How many here buy books? I used to but now I decided to sell my entire collection and start using the libraries more. I started buying books because the libraries didnt have the ones I wanted, and ordering them took forever. But, having all those books jsut seemed a burden considering i hardly reread any of them.

I'm totally against mass production of things that could be easily shared, like books, cds, dvds, etc.

Okay, I've forgotten my point and question. Ok, I will go with this one: who thinks its better to buy your own copy of a book, than borrowing one from the library?

I buy books.

I have loads and nowhere to put them.

However, Sheffield Library is absolutely pathetic and doesn't have a decent range so there is really no option.

You could just buy them and then pas them on to Oxfam?

I buy books and use the library ( just plain greedy me). Some books I have to keep forever. We have a room full of bookcases much to the delight of my hubby. He'd prefer a PS2 room.

But libraries are great for trying out something you don't want to waste money on and checking out things in reference books.

Will be taking my little one to the library very soon and introduce them to the world of cardboard books chewed by the rest of Sheffield little ones.

I love my books and am very proud of them.

Books are beautiful things. I want to keep them.

I use the library first and if I think the book is a 'keeper' I generally buy a used copy off bookfinder.com or Amazon.

Originally posted by BoroughGal
I love my books and am very proud of them.

Books are beautiful things. I want to keep them.

Once again I find myself in agreement with you today BoroughGal!

I adore books and am totally anal about them. I can't cope with spine-bending, and I can only read books that have never been read before. So if somebody recommends a book I have to buy my own copy rather than borrow theirs.

Could never use a library book - far too soiled and slutty.

I realise this is quite odd, but everyone needs a vice. I'm equally jumpy about lending my books to other people - least they should get bent of otherwise misused!!!

We buy books that would probably fall into the category of 'reference'. We own some novels that have been Christmas presents.

The only people I know who use libraries regularly are people who don't work.

Is it time libraries were open longer, so ordinary people could use them easily?

Mind you, they're open more than the doctors round here :rant:

Originally posted by JBee
I'm equally jumpy about lending my books to other people - least they should get bent of otherwise misused!!!
I disapprove of these combined book/toys that have been invented.

How are kids supposed to learn respect for books if they're encouraged to take them in the bath, peel bits out/off, or colour them in :loopy:

Originally posted by JBee
!


I realise this is quite odd, but everyone needs a vice. I'm equally jumpy about lending my books to other people - least they should get bent of otherwise misused!!!

Ooh yes quite agree. This weekend my brother came over and looked for my stash of Harry Potter books and wanted to borrow them... arghhh hhhhow to say no without being rude.... just had to tell him sorry but not a chance. Any spine benders are not allowed a book of mine. Anyway that's his birthday pressies sorted now..

I both buy books and use the library. My favourite present from my sons is book vouchers.
When I have finished a book and don't want to keep it. I give it to the library and they are most grateful.

I was once sent 8 books by a book club that I hadn't ordered and was invoiced for them. I was annoyed at this and told the book club to ccollect them. They didn't so after a length of time I donated them to the library.

hazel

Originally posted by JBee
I'm equally jumpy about lending my books to other people - least they should get bent of otherwise misused!!!

I can see me and thee being friends... :D

I am SO precious about people borrowing books. Half of me is trying to shove them on people - "try this one, it's brilliant!", then as soon as they say yes I start to break out in a sweat - most people don't look after books!

And then, there's always those people that never return them....?

Yep BoroughGal, the only thing I don't agree with in your last post was the bit at the bottom.

I've nver been a big fan of soup!

I do both.

I make good use of the libraries, being an 'at home mum' with a 2 year old they are invaluable.

However, you can't beat the buying a new book experience!
I love books and buy loads, often from charity shops.
The Oxfam shop on West St sells only books and has some great books in there.

Soup? Sorry, don't know what you're talking about...?

:D :P :D

Eh?

How'd you do that?

Am not very computo-literate. I only know how to use one smiley - and I only learnt that this afternoon!!!

8) 8) 8)

Books at home are always a treasure trove of delight, hold so many precious memories, and remain constant companions.

When I am low, and in need of a good laugh - I reach out for my collected poems of e e cummings. It cost me £40 from a book seller in Birmingham. Worth every penny.

My dog-eared copy of 'Silly Verse for Kids' by Spike Milligan are the poems I read to children at bedtime, when I worked in a kid's home over thirty years ago. What lovely memories that book brings back to me.

I have a beautiful book on trees, inscribed by former colleagues, given as a leaving present.

When returning from country rambles, how lovely it is to consult my numerous reference books, to try and identify a tree, a large
insect, some red fungus, a bird, or the photograph taken of a
a rare, wild orchid found on a Welsh sandune.

Then there is the vast array of quiz books, from which I crib questions for my periodic quiz nights.

How could I part with the series of books I bought on the world's wild places? I know I'll never be able to visit the jungles of Borneo, the deserts of Asia, the glaciers of Antartica - but these books are my constant photographic record of places I'd love to see.

My books have been my education, on architecture, ancient history, philosophy, and so many other subjects. I keep them for the occasional refresher course.

My books at home are a literary passage in time, Bronte, Dickens, Dostoevsky, DH Lawrence. From time to time, I will grab one to take on holiday and read it all over again.

How sad is the thought that I could simply borrow these books, and have to return them to a library.

I get so much grief from my parents who want to sell my hundreds of books in boxes in their attic :rant:

If I ever own a house I want a library :)

Originally posted by robbie
If I ever own a house I want a library :)

Got one! Nobody uses a dining room anyway :D
Lots of sturdy shelves, a chest full of board games, a big comfy armchair, the dog cage and a big cupboard hiding a stereo that still plays LPs :D