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Original poster

Do you ever accidentally buy a book you already own?

40 replies

MsAmerica · 16/04/2025 01:44

I often will pick up a cheap, pristine copy of a "good" book ... and then later find I have it.
I just had that happen, finding too late that I had two copies of Woolf's To the Lighthouse and Atwood's Lady Oracle. Adding insult to injury, I didn't even like them!

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FlorbelaEspanca · 01/05/2025 19:11

This has happened when I have seen bargains - second hand or remaindered - and unwisely leapt at them. Once I went to get a particular book from the library, making a special journey to a branch which the catalogue said had it, only to find the branch closed because of a staff shortage. I needed something to read because I was going away for the weekend, so I quickly went to my local branch to get anything at all which looked worth reading. The book I selected was indeed good - but some time later I found I actually possessed a copy, which I had bought second hand and which was heaped up in the spare bedroom with several more such.

StanfreyPock · 26/04/2025 21:03

TheodoraCrumpet · 26/04/2025 20:54

In secondhand bookshops and charity shops, my eye is irresistibly drawn to titles I already own. Perhaps that has something to do with it? I only buy them if I need to upgrade because I've read a favourite too many times.

Ha, maybe that explains why I've bought duplicate copies of several books in our favourite charity bookshop, including at least one I didn't even like, possibly the same copy I'd donated previously 😳

TheodoraCrumpet · 26/04/2025 20:54

In secondhand bookshops and charity shops, my eye is irresistibly drawn to titles I already own. Perhaps that has something to do with it? I only buy them if I need to upgrade because I've read a favourite too many times.

Original poster
MsAmerica · 24/04/2025 04:39

Dustyblue · 16/04/2025 10:25

I have done this so many times. I used to own a 2ndhand bookshop which in my mind gave me an excuse but actually made it worse.

For example I have multiple copies of Jackie Collins entire collection, ditto Jacqueline Susann. Including 1st editions of Hollywood Wives & Valley of the Dollls. You can't just have one!

Don't worry OP, maybe take your duplicates to a charity shop?

Omigod, you used to OWN a second-hand bookshop?!?
I'm not sure if that would be a dream or a nightmare, for me.
Duplicates go to different places. I sell them if I can.

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Original poster
MsAmerica · 24/04/2025 04:37

TennesseeStella · 16/04/2025 09:39

This is one of the many reasons I love my Kindle! If I go to buy a book, Amazon tells me if I already own it and if so, when it was purchased.

Not me. I sure as hell don't want a monster corporation keeping tabs on what I own.

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Original poster
MsAmerica · 24/04/2025 04:36

BlueEyedBogWitch · 16/04/2025 09:32

Yes, and sometimes I’m a third of the way in before I realise Blush

My favourite ever time was when I bought a second copy of ‘Overcoming Procrastination.’ I hadn’t got around to reading the first Grin

HA! Love that.

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Original poster
MsAmerica · 24/04/2025 04:35

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 16/04/2025 02:31

I have several duplicated books. The most copies I have of one book is 4 🤦🏻‍♀️.
I used to maintain a very detailed spreadsheet to avoid duplicates when ordering online but obviously didn’t help when buying in person. I now have an app on my phone I can check, still don’t bother 99% of the time though 😕

Interesting. I once had a brief fantasy, wondering what would happen if I had a list of all my books (not gonna happen) and could access it on my cell phone (I don't carry a cell phone).

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Original poster
MsAmerica · 24/04/2025 04:33

Changeissmall · 16/04/2025 04:39

I definitely have those ‘moments of recognition’ after being a keen reader for 50 years!
My problem is with Kindle and Audiobooks as you don’t get familiar with the title by picking it up from the cover every time you read. I am actually listening to House of Doors by Tan Tweng Eng at the moment on Audible and trying to work out if I read it before! It’s good though so that’s fine.

That's an aspect that hadn't occurred to me, not having the physical book and cover.

OP posts:
Original poster
MsAmerica · 24/04/2025 04:32

Britneyfan · 16/04/2025 02:01

Yes, especially when they sneakily not only change the cover but sneakily rename the book! It shouldn’t be allowed!

Re-name the book?!

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TheeNotoriousPIG · 17/04/2025 21:27

Yes... usually because the publishers have printed it under another title (e.g. I remember Ian Serraillier's 'The Silver Sword' being published as 'Escape from Warsaw' and, more recently, Joseph Jenkins' "The Humanure Handbook" being printed under "The Compost Toilet Handbook"). I have so many books that I used to have a spreadsheet with them all on, so that I never bought the same one twice! I am now much less organised.

Occasionally, I have bought the same book twice (on purpose) if I find one in better condition (I buy a lot of used books) or if it has a nicer cover!

flyoverstate · 17/04/2025 03:56

I’m so glad I’m not the only person who does this!

abnerbrownsdressinggown · 17/04/2025 03:34

Britneyfan · 16/04/2025 02:01

Yes, especially when they sneakily not only change the cover but sneakily rename the book! It shouldn’t be allowed!

Yes, this happened to me with a Hallie Rubenhold book - what was really annoying was that it was a birthday present that I had asked for!

tobee · 17/04/2025 02:32

MuddlingThroughLife · 16/04/2025 09:43

Nope. I have a book spreadsheet with three tabs named wishlist, read, waiting to read. If I see a book I fancy I search my spreadsheet before buying.

Wow that is super organised.

I have bought books I already have several times. I'm glad it's not just me

alcoholnightmare · 16/04/2025 12:46

Yep. Loads of times

ImWearingPantaloons · 16/04/2025 12:45

Yes which is why I use Goodreads. When I finish a book I scan the cover onto my ‘bookshelf’ so I can keep tabs

sashh · 16/04/2025 11:46

One advantage of a Kindle, it tells you if you already have a copy.

Coffeeforayear · 16/04/2025 10:35

Yes a Bill Bryson book Notes from a Big Country. I didn't already own it but had borrowed from the library.
Took me a while to realise- worrying 🤣.

Dustyblue · 16/04/2025 10:25

I have done this so many times. I used to own a 2ndhand bookshop which in my mind gave me an excuse but actually made it worse.

For example I have multiple copies of Jackie Collins entire collection, ditto Jacqueline Susann. Including 1st editions of Hollywood Wives & Valley of the Dollls. You can't just have one!

Don't worry OP, maybe take your duplicates to a charity shop?

SnowflakeSmasher86 · 16/04/2025 09:51

Yes, most ironic one was Marie Kondo’s Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up! I thought I’d given it to charity so rebought it only to find it in a cupboard rather than on the bookshelf where it was supposed to live. Hence needing to read it again!

drspouse · 16/04/2025 09:44

I can start reading a book and, sometimes, finish it before working out if I've read it before.

MuddlingThroughLife · 16/04/2025 09:43

Nope. I have a book spreadsheet with three tabs named wishlist, read, waiting to read. If I see a book I fancy I search my spreadsheet before buying.

purplecorkheart · 16/04/2025 09:41

Britneyfan · 16/04/2025 02:01

Yes, especially when they sneakily not only change the cover but sneakily rename the book! It shouldn’t be allowed!

Yes, this. I have had this a few times. It tends to be by authors I like. I see a new title and don't read the back but just buy it. Thankfully my local bookshop is great and they normally warn you.

TennesseeStella · 16/04/2025 09:39

This is one of the many reasons I love my Kindle! If I go to buy a book, Amazon tells me if I already own it and if so, when it was purchased.

BlueRabbitWasNaughty · 16/04/2025 09:39

Yes, and sometimes I’m a third of the way in before I realise

Yes! And like the previous poster, I can easily get part way through before I realise.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 16/04/2025 09:37

Far too often. I bought DH the same book for Christmas as his birthday and they are only a month apart.

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