Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident on your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So, why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?
My Response:
The first and most precious book I own is the Bible. Obviously, I wouldn't want to check out and renew a Bible constantly, since it's a book I try to read daily. Of course I have reference books: dictionary, thesaurus, book of quotes, Shakespeare's works, and other titles that have been given to me as gifts.
Other than that, I have a collection of John Grisham. A friend loaned me The Firm. When I finished that, I checked out A Time to Kill from the library, and I was hooked! Here is an author who can write: no run-on sentences or sentence fragments. He tells a good story. He's contemporary. Profanity is dramatically reduced. I began buying his books as they were published. My family loves to give his newest release to me as a gift. His is a book I'm proud to own.
One year, I even assigned The Street Lawyer for a summer read to my incoming tenth grade Gifted students. It's one of Grisham's few titles that has not been made into a movie, and it deals with the homeless. Although I've not cared as much for some of his latest publications, I still consider John Grisham an American treasure.
What's your answer?
I've never borrowed a book from the library as an adult. I feel like a book is a part of me after I read it and I don't want to give it up!!! I buy my books. :)
ReplyDeletetake care,
Dawn
Good morning Sally, I'm up early today because of Babette. It's pouring rain and now she won't go out. Sigh. Good thing I love her.
ReplyDeleteWe do buy books and that's why I have 40 boxes of them in my garage with no place to put them. We moved from a large home to a smaller home by 1000 sq. feet. LOL. The books do not fit.
We are planning to have a large wall unit in our living room when we buy our BIG TV. Then some of the books will have a home.
John Grisham is one of our favorite authors. Recently we listen to many of our books on tape. The library is our source.
Sally, how is it that I can't write a short comment. Do I drive you nuts???
Love ya, Jeanne
Sally,
ReplyDeleteI love to go to the library, but have lots of my own books too.
I usually buy ones I want at yard sales, and occasionally at a book store-especially when I get too busy to go to the library.
We have a book exchange here...great hardback books are only 2 dollars!
I get from the library but I also buy books...usually from yard sales. I also buy up quite a few when the library has their annual book sale.
ReplyDeleteI don't buy a whole lot of books, but I do have the collection of John Grisham novels, I can't part with them either.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Chris
Morning Sally girl... I am a avid reader and I buy all my books... (mostly)a lot from the used bookstore...Like I have told you before have a hard time parting with them... so I have boxes of books in the storage... believe it or not I reread all my favorites... so back to your question I have all of Anne Rice's books and Eugina Price.. they are my favorites... also we have a lot of Dean Koontz.. So there you go... These are just a drop in the bucket but these are my favorites... Have a wonderful day Sally...
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))
Donna
Good Morning Sally
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Sally
When I do a lot of reading I am happy to have books passed from those who want to get rid of them and who recommend the books…or then I like to go to the library to borrow books. Otherwise my next source is to purchase them. I don’t have the room to keep a library of those types of books I like to read HOWEVER the books I do like to buy and keep are crafting books, recipe books. Somehow I manage to find room for them. I have a lot of different books for gardening, quilting, sewing, painting, decorating, crafting etc. that I like to refer to. Sometimes I take several out and just drool at all the lovely pictures and ideas and that becomes inspirational to me.
If I did have room I’m sure I would have Grisham and Nora Roberts etc. books in my library. I generally don’t reread those types of books though.
You're right about Harry! Except for the Bible and the dictionary, I try to keep books just long enough to read them. It seems my friends are always giving me books to read, and then I pass them on. Every now and then I buy a book at a yard sale.
ReplyDeleteBooks, are the only friends that you can buy. They don't have fights with you. They don't get their feelings hurt. They take you anywhere that you want to go. They don't care if you keep them up all night.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the money and the room, I would have a library in my home.
Will I loan out my books to others?...Yes, but I'm very careful with "my friends". They only go to people who will love and care for them, as much as I do.
To answer your question on pysanky dyes.
ReplyDeleteThese NON-EDIBLE pysanky dyes are called aniline dyes, which are the same types of colors used on textiles.I use these on regular chicken eggs or duck and turkey and even ostrich eggs to dye them.Its an ordeal to make it , can be very messy I have to be extremely careful even a speck can do havoc on my counters.
Yes I have book I love , I have the series of Diana Gabaldon and like you I have a collection of John Grisham ,I try not to keep books I usually pass them on, altho I have reread many many books for the sheer pleasure of reading them again.I am an extremely fast reader I can devour a 1000 pages in one day,my daughter called me on it once I dared her to turn to any page and read a few words at the top of the page and I could tell her the contents of that page,she was shocked, but after some 50 years of reading a billion books I can honestly say I love books!!
Diane
Diane
I started going to the library when I was in grade school and have been going ever since. However, I have bought thousands of books. I have a built in bookcase that covers one wall in the family room and book shelves loaded witih books in my small study. When I retired I gave away over 20 cases of books. My Christmas wish list of books is getting long. Most of my books are religious and inspirational but I read a little bit of everything.
ReplyDeleteI definitely own.
ReplyDelete#1 I've always wanted a huge library. There is just something about a room filled with books that seems cozy and homey to me. I want that in my house.
#2 I am TERRIBLE at returning books to the library on time. I always have fines at my local library. With out fail, if I go get it from the library, I have an extra busy month and I don't get it read as quickly as usual. Or my children spill something on it, or something happens. So I much prefer to own it, read it when I can, and not stress about getting it back to the library in perfect condition.
*hugs*
I have few of John Grisham that I've read and like. I haven't read his books in awhile but need to return back to his books eventually. :)
ReplyDeleteI wish you to have a great day!
I own literally thousands of books. My hubby says it's an addiction....I must agree. Barnes and Noble have a shrine to me in their corporate offices. I buy them for several reasons, if you borrow them you have to be REALLY careful not to damage them. And I generally read while I'm eating, or floating in the pool...two things that tend to leave marks on my books. If I lend them from the library I feel pressured to read them quickly so I can return them in time. I hate the pressure. I buy most of my books in paper back...or from used book dealers in hard cover. I lend them to lots of people so they get well loved. And I just love being surrounded by them. At any given moment I know I can grab a wonderful book and lose myself. I have a computer program that helps me keep track of what books I've read and what authors have new books coming out that I want to read. It's a science for me now lol.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have favorites that I read over and over again. So, rarely, but sometimes, I do buy books. And they collect dust until the itch to read them again overcomes me. Usually this happens to me with series. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to buy a lot more books than I buy now...
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons I buy over getting them at the library - is that they are written by a favorite author! It's a cookbook; it's a knitting book; or it's a quilting book!
I use the library a lot!!!
Hi Sally,
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by my site and for giving me an opportunity to read your own thoughts on buying vs borrowing of books. It's great to 'meet' you.
I noticed in your profile that you like Angela Hunt's books.... I had an opportunity to meet and even share a meal with her when she came to Alberta, Canada for a Christian Writers Conference last autumn. She was a most enjoyable speaker...and very comfortable to visit with even though she's so famous!
I'll be back for future visits!
Hi Sally...hope you had a good day. There are just some books that I love enough to simply own. My favorite is Percy Byshe Shelley's collection of poetry. Other favorites are the Diary of Anne Franke and the House by Frank Peretti. :)
ReplyDeleteI use to buy paperbacks to read while flying. I was never organized enough to check books from the library. I have a few hard bound and recently gave a box full to the library. I use to belong to 2 different books clubs. Now that I have more time to ready, I check books out at the library.
ReplyDeleteI work at a library so I have tons of used books and tons of library books both in my house. I never go anywhere without an audio or a book to read.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a John Grisham book in a while, but I did read The Firm and loved it.
ReplyDeleteI love to buy books. I'm addicted to them. LOL
Evening, Sally! Oh, I love libraries! But it's so sad, our library was destroyed by the hurricane! The outside looks okay, but so much salt water got into the building that it ruined most all of our books. Just breaks my heart!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia :)
I was going to do this one, but ended up being sick since yesterday (I'd appreciate your prayers!!) I agree about the Bible and reference books (though I find myself increasingly using a dictionary and thesaurus online these days). I love to read Christian fiction, and the library has some, but not the newest releases. I have classics, missionary biographies, and other books that are special to me for various reasons.
ReplyDeleteI've not read Grisham yet. I don't read a lot of modern secular fiction, but he sounds like he might be worth a try.
The Bible is my fave too!! yes, I like owning books too.
ReplyDeleteI love buying books for 25 cents from garage sales. I just like having as much time as I want to read them!
ReplyDeleteCute pictures, Sally ~
ReplyDeleteMy Daddy used to make the best dressing. I don't cook much anymore.