I’m jumping on this book tag bandwagon after coming across it over on Best Endeavour. I’m still finalising my review of the last #lbloggers chat so, while I’m working on that, check out some of my book buying habits – and please share your own!
Where do you buy your books from?
I don’t like to admit this but it’s Amazon, for convenience sake. I’d much rather be supporting my independent bookseller but there just isn’t one near me. When it comes to high street stores, I can’t walk past a Waterstones and I also shop in WH Smith. Plus The Works is great for a hidden bargain. We have so many comic books from there!
Do you ever pre-order books?
Yep! I regularly check the new releases on Amazon and pre-order some of the film books before I forget about them. I also recently pre-ordered Dawn O’Porter’s Goose and always pre-order the lastest Jodi Picoult as soon as it appears on Amazon. Speaking of which… *heads over to Amazon* Yep, Leaving Time is released in November! It’s £20.00 to pre-order at the mo but that’s bound to drop in the next few months. I’ve just placed my order. If it’s any cheaper, I’ll get a refund, so s’all good!
On average, how many books do you buy a month?
Probably one or two. Reading-wise, I average one a week but I have a decent back catalogue to get through.
Image via
Do you use your local library?
I still have an account in my home town and I have access to the one at work (plus no late fees!) but I don’t really use them. I keep buying new books and putting more and more pressure on my bookshelves… I used to practically live at the library growing up though. You could take out a maximum of ten books at a time and I always went for the maximum, stocking up on The Babysitter’s Club, Sweet Valley High, Goosebumps, The Cafe Club, Point Horror, Point Romance… Ah, those were the days!
What do you think of libraries?
I think these days people prefer the convenience of buying online and having them delivered to their homes and/or downloading. It’s a shame though and I think libraries should do more (events, etc) to bring more people in.
How do you feel about charity shop and secondhand books?
Honestly, I’m a bit of a book snob. I love cracking open a new book. But I do pick up the odd second-hand book. If I’m wondering around a car boot sale and I see something on my ‘to read’ list for 50p, I’ll likely pick it up. Speaking of which, I went to the Hayle Car Boot sale at the weekend and this woman had a shit load of Enid Blyton books. I picked up three that I could remember loving as a child to re-read (and read with my children one day – I must check if my parents kept any too) – The Magic Faraway Tree, The Adventures of the Wishing Chair and Naughty Amelia Jane. They’re a bit well-loved but they’re old editions, so I love them. I got all three for £6 – not bad really.
Image via
Do you keep your read and to-be-read books together?
My big bookcase upstairs has everything together but is split according to genre and size. My mini/overflow one downstairs has read and ‘to read’ on separate shelves. Not that I’m anal about these things or anything…
Do you plan to read all the books you own?
Yep. If I come to own something I don’t plan on reading, I pass it on.
Image via
What do you do with books you own that you won’t re-read?
I don’t know for sure that I won’t want to re-read it at some point in the future but I generally like to keep all of my books. If I was planning on passing it on, I’d likely pass it on to my dad to sell at the football club (they have a weekly table-top sale to raise funds for the club).
Have you ever donated books?
Yep. I’ve had a lot of charity clear-outs in the past. But now that I’m coming across old Enid Blyton books, I wish I held on to more. Same with my cheesey childhood CDs. I’m very nostalgic for my age!
Have you ever been on a book-buying ban?
Why would I do that to myself?! If funds are tight, I’ll wait until Pay Day but if I need something new to read, or if I’m in Smiths and there’s a buy one get one half price offer and I like the look of something, I’ll go with it.
Image via
Do you think you own too many books?
I think you only have too many when you can’t house them all. And now that I’ve got an overflow bookcase…
Are you a bit of a bookworm? I’d love to read your own post featuring these questions. Remember to link me up!