Librariessss. I wonder where you are based? In the UK, public libraries often have e-libraries so I download books for my kindle from there, or borrow physical copies (best for new books /bestsellers). I also try searching for the book online to see if free copies exist which they often do if they're taught in schools or are published on Project Gutenberg. I also always buy secondhand or with gift vouchers if I can! I don't borrow books from friends really, but that would help too!
Based in the Philippines and sadly libraries are pretty non-existent here. There’s one in my city but it’s mostly for academic purposes. I know there’s Project Gutenberg but I really don’t like to read digitally. I wish I would like it. Makes things so much easier haha
I totally agree with you about this question being kind of a “taboo.” We rarely talk about the financial aspect of acquiring books which is weird as they’re so expensive. I also live in a country where public libraries are nonexistent (which I hate with all of my soul), so I get physical books when I can save up for my birthday or as gifts from friends. I’m not financially stable to regularly spend money on books because when the money comes, it goes to survival.
I feel so lucky to have an online library accessible to me, I’ve actually started to actively calculate how much money it has saved me a month.
Consumerism and books is an interesting subject and such a blurred line, I feel there are some books acotar for example that has so many editions and constantly producing more is what I relate to overconsumption. Buying books you’re planning to read I do not.
Could you do a book swap at your work or within your community?
I’m jealous! yeah I hate those deluxe editions that are just pure cash grab. I feel like books only deserve a deluxe edition if it has been around for a while. like a 10th anniversary edition or something. I could do a book swap but I would feel the urge to write marginilia on it haha and the owner might get angry at it.
Reading this made me realize I crossed the line to consumerism when it came to book buying. I spent my 20s buying and buying and buying books that mostly went unread. When I began the process of downsizing my life and decluttering to prepare for a big move to another country, I went through the task of rehoming my books. A huge chunk went to my best friend and another to several "free libraries" in my city (those little shelves where anyone can take and/or leave books). I still have books I'll bring with me to the country I'm moving to, but I had to make the conscious decision about what to bring with me. I don't know what my budgeting for new books will be like when I reach my destination, but I plan on maximizing the resources available to me: prioritizing my personal library, visiting public libraries, supporting independent bookstores, and seeing if there are free libraries in my new community.
I too, in my 20s, kept buying and buying books just because they were on bargain but never really read them. And I too had to declutter them when I moved. I hope you find your book buying groove upon reaching your destination!
I buy a lot of books secondhand online at thrift books or in store near me. I spend way too much still probably but I write it off as part of my Substack business 🤓
Not having a library really is a bummer. I also went thru a phase when I bought lots of new books. Then when I moved across the continent and had to pare down what I could reasonably bring with me, i realized what I couldn’t part with was only such a small portion.
Nowadays I only get newly published books from the library. If it turns out to be something that resonants then I would keep an eye out for a used copy. Browsing thru used books is so much fun!
buying a physical book still feels like such a luxury purchase for me 😭 it takes money, takes up space and weight… i find ebooks online through my town’s city or nearby library through the Libby app or a special city library app.. or try to buy secondhand online! there is a korean ebook subscription service called Millie’s Library (around 10 dollars a month), so i have that as well for korean language books!
agree, it still does. Sometimes when I look at the 200+ books on my shelf, I feel overwhelmed. Mostly because of the money and energy I spent on those books. like I can’t believe I spent my money on those. And I also think about the trade-offs I did to buy and spend time with those books.
Librariessss. I wonder where you are based? In the UK, public libraries often have e-libraries so I download books for my kindle from there, or borrow physical copies (best for new books /bestsellers). I also try searching for the book online to see if free copies exist which they often do if they're taught in schools or are published on Project Gutenberg. I also always buy secondhand or with gift vouchers if I can! I don't borrow books from friends really, but that would help too!
Based in the Philippines and sadly libraries are pretty non-existent here. There’s one in my city but it’s mostly for academic purposes. I know there’s Project Gutenberg but I really don’t like to read digitally. I wish I would like it. Makes things so much easier haha
I totally agree with you about this question being kind of a “taboo.” We rarely talk about the financial aspect of acquiring books which is weird as they’re so expensive. I also live in a country where public libraries are nonexistent (which I hate with all of my soul), so I get physical books when I can save up for my birthday or as gifts from friends. I’m not financially stable to regularly spend money on books because when the money comes, it goes to survival.
Same. Libraries are practically non-existent here in the Philippines. If there’s one, it’s mostly for academic purposes. Where are you based, Fatima?
I live in Nigeria, and the majority of the public libraries that do exist are also strictly academic and/or outdated.
I wish in the future we can have more accessible libraries
Hopefully 🤞🏾
I feel so lucky to have an online library accessible to me, I’ve actually started to actively calculate how much money it has saved me a month.
Consumerism and books is an interesting subject and such a blurred line, I feel there are some books acotar for example that has so many editions and constantly producing more is what I relate to overconsumption. Buying books you’re planning to read I do not.
Could you do a book swap at your work or within your community?
I’m jealous! yeah I hate those deluxe editions that are just pure cash grab. I feel like books only deserve a deluxe edition if it has been around for a while. like a 10th anniversary edition or something. I could do a book swap but I would feel the urge to write marginilia on it haha and the owner might get angry at it.
Reading this made me realize I crossed the line to consumerism when it came to book buying. I spent my 20s buying and buying and buying books that mostly went unread. When I began the process of downsizing my life and decluttering to prepare for a big move to another country, I went through the task of rehoming my books. A huge chunk went to my best friend and another to several "free libraries" in my city (those little shelves where anyone can take and/or leave books). I still have books I'll bring with me to the country I'm moving to, but I had to make the conscious decision about what to bring with me. I don't know what my budgeting for new books will be like when I reach my destination, but I plan on maximizing the resources available to me: prioritizing my personal library, visiting public libraries, supporting independent bookstores, and seeing if there are free libraries in my new community.
I too, in my 20s, kept buying and buying books just because they were on bargain but never really read them. And I too had to declutter them when I moved. I hope you find your book buying groove upon reaching your destination!
For me I only buy physical copies of special books! I use Libby for ebooks 🫶
Jealous you have Libby! It’s not available here in my country. But then again I also don’t like read digitally that much.
I buy a lot of books secondhand online at thrift books or in store near me. I spend way too much still probably but I write it off as part of my Substack business 🤓
write off for business expense. I like that. haha
Not having a library really is a bummer. I also went thru a phase when I bought lots of new books. Then when I moved across the continent and had to pare down what I could reasonably bring with me, i realized what I couldn’t part with was only such a small portion.
Nowadays I only get newly published books from the library. If it turns out to be something that resonants then I would keep an eye out for a used copy. Browsing thru used books is so much fun!
It really is a bummer not having a library. I love being used books! I’d say about 80% of my books are thrifted.
buying a physical book still feels like such a luxury purchase for me 😭 it takes money, takes up space and weight… i find ebooks online through my town’s city or nearby library through the Libby app or a special city library app.. or try to buy secondhand online! there is a korean ebook subscription service called Millie’s Library (around 10 dollars a month), so i have that as well for korean language books!
agree, it still does. Sometimes when I look at the 200+ books on my shelf, I feel overwhelmed. Mostly because of the money and energy I spent on those books. like I can’t believe I spent my money on those. And I also think about the trade-offs I did to buy and spend time with those books.
i understand :( it can be overwhelming.. i also sometimes give books away to loved ones if they really like a volume..!