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To think this a huge sum to spend on books?!

137 replies

KeiraKnightley2 · 07/03/2024 14:24

My boyfriend is moving into a new place soon (it's early days, so not living together yet). He loves books and so do I.

Anyway he said he's getting a big bookcase and has given himself a max budget of 1k to spend on books of his choice!

I said I thought this was a huge budget (great if he can do it) but he reacted with surprise, as though this is normal spending money. It isn't, is it?

Then again, you might spend thousands on a laptop, so maybe I'm wrong.

OP posts:
Lyricallie · 07/03/2024 14:35

I initially agreed with you and was like that’s crazy. Then I roughly counted the books on my bookshelves and it’s about £600 so I guess that’s not too crazy to go to £1000. However the difference is we have built these up over the years.

I’m now thinking about what a great day out going to charity shops and old book shops to stock up would be!

Synergies · 07/03/2024 14:35

I am flipping through the latest Folio Society catalogue as we speak, spending my imaginary £1k

ancienticecream · 07/03/2024 14:34

I've spent thousands of pounds on books over the years, but never that much in one go. I'm with @Daisypod , presumably it'll take him a while to get through them all and your tastes change. If they're non-fiction/reference books then it's not such a big a deal. If he wants to buy a special or first edition then he should be able to.

Gizamaluke · 07/03/2024 14:33

I recently got 8ish books for £100 and they don't fill even half a bookshelf shelf so I don't think £1000 will go very far.

Bells3032 · 07/03/2024 14:33

We had books at uni that cost several hundred pounds so if it's a specific technical subject i could easily spend that. if it's just regular fiction then it's probably a bit much for me but it's his money and he can spend it how he likes

BendingSpoons · 07/03/2024 14:31

It's a HUGE amount to spend on books in one go. Nothing wrong with it if he can afford it, but pretty unusual. It seems very different to someone amassing a book collection over time, which after a while might add up to £1000 or more spent.

Daisypod · 07/03/2024 14:31

I've always brought books as and when, spending all that in one go seems very strange as it will take ages to read them and your tastes change. Sounds like he just wants to buy them to look impressive.

CavalierApproach · 07/03/2024 14:29

It’s a lot of money, but plenty would spend it on a TV without a blink. (Not me, our tv is 15 years old 😆)

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 07/03/2024 14:28

Wonderful if he can afford it! Why not?!

Sirzy · 07/03/2024 14:28

If I had a spare £1000 I would happily spend it on books!

Stropalotopus83 · 07/03/2024 14:27

I guess it depends on if he can afford it. I'm a huge reader and if I had 1k that I could justifiably spend on books without it impacting me financially in any way - I would! I would gladly spend that on special editions and pretty hardbacks lol. But I couldn't afford to so I don't. I guess as you say it's no different to saving up and buying an expensive price of tech 🤷🏻‍♀️

Calculuses · 07/03/2024 14:27

If he can afford it and wants to do it , I can think of worse hobbies to spend money on but are these books for reading or just for filling the bookshelf?

I use the library buy them one at a time as I wanted to read them.