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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you buy actual books?

166 replies

Wriggler79 · 13/03/2017 19:36

I'm having a debate with DP. I have been driving past an independent book shop each week. It has been closed for some time, and books have been piled in the window. I last bought books from there 15 years ago.
Today there was a skip outside the shop. It looked as if it was full of books. I have had a shitty week, and for some reason this was the last straw. It made me sad. I had a strop about it. I posted about it on Facebook, which was quite therapeutic in itself as I had to reason that I couldn't have rescued and cuddled ALL the books, and would have looked an idiot digging through them on a main road.
But what has puzzled me is the number of people telling me "people don't buy books any more". I haven't seen this to be true. As far as I know, books are sold as much as they ever have been in my lifetime. I know two people who own a Kindle, and only one uses theirs; the other person gave up on the idea and their device is in a drawer somewhere.
Just wondering what general experience/opinion on this is.

OP posts:
FiveGoMadInDorset · 13/03/2017 19:47

Pretty much only buy books, may buy the odd one for 99p on the kindle but rarely

FuckyNell · 13/03/2017 19:47

I buy books and use my kindle too. Kindle for holidays. Sometimes though I use the kindle app on my iPhone or iPad if I can't be arsed to get my book light whilst reading in bed. I love that I can read in so many different formats.

I cannot walk past Waterstones without going in though

havingabadhairday · 13/03/2017 19:47

Marmalade, it was always silly Waterstones selling kindles, they didn't even sell eBooks you could read on them.

I have a couples of kindles, read loads on them and still buy paper books as well, from Amazon, Waterstones, charity shops, independent bookshops, second hand bookshops. I generally love books.

SaucyJack · 13/03/2017 19:48

I buy paper books- but I'd never go to a bookshop and pay full price for one.

I get them from charity shops or Amazon. So shoot me.

CremeEggThief · 13/03/2017 19:48

Not very often, as I use the library mostly. Occasionally, I buy theme from charity shops.

AYankinSpanx · 13/03/2017 19:49

Yep, always buy books. Just prefer them.

Obsidian77 · 13/03/2017 19:49

I buy books, hate reading off a screen.

lilyborderterrier · 13/03/2017 19:49

I buy books we love them in our house, my partner has loads and so does our 4 year old. In fact we have a room ( a small useless space) just for books!

sniffle12 · 13/03/2017 19:50

I buy a book if I know it is one I'm probably likely to want to own long term, or read again.

But if it's probably just something I'll read once, I don't have the space in my house to accumulate books. Plus, I enjoy that with the e-books you can try a chapter first and see if you like it. Yes, it's a shame that the traditional bookshop is in decline, as I remember the absolute wonder of going in a bookshop when I was little, but as with everything it's usually practicality that wins out.

Strokethefurrywall · 13/03/2017 19:50

I bought 5 new books at Heathrow on Thursday.

Buying books gives me that kind of small joy, when you look at the pile of new pages and feel that little flame of warmth in your heart.

I wish books didn't cost so much here, but I do love it when I visit the UK and can stand in a bookstore for hours choosing new books.

Screwinthetuna · 13/03/2017 19:50

I always buy books and there are always lots of people in the book shops I go to.

Palegreenstars · 13/03/2017 19:51

I buy books now I have a home with real book shelves /space to put them on. Didn't for ages before that (just library /kindle). But, mostly second hand. If I want to buy a new book I'll buy it on kindle (feels like less wastage) and maybe but second hand if I enjoyed it and ever see it.

ZackyVengeance · 13/03/2017 19:51

I lve books.
But my taste is not high brow, so i get them from asda or amazon.
I just love the opening the book, the book mark. The whole experience

bookworm14 · 13/03/2017 19:52

Yes, I buy books. I hate e-readers. As others have said, book sales are actually increasing.

x246 · 13/03/2017 19:52

Not since I got a Kindle. I very rarely reread anything and it seems a waste to have piles of books sitting around for the sake of it.

ShowMePotatoSalad · 13/03/2017 19:52

I get actual books from the library and occasionally from the charity shop, but I find it too expensive to buy a book from a bookshop. I love books though - kindle or otherwise.

harleysmammy · 13/03/2017 19:53

Im a huge bookworm and i still buy too many books! I know all of about 3 people with kindles and neither use them, just bought from the hype of when they first came about. There is nothing like having a book infront of you though. I kind of feel like kindles tried to modernize reading but failed x

imthelastsplash · 13/03/2017 19:53

I buy books mainly from Amazon and charity shops (there's no bookshop in the town I live, not even a WH Smith's)

People also give me books, lots of books, like I'm some sort of book nurse. I have to read them all. I've read some right shit

Bonadrag1988 · 13/03/2017 19:54

I buy both books and kindle books. I love them all.

Liiinoo · 13/03/2017 19:54

I read a lot, probably 3-4 novels a week. Although I still buy paper text books (I can't study on a screen), for pleasure reading I am 99.99% kindle. I have only bought 3 paper novels in the last 6 years and last month donated about 1000 paper books to charities. I was quite shocked at the weight of some of them. I can't believe I used to take 10-12 books on holiday every year - how on earth did I lug them around?

A1Sharon · 13/03/2017 19:54

Books for me too. And the ones I really love I keep, the rest go to the charity shop.
I never loan them to anyone as I agree with Anne Shirley that a book is never the same once someone else has read it!Grin

talulahbeige · 13/03/2017 19:55

I'm a book addict, my reading pile is a 7ft bookcase, I try not to add to it cant help it.
My 4yo has more books than her nursery school class room! When I can't justify buying myself more I buy her more!
I can't come to terms with electronic reading devices, I have the app on my iPad but never use it.
I buy from big retailers, supermarkets, small independents and charity shops.
You can't read a kindle in the bath!

TimeIhadaNameChange · 13/03/2017 19:55

Never.

(Damn, OP has spotted the shelves in the lounge. And the kitchen. And the hall. Just don't go into the bedrooms.... oh damn! That pile by the bed? Been there ages. At least two days. Only have one book on order from Amazon ATM... (shoutout to @ImperialBlether!!!!!!) Only because 8 have come in the last week.....)

Think I could have kept your local in business...

scaryteacher · 13/03/2017 19:56

I buy actual books and for the kindle. My cookery and stitching purchases are proper books; much of my fiction is on the Kindle, but purely because that is easier when travelling. There are certain authors who I buy only in actual book form, as I have much of their stuff anyway.

I am looking forward to moving back to the UK as I can then join the library and borrow books. Bliss!

FelixtheMouse · 13/03/2017 19:57

Yes. Lots. Can't stand kindles.