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Original poster

do you prefer to buy a book or borrow from the library?

29 replies

juicychops · 06/11/2010 22:05

i have so many books so i know its stupid, but i would much rather buy a book than borrow one. i love keeping the books i have read so that i have the choice to re-read one day

OP posts:
piscesmoon · 06/11/2010 22:07

I do both so I don't see it as one or the other.

NoahAndTheWhale · 06/11/2010 22:10

New books ie the latest Sophie Kinsella (great tastes i have Blush from the library as I don't feel spending £10 is justified when I can reserve it for nothing. I pick up loads of books from charity shops - doesn't take long for paperbacks to find their way there.

MrsJohnDeere · 06/11/2010 22:10

Buy. No need to worry about losing them or ds2 ripping them.

NoahAndTheWhale · 06/11/2010 22:10

Or of course my ultimate thing is when I buy the slightly worn out books from the library for about 20p each :)

KatyMac · 06/11/2010 22:11

Both - sometimes borrow then buy

cece · 06/11/2010 22:13

I prefer to borrow. I don't like to clutter up the house with old books I propbably won't read again.

In fact my real preference is to buy at car boots and then give to charity shop.

Francagoestohollywood · 06/11/2010 22:17

I mainly buy. I need to own books.

Rosa · 06/11/2010 22:21

I adore a library especially if I am alone and I can wander, pick and choose and maybe even read a bit in peace and quiet. PLus you can 'try' books and new authors. I like to buy as well but find that I have kept far too many books that I know I will never read again . PLus the cost factor and if it is a new edition you can still request it . ( I live abroad so generally I have to buy so I make the most when I am in the Uk)

FiveGoMadInDorset · 06/11/2010 22:23

I work in a library, I open boxes of lovely new books and if now one has reserved them then I take them home, I do buy classics and from authors that I and DH love so we have the complete set.

23balloons · 06/11/2010 22:24

Borrow - definitely. Saves money and I don't like to accumulate too many books as I don't thing I have ever read one twice.

NoahAndTheWhale · 06/11/2010 22:24

We do have A Lot of books at home by the way. We are definitely not minimalists. Just not got loads of money.

BollocksToThis · 06/11/2010 22:26

Buying tends to be for a treat. Otherwise with a tiny house already packed with boxes and shelves and a loft full of books, the library's a better option. I'm more likely to pick up something a bit different if I'm borrowing, which is definitely a good thing.

Mumcentreplus · 06/11/2010 22:34

I would love to work in a library Envy

I love both...so nice to buy a new book (that new book smell)..but I love to borrow too..at work we have a library where colleagues put books they have read so others can have a read too...we also share books between us...I think this could be a great thing to do online..or on mumsnet..you would just have to pay for postage..Wink

deaddei · 07/11/2010 19:08

Both.
I borrow about 4 books a week from the library, and do an Amazon order every 6 weeks or so. I have about 20 books waiting to be read .....

mumbybumby · 07/11/2010 19:11

Both. I like to try before I buy with DD's books and with mine, I only get to read about 2 a year and takes me ages so have to buy! :)

Goingspare · 07/11/2010 19:23

Both, but working in a library was the best thing, as FiveGoMad says; there's nothing quite like a brand new book that doesnt smell that you don't have to pay to read.

elkiedee · 07/11/2010 19:37

I do both. If I really love a book that I've borrowed then I get my own copy when the paperback comes out.

MrsVincentPrice · 07/11/2010 22:43

Both, but mostly borrow due to lack of shelf space.

Maisiethemorningsidecat · 07/11/2010 22:49

I buy from bookshops on very odd occasions

I buy from charity shops a fair bit

I borrow from libraries a lot. Use them or lose them - we should be doing all we can to boost their user stats and send a clear message to the powers that be that we need libraries.

Manda25 · 08/11/2010 07:36

I do both too. I have also just started getting E and audio from my library downloaded from them straight on to my computer (for free) ...I like the audio books but cant get used to reading a book on a computer.

SparklePffftBANG · 08/11/2010 07:49

As a compromise use this site - like borrowing but you can keep if you want.
I use it all the time! Otherwise I buy because I am too disorganised to get the back / make sure I know where they are / /stop DD eating them. Used to love the library and will prob go back when DCs are older

Indith · 08/11/2010 07:51

I much prefer to buy but don't have the pennies at the moment even for charity shop books so library it is. I adore the library for the dcs though, under 5 so no fines!

domesticsluttery · 08/11/2010 07:53

I borrow a lot from the library, but it isn't the most well stocked library and there is often a waiting list for popular titles.

I buy a lot from Oxfam books to keep the cost of my addiction down Grin

elkiedee · 08/11/2010 14:13

Sparkle, has dd joined the library yet? If you're too nervous of borrowing books for her or you, don't forget the Bookstart scheme where she will get books to keep (at 8 months, 2 and 3)

SparklePffftBANG · 08/11/2010 14:24

she hasn't actually, I do need to do that.
She didn't have her 8 month check so I don;t think we'll get those, but wil have her 2yr one.
TBH we're never short of books - I encourage people to buy them instead of plastic tat toys for presents and we have the book people at work where the books are dirt cheap and I can never resist! We have lots of bookcases and not so much toy storage