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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!

OP posts:
MananaPenelope · 16/04/2025 09:33

Yes, I actually bought a special edition of one of my favourite classics last year, opened my bookcase and there it was 😳, same edition, year, the whole lot!

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

Danikm151 · 16/04/2025 09:31

I need to get one of those scanners and get libhub to record all the books i have 😂

DanglingMod · 16/04/2025 09:29

Yes, all the time, but particularly due to buying the hardback and then not reading it before the paperback comes out and buying that, too!

Missey85 · 16/04/2025 09:28

Oh god I do it all the time! 🤣 I'll see it and think I'll like it then get home and find it already on my bookshelf ❤️

Deathraystare · 16/04/2025 09:13

I have done and a colleague used to do this all the time which is why I ended up with a copy!

Sajacas · 16/04/2025 06:50

Yes!
I tend not to buy new books, so an extra second hand book is not the end of the world.

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.

Anonym00se · 16/04/2025 04:26

All the time, especially light ‘holiday’ reads. I think I’ve must have Marian Keyes’ entire catalogue twice, to the point where I’ll read the first chapter or two in the shop until I’m certain that it doesn’t ring any bells. Often I’m halfway through before those bells ring! 😂

PenneyFouryourthoughts · 16/04/2025 04:22

Not bought, but borrowed from the library. It very easy to do when the library buy a new edition with a snazzy new cover.

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 😕

Tarkan · 16/04/2025 02:24

All the time. I even added a book to a wishlist that my parents bought from for my birthday one year and when I went to put it away in the bookcase found the unread second hand copy I had bought months previously. Blush

Havingaswimmoose · 16/04/2025 02:05

Yes. Lots of times. Always with books I've read.
I'll swear that I've never set eyes on such a book until DH insists I have it and shows me my original copy.
I've got three copies of some books.

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!

cariadlet · 16/04/2025 01:58

Yes. I've done it several times.

In term time, I'll read the book for my book club but struggle to find time to read much else. Sometimes, I see a good book, buy it to read in the holidays and then get home to find another copy already on the bookshelf.

I've never done it with books that I've read but have started doing it with books on my To Read pile.

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