Do you buy physical books you have already read?
For example; I have read a book named “The Words We Keep” digitally. I loved it, it really resonated with me because it’s about something - I personally have and struggle with as well.
Thinking to buy the book physically but feel like, I can’t justify it due to the fact that I’ve already read it.
I don’t really re-read books either.
I know I’m dating myself as a child of the 20th century, but I can’t read any of this thread without constantly screaming internally.
I’ma similar boat. I’ve decided that I’ll buy the physical book of after a while I still feel like the book I’d meaningful to me. I’ve got a short list of books I’ve read digitally that I’ll buy physically.
My rule is basically: If it’s visually interesting, such as a good graphic novel or something with good art, I might go and buy the physical book after I’ve read it digitally. Otherwise, if I intend to lend it out, I’ll get the physical copy. Most of my friends aren’t e-book people, so it makes sense.
I finished reading the book end May, so around 4-5 months passed and still thinking about it.
The list is a good idea! Might do the same.
I don’t re-read books but I absolutely buy physical copies of books I’ve bought digitally or borrowed from the library/a friend.
A book that really touches you is a special thing, and it’s nice to have a physical object on your bookshelf which you can see and be reminded of. It’s also nice to go “YOU HAVEN’T READ X? HERE PLEASE READ IT”
I read a lot of manga on my phone as it is very accessible, and I buy the ones which stand out the most. That is how I got into buying manga and my bank might not approve of the direction I am going XD
Yeah, I usually like to have a physical copy of something I really enjoyed. I like the reminder as in the barrage of content these days even things dear to me can get memory holed. Also any time I’m traveling I like to take a physical book with me, so it’s always nice to have old favorites on hand when it comes up.
Absolutely.
I used to buy every book physically (perhaps due to the whole being a child of the 20th century thing), but have started relying more on epub these days. Despite that, there is something really meaningfull about simply having a shelf of literature that has moved me and changed my life in some way. Through the course of the day I find myself noticing the titles on my book shelf and recalling that period of my life and the impact it had on me. You just don’t get that kind of memory connection with a digital book that you never see unless you open your reader to intentionally re-read it.
Also, I have never re-read any of my ebooks. I have however found myself moved to re-read my physical books 3, 4 or even more times. Each time they take on a new significance. I’m sure this is due to the physical presence that they have in my life, and books that I only have digitally just don’t seem to have that same effect (with a few notable exceptions.)
Like one of the other comments mentioned though, do make sure to get a copy of the book that has a visually interesting and tasteful cover/spine. Publishers don’t always do well with the cover and that can be unpleasant.
Edit: one more thing: being able to reference certain page numbers for quotes and knowledge bases is really valuable. This is really only feasible in a physical book as the page numbers in ebooks shift higher or lower depending on your chosen font size. If you never change your font that may not be an issue, but with non standard font rendering in ebooks and possible device transfers, any notes that involve specific page numbers can be made entirely useless very quickly.
I don’t really read books digitally (my poor eyes now I’m in my 30s…) or listen to audio books. However, I do have multiple copies of the same book. I have four editions of The Hobbit, for example.
This is something I find interesting because it brings up the question: are books art in their own right, not simply a format for the story? My answer is YES! I love the look and feel of my Folio society edition, I love the smell and memories of my grandfather’s worn copy, I love the annotations in the second hand copy I got from a closing down sale (like the last reader was sharing the experience with me). And I love having a copy I’m willing to give/lend to friends and family that won’t break my heart if it’s lost.
I have bookshelves in my office for my library of Hardcover Star Wars books. I bought a couple digitally when I was traveling that I have since bought physical versions of. I think if the book really resonated with you having the physical book seems like a no brainer.
I buy copies of books that I have read, and are worth buying. More likely, I will buy an e-book copy of a book worth buying. E-Books are preferable because I can carry my library with me. But, there are the books with exquisite photos, graphs or diagrams that need the full experience. I lost a large book library in a natural disaster, over a decade ago. I won’t get caught that way again.
Edit add: I seldom read fiction. I jam too fascinated of science, architecture, gardening, programming and math. Fiction doesn’t reach me the same way. I currently am stuck in a morass of predictable-plot fiction that feels formulaic, and have not found a book that is worth reading for quite a while.
These days, Almost exclusively.
I went through a phase of buying an enormous number of used paperbacks, before I had my first Kindle or iPad. At one point I had almost the whole Wheel of Time stack, along with stacks of other titles. It just wasn’t sustainable. I don’t have the space for all those books, nor the time to dust them, nor the money to buy books that I may only read once.
These days, I’ll only buy a book if I want to study it, or to keep it as an object, because I’ll still probably end up reading it digitally, or listen to the audiobook.
Yes.
I buy physical copies of anything I’m likely to reread. I prefer physical books but if I want to fit everything I read into my flat I’d need to throw out bot my partner and everything we own.
Herself(my partner) on the other hand buys books she never intends to read. She’ll buy books with pretty looking spines or covers. Or she’ll buy something she enjoyed before but doesn’t intend to read again as a physical reminder of the emotions she experienced whilst going through it the first time round.
These opposing purchasing priorities have resulted in an 8 year argument which I have dubbed the Bookshelf Schism.
I should also note that I typically have at least 3 or 4 copies of the Hobbit at any given time on the off chance I can convince someone to read it for the first time.
I only buy books I have already read. Keeps the pocketbook full and my library is only stuff I love.
I have never read an e-book. I either read library books and/or buy a new copy off the shelf if I really like it, although I only read one or two novels a year right now.
I tried audiobooks, but they’re not for me. I need to read at my own pace because I constantly get lost in my thoughts, and must re-read sentences to actually register them in my brain.
Born in 1997 if that matters to anyone considering my habits.
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Yeah, I get a lot of my reading from the library so I’ll buy the books that I’ll like enough to read a second time or wanna lend out
