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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:
Original poster
Wriggler79 · 13/03/2017 19:59

I love having a pile of new (to me) books to read! Yes to the warm feeling. I was ill recently and had just bought two books from a charity shop. I made myself a nest on the couch and settled in. It was lovely.
Thanks for the replies. The links are particularly helpful. And yes to libraries!!

OP posts:
ButtercupChain · 13/03/2017 20:00

Yeah, I buy about 10-15 a year.

Sleeplessinmybedroom · 13/03/2017 20:01

I buy books but very rarely new. I buy them from the charity shop for 50p, they go to both my Sister's before being re donated. They also do that so I've always got a good supply of books waiting to be read.

jazzandh · 13/03/2017 20:02

Kindle all the way. Read all the time and got fed up with loads of books lying around.....

ButtercupChain · 13/03/2017 20:02

And I have about 250 paperback, and 100 hardback. Prob about 50 reference books, and the the rest are mostly novels. I love books. Smile

jesterkat · 13/03/2017 20:03

I have 2billy bookcases with 2 height extensions about 8ft tall 4ft wide each both crammed. They are my keeping fiction books. I have a 4ft by 4ft filled with non fiction. I have another 4foot wide 4 foot tall filled with my to be read or read again. I've recentlyish had a cull but only due to lack of space So yes I love my books. The smell, the feel, nothing compares to a new book. You can keep kindles etc, half the appeal for me is losing myself in a low tech world.

FlyingFordAnglia · 13/03/2017 20:04

Toyed years ago with getting a kindle but decided I liked the feel of a book in my hands too much. A book is so much more substantial and real! I love a walk round Waterstones but unfortunately don't have one near me. Whenever I find one I always seem to have DH with me who doesn't appreciate the wonder of a good book and it's just not the same to peruse under pressure!!

gamerwidow · 13/03/2017 20:04

I only buy Ebooks but I do read everyday. Reading is reading doesn't matter if it's off a screen or from paper. I hate it when people get snotty about Ebooks not being real books.

ArriettyClock1 · 13/03/2017 20:04

The only actual books I buy are revision guides for the children or the odd coffee table book.

Everything else is on my beloved Kindle. My bookclub all have Kindles too.

I do love a browse in Waterstones. Today I saw a book in there that looked good and bought it immediately - on my iPhone from Amazon and it was on my Kindle when I got home. It was cheaper too.

jazzandh · 13/03/2017 20:05

I can read the kindle anywhere and all night without disturbing anyone as it is backlit. I read 3 or so books per week.

ArriettyClock1 · 13/03/2017 20:08

Yes! That's what I love about my kindle - I can read it in bed without disturbing dh.

And I can take 5 or 6 books on holiday without adding any extra weight!

Cakescakescakes · 13/03/2017 20:08

I buy real books. Don't own a kindle etc. I love being surrounded by books I have owned. It's like the story of my life keeping me company each day - books from school, university, from travelling etc. Love them.

Floofborksnootandboop · 13/03/2017 20:09

I do, I buy way to many!! And most people o know buy books too.

triskele · 13/03/2017 20:09

I will buy a non fiction book e.g. Recipes or lifestyle but if it's fiction I read it on my Kindle as it's light and portable...and I can be reading raunchy m/m fiction and no one would ever know!

elliejjtiny · 13/03/2017 20:10

I buy books. Dh has gazed at my overstuffed bookshelves and suggested a kindle a few times but I love my books. I mostly buy mine off amazon and eBay though. I can't go book shopping with 2 bored toddlers in tow, it wouldn't be very relaxing.

Original poster
Wriggler79 · 13/03/2017 20:13

I've wondered about getting a Kindle (never had the spare cash). The idea of saving space is attractive. Obviously I can't make the comparison, so am not stating a preference for printed books. I think I've won the debate though 😁

OP posts:
SandyDenny · 13/03/2017 20:15

I dont have an ereader and can't afford new books but buy lots from the charity shop

CaliforniaHorcrux · 13/03/2017 20:17

Yeh I buy actual books. Never owned a Kindle so can't judge it or compare the differences

Sgtmajormummy · 13/03/2017 20:18

In order of frequency I get books from:
Library, charity shops, passed on or birthday/xmas, second hand on Amazon.
I have a multi-platform Kindle account and get free Classics (too lazy to search for them in my boxes in the garage), kids' books to read aloud and lower priced recent books (30% off after a month doesn't often happen in bookshops).

I'm not particularly fond of bookshop browsing. I normally have a title in mind and go straight to it. And I always have 3 or 4 books waiting to be read, so I don't NEED to go book shopping.
I don't buy books as gifts, it's too easy to get it wrong. I pass mine on at the library "free to a good home" shelf or charity shop them.

ArriettyClock1 · 13/03/2017 20:18

My study is rammed from floor to ceiling with books. Our upstairs hallway is the same.

Now I have gone over to the other side with my Kindle, it's quite liberating to no longer add to the drifts - much as I love them.

TedEriksen · 13/03/2017 20:19

DW and I buy books to each other as gifts - if i was buying to myself i would usually use the Kindle, but more often i get books out from the library.

Magicpaintbrush · 13/03/2017 20:20

I hate the thought of a kindle - I spend enough time already having to look at screens for other reasons. A proper paper book is the only way to read imho. I love the feel of a book in your hands; a kindle just seems soulless.

Cartright · 13/03/2017 20:23

I buy second hand books, I don't buy new books - I don't think that can be justified when the second hand market is so big. I buy ebooks when having a search function is particularity important for quick referencing.

FourKidsNotCrazyYet · 13/03/2017 20:26

I buy both hard copies and kindle copies. There's a time and a place for them both in my life and a 'proper' book looks better in front of my children. I'd be very sad and upset that the books are being skipped. Why would they not be given to a charity shops or schools or waiting rooms? That's just terrible.

spiderfish · 13/03/2017 20:26

I buy books for me, ds, dd and (sometimes Dh). Also hire from a library.

Don't own a kindle - I want the satisfaction of turning an actual page.