I'm sure any reader appreciates the libraries in their town and I'm no exception, I love the fact that I can check out some of the books that I'm not sure about as this saves me money on buying books that I have doubts about. But, I got to thinking, is there a big difference between books that you buy and books that you get at the library?
I can only speak for myself here, but I think there is quite a bit of difference between library books vs. books that you buy. What do I mean? Well, here's a few of my habits.
* I'm more likely to read a book that I've bought - I can't tell you how many books that I've checked out from the library to read and then return them weeks later NOT READ. I guess I feel more of an obligation to read the ones that I've spent my own money on.
* I'm more likely to DNF a library book- This is a really bad habit of mine. There has been quite a few times that I've checked out a book and then just read the first chapter and be like "nah, I'm not really feeling this" and then put it down. I guess it's easier to do that with books that you didn't pay for. A few that I can think of off the top of my head is Jellicoe Road, An Abundance of Katherine's, and Insignia. I'm sure if I would have bought these books, I would have given them more of a chance.
* I'm more careful with books that I've bought - While I'm not the most careful person in the world when it comes to my own books (I read in the bathtub and carry books in my purse) I am a little more careful about how I handle my own books vs. how I handle the ones that I borrow from the library. If I'm taking the books back to the library then you can guarantee that when I get in my car, I'm going to sling them in the passenger seat without a second thought whereas if they are my own books I usually sit them down carefully so the covers don't get bent.
Talk To Me
Do you think there's a difference between library books and books that you buy? Do you have the same problems that I do with library books? What are some of your differences when it comes to books you've bought vs. library books?
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caitdrews 124p · 585 weeks ago
delicateeternity 69p · 585 weeks ago
1. I am MUCH more likely to read a library book than a book I've bought. I mean, I've bought it - I don't have to return it by a certain date. It will still be there in six days/weeks/months (even years). But library books are usually only allowed to be borrowed for a maximum of four weeks. That means that I have a specific time frame for reading all those precious lovelies. So, I always put my library books above the books I own. Because unless I want to buy the book I've rented from the library, I only have 2-4 weeks to read it.
2. To be honest, I've only ever DNF'd one book, and felt like DNF-ing another (but it was for review, so I finished it). So it's not really a problem for me. I generally pick books that I know I will like (or at least THINK I will like). Though, I suppose I would be more predisposed to DNF-ing a library book because I hadn't spent money on it.
3. This one is weird for me. I am the same if I have a bag of library books. I'll generally hurl the bag into the back of the car without a car or glance where they land. Although, I try not to throw them too hard because they ARE books after all. But I take the same care when reading the books I've borrowed from the library. I don't want to be the person that causes that first spine-crease, or splits the spine on a hardback. All books are my babies, so I definitely treat them that way! :D
tonyaleeh 50p · 585 weeks ago
See, majority of the books I own, I have not read. OR I read it before I bought it. I like my books perfect and untouched. WEIRD, right? I do buy bargain books, so sometimes they are tears or marks or something, but as long as they sit there and look pretty, I'm okay! As for library books, I always had this thing about "borrowing" stuff. You return it in the same condition or better than what you got it. So I am REALLY careful with others stuff. Esp books
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Michelle · 584 weeks ago
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brainonbooks11 6p · 584 weeks ago
Recently, I've been borrowing ebooks from the library, so those get pushed to the front of my TBR list because the library only has 1 ecopy, so the reading time feels really short. I think it's a week?
As for DNFing books, I don't think I have a noticeable bias there because I've only DNFed about 10 books ever. Although, most of those have been ebooks that I've gotten for like 99 cents.
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Charlotte · 584 weeks ago
2. I'm the same too! Since I don't lose as much if I DNF a library book.
3. I'm not too sure if there's a difference here since library books are already wrapped and protected.
chucklesthescot · 584 weeks ago
losetimereading 50p · 583 weeks ago
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