Buying Books
Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme created by Rukky @Eternity Books and co-hosted by Aria @Book Nook Bits and Dini @DiniPandaReads! In this discussion meme, participants get to talk about certain topics, share opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts! Learn more about LTB, past topics and future topics HERE.
This is a topic that I don’t really like discussing because my book buying habits are terrible. But here we go!
Do you buy books randomly or do you think about what to buy?
I don’t buy books with intentions… I wish I did.
I can honestly be shopping anywhere and if there is a book that looks slightly interesting, I will buy it. Ever since joining the book community back in like 2016, I have developed an unhealthy book buying habit. I am working on it. I am not purchasing books the second I get paid anymore, which is a huge step for me.
What book formats do you own most of—physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks?
I only own physical books. I will not purchase ebooks or audiobooks, as I feel like you don’t really own those and they can easily be taken from you. I definitely use a lot of my library and Kindle Unlimited for when I do want to read a book on my Kindle because I don’t feel like carrying books around all the time.
With that being said, I know I could save money on purchasing ebooks sometimes. But it honestly seems like certain ebooks cost the same as a physical book now.
How do you decide which books to buy vs which books to borrow or just save for later?
There is honestly no reason why I buy the books that I buy. I will sometimes go into Goodreads and just scroll until I find something I like and go and order it. I need more self control!!
With all this being said though… I think it’s important to not judge people on the books that they purchase. I know some people think consumerism is the worst and I can see that. But the way I see it, I’m supporting authors by purchasing their books. Even if it’s a book that I don’t end up liking, I still supported that author by purchasing.
Very relatable post! I’ve gotten much better over the years but when I first joined the book community the way I would spend on books was wild. I will say that I still have a lack of shelf control when it comes to ebooks because I can’t see them physically pile up. But you’re not wrong when you you say that some ebooks these days are just as expensive, if not more so, than a paperback! Sadly, because I live internationally, the ebooks still tend to be cheaper but I balk every time I see one that’s like £12 cos I can’t justify that! I also have the same thought as you re. the consumerism. I know I’m privileged to get to buy the books I want to read (cos that’s the only way I can read them without library access) and while I get that consumerism isn’t always a great thing, authors need to eat too and I don’t think people should ever be shamed about buying books, either! Great post 🙂 Thanks for participating in LTB this week!
I used to be exactly this way with my book buying as well! If I was ever in a bookstore and liked the look and sound of something, I would grab it lol. Good on you for not going on a book buying spree on pay day!
Definitely agree on e-books not feeling like I really own the book – doesn’t feel real unless I can physically hold it and flip the pages haha. Especially now that ebooks aren’t all that cheaper than paperbacks :/
I think it’s great to support authors by buying their books! And as much as consumerism sucks, I see book buying as consumerism only when people try to hoard every special edition or deckled edges copy of certain books. But at the same time, it is their money so who am I to judge haha.
Loved this post!