Do you buy new books, second hand books or just read them in a library?
By gracefuldove
@gracefuldove (1668)
Malaysia
September 2, 2009 5:03am CST
If you are rich and can afford it, then you can keep abreast of new top bestsellers of the week.Most good bookshops carry these books. However, for others, they go to second-hand shops and browse, picking books at discounts. I belong to the last category. I read them by borrowing if off my community library. It is cheap. I just need to pay a yearly subscription fee for membership and hey presto, I can borrow three book for two weeks. I did managed to read many good fiction books and also English Language books that I love to read to firm up my grammar and writing style. So which category of book reader are you? Those who buy new books, those who browse second hand bookshops or those like me who borrow books from the nearby library?
3 people like this
24 responses
@beachstarz (1092)
• United States
2 Sep 09
Hi , I live in Mexico where it is hard to find english books . I never get my hands on a new book unless I want to buy one from the airport and pay alot more for it . We have small book exchanges around where we can exchange some , but they are all pretty old books , nothing to get excited about :(
@ethereal1 (215)
• Australia
3 Sep 09
I just about always buy secondhand books. The public library here is totally free and I have a card, but I really prefer to own books myself rather than borrow them. If there is a particular book that is coming out that I can't wait to read, then I will go and buy it new, but they are quite expensive!
@nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
3 Sep 09
I get most of my good reading books at the local library. Its good and its free for me just for signing up at the library. I do sometimes like to browse around a second hand store to see if there are any interesting books to read too. I don't like to buy them new unless I am really interested in the book and the author.
@kevinll (967)
• China
3 Sep 09
Yeah i like to borrow books from library. Most of them are story books, but if i wannna some knowledge book i will buy them from bookshop.In fact, borrowing have a limited time i have do more time to read.But if i buy the book i will put it on shelf for a long time.
@goldiegold (285)
•
3 Sep 09
I do a mixture of everything I buy some books new these are usually the ones I really want or have read before and really like. I borrow books from the library to see what they are like and if I want to buy them. I sometimes buy books second hand because they are cheap and just as good as they were when they were brand new.
@silverglint (2000)
• Philippines
3 Sep 09
I do all three. Except I don't borrow from a library, I don't know if we actually have libraries here, but what I do is I go to a bookstore that allows people to read the books that are on display. I think it's a pretty good idea since people will be able to read part of the contents first and decide if they really like the book or not. If I have a lot of time in my hands, I just go there, find a comfortable seat and read there, that way, I won't have to spend money buying books that I would probably read only once
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
3 Sep 09
It depends; if I can afford, I buy them new, or see if they are at the library, or if I can get them for less online or off. That is primarily how I do it. I always look for the less priced items and go from there. But if I can, library here I go; I do use mine quite liberally. or I get them through an online book club I am a part of for $9.95 per book per month.
@anklesmash (1412)
•
2 Sep 09
i buy books new and second hand fiction and non fiction i never borrow books as i like to keep good books and read them again and again
@dream12462 (44)
• China
3 Sep 09
yeah,books are very important in out life,we got a lot of imformation and knowledge our life,it is a part of our daily life.i usually borrow the books from the library as you,there is a lot of money there of course it is really cheap ,it helps us to save much money.while,sometimes i will buy some newly pulished books,maybe it is out of stock.
@pstclaire (98)
• United States
3 Sep 09
I do all three.
If it's a hardback and has something to do with education. I will buy it brand new.
If it has a subject matter that I am interested in, ie., plansting trees, I look in the library and try second hand bookstores.
If it's just a paperback, I either get it passed down to me thru friends or, I go to the library.
The library is really a cool place. It offers a wealth of info, along with free classes on all sorts of subjects. ie., painting, drawing, writing, knitting etc. It's just not for books.
@nextlevelcoach (7)
• United States
3 Sep 09
I used to purchase books from the large, corporate bookstores. These days, I spend time browsing at the library.
I've come to find a new favorite form of book - book on CD. I have an hour commute to school each way, so I find I can get through a 10-16 hour audio book in a couple weeks! Audio books can be very expensive so this helped push me over the edge to the library.
I will say, though, that if you are near any universities, you can get some great deals on books. I worked at my campus bookstore at the beginning of the semester this year and there were hundreds of books (ones that would be worth reading in my opinion), many for less than $2! Can't beat it!
@laglen (19759)
• United States
2 Sep 09
I utilize the library. Here it is free and I can check out up to 10 items for two weeks at a time. If I want something really bad and the library does not have it, I will go to a used book store. I read too much (5-8 books per week) to be able to afford buying them!
@antarcticpostcards (472)
• United States
2 Sep 09
All of the above depending on the time. I have not gone to the library lately, but I used to check out books a lot. I also buy books new regularly, but mostly when I have gift cards to Barnes & Noble or Borders. If I am going to spend cash, though, I will go to the used book store. It really just depends on what I am looking for. Whether I am going to read at home (library) or need some reading for a trip (usually used book store) or if I have some gift cards to spend (new books).
@JamesKYTan (1605)
• Malaysia
2 Sep 09
Hi,
I do buy new books to read once in awhile.
But most of the time my sister-in-law will
bring those books which she already read.
In a way we are sharing books to read.
During weekend, I do go to bookshop and browse
some interesting book on the shelf. I do buy
a couple of motivation books during the MPH
Warehouse Sale of 70% discount.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
2 Sep 09
For me, it is a combination of buying my books at the new bookstore and buying them at the second-hand store. I absolutely love to read and I have tons and tons of them. I used to always go to the new book store, but when we moved over here, I quickly discovered that the closest book store was actually the second-hand book store, which is great for me because it means that I can get more books for my money. The reason that I don't use the local library is that I like to read my books time and time again and also it is very difficult to visit the library with my kids in tow.
@tintukm (1102)
• India
2 Sep 09
Books in any condition,is suitable,of course one must be able understand the writings,it mustn't be that bad.reading books in library is always good,unless you have the book or the library seems far.Books can deliver what electronic gadgets can't.
@alimakali (4)
• Norway
2 Sep 09
I never by any books to read them myself, I just read them in the library. But sometimes I buy the big books to put them in my bookshelf that way my guest won't think I'm to dependent on TV, it also makes me a smart guy in front of my guest eyes, if you know what I mean.
