Do you buy, borrow or take out from the library?

[DanielTC]

The library. There is no way I could afford my reading habits. I have read 37 books in the last 3 months, let alone the past year; if I bought all of those books I would have spent a lot of money. Anyway, why buy when I can get them for free? I do not mind books being old, long as they are still in one piece and no pages ripped and the like.

 

[GatorDeb]

I read 2-4 books a week, so I take from the library. There are two reasons - 1. I don't have an unlimited budget, and 2. I don't have room to store the books. Most books are in good condition. My library also has a request system up to 15 items, so I check out books, dvds (TV series and movies), and CDs. I request it and pick up at the nearest library, which is 10 minutes away. The system was great but they totally redesigned it and now it's even better... you can see how many holds a book has out of how many copies and see your place in the queue counting down. You can also FINALLY pay fines online, and renew books online like always. We get 3 weeks per book or DVD + you get an extra 3 weeks if there's no hold, and you have 2 weeks for TV series DVDs and 7 days per DVD... most of the DVDs I check out have holds, so I never get to renew them though.

 

[Choc]

I've never borrowed from the library in my life (except when I was just a kid in school). I've only ever bought all my readings. That way I feel that I'm more likely to pick better titles, because I'm paying for it...

 

[Carrot]

They are mine and you can't have them

I buy books! I occasionally borrow from friends but only if they give me one and tell me I can have it.
You see the problem is I find it difficult to part with books.
The library thing is right out as I always end up with fines for not taking books back. I have tried to explain that I might want to read them again when they are not open but they are not interested.

I do end up with loads of books; I have a large number of bookshelves full and numerous boxes stashed away in various dry places. But I don’t want to get rid of any they are my friends, my lovers, my children. They have given me great pleasure and never asked for anything in return. I may occasionally give one away to a good and loving home but only if I know they will look after it.

 

[Choc]

Carrot, You sound liek a very passionate reader and collector....

 

[steffee]

I buy way too many books. I don't mind parting with them, especially since I don't even open 90% of them, but I buy them rather than borrow from a library. There's too much choice in the library. And I flick between books too much to be satisfied with library copies that need returning and whatever. Besides, even with a limit of fiteen titles, it doesn't give you a lot of scope. I do steal... er, I mean borrow books from friends as well, and get sent really bad choices (Ian Rankin mainly "but he's from Fife!") from my mum and my gran, bless them. But my friends are more likely to borrow my books, than vice versa.

 

[Sly]

I buy all of my books. There's something satisfying about owning all those sheets of paper binded together with word printed on them!

 

[Choc]

I buy all of my books. There's something satisfying about owning all those sheets of paper binded together with word printed on them!

Very well said Sly

 

[Erica]

I used to buy new or 2nd hand, but since being told about a great and very clever free! site
I now swap any books I don't want to keep...

If your in the UK (Think its only UK because of posting the books to each other)
Have a look it really is fantastic! so far I love it and have had 5 easy swops Its a great way to get info about books to.

www.readitswapit.co.uk/

 

[veggiedog]

You've got to love your library.

 

[jaynebosco]

I usually borrow, although, I do like to get my hands on the brand new copies of the books and before the pages are all messed up. When I have money, I go and buy a couple new books, before I go and purchase clothes, which seems to be an afterthought of mine.

 

[Rain]

Books

I absolutely love books! But I sometimes do both, I buy or I go to the library, and because I am an English major, books are my life. I am currently reading Twisted Roots by V.C. Andrews.

 

[Ronny]

I like to check books out from the library first to see if I like them or not and then I buy copies of the books that I have liked. I buy a lot of my books at the library in their book sale corner, PBs are 3 for $1 and HBs 2 for $1, some of the very popular titles go for $1 a piece but that's still a good deal

 

[MonkeyCatcher]

I am currently reading Twisted Roots by V.C. Andrews

You can input your current read into a section on your profile and it will be displayed just under your name on all of your posts

 

[Oklahoma]

Both take borrow the library and buy.

I love to own the books, but I am not fond of new books. I like 'saving' old unloved books from second hand stores and yard sales. There have been so many times I have come across books there that I might never have discovered in a new book store.

To me, there is a distinct pleasure in touching books that are old, smelling the scent of age on them. I like to imagine all of the persons in the past that might have held and enjoyed the same volume. And they are on real paper. Not the glossy, stinky stuff new books have sometimes, but real paper. That's a joy in itself.

 

[-Carlos-]

I purchase my books. They are usually purchased used from a local bookshop. At times (rarely) I may check out a book or two from the library.

 

[Zeppelino]

i buy my books, i just like to own them........i imagine myself in a big house in a few years with a library all of its own......i do browse the library for inspiration and the odd time i would check out a book, mainly if i don't know the author.

 

[Literati]

I buy all my books. I used to work in a bookstore, so my book obsession started then. Now I have to have them all at my fingertips when I want them- I don't want to have to run to the library to check them out!

 

[Rich]

I used to buy books, but lately I’ve taken to using the Metro-Boston Library Network. The online database includes some surrounding towns and college libraries, and I can search for books and have them sent to my local branch down the street, which is rather convenient. I don’t mind old or tattered books; the only thing that drives me nuts is people who underline or highlight library books.

 

[jennifer1975]

Buy. Or borrow. But even then if the book is really good, I'll buy it so I've got it for my own. I need trophies at the end.