S/O Reading...Do You Buy Books?

[bigpassport]

BBB'rs are so cost-conscious, I'm wondering if you buy books (or ebooks)? Borrow from the library/friends? Other?

As for me, I stopped buying books because (1) they take up so much space, and (2) they can really add up. Now that I have the Kindle app for iPad, I am so tempted to buy books but have't been able to bring myself to pay for one. I'm on the library waiting list of 50+ people for Room: A Novel, and it's really testing my patience!

[MontrealMum]

This is the one area of my life where my spending *ought* to be curbed. My "good" excuse is that many of the books I buy are for my research, and I consult them again and again so it makes sense to own them. I do not have an e-reader.

The fiction books that I buy are the ones that I should really be checking out of the public library. Except here in Quebec we have the dumbest bass-ackwards library system around. I can only check out books w/in the city of Montreal's system (for $25 for a 2 year card - yes, we have to pay), which owns very few books in English. And even fewer of those are new (as in, last 5 years, not last 5 mos.). I read French fluently, but come on, this is for relaxation, I read for work in French all the time.

My other choice is that I could pay $150 for a one year's membership at the "English" municipality's library. And still be on long wait-lists for relatively new books. That's just nuts. Thus, I am spending that at Chapters instead :)

If we move from Quebec we're going to be saving lots of money on books :D

[Twin Mom]

No. I either borrow from the library or my mom lends me books she's bought or borrowed from friends. My library does e-lending but I am too lazy to figure it out and I would have to read them on my iphone which is way too small!

ETA: I do buy books for my DC through the scholastic sale at their school only to support the school. I will also buy DC books at the library used book sale where they do a plastic grocery bag of books for $5. I don't buy books for myself!

[ellies mom]

I buy books all the time. My husband and I both have Kindles so we buy both e-books and print books. We buy most fiction and some non-fiction for the kindles. We still buy in print for craft type books (knitting, sewing, cooking), graphic novels and my nursing reference books. We also almost entirely print books for the girls. There are a few that are on my kindle (Percy and the Olympians, etc) since I mostly bought them for me but I've also read them to her. She will be getting my kindle when I get the new one, so she may start wanting the occasional book on the kindle as well. Right now though she definitely prefers print although she does like being able to change the font size.

I do occasionally take books out of the library but since I'm a rereader, I usually end up wanting my own copy. It is nice to check out parenting, knitting and sewing books to see if I really want them first.

[BabyMine]

I buy and check out children's books from the library. There is something about the smell of a new book that gets me giddy. I LOVE books and have a soft spot for buying children's books.

[♥ms.pacman♥]

we buy books relatively often. we often check our local Half Price bookstore first...they usually have good deals. I think i bought Baby411, BabyBargains books from Half Price. :)

[lalasmama]

Always buy books for DD. Occasionally check out as well, but not often. We buy at Goodwill/Value Village type stores, though, so I'm only spending $0.69-$1.50....

For my work-related books, I try to buy second hand. I need print books, largely because when I find something, I need to copy it or hand it over to one of the MDs... And I think, for whatever reason, there's something comforting about seeing/reading something in print, especially when work (ie breastfeeding or medically) related; then I can say "Oh, see, it's a book from LLL [or Dr Hale, etc]" and not "oh, it's a site online!"...

[kozachka]

I don't buy books, but DH does. We borrow books from the library for DH and audio books for me. We don't have an ereader, not yet at least, and have no room for books. DH is old school and flies a lot, so he buys books.

[Kaylee31]

BBB'rs are so cost-conscious, I'm wondering if you buy books (or ebooks)? Borrow from the library/friends? Other?

As for me, I stopped buying books because (1) they take up so much space, and (2) they can really add up. Now that I have the Kindle app for iPad, I am so tempted to buy books but have't been able to bring myself to pay for one. I'm on the library waiting list of 50+ people for Room: A Novel, and it's really testing my patience!

I very rarely buy books. I prefer getting them from the library. Mainly, because I'm cheap. Second, I don't have the space for all the books I read. Plus, even if I really like a book; I won't read it again for a few years. My library usually has a fast turnover, and I never have to wait too long for the books I put on reserve. But too often, books I look forward to reading turn out to be a disappointment. (most recently, Dennis Lehane's new book). Also, I am old school. I like to have a real book in my hand. I think it will be a long time before I catch on too the Kindle craze.

But I just got Room from my library last week and read it in one day. (I was sick and playing hooky from work). I thought it was great and I couldn't put it down. I can't say you will feel the same; but if I really wanted to read something and knew I would have to wait a long time to get it/or it wasn't available from the library; then I would buy it.

ETA: I do buy books for DS practically everytime I go shopping. So he has a growing collection. But they are board books, and usually very cheap. He is a bookworm like his mommy! :)

[Neatfreak]

We do buy books, a few for me and more for the kids every year. We live overseas and there are not any english-language libraries for us to go to. The lack of a library is the main reason why we have a lot of kids books!

[wellyes]

I sold hundreds of books and be ame a library only person. It was so liberating. My to-read list is so long , there is always something I can get as I wait for the current bestseller.

I buy books for the kids because kids reread so much.

[maestramommy]

I haven't bought books for myself lately, I usually borrow them. That said, if I came across a book I loved and knew I wanted to read again, I'd buy it.

[DietCokeLover]

I rarely buy a book for me or DH. We utilize the library. Which is sometimes a real challenge since we live in such a small town. But, they are really good about seeking out interlibrary loan, so I can usually get my hands on just about anything within a week or two.

[KrisM]

I do. I shop our used book sales and pay $.50 each. Then I donate or sell them again. I have some that I'm keeping for now, but I just sorted through again and have a huge pile that's going.

I utilize the library a lot for newer titles and for parenting books or other non fiction books. Our library and the inter-library loan system is pretty good.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Rarely. Only if I am traveling (I don't want to lose a library book!) or I know I'll re-read it (part of a series I love, for example). I used to buy used ones on Amazon all the time and I do miss having a good stash of books to re-read around but I'm too cheap for even that. I also like not having more stuff in the house.

I look up books on Amazon then got to the library's website to request them. It's like online shopping but free.

eta- I do buy kids' books.

Beth

[mommylamb]

I either buy my own or borrow from friends/family. I never use the library. I know it's bad, but I just keep doing it. DH is a really big reader and likes to own his books as well. We have a ton of books here.

[hellokitty]

I rarely buy NEW books. I like going to the library used book sales. Kids' books are 10-25 cents each. If there is a book that I really want for myself, it's usually only 50 cents to a buck. Otherwise, I get all my other books and ebooks through our library. I just think that new books tend to be a huge rip off and I only buy them if I HAVE to (ie: something the library doesn't have or something that I know the kids will read later and was a good price, such as the Percy Jackson series). However, unless I am pretty sure I am going to love the book, I refuse to buy it new.

[tarahsolazy]

If its a book I have been waiting to read, I just buy it, either in paper or for the nook. I figure that entertainment $ per hour is pretty good on a 500 page book, you know? If you ever go to the movies, you're paying more per hour than books. I say buy it!

[RunnerDuck]

I buy kid's books esp LITTLE kid's books because I know if I get it from the library they will destroy it and I will have to pay for it anyway.

For me I try not to buy and only buy if it's a reference I will want to use over and over or a book I will want to read over and over - or if there's no way to get it from the library. Or if I am travelling and need reading fodder in a hurry.

Generally I try not to as they do accumulate and they are HEAVY ... and never resell as well as you hope...

[carolinamama]

Yes I buy books. I love books! I'm one of those that can spend hours in a bookstore and I get almost giddy to get new ones. They were really piling up in our house though so I got an ereader. I do buy books for my Kindle now. DH is so happy that the book clutter has decreased on my bedside table. I also buy books for my kids. I love looking at the bookcase in DSs' rooms and seeing it full of books we read.

In theory, I love the idea of the library. And I get on kicks where we go more often. Right now though, I'm in a book-buying phase. It is certainly an area where I could curtail spending but it's a guilty pleasure for me and I figure I've put so many hobbies of my own on hold since I've had kids that this is something I deserve.

[tmahanes]

Yes I buy books. I love books! I'm one of those that can spend hours in a bookstore and I get almost giddy to get new ones. They were really piling up in our house though so I got an ereader. I do buy books for my Kindle now. DH is so happy that the book clutter has decreased on my bedside table. I also buy books for my kids. I love looking at the bookcase in DSs' rooms and seeing it full of books we read.

This is so totally me. Except I got a Nook so I could read library books on it! I will also check out library books in print too.

Sent from my Ally using Tapatalk

[KDsMommy]

I have a Nook and I will occasionally buy a book for it, if it's something I really want to read right away. I also borrow ebooks on it from our library.

[liamsmom]

Well, I work at a library, so I use it all the time. I do occasionally buy books--ones that I know I'll appreciate re-reading or series that I would enjoy owning, like Harry Potter or Narnia. We usually buy DS's board books since they often go into his mouth and I'd prefer he'd chomp on something we own (and not shared with hundreds of other children.)

If I choose to buy a novel, I often try to buy it used either from a local shop or Amazon. The books are in excellent shape and much, much cheaper.

[Beckylove]

I love books. As a result, I have boxes and boxes of books.

Baby #2 is on the way and I have got to make space for her. So, book lovers, how do you get rid of them? I value them and the thought of just giving them away chaffs a little. What is the best way to sell used books? Mostly fiction paperbacks?

[kboyle]

it's my one guilt. i buy TONS of books, but i also re-read ALOT. i also do always have a few library books roaming around the house. we also buy a ton from the school book fairs (rarely from the scholastic order forms though).

i also have a nook and i buy books thru there too. we have shelves upon shelves of books...there's even a growing stack in my bedroom closet...i'm trying to curb my addiction.

[Meatball Mommie]

I look up books on Amazon then got to the library's website to request them. It's like online shopping but free.

Beth

This exactly. I love to browse on Amazon and then I make library requests online.

With that said, if I lived somewhere where I didn't have access to a good library with an interlibrary loan program, I'd buy a lot more. But, I'd hate it! I am NOT a re-reader even for my favorites and I grew up with a fantastic library system with a dial-into request system back before the www, so I am so accustomed to borrowing from the library that it would pain me to buy! I also love being able preview nonfiction books before buying, so I use the library for that as well.

[daniele_ut]

I went through a phase where I would only borrow books from the library because we just had SO many books already and I am a voracious reader. I felt badly buying more books when we already had so many. I purged and donated a lot when we moved, however.

I recently bought a Nook Color and am starting to buy e-books now. I just signed up for my county library's digital lending so that I can borrow e-books as well. Our city library's collection of e-books is tiny, but the county is pretty good. I also signed up for a free card at a FL library that has a good e-book selection. When I'm impatient to read something new, I'll often buy it, but I find that there are often enough books in the library selections to keep me busy.

[JoyNChrist]

I buy a lot of books. I'm bad about returning things to the library (plus our library is tiny), so I don't use that much. I also re-read things a lot, so I like to have my own copy.

I'm seriously considering an e-reader.

[Asianmommy]

I buy books for myself occasionally, but I usually check them out at the library or get books as gifts instead. For the kids, we tend to buy more books for them, and also when people ask what to buy for them, we often recommend books.

[Corie]

Yes, I buy books. Too many of them, according to my husband!!

[lizzywednesday]

Yes, I buy books.

I bought all 7 Harry Potter novels in hardcover. I even reserved the last 4 so I'd get them on the release date(s) ... and attended the midnight madness party for the 6th one.

I have been known to randomly pick up a paperback or four from Target when I went in for contact lens solution and Scotch tape.

However, I've just gotten a Nook and now know where the libraries are, so I might stop buying paper books for a little bit. Might.

[Katigre]

We check out 25+ books from the library per month (5-7 are adult books and the rest our kid books). I rarely buy books b/c our library is fantastic. My few exceptions are kids books for Christmas, or a parenting/education book resource we'd use often.

[cilantromapuche]

we are both librarians :) DS is an aspiring librarian. So we check out what books we can but we like lots of books that the local libraries don't have--so we buy those.

[artvandalay]

I only buy reference books for myself (or cookbooks). Everything else I get out from the library. I don't usually read the same fiction book more than once, so library is the way to go for me.

We do buy the kids' books.

[misshollygolightly]

I've inherited one of my dad's biggest (and most endearing) flaws: when it comes to books, money is no object. (Nor, apparently, is space...we have NO ROOM in our house for more books, but that isn't stopping me!)

[amldaley]

We buy books right now as DD is 2.5 and will still occassionally trash a non-board book. She LOVES her books, we read constantly. And I am using <$5 books as Good Day rewards (when she has a tantrum free day and uses the potty or at least tries consistently).

I rarely buy full price. I mostly buy at Marshalls or Books a Million bargain bin. For popular titles, we do Amazon and often buy used.

I do plan on moving to library books when she is 3 or 4 and we can better maimtain them. I LOVED the library as a kid and hope she will, too!

[catsnkid]

I l:love5: books. I won't ususally buy a new book. I get rid of soft covers a local used book store for credit. Therefore, I can get a trade paperback for 2.88 with my 50 percent credit. I also buy at thrift stores and tag sales. DS has a TON of books, only new ones are gifts. He likes books too. I just cleared out today- I can now fit most of my books on my shelves..:bighand: If there is a specific book I want it goes on my amazon wish list

[ett]

For myself, I only buy at library books sales and then donate them back when I'm done with it. But I buy tons of kids books. I almost never pay full price for new ones and in the past year or two, I've also started buying a lot of used books.

[Neelloc]

I only buy books for the kids. Books for me are either borrowed or I get them from the library. The kids will read their books over and over. I usually read things like novels/fiction just once.

However, I am a sucker for cookbooks and organization books and will buy those. lol

[egoldber]

I only buy the occasional reference book for myself now. DH buys too many (IMO) for travel. He probably should get an e-reader of some sort but he doesn't really want one. We buy some for the kids, but I try to pace myself.

They just became too much of a source of clutter (and despite many purges we still have WAY too many).

[rlu]

Our library has a 100 book limit - ask me how I know!

We are huge library users. I was raised going to the library each week and just kept doing the same after I moved out. I did collect series for a while but dumped most of those (I kept the Trek, Amanda Quick and Amelia Peabody series) for space along with some classics, etc. We kept our childhood books as well for DS so he has plenty of "his own" books to keep him busy plus the books we check out weekly for him. He loves to go to the library and pick out books and use his own library card.

I also bought the Potter series but in paperback, I just reserved the hardback copies from the library for release day like PP (did the release party for number 7, not 6 though). I'm pretty sure Potter 7 paperback was the last book I bought for myself.

We have an extensive library system - plus interLINK with other systems. The hours have been cut back again, but still doable with my flexible work hours.

We do buy DS new books when he receives BN gift cards or while traveling as souveniers. When I receive BN gift cards I buy gifts for others or journals for me (I gave up on scrapbooking and photo albums and now just try to write 2-3 times a week in a journal to be given to him at some point down the road. I've been doing that since 2008 I think.)

Besides all that, my mom and her siblings pass around books but they usually aren't to my taste.

[marylovesbennyhill]

I buy new books once in awhile when I have a strong interest in them (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was the last book I bought and that was in August) and then recycle them....

[zag95]

I am in a book club and am trying to reserve them at the library because:

a. I am not working much now (went from FT to very PT to stay home with DD and take her to speech therapy, etc) and it is expensive!

b. I don't want to have to have more books take up space!