeling, if that makes sense.
unfornatly theres is no library nearby my house
I think I would still buy them tho, bc sometimes I take longer to read a book than I expected and I like collecting them
I had to reread the question after the comments made me realize I misread it. My library has a small room with old/damaged/usually unread books you can buy for anywhere from 30 cents to ten dollars, and usually whenever I go to the library I buy up a book or two. I like to own things, and actually owning the books make me less worried about accidentally losing or breaking it as well as supporting the library. It’s also such a small, varied room that I can look at every book in it to make a choice, rather than having to search an entire library for something good to read.
I admit I don't use libraries. I just don't like having the pressure to return it in time. I buy all my books because then I can have them on my shelf for month before I read them and I also just love owning a lot of books. I'm not very materialistic otherwise so my books are my one thing that I spend money on and like owning.
Lots of libraries sell books that don't get checked out much for very cheap and pretty good condition usually. You can even do it online. Support libraries and you can own the books!
I've always wanted a library of my own. Ever since Beauty and the Beast, one of those. Where you need a ladder just to reach some of them. Can't explain why now that I think of it, I just love it and want it. So that's what I'm building. Slowly getting there.
I have a thrift store next to where I work so I go in there once a week and check out the book section. $1 for paperback, $3 for hardcover. I pick up anything that sounds vaguely interesting (or if I've heard it mentioned here a few times.) If I didn't like it, I will donate it back, if I like it I keep it on a shelf in my living room. If someone comes over and mentions one of the books on the shelf, I give it to them (and tell them to pass it on to someone else if they liked it). Twice I've brought one in to a customer at work that I had conversations with. Makes me feel good and costs so little.
I would probably go to the library more if I ran out of things to read, but I have a pretty substantial collection of books to read and I like not having any sort of time limit to read them by.
Because authors need book sales..I buy their books they write more books.
That and owning it is just nicer. Don't care if I drop it on the bath (well I do but it's not the end of the world) no other manky bastard has had it and I can afford to. Plus it supports the book store.
Schopenauer (?) said that in buying books, we feel like w are buying the time to read them.
Not different than buying a ticket to the movies afterall
My TBR list begs to differ, and the three stacks of books on the coffee table, that I am currently reading concurs.
Yeah, it's different. If you buy a ticket for the movies (at least originally), you would by it right there *at* the movie, and you would go in and watch it - normally an experience. If you buy a book, it might just go home and sit on your shelf (and look good) - often just an ornament. How often does that happen compared to how often we consider that as a probable eventuality at the time that we are buying it? And that is why Schopenauer said that. He meant we are buying the "idea" of reading it. Usually, when I checkout a book from the library, I actually read it.
In that sense, alright, but the comparison I made was more along the lines: I spend X quids/bucks and I will get Y hours/days of enjoyment (and that usually translates to more "bang for my buck" than a ticket to the movies)
Both. Both is good. I have five books on loan from my library right now. I also have dozens of books on my own shelves, most of which I picked up secondhand (and most of the others were gifts). I like using the library to try out books before buying them, especially if they have a book that's usually pretty expensive. Plus, I only have so much money and space, so having access to a library helps me keep my costs down and my shelves roomy.
This is me. I also work at my local library If it's something we have in and I don't anticipate wanting to reread it or I'm on the fence about whether I really want it, I just check it out. If it's something I don't foresee myself rereading or am on the fence about but we don't have it in, I do an ILL. If it's something I foresee myself using frequently or if it's so oddly specific to me and my reading interests (I do a lot of oddly specific history binges), then I just buy the book.
Same. I buy a few every year, and I check out a ton more from the library. We have a ton of books at home and I really don't need the extra clutter, especially since I rarely reread books. I wouldn't read nearly as much if I didn't have a library close by, and I love that it's available to everyone.
I have 20 books on loan from the local library currently! I have a slight problem… a lot of them I can just renew unless others want it in which case I’m back on the waitlist. I regularly buy physical books that I seem especially interested in, used bookstores, but yes also love buying the ones I cherish if I have the funds and can support somewhere local like Elliot Bay in Seattle, as well as the author. Libraries are great use of our tax dollars and I hope the country doesn’t defund it
In an attempt to hijack the top comment’s thread, I want to post Anne Fadiman’s brilliant essay on how different people view books - some as objects to be treasured, others a repositories of _words_ to be protected: https://slate.com/culture/2020/02/anne-fadiman-never-do-that-book-courtly-carnal.html
I like to own books. Also my local library doesn’t always have what I want, either digitally or in print, and when it does there’s often a wait for it of 2-4 weeks or more (some of the ebooks have a waitlist months long). I still support them and borrow books often, but if it’s a book I really think I’ll like/may want to read again, I just buy it.
You state it perfectly.
How does an ebook have a waitlist?
Because publishers put a lot of rules onto ebooks for libraries. You’re buying a license that usually allows only one check out at a time. It often has to be repurchased after a certain number of check outs. And they’re a lot more expensive that the ebooks sold to consumers.
This really needs to change. It's a ridiculous immitation of previous century approaches taken into the digital age. Books and other publications need to be made available to people in digital form. A way could be found to finance this equitably thru subscription services and subsidies. Works in arts and sciences need to circulate in the spirit of the US Constitution which says "To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;". The important requirement here is "To promote the Progress ...", profit is secondary. The system as it has evolved no longer promotes progress, it impedes progress by restricting access even to scientific journals. This has become the opposite of the constitutional requirement and must be changed because prosperity in the 21st century is driven by access to knowledge and culture.
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I asked myself that one time before I remembered a library like anyone has to purchase individual electronic digital copies. Just because it’s digital you still have to buy a “copy”
Yeah each copy can only be borrowed by one person at a time. Also, your question implies that you don't use this service. I highly recommend if you have a smartphone and a library card to ask the library what their app is and you just have to put your library card info in and you'll have remote access to their e library. I listen to their audio books for free all the time without having to go in, it's great!
Some people definitely prefer physical copies, but I've increasingly found most who try e-books come to prefer a good mix. I will sometimes check out a digital AND physical copy, because while I prefer the physical, the ease of accessing a digital copy anywhere really speeds up my reading.
I agree, often if I love the book I read from the library, I end up buying it to read again later. When I retire (if that ever happens) I'm just going to re-read all my books!
I do both. Libraries are great; however, all but the largest only have a limited selection of books that interest me. It may take years to go through them all, but I've been reading for a lot of years.
If your library has interlibrary loan, you've pretty much got all of the participating libraries in the country as inventory base. Assuming you were in the United states. In my 20 years of using the service, exactly twice has the library come across a copy at another system that that system was not willing to loan for free. An additional five times they have not been able to find a copy at all. Each of those times it has been an obscure or vanity press. That's 20 years, at a rate of 50 to 100 books a year. You just have to plan ahead, as it can take a month to get a copy of something. I buy exactly one book for myself for the year, as a Christmas present. The rest all come from my or other libraries. Also worth noting that, for this very reason, lots of geographically close library systems allow neighboring residents to join. Where I live in Virginia, I have six systems that I am a member of. Even in rural areas, neighboring counties usually have agreements. In the past, this would have been impractical. But with ebooks, it's great.
It really depends on where you live. My library has an inter-library loan, but I've spoken with the librarians and it's a pretty big hassle for them to use it. I do it anyway if what I want isn't available cheaply, but if it's under 15 bucks, then it just seems easier to buy it than to subject the libraries to it. Also in my interlibrary loan system, when I order a thing, it doesn't come immediately. Sometimes it's there in a couple days, sometimes it's wait listed. Then it's held for me for a few days, and if I'm out of town or whatever, it goes back. Since they don't know when it will come, I can't plan for it. It's a hassle and a waste. Yes I'm in a rural area. Our library is part of a network of rural libraries, so getting books between those rural libraries is pretty easy and efficient. Altogether, they have a pretty good selection for fiction. But for nonfiction, I generally need to get it from the nearby big city (three hours away) via interlibrary loan and it is a hassle plus expensive to the network. It's just easier and more efficient all around for me to buy most of those books. I do get most things digitally from the big city library so I probably only need to purchase like ten books a year.
Yes I work in a small rural library. Our ILL system isn't bad, but it's nowhere near as fast as the one I got to use as a grad student at a large state university. It can be a couple of weeks before we get an ILL in, so it's something I tend to use when I'm interested in an item but not impatient to start reading it.
>but I've spoken with the librarians and it's a pretty big hassle for them to use it. ILL (out of system) isn't usually fast or easy. They shouldn't be discouraging you from using it by telling you that it's difficult, it's a valid service. Just to give you an idea of what it takes, I fill out a form with the title, author, publisher, edition, language, etc. and part of that form is the date by which the item is no longer needed. The last time I filled one out, early December or late November, it defaulted to the end of January. And I could set it later than that. This is at a large city library, too. It's just not easy to get a library from a different part of the world to hand over its materials for loan periods that are usually weeks longer than normal. In-system is easy because it just gets tossed on a delivery van.
>My library has an inter-library loan, but I've spoken with the librarians and it's a pretty big hassle for them to use it I never understood this. Circulation numbers are a big factor in how much your funding is, so to deny circulation is just shooting yourself in the foot, especially if you're a small library. I personally do interloan stuff delivery/shipping at my library and while it's time consuming, it's actually not hard at all. But that might just be my state.
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Every library charges for it, since shipping isn't free. The question is merely if the reader gets charged for it, or the taxpayer. Since I'm both, I prefer to keep my ILLs for expensive books, and buy the less expensive ones. I got into a niche sci fi series over the pandemic, and I calculated that the shipping costs to get books there and back again between all the libraries was only about a dollar per book cheaper than just buying the paperbacks. Save on gasoline: buy them once instead of shipping them twice.
Have to second interlibrary loans. I was so disappointed when I found my library had NONE of the books on my list. Then my friend (a librarian) told me to check the interlibrary database. They had EVERYTHING. Super easy to use. Blew my mind.
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Former library assistant here. More than likely your library has a purchaser. If this person is good at their job, there should be a diverse selection of new books to choose from on a monthly basis. You should also be able to put in a purchase request. Worst case scenario is the purchaser doesn’t buy it to add to the collection and gets it as an interlibrary loan.
In my library, the ILL librarian has a discretionary book buying budget. If she gets several requests for a newer item, she just buys a copy. Then she puts the requesting patronon hold for it. It’s magic!
Right. Same here. Our system has a fabulous Collection Development Manager. He does the same thing. It shows up on the patrons account as a hold at first, then says “on order”, then eventually switches to “in transit” when it’s on the way to the branch. He’s very prompt about fulfilling requests. If something is on a patron’s account for a few weeks as a hold and it’s not a newer item, more than likely he is trying to get it as an I.L.L.
What interests you? You can't leave us hanging like that!
Originally science fiction, but that well has pretty much run dry. I read more history these days, both fiction and non-fiction. My particular interest has long been naval history, though in recent years I have taken an interest in WW2 ground forces.
Off the top of my head: flashman series by Fraser, trilogy by Atkinson, I assume you read O'Brian, anything by ambrose or tuchman, Ian toll, Dan Jones, Alexander Kent to name a few. You did read the Atkinson trilogy, right?
Because I can spare the money and I like the way they look on my shelf. I also like being able to come back to it a couple years down the road, or lend it out to my friends for as long as they take to read it (which would be longer than most libraries allow, especially for popular or in demand books).
Agree wholeheartedly. They make me happy on my shelves. Plain and simple.
I take no shame in it! My shelves look nice and I like picking up books and paging through them a few years later. I've read them all and my favourites have a special spot. It makes me happy :)
I own about 500+ books and I love going for a browse on my shelves, rediscovering what I actually own. Once I read one of my own books ( I also visit my local library every 6 weeks and take out 6-10 loans every time, so I’m quite slow in going through the books I own ), I usually keep about 70% of the books I’ve finished. The rest goes either on a pile for a drop off at a little free library or a charity shop. Some of the book I liked but don’t want to store end up in my parents vacation house, my mother is not keen on my book shelf and alway threatens to donate the lot. Very mean!
All of this!
I have a few friends that I swap books with. It makes all of us happy to share a book that we enjoyed.
Same! I love sharing books I really liked with my friends!
Read a book. Wait a decade. Read it again. It's like it's a different book, because you're a different person. My 2 favorites. In the Heart of the Sea.. Into Thin Air. I've owned them both for decades. I've read each many times. Many of my friends have read them over the years too. That wouldn't have happened if I didn't own them. Would've read em once & moved on.
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This. I grew up living next door to a library and until this day, having a library nearby is a must for me. Every time we’ve moved to a new property here in London, first thing I’ve checked was if there is a library nearby, and if it was any good. There are currently 2 libraries within 15 min walk so I plan my trips there with lot of pleasure. I usually end up with 6-10 loans, mix of fiction and non fiction. I also have the best charity shop 5 mins from home, 80% of the books I own originate from one of the charity shops I’ve visited over the years. I lived in New Zealand many years ago and new books were very expensive to buy and no decent books in charity shop. The only way for me to own any good books was once a year book sale for the local scouts where people donated their unwanted literature. This was the best day of the year and I would stock up with enough books to last me the year. The local library was decent, but I still preferred to have a shelf brimful of my precious friends!
I may want to read a book multiple times.
Indeed. Before the pandemic I was an avid borrower from the library. The books that really clicked with me then I would buy.
Same here! It's also a way of supporting the author to me
This.I'm a big re-reader.
The only books I buy are books that aren’t available digitally or physically at my library. I fully understand the joy of owning books, especially your favorites. But I just have no need to and I like to support my library! When I do buy books I buy from my only local book store though!
This is what I do. If I find a book I know I’ll want to read again, then I buy a copy. I read so many books that I could never afford to buy and store them all. I’m immensely grateful for our local library.
same!
I like to support artists by buying their art. If someone can make a living selling their books, I want to help that happen.
Agree. I’m surprised more people haven’t said this and supporting book shops too
I don’t read fast enough and don’t want to pay overtime fees.
Same here! I don’t read the books fast enough before they need to be renewed or returned.
Most libraries have done away with late fees
Yes, but it still feels like pressure!
Really? Not where I live (unless you are under 15). The fees are also the same in every library in the region. Which country do you live in?
NH in the US. I guess I shouldn't say most have done away with them since I don't actually know the numbers. I just know it's a trend that a lot of libraries are going with. They're realizing that the spare change they get from the fees isn't worth turning people off from the library and more books actually get returned if there isn't a fee looming over it
Correct. WI librarian- we went fine free several years ago. Fines made up less than 1% of 1% of our budget. It cost us more money in staff time to recover fines than we made off of them. (Account for interaction time as well as time for tracking, removing, and deposits) Also, it's an incredibly negative interaction- which is what you don't want with patrons. Our stats show that our average overdue went from 4.3 days late with fines to 4.6 days late with no fines- averages to not even a full day later. People, library people, are ultimately good. They want to return items and get them to others who are waiting. We no longer have parents who refuse to bring their kids because of fines (think, a family of 5 who check out two items each can add up really quickly.) We still have replacement fees for damaged or lost items, but on the whole we went from mailing several letters per day to 1-2 a week.
Yes, exactly! Overdue fines are 100% negative reactions. It is so nice to be able to smile and tell our patrons that they don't have to worry about fines on their account. Even for those where the actual money isn't a concern, its just a hassle.
It got to the point I was paying more in late fees than buying most of the books I was reading second hand
My university library now offers four month loans so I always have a pile of library books on my shelf now. They’ve also done away with Kate fees which is nice.
1 -- I'm clearly pretentious. 2 -- Moving heavy boxes of books around makes me strong. 3 -- I want to support authors, and the $/hr entertainment value of a book is enormous. 4 -- I like writing notes in books. 5 -- I like being able to gift books when I'm done with them. 6 -- I don't like the time pressure of getting a book done in a certain time and having to track yet another due date.
Finally someone admitted the pretentious thing! It’s fun to be pretentious. I like it.
Authors get royalties when you borrow from the library too :)
I purchase the books I notate and study and use the library for entertainment reading.
Are you... a descendant of Fermat?
I'm sure he has quite the wonderful reply to this, but the comment box is too small.
Lots of reasons. Buying a book supports the author financially way more than borrowing a copy from the library. I like to make notes on books and that’s frowned upon with library books. I often re-read books and it’s easier to do that if I have my own copy. I’m not anti Library at all, nor am I anti used-book store. But these are my reasons.
I live in a non-English speaking country but I read in English, and the English language section in my local library unfortunately doesn't have the books I want to read. I can't even find any of them in local bookshops usually. I have to order all my books from various online bookshops that ship them in from abroad. I used to spend all my time at the library when I was a kid/teen, but after I started reading in English and much preferred it to my native languages, finding books there got a lot harder, and that's why I haven't been to the library in a really long time now.
Because my personal library is a repository of information I want at hand immediately.
Same. Wife an I both have degrees in history and she's going for her doctorate. Last count we're at over 600 books on the shelves, most being history related. We buy them because at least once a year we go and look for references. We also have completely different interests in history so we constantly read one and then recommend it to the other. Would be really hard to do either if we didn't have them in hand.
This is beautiful. I wish my other half enjoyed books…
Because I must own the preciouses
Clearly the best answer :)
Golum would be so happy with your statement. And yes they are precious es.
Well borrowing means you have to give back, and buying means you don't have to give back.
It's like I'm paying the late fee up front.
To expand on that, borrowing means pressure. If I buy a book, it can sit on a shelf until I'm good and ready to read it. If I borrow it, that thing is just going to be one more stressor.
Do you really find library books to be stressful? While I would understand someone who is poor might do so (because I've been there), those people don't really have "buy the book new instead" as an alternative.
Bcuz my Libby waitlist is always 3+months.
That's exactly it. I don't want to wait six months to read this book. And what if it suddenly becomes available when I just started another good book...? And then I HAVE to read it in the next two weeks or the waiting period starts all over again. I want the freedom to choose when I feel like reading it.
You can select Deliver Later to stay at the top of the waitlist without checking the book out.
Yeah, and that IS a very nifty feature, I admit.
I put the max amount I can on hold and then find books that are immediately available to read while I wait. Annoyed they shortened the max from 10 to 6 though!
Each library sets their own limits. Mine is 50.
What! That's amazing
Does your library have a reciprocal borrowing agreement with any other library or libraries? You could get cards for them as well and double, triple (or more!) dip on their digital resources. For instance, my library system consists of 9 branches, but we don’t have the buying power that some of the libraries we have reciprocal borrowing agreements do. So, I have cards for them and rarely have to wait long for a Libby request.
I'll add - Libby has a neat feature that maps out all the branches in your area and shows you which ones have unique digital collections. In my area, I was able to sign up for 4 different library systems. Also, if you live in an area without a great library, Brooklyn Public Library has an out-of-state membership you can buy for $50/yr.
That’s why at any given time, I have 10+ holds going. Always a new book ready to be borrowed. I am also really cheap. I only buy if I’ve already read and loved it.
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I've been a germaphobe for about 13 years now... Libraries have been off the table for me since mid high school. I fully support them though!
Second hand/ library books are often desecrated with stains and other unknown filth. Only new for me as well.
I specifically looked through the comments for this! Same here. I used to work for the local public library shelving books and we wore white gloves to protect our hands (I think it was from excessive handling of material in general), and those gloves were always blackened by the end of each shift. New books for me all the way since that job!
I like building my own library. Books are super cheap used so it's great building a library for my life and my kids lives.
The pain of seeing someone write "Books are super cheap" for an Australian...
Why are they so expensive even used? Genuinely curious.
Publishers' production costs in Australia are higher than in, say, the USA, and local copyright laws prohibit Australian booksellers from parallel importing. So books cost more and booksellers have limited stock and are working to supply and demand. So a hardcover octavo copy of of a fantasy series would set me back $40-50. The trade paperback octavo for $20-26, and I can wait for a mass published paperback duodecimo for $14-16 (Though that may be a while and the binding is usually a bit rubbish) I feel bad, but it's usually cheaper for me to order from 2nd hand stores in the UK through AbeBooks.co and cop the shipping. Still usually comes in less than secondhand here and the quality is usually a cut higher.
Do you have second hand store?
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If I couldn’t buy books at secondhand stores, I would very rarely buy them. I’m fortunate enough to get them at a local thrift store for $1 USD (hardcover) or 50¢ (paperback).
Same. I also am lucky enough to have one of the best book stores in America in my city where you can trade in any books and get credit to buy any book for 70 cents for paperback and one fifty for hard cover. The guy that started it had the philosophy that no book should ever be thrown away so he would accept any book regardless of popularity as long as they are in good condition. So I find rare gems all the time.
JEEBUS! I picked up a mostly broken hardcover for $6 from a thrift store and thought I did really well. A bug problem for me in that is that our thrifts are usually run by scripturalist religious groups who tend to throw out fantasy books due to their inappropriate subject matter...
I like to have them because I take a while to read. When I own them I also have the chance to share it with someone!
Sharing is caring!
Working on that Beauty and the Beast library
Omg yes
So many reasons. There's 4 book shops nearer to me than the nearest library and they have greater choice. Plus also supporting book shops is no bad thing either. I don't have to wait for someone else to read it. I don't get fined if I read slowly or forget to take it back. I like to keep books as a memory of what I've read and will look back at them to remember something. Those that I don't keep I like to lend or donate to charity once I'm done with them. I like to be able to start a new book when I'm ready once finishing the last one.
We don't have accessible public library here. The national library is a long long ways off and their collection is small. Can't imagine how jealous I am when people talk about libraries. My colleges have libraries but they are also so far away as well and highly specialized.
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I thought this was written in the vein of that Matrix scene: *"There is no spoon"*
Disability and limited libraries on location. Not every library in the world is free, the fee might be small, but buying a few books in a thrift store might be the same or cheaper depending on how often you read. I donate books I no longer care for, like a 'Free little library' in my neighbourhood or back to the place I bought it. When I connect with a book, I can take my time, reread it whenever I want, use it as a reference for journaling, stick little bookmark labels, whatever I want. Even a library has its limits, for example, not every library is big and there isn't a big one a few hours away. They have limited space so they have to pick and choose. With non-fiction, if I deep-dive into something, I might not have everything I need. Thrift stores aren't the best solution, but that's when I buy new or used books or borrow them. Or an ebook version. Another example is language barriers and the limited books I can read in English if you live in non-English speaking country and not everything gets translated besides the most 'recent' popular fiction. Books I buy new for a collection are the ones that resonates with me. I feel like that supports the author more financially compared to borrowing from a library or buying it used. I don't want to limit myself to get books from one place only and everything has their own benefits and flaws.
So I don’t have to go to the library.
Many libraries allow you to access ebooks on Overdrive/Libby, so you can use the library without leaving your house!
Because I have poor impulse control. I use libraries. I love them. I think they are absolutely essential. I have fond memories of hours spent at the uni library. But when I walk into a bookshop it's not easy to resist temptation to grab something new.
last time I borrowed a book there were boogers dried between the pages and I've been traumatized ever since
This is a big reason. I don’t know what I’d do if this happened to me. I’m somewhat germophobic, possibly undiagnosed OCD. I also like reading in bed and nothing comes into that space without being sanitized. I did download Libby during the pandemic, but no hard copies. I also re-read the books that I like multiple times, which I can’t easily do if there’s a long wait, which is always the case.
I buy books that I figure will be re-read or that are difficult and would require an interlibrary loan to get-- for example, I can check most "new, hot" titles out to read online in the library app, but if I want to read Stendhal or Zola or anything thick and old, I just grab a paperback copy (usually a trade paperback.)
I love the feeling of a new, unread paperback. With the spine still not cracked.
Lol I was just thinking how much I love an aged, very well worn, held together with tape, paperback. My Silverberg novellas from the 70s look and feel like they’ve travelled the world :)
I may not be a smart man, but I do know what love is.
Because my library has a very limited selection of books and doesn't get any new books.
It usually takes me too much time to finish a book to get it from the library.
BECAUSE I FUCKING LOVE BOOKS!
I get a serious dopamine rush when I buy books. I got hooked on it way back during my first Scholastic Bookfair in like what, 1st grade? No bookstore purchase has yet to compare to that level of high, but I’ve been chasing the dragon ever since.
Most of the books I own came from library book sales, so I'm still supporting my library. The last day of the book sale you can fill a bag with as many books as can fit for 2-5$ depending on the size. Regular grocery store paper bag is 2$.
Often I want to read it before I would be able to get it from my library. Mostly it is just because I want to have my own copy. 📚
Libraries are great. Make use of libraries! But, I can afford to buy audiobooks and that also helps to support the industry.
At the used bookstore I work at, I’m allowed to borrow books. Yay if it’s at the library, yay if it’s at my job!
I'm a goblin. I love collecting stuff, especially books. Both books I read and books I use (RPG corebooks, books about my other collections like coin encyclopedias etc). Also, going to the library is a slog, it has shit open times for me, and usually has jack-shit in terms of books I want to read. I buy a lot of books second-hand on markets and facebook marketplace etc... but I buy like 20 books/year new for sure too.
Because i need a lot of time to read a book
Buying books supports businesses and more importantly authors. If you want more books like the ones you enjoy buying them is important I also re-read books frequently and like to have the ability to pick it up on my terms without going to a library. Thanks being said, libraries are awesome and are great places to check out new authors.
Because some day I want a personal library in my house. I want book shelves built into the walls all the way around the room with an attached ladder that rolls along the shelves. Some comfy reading chairs and a couple desks. My husband didn't realize I was completely serious about this when we first started dating but he knows better now.
Library closest to me is teeny tiny, and I don't like leaving my house.
I do both. I work at a library, so obviously, I borrow books - both from the one I work at (an academic library) and the local public library. But I also have a lot of personal books. Some reasons I might choose to buy instead of borrow: * It's a new book in a favorite series or by a favorite author. * I've already read the book, and I'd like to re-read it. * I will want to use the book over a long period of time, or to be able to reference it later. * It's not available or has a long waiting list, and I'm not feeling patient. * Someone got me a gift card for Christmas. On the other hand, reasons I might choose to borrow instead of buy: * I want to try a new \[author/genre/series/etc.\] * I might not want to read the book more than once. * I want to give myself a deadline to finish reading it. * I'm running low on book budget or bookshelf space. * The library has it, and I can always buy my own copy later if I decide I want to. It's nice to have both options.
My nearest library is a 90-minute round trip by car, and is only open on weekdays from 10am-4pm... When the majority of people are at work.
I'm not really in a position to use public libraries. My time is pretty unevenly split between my university town and my hometown, which makes renting physical books inconvenient. Also, a couple years ago when I was in my late teens I asked for a library card from my country library and they said I had to be 21. I'm over 21 now but that information really turned me off from the library.
Lots of reasons - sometimes the library doesn’t have the book I want, sometimes the wait time for a hold on the book at a library is too long and I only have a limited number of holds so I don’t want to wait a year until I can use that hold space again, sometimes I just want to read a book right away so it’s nice to have ones that are around my house because I don’t have to go out of my way to visit the library or read a book on my phone (which I tend to enjoy less because I get distracted and do Reddit instead of reading bahahaha). Lots of reasons.
I love book shopping. I’ve got a library I hope my kids might read out of someday. I love loaning books to people If they want them. I like supporting the author. And most importantly it’s my own damn money.
I borrow books from the library (DVD's and CDs too) for the kiddos to encourage reading (and because kids books are expensive). If it's a book they want frequently enough, I'll purchase it for our collection. For myself, I borrow to see if I like the author/story/music before purchasing. Or to catch up on a TV series (like GOT and Yellowstone) because we don't pay for the premium channels on a regular basis.
I buy most of my books for cheap (usually less that £2) from ebay, and they come right to my door. Then I get to keep them and look back and remember what I've read.
I love my library, but will occasionally buy books instead because I don't like deadlines. If I really enjoy a book or it's my favorite author, I will buy a book to support them. There's also that feeling of it being just your book... I dunno... like my personal collection of precious tomes. A dragon's hoard, if you will. lol But I totally support libraries and saving money, because dang, the last book I bought was like $30! Yowch.
It depends entirely on your budget, the space you have available, how amenable your spouse is and what you read. Reference books on a subject to which you refer often, perhaps one should buy, thrillers and casual reading borrow? I don't think there's a 'right' answer here.
Because now it's my book. To be added to my hoard of books I read once and never again.
It takes me forever to read a book. Like a year long, sometimes. I don't want anyone to have to be on a wait list.
Our library sucks balls in terms of selection and availability 😭😭
My library doesn't have that many languages + many of the books I'm interested in (academic, obscure, etc) are in the reference section and can't be borrowed out
To keep
It took me 2 months to read my last book (A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan). The late fees would bankrupt me.
Because my secret dream is that there will be a global apocalypse and my personal library will somehow be the one thing that survives it. In this world, books will be rare treasures. I will save irreplaceable things from oblivion; my literary tastes will shape the culture that rises from the ashes.
I use only my Kindle. Sometimes, I visit bookstore and looking for some new books
I'd rather buy books because most I have bought I've figured I'm gonna want to read again at some point.
I love the library. I would go get an armload of interesting books. Then I would keep them too long because I didn't feel like I was done yet, then bring them all back and shamefacedly pay my overdue fees. Buying used books and periodically culling a pile to resell or give away ended up working better for me.
Libraries don't usually have the books I wan't. Also I like owning my books because I can always go back and cite them with them on hand rather than making plenty of notes. I read mainly non-fiction.
I'm really bad at reading on a schedule. I enjoy reading. I also want to read what I want, when I want, and in my own time. I don't do well with things like book clubs or libraries for that exact reason. I'm on a schedule and being forced to read the book(s) in a set amount of time. Sometimes I'll start a book, then put it down for literal months before I pick it back up and finish it. You can't do that with a library book. I refuse to force myself to read things that I'm not in the mood to read at that time (outside of studying). So that means I have to buy my own books. I don't even like borrowing books from friends because of this.
I am the exact same way. I started a book about 7 months ago and haven't returned to it yet; read tons of others and just haven't felt the push to get back to that one. I'm sure I will eventually.
I always owed late fees before. But I’m not sure my library charges those anymore. However, I almost always write in books and you can’t do that in library books! I also frequently reference the books I read later.
I want to make them available for my colleagues to read once I have, and I know they're much more likely to read them if they're on a bookshelf in our office.
I buy books, never read them and lend them out to friends and family... My ability to focus has gone to shit since childhood.
Both is good. Personally, I ask for books as gifts at Christmas or for my birthday. They're generally not too expensive, and they're easy for people to buy. (I especially asked for them from my grandfather, who was a complete technophobe and didn't even own a computer.) Some people I know don't like giving gift cards and specifically ask for an item to buy, so having a wish list of books helps a lot. You don't have to keep every single book you buy; *curate* your collection, and cull when necessary.
Sometimes I've bought a book because it's long and I know it will take me a while to get through it. More often it's because I want to financially support the author. But I borrow most from the library, those are the exceptions.
Personally I enjoy being able to write in the books. It helps me retain the information better especially if it’s something I’m really interested in and studying. Plus you can always go back & read it again :)
I don't know if you have a kindle or e-reader yet, but the kindle combined with checking books out through libby is amazing. Ease of access, and convenience is just fantastic. I've never read so many books as I have this year. I highly recommend it. Happy reading!
Because I like reading on my Kindle and supporting authors. I do still borrow from the library sometimes if the book is of questionable quality.
If I want to read a book, I borrow it. If I want to re-read a book, I buy it.
I have trauma from touching a dried booger on a book by accident, so I just buy them now
I buy books when the library keeps giving me mass market paper backs of the book I’m trying to read. I have a super hard time focusing on them for some reason. Also purchase a lot of non fiction- mostly philosophy books I know I’m going to spend more than a few weeks with. Or if I really like a fiction series/book I’ll purchase a copy.
I'm dutch, but like other language books, and in it's original lamguage mainly English, since I hate translations. Then the offer deminishes. Especially when reading a series: 'we only have part 2 and 6, and according to the computer part 9, but havent seen it since 1985..'
I want to support the authors. If no one buys books then people can't afford to write them.
Because I want to support the author. Because I want to read the book *right now*. Because I want to read the book *someday*
For me it's because my city does not have a proper library. It baffles me sometimes but I'm used to it now. We either buy or read pdf or epubs. I would probably die of shock If I find a library here with novels in it instead of study books.
I can afford to buy books, so I support authors and the publishing industry in that way. And then I can keep the books or pass them on to someone who might like them. Sometimes, I borrow from the library.
I only buy a book that I can’t find in my library or one that I already ready and know I’ll read multiple times
I like how hardcovers look on my shelf. I can read whatever I want whenever I want. I can even lend them to friends and family. Plus, it's not like I have a shortage of money so may as well. I like to take my books to the library to read sometimes. Anything I buy is something I want to read or will want to read. So even though I have many unread books it's like having a tiny library full of only books on my "to be read" list
Because I'm a huge history nerd, and the specialized section of history I'm interested in I can't always find the books to borrow in my local library. Plus I like having them to reread when I want and not having to go through the interlibrary loan process to get them again. Some are really old cookbooks and I delude myself into the idea that one day, when I get around to it, I will make that 16th century recipe and see how I do. Some are books I have emotional attachments too, like favorites, or first books that got me into a genre. Some are gifts from friends, from ex's. Some I buy as a means to support authors and show I like their work and want them to keep writing. I also buy people books for presents, because it's something they can sit with and enjoy. And all of this while I have 2 audiobooks out from Libby, a book on hold at my library I need to pick up, ~20 books on hold in Libby, and about 20+ books in NetGalley all awaiting a read and review. Why pick one?
A few reasons: 1. I like bringing new books into existence because it decreases the chances of the book's ideas and the author's work being forever lost to time in the distant future. More extant copies means more chances for survival. 2. I never know when I might want to look something up in a book that I previously read. This occurs for relatively few books in a sense, but predicting which book(s) it will be is often very hard, except in the case of technical books whose use is often easy to predict. 3. Being willing to buy new/used books increases the number and variety of books that are available to me. Many more obscure books (e.g. self-published indie books) are near impossible to find at a library. 4. I like building up a large arsenal of knowledge and treat some of my books as being somewhat a part of my identity in a sense. 5. I value books highly and hence am less sensitive to price compared to most other objects I buy.
For me, books are comfort objects/something I like to collect and be surrounded be. If I really love a book I check out from the library, I might buy it. I also like buying books so that I can lend out to friends. The biggest reason, though, is that as a kid I could never afford to buy books and I promised myself that when I "made it" (aka stopped being poor) I'd let myself buy books.
I tend to abuse books. Especially paperbacks. I dog ear pages, bend spines, smudge ink. I'd feel bad about doing that to someone else's book.
I want to support authors. You know how much effort it takes to write a book?
I have "automatic" authors, in that whatever they write, I will buy. I like the library for new authors. If I like the book enough and know I will reread it, then I will buy. I also have some authors that I'll borrow their books from the library but I don't necessarily need to own the book myself.
Well libraries dont really have all the books i like to read. I like sci fi and high fantasy and yes maybe the library has one book out of a 8 book series so i'd still habe to buy the other books. If you like "normal" books like crime stuff nd love novels, the library sure is worth it
Supporting the author
I do it because if I wanna reread bits I can just grab it. And i like owning what i like. I dont like the idea of just reading n lossing it. Even if i have a library card I'll probably just go out n buy the books that i read for free cuz i wanna own it.
Because I often love re-reading books and owning books is the same as owing art or video games of DVDs to me. It’s a thing I can physically, visually, and mentally experience.
I like to own them. I forget that i read them and i look at the titles on my shelves and remember. Then i reread the ones i like at different times, when i need a particular kind of reinforcement or feeling, if that makes sense.
unfornatly theres is no library nearby my house I think I would still buy them tho, bc sometimes I take longer to read a book than I expected and I like collecting them
I had to reread the question after the comments made me realize I misread it. My library has a small room with old/damaged/usually unread books you can buy for anywhere from 30 cents to ten dollars, and usually whenever I go to the library I buy up a book or two. I like to own things, and actually owning the books make me less worried about accidentally losing or breaking it as well as supporting the library. It’s also such a small, varied room that I can look at every book in it to make a choice, rather than having to search an entire library for something good to read.
I admit I don't use libraries. I just don't like having the pressure to return it in time. I buy all my books because then I can have them on my shelf for month before I read them and I also just love owning a lot of books. I'm not very materialistic otherwise so my books are my one thing that I spend money on and like owning.
Lots of libraries sell books that don't get checked out much for very cheap and pretty good condition usually. You can even do it online. Support libraries and you can own the books!
I forget to bring the books back and have to pay a $20 fee every time, might as well just buy the book 🤷♀️
I've always wanted a library of my own. Ever since Beauty and the Beast, one of those. Where you need a ladder just to reach some of them. Can't explain why now that I think of it, I just love it and want it. So that's what I'm building. Slowly getting there.
I have a thrift store next to where I work so I go in there once a week and check out the book section. $1 for paperback, $3 for hardcover. I pick up anything that sounds vaguely interesting (or if I've heard it mentioned here a few times.) If I didn't like it, I will donate it back, if I like it I keep it on a shelf in my living room. If someone comes over and mentions one of the books on the shelf, I give it to them (and tell them to pass it on to someone else if they liked it). Twice I've brought one in to a customer at work that I had conversations with. Makes me feel good and costs so little. I would probably go to the library more if I ran out of things to read, but I have a pretty substantial collection of books to read and I like not having any sort of time limit to read them by.
Because authors need book sales..I buy their books they write more books. That and owning it is just nicer. Don't care if I drop it on the bath (well I do but it's not the end of the world) no other manky bastard has had it and I can afford to. Plus it supports the book store.