Booking Through Thursday 11/13/08- Why Buy?

From Booking Through Thursday:
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?

I don’t buy books very often.  I am more likely to borrow them from libraries or friends, or get review copies.  When I do buy books, I like to use coupons or go to used bookstores for a discount.  I especially like the element of chance that’s in play in used bookstores.  My most recent bookstore impulse buy was a journalist’s book on competitive cheerleading from the remainder shelf at Borders in New Jersey.  I’ve never attended a school that has cheerleaders!  Still, it made for a fascinating read.

A lot of the time, I argue with myself before I buy a book.  Am I going to read it over and over?  Am I going to loan it to friends who absolutely need to read it?  Can I wait and get it at the library?  If it’s a small bookstore or press or a local author I can buy from directly, I’m much happier about spending the money.

And when I go on vacation to places like Nova Scotia or Scotland (hmm, theme here?) I love buying books by local authors.  Reading my way through a place is my sense of tourism or souvenir.

Noting- MyFriendAmy, who runs Book Blogger Appreciation Week, is launching a campaign to get people to buy books as gifts for the holidays, since the publishing industry’s taking a hit in the struggling economy.