Building a Library.

[velocipede2288]

How do you go about building a personal library?
Arnold Bennett suggests that we should spend three percent of our income in order to build a good library.
I believe it can be done for a good deal less by buying second hand. I have done this by visiting used book shops and buying from such places as amazon.com in the used book area. Often these books are like new anyway.
And I have accumulated around two thousand books in this way over the years.
What are the views of the readers on this? And have you set about collecting the classics as a means of self improvement, along with more general works?

 

[scooter13]

I have just gotten books that sound interesting to me. Very little non-fiction. I would say that I am around 97-98% fiction. Not a lot of them are true classics, but some may be considered classics in ten-twenty years. I am not sure if there are any books that we could say "should be in everyone's library", because it's a matter of taste. But I truly believe that reading is a huge part of human development.

I also agree with you that one can spend less then 3% of their income and still have a tremendous library. I think you proved that. You have over three times as many books as I do. And I haven't even come close to 3% of my income.

 

[Sibi]

I have never thought in terms of financial ressources. Ich have a list of books that I want to read AND possess - mainly classics and modern classics, some contemporary authors. I follow this list quite carefully, even if I can't spend to much money on books right now. With used books, christmas wishes, etc it is possible to acquire quite some books for little money.

3% can be very different, depending on ones income, but are surely enough - at least as long as you don't look for really good editions or as long as you are patient enough to give your library some more years to develop.

BTW - I'm new in this forum and as you might have noticed, I am not a native speaker. So don't be to mad if I make mistakes.

 

[Justin91]

How do you go about building a personal library?
Arnold Bennett suggests that we should spend three percent of our income in order to build a good library.
I believe it can be done for a good deal less by buying second hand. I have done this by visiting used book shops and buying from such places as amazon.com in the used book area. Often these books are like new anyway.
And I have accumulated around two thousand books in this way over the years.
What are the views of the readers on this? And have you set about collecting the classics as a means of self improvement, along with more general works?

I have a very small library, around 400 books on 2 cases, many classics and collections from my favorite authors. My small library is without a theme. I would love to have the money and space to build the library of my dreams...

Do you buy strictly hardcover with nice bindings? Or does it matter? I started buying classics from the folio Society, but they are very expensive and very limited on their offerings. I do buy some used hardcover classics on ebay, but there are quite a few collectors that keep the prices elevated.

 

[jgeffen]

I, for one, would only buy a leather bound book if it's a classic AND I want to pass the book down to my children, their children, etc etc. Otherwise, I just accumulate books as I read them. I think my 'library' is a pretty accurate reflection of me and my interests.