I’ve asked, in the past, about whether you more often buy your books, or get them from libraries. What I want to know today, is, WHY BUY? Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?
I don't know why actually owning a book is so important to me but it is - I like to think of myself as Smaug (the dragon from The Hobbit) curled up on top on my lair filled with books instead of gold...
I do use my local library, as it's fabulous, but if I borrow a book that I really enjoy then it ends up on my wishlist pretty sharpish! This is even though I know that my house contains so many books that I could genuinely open up a shop...
When buying books I do try to get good value for money so I will look around for the best price if it's hardback or expensive and I am always a fan of stumbling across a great second-hand haul. I say this to make my mountain of books sound somehow better! I do occasionally "prune" my collection of books and send some to live in a charity shop but it never seems to make a difference - there are still hundreds (erm - thousands) left.
So. Why do I buy rather than borrow? Not sure but there's definitely a pleasure to be had in book ownership and I do like gazing at my meters of books with Smaugish satisfaction!
10 comments:
Owning books for me is much more important than owning Gold!
As it is or you!
Must buy!
I absolutely agree about the pleasure to be had in book ownership. Now if I could just make myself do a little pruning - that's something I always find almost impossible to contemplate!
After a recent BTT question which made me feel guilty, I pruned some. Now, I have shelf space! Here's my answer:
http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com/
I like the picture of the dragon. I should get that book!
Ay yes the dragon from the Hobbit, good analogy.
Owning books are fun! I like to look at my bookshelf and "count" how many books I have read so far this year!
Smaug! LOL! I reviewed the Hobbit this week.
Ahh! A kindred spirit! I also mentioned feeling like a dragon looking out over my loot:)
Love that "Smaugish satisfaction. There is definately something satisfying in possesing books.
You have found the imagery so many of us have been struggling to express. Awesome!
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