Do you prefer to borrow your books from the library or would you rather just go to the bookstore and buy them? As a general rule I am more of a buyer. The reason is that then I can take my time with reading the book and I feel no pressure to get it back at a certain time. Also I am famous for returning my library books back late!

I do a whole lot of both. Sometimes I prefer to try a new-to-me author by borrowing their books from the library, or if I happen to see a used book by that author, I will buy it. But I rarely buy new books by untried authors. And if I absolutely love a book, I must have my own copy (I'm a frequent re-reader). I had that exact situation come up this week. I was borrowing the book City of Pearl by Karen Traviss from the library and I totally fell in love with the book, so I went to the store and bought it. Now the author is on my auto-buy list and I want to get the sequel to City of Pearl when it comes out in about two weeks.

I LOVE buying books... I've just never had enough disposable income to do as much as I'd like! So, I usually borrow almost all of my books from the library. I've bought 2-3 books this year and borrowed 100+

If it's a book i really love, like something i know i could read over and over again, then i definitely have to buy. Especially in hardcover. But overall, i like to buy my books.
However, i don't like how books have become so expensive these days!

Great topic Janelle.

Like mostly everyone I like to buy books so I can have them as my own. I do borrow or check out books once in awhile. It's hassle though having to take it back to the library, sometimes late as well so I just don't bother much. Plus you can get books really cheap from some places so I'd rather just buy it. Used books are fine with me because they are in just as good condition and they cost less. I perfer to buy.

I was thinking more about this topic today. Part of the reason I prefer to borrow untried authors is that I've gotten burned so many times now. When I was new to reading romance books, I bought anything I saw for 25 cents at the used bookstore- and I only discovered maybe three authors I actually liked. So now I have a huge pile of unwanted books, so I started book trading.

Then with science fiction, I've found that I don't like so called Golden Age SF very much and I tend to prefer women authors. I have a pile of discarded SF now too. And with fantasy, I like something outside the mainstream- endless LOTR rip-offs just really get on my nerves. Thankfully, I never went through a huge fantasy buying phase so there aren't that many I've decided not to keep.

The reason I've bought so many books is that I have only two friends who read the same kind of stuff I do and they both live kind of far away, so I don't borrow much from them. And my library can be really good, but in some cases, they have either every book in a series, but book one or they have only a book here and there in a series. It gets frustrating at times that nearly every book I pick up has a sequel- and I feel obligated to read it.

If I had a house with my own library, it wouldn't be such a problem, but I live in a tiny apartment with virtually no storage space, so the books are taking over. Which means I've cut down on my book buying and I've also mostly stayed away from borrowing books since I really should get to reading my own so maybe I can weed out some more.

Buying books is my addiction, i can easily spend a fortune on them....

But i prefer to buy them. I have so many on the go at once, that it means i don't have to "hurry" to read them before they're due back at the library or have to remember to go to the library to renew them... so as you can imagine, my bookcase is hugely overflowing with books that are on what i call my "waiting list"

If I know the author then I'll buy the book, Like Nicholas Sparks. However if I see a new book and I'm interested in reading it, I'll borrow it. If I enjoy it there's still the option or buying it and getting it at abetter deal then when it came out.

I buy. When I was younger I would buy and borrow a lot. But our local library is pretty bad now. When I worked in the college library--I borrowed way too much. When I volunteered to sort a section of the library, I ended up w/a pile of books to take home every weekend and I had a list of books I still wanted to read.

I have a hard time parting w/books too.

I love buying books. I hate borrowing because it just doesn't feel right loaning a book. I like to hold it, and know it's mine and keep it on my shelf and read it at my leisure. I am always buying more and more and more books; I'm buying them quicker than I can read them! haha. It's true, by the time I finish one book, I have already bought 3-4 more so it's tough choosing the next one. Eventually I will have to put my book buying on hold so I can get through the books I already own.

I used to be a buyer. I love having a lot of books around. But since I move a lot now, it's just really a pain to have to move tons of books around with me. And the local library where I live right now is amazing! It's huge and they have everything. So I've become a borrower. But if it's a book that I really love then I'll buy my own copy for re-reading.

i borrow. fromt he library mainly because if i bought all the books i read over adn over, i would be broke!

I am the exact same way. I love having the book in my possession.

The only rare time I borrow a book is when I am not too sure I will like the book and I don't want to waste my money. So then I'll find time in between books to borrow one. Then I feel like I'm rushing to finish it b/c I never bring a library book back late. If I find that I love the book and would read it again some time, I go out and buy it.

i borrow all the time.... the number of books i read.... i'd be broke!!!!! i borrow about 5-6 every few weeks...... so buying is not really an option...... unless its one that wont be in for weeks and weeks.... then i have no patience and i go and buy it!!!

I prefer to buy. I have built in bookshelves in my apartment, and want to fill them up. I am also happy to trade books with friends though of course.

About half of my assets are currently books, I swear...
I can't stand borrowing, because I make it a point to read every book at least three times, (I've read one of my favorites over 50 times!) so I have to just get myself a copy.
Sometimes I will visit the library, mostly to check out the discarded books they're selling. I go to a library to get my own copy, how sad is that? But it's a good deal. I bought a fair-condition paperback, 25 cents, turned out to be one of my all-time favorite reads!

i prefer to borrow from the library first then if i like the book i buy it

Still a buyer.

BuMp

I am still a buyer too but lately I have gotten back into borrowing from the library. I think it may be the fact that I need to save money for all of the traveling I want to do this year.

I prefer to steal. Just kidding. Ha.

I prefer to buy.

it depends, I usually borrow them but some books - like the Harry Potters those I buy

I prefer to buy. Then I can take my time and read them over again. I just love books!!

I prefer to buy.