Melody

Booking Through ThursdayCheck Spelling

I’ve asked, in the past, about whether you more often buy your books, or get them from libraries. What I want to know today, is, WHY BUY?

Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident of your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So … why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?

If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?

When I was a child, most of the books I read were either borrowed from the libraries or loaned from friends. Although I love the idea of owning the books to myself, I did not ask my parents for extra money to buy the books because I understand they had worked hard and that money does not come easily; and moreover what is the point of libraries if you do not make full use of them?

It was only during my teenaged years that I began to buy books with my own pocket money. Although these books can be easily get from libraries, it is simply the feeling and the fact of owning them that makes everything so different. I do not have to worry about returning them at a specific time, but most of all, I love the feeling of holding a new book in my hand and inhaling the crisp paper smell. Besides this, I can always re-read them as and when I like and also, share them with families and friends.

16 Responses
  1. Anonymous Says:

    My parents bought me books on my birthday and other occasions. So did my two elder brothers.

    I use to bu with my pocket money. Even now I prefer to buy books over lothes, shoes and junk jewellery!

    Must buy!

    BTW, I will do the tag soon an let yoiu know. Thanks for that!


  2. Julia Says:

    I'm with you, I love the feeling of holding the books and owning it. Just something about books, make you feel at ease that it there for you to hold and read it.

    In my teenager years, I used to borrow books from the library too. But my sisters used to be a reader and they have couple of books on their shelves. So I would take some and read it too. Not counting the fact that I got interested in books was when I was infant, because all those books that I owned then was thrown away by my own mother...sad I say LOL !


  3. BooksPlease Says:

    It was always a treat as a child to actually buy a book and receive them as presents. I used to borrow more than I bought and I became a librarian because I love books. Now I prefer to buy and own books - for the same reasons as yours.


  4. Anonymous Says:

    I used the library a lot more as a kid too. Now I don't have time to read that much! I love having my favourites right there ready to reread. =)


  5. Alice Says:

    Hi Melody, we more of less share the same answer. Hehe... I used most of my pocket money on books (I saved up to buy books). That started ever since I was hooked on Enid Blyton in primary school. I still borrow a lot from the library then because of funds limitation. I think that's why now that I can afford it, I really go all out. LOL.


  6. I love being able to grab a book from my shelf at any given moment (as long as I can find it!) and be able to quote something, re-read something, or share it with a friend. You're right...it's something about those books being YOURS. Sometimes I don't even like borrowing a book--and if I like it that much, I'll buy a copy for myself.


  7. SmilingSally Says:

    Yes, yes, yes! Holding a NEW book is a treat! Here's my answer: http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com/


  8. Anonymous Says:

    I feel the same way! I made use of library's growing up when I could not buy my own books, now all I do is buy except for the occasional Audio Book as those can break the bank sometimes!


  9. Anonymous Says:

    I feel the same way.


  10. Anonymous Says:

    I love new books, too. I never have a problem buying books but rebel at buying CDs of music. I don't know why exactly that money spent on books is entirely alright but CDs seem horribly expensive...


  11. Ana S. Says:

    I love being able to re-read and lend my books too. But there's also just something knowing they're mine, and having my own library at home, that really appeals to me.


  12. Anonymous Says:

    I'm always buying books. I buy them because I want to have them, period. I like to maintain a history of my reading over the years. There are so many good literature out there that have been overlooked by readers that after the first, or second printing they will go out-of-print. I'm always buying and preserving what I enjoy reading.


  13. Mary Beth Says:

    Luckily, I come from a family where books are prized gifts so I usually come away with huge piles for birthdays and Christmas. And there are a lot of us so we trade back and forth as we finish.


  14. Iliana Says:

    I didn't have tons of books as a child but whenever I'd get a bit of extra pocket money I'd save it for a trip to the Little Professor Bookstore. I loved buying the Trixie Belden series books. I think that must have been the start of my love affair with mystery series books :)

    I agree, the feeling of holding a new book is just too good!


  15. For me it was a little different. My father collects books and growing up, I was surrounded by his and my mother's book collections. I think it created in me a desire to have my own collection and to feel like my home wouldn't be complete without my very own books. :-)

    Of course, growing up, my family did use the library very regularly. I have many fond memories of those days. I haven't used it much since becoming an adult myself, however.


  16. Melody Says:

    Gautami - Like you, my top buys are books rather than those fashion stuff, but still it's always fun window shopping for the latter. ;)

    Julia - How I wish I've siblings that love to read! I guess I'm the only reader in the family, haha.

    Margaret - Yep, we can never get enough of books! ;)

    Jennifer - I used to read a lot before I got married... but actually it's not that much difference, just that I devote some of my time to my children nowadays. :)

    Alice - It sure makes us to appreciate and treasure those books more than ever, isn't it? ;)

    Trish - Indeed! I love to own books, especially those that I love and would like to read it over and over again. ;)

    Sally - Books are always a treat IMO! ;)

    Social Frog - I'd tried an audio book once and just couldn't get the hang of it. I guess I'm one of those people that prefer reading an actual book; and I'm not used to reading e-books either. I know I'm weird. ;P

    Charli - Thanks for visiting! :)

    Care - Haha! I feel the same way about those CDs too!

    Nymeth - I really wish to have my own personal library one day, provided if there is space, haha.

    Matt - I don't think we'll ever stop buying books! "I like to maintain a history of my reading over the years". Yep, I totally understand and agree with you. ;)

    Mary - I'm so envious! It's always great to trade the books we read with family members, isn't it?

    Iliana - I love the name of the bookstore! It's so cute and sounds very intelligent, hehe. I think my love for mysteries books come from Nancy Drew, no surprise here! ;P

    Wendy - Ah...I remember I was pretty excited with our primary school library after the renovations because everything looks so new. They even had an air-conditioning and carpeting; it looked great to a child like me then, LOL.


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