Today’s Musing Mondays asks us…
How has the economy impacted your book buying? Do you think it’ll change the reading and book-buying habits of the country? Will it increase your library visits? Will it make you wait for the paperback edition instead of buying the hardcover?
The economy hasn’t really impacted my book buying but then I don’t buy a lot of new books. If it’s a favorite author, then yes I do buy new but I buy online and it’s quite a lot cheaper than in the store, otherwise I’ll pick it up at the library. Since I started blogging I’ve been either winning a lot of books or reviewing for someone so that’s saved on having to buy or wait for the newer books from the library.
I don’t know how much it will affect the book buying habits of the country. I still think if you want a book bad enough you will buy it. If money is tight and you can’t, there is the library. Which brings me to the next question-I do think a lot of people on a normal basis-or those of us who read a lot-make use of the library so yes I could see library visits on the increase.
How about you-has the economy changed how you buy books?
It’s strange – I’ve actually been buying more books since I started blogging. I have a huge pile to read and went out yesterday and bought 4 more.
I totally agree with you, Dar. I’ll buy the book of a fav author. I also shop sales online and in the store. I use the library more and more these days. I’ve received a few ARCs as well.
I agree with a lot of your answer, Dar! I think a lot of us also have a surplus of books already on our shelves that we can pull from in addition to the ones we receive or win. My book buying goes in cycles that I don’t think is related to the economy. I’ve never really felt that books are a unnecessary item 😉 I NEED them!!
For quite a while now, I have tried to stick to buying books used or discounted. I admit that I prefer to buy over borrow. At this point in time, my buying habits have not been effected. What has had an impact on my book buying, however, is the access to free books that are offered to me for review.
As the economy continues to spiral downward, I will probably cut back more–I certainly have enough unread books to get me through a few years at least. Maybe that rainy day I’ve been saving them for is coming up sooner than I anticipated.
Let’s face it…books are not cheap. A trade paperback can run you anywhere from $12-$18 and hardbacks can cost twice as much as that. I never buy a book for myself unless I know it’s one I want to keep. I have become really good at ordering books through the library and the library system has really improved. I usually only have to wait 5-7 days for a title to come in.
Even children’s books are expensive but I tend to buy more of those than check them out. I will continue to do so too because those of the books my daughter wants me to read to her over and over again.
Our answers are very similar. 🙂
Wow! Great question. Steve works for the state and we live in the south. A good combo during a recession. We’ve cut back over the past five years, so our spending isn’t so out there.
I have a family of 4 living on one income, so I hardly ever buy books new. I love winning book contests, they have introduced me to many books that I normally wouldn’t read. I also get my book fix from used book stores and I especially like library sales.
I have enough books in my TBR pile that I can usually wait for a book that I want to get to the library or make its way to the used book store. I remember spending many hours with my dad at a used book store when I was a child.
I’m buying more books as well. In fact, instead of electronic gadgets this year for Christmas, I’ll be buying books for all!!
And now, I need to put The FireMasters Mistress on my wish list!
bermudaonion, I was at first buying more books but now that I started getting all the review copies that I need to get read I’ve completely slowed down in the buying dept.
Mary, I’ve been using the library less only because even aside from all the books I’ve been getting now I already had a pile to read on my bookshelf. I finally decided I should tackle those first.
Trish, I completely agree-Books-I need them! To me they are a necessary item too-they keep me going.
Wendy, I too prefer a new book in a lot of cases to some of the library ones. For me it’s only because of the condition of some that come from the library-they are horrible and I do like my book to look nice. Terrible excuse for buying isn’t it.
Ti, books are even more expensive here. It’s ridiculous really. I do agree, the library system has greatly improved. I can borrow from libraries all over my province, including the ones in my city-we never could do that before.
J. Kaye, you’re on that spending ban too so that probably helps to curb your spending. lol.
Janel, I used to spend hours in the used book stores and then most of them here closed. We only have a few open and they aren’t in great locations. I miss doing that.
kimmirich, I love getting gift certificates for the book store for Christmas. Totally one of my favorite gifts.
Dar, my buying habits are much the same as yours. I’ve received so many review copies lately that I’m looking forward to reading through them, reading the ones I purchased but never got around to reading, then finally feeling justified in buying more.
I suppose overall, the economy could change book buying habits, especially those who are less obsessed than us 🙂
Shana
Literarily
I’ve also bought more books since I started blogging, but not in the last couple of months (aside from the cheap library sales). Until I started blogging, most of what I read was from the library. Haven’t had to go there since I’ve been receiving review copies, but I certainly could see me cutting back if my finances get worse.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Shana, I think you really hit it on the button-those less obsessed than us may be affected more by the economy in their book buying habits. For me, I have to have books so I would do without other things to have them but as I’ve said the odds of me needing any probably for many, many years is nil. lol.
Anna, I was the same. Before blogging my library request list was long. Now I’ve barely been going which is sad because I really love the library, even just to go and sit and read a book there.