Feminist Reflections is a feature I created on my blog to share my personal thoughts.
I don't purchase physical books anymore.
I actually love physical books more than ebooks
, there's nothing quite better than holding an actual book in your hands. I still prefer reading physical books than ebooks, although, I think I'm better of than most readers and bloggers who have impulse book buying tendencies.
It's not because I can't afford it or anything like that, I just don't see the point in spending so much money anymore. Yep, I said it. I understand it's books, and I love books - but books take up a lot of space and they can be expensive.
I only purchase physical books I'm quite eager to read now, and those are only a few. I also purchase books that I have already read as an ebook which I loved, and I buy the physical copy of my favorite books. The only physical book I've purchased(pre-order) since August is A Court of Thorns & Roses. The last time I did a book buying spurge was in August, but that's only because I wanted to use my bookseller discount. Even then, the bill wasn't so bad. Before that, I hadn't bought a physical copy since two years. I'm quite happy to state I'm safe from book buying impulses since the past three years now.
Here are the top actual reasons why:
1) Review Copies: Majority of my books come from publishers and authors themselves which I'm quite thankful for, I don't really need to buy the latest hyped book anymore because I might have a copy of it already. Other times I can usually request them from the publisher, edelweiss or netgalley. I actually have one bookshelf dedicated only to ARC's.
2) Giveaway Prizes: I love giveaways, and I love it even more when I win in them. The rest of my physical books come from giveaways from Goodreads, book blogs, and Shelf Awareness Pro. Shelf Awareness is a daily newsletter that have some of the most hyped new releases out there from almost every publisher which includes physical copies of A Wicked Thing, Tiny Pretty Things, Dorothy Must Die and so many more. You can join giveaways and request ARC's that you DO NOT have to review. They're for consideration only. Try the newsletter, it's pretty amazing. I've gotten copies of The Tragic Age, The Silver Witch, Lacy Eye, and so many more.
3) Ebooks on Kindle: I find reading ebooks easier than actually going out my way to buy a physical copy. Now, I LOVE PHYSICAL BOOKS MORE THAN EBOOKS. However, ebooks are easier, cheaper, and they are only stored in my kindle. I don't want to buy a physical copy of a book I might not actually like, chances are I might not re-read it again. It'll be a waste of space. Even if I was filthy rich, I wouldn't spend so much money. I've always been good at managing my accounts and saving money, honestly, I have never really overspent in my life.
4) Libraries: I LOVE LIBRARIES & I READ A LOT MORE BECAUSE OF THAT. I go every three week always, it's ten minutes by walking distance only. I usually take out about 15-20 books whenever I go there. My library is small, not crowded, comfortable yet it has the latest releases. I also place requests from other libraries and have it delivered to my main library. Sometimes, I check out so many books - my sister has to use her card to help me out since the limit is only 25. There is a really unique website out now called Overdrive that I use often, now you can check out ebooks and audiobooks from the library directly to your kindle and computer using your library card. You can check out about 50 ebooks and audiobooks. You can even place holds and requests books, I find that pretty neat and unique.
5) Too many Books already: I have about 350+ physical copy of books in my room, out of those 350, I probably haven't read about 70 of them. That's enough to last me for the rest of the year. I have books I bought three years ago, and I still haven't read them yet.
So that's it for me, I'm actually quite proud I don't have these impulses anymore and I'm sane now.
What about you guys?
How are your book buying impulses going?
I actually love physical books more than ebooks
, there's nothing quite better than holding an actual book in your hands. I still prefer reading physical books than ebooks, although, I think I'm better of than most readers and bloggers who have impulse book buying tendencies.
It's not because I can't afford it or anything like that, I just don't see the point in spending so much money anymore. Yep, I said it. I understand it's books, and I love books - but books take up a lot of space and they can be expensive.
I only purchase physical books I'm quite eager to read now, and those are only a few. I also purchase books that I have already read as an ebook which I loved, and I buy the physical copy of my favorite books. The only physical book I've purchased(pre-order) since August is A Court of Thorns & Roses. The last time I did a book buying spurge was in August, but that's only because I wanted to use my bookseller discount. Even then, the bill wasn't so bad. Before that, I hadn't bought a physical copy since two years. I'm quite happy to state I'm safe from book buying impulses since the past three years now.
Here are the top actual reasons why:
1) Review Copies: Majority of my books come from publishers and authors themselves which I'm quite thankful for, I don't really need to buy the latest hyped book anymore because I might have a copy of it already. Other times I can usually request them from the publisher, edelweiss or netgalley. I actually have one bookshelf dedicated only to ARC's.
2) Giveaway Prizes: I love giveaways, and I love it even more when I win in them. The rest of my physical books come from giveaways from Goodreads, book blogs, and Shelf Awareness Pro. Shelf Awareness is a daily newsletter that have some of the most hyped new releases out there from almost every publisher which includes physical copies of A Wicked Thing, Tiny Pretty Things, Dorothy Must Die and so many more. You can join giveaways and request ARC's that you DO NOT have to review. They're for consideration only. Try the newsletter, it's pretty amazing. I've gotten copies of The Tragic Age, The Silver Witch, Lacy Eye, and so many more.
3) Ebooks on Kindle: I find reading ebooks easier than actually going out my way to buy a physical copy. Now, I LOVE PHYSICAL BOOKS MORE THAN EBOOKS. However, ebooks are easier, cheaper, and they are only stored in my kindle. I don't want to buy a physical copy of a book I might not actually like, chances are I might not re-read it again. It'll be a waste of space. Even if I was filthy rich, I wouldn't spend so much money. I've always been good at managing my accounts and saving money, honestly, I have never really overspent in my life.
4) Libraries: I LOVE LIBRARIES & I READ A LOT MORE BECAUSE OF THAT. I go every three week always, it's ten minutes by walking distance only. I usually take out about 15-20 books whenever I go there. My library is small, not crowded, comfortable yet it has the latest releases. I also place requests from other libraries and have it delivered to my main library. Sometimes, I check out so many books - my sister has to use her card to help me out since the limit is only 25. There is a really unique website out now called Overdrive that I use often, now you can check out ebooks and audiobooks from the library directly to your kindle and computer using your library card. You can check out about 50 ebooks and audiobooks. You can even place holds and requests books, I find that pretty neat and unique.
5) Too many Books already: I have about 350+ physical copy of books in my room, out of those 350, I probably haven't read about 70 of them. That's enough to last me for the rest of the year. I have books I bought three years ago, and I still haven't read them yet.
So that's it for me, I'm actually quite proud I don't have these impulses anymore and I'm sane now.
What about you guys?
How are your book buying impulses going?
- Shukran for reading this post.. Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & follow :) Stay in tuned pretty creatures..“Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness.” —George R.R. Martin
femmmefatalee@gmail.com
I have no room for more books, plus I love reading in the dark and that is really hard to do with a physical copy. Also, for one week of vacation I need lots of books and it is too heavy to take that many in luggage!
ReplyDeleteMissie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
I agree, I had to buy another bookshelf to fit all my books in. I'm trying to finish the ones I haven't read yet :)
DeleteI noticed that you mentioned Shelf Awareness Pro. Have you ever gotten a book from their contests? I've been entering those for over a year now and have yet to get a book from one of their giveaways! Mind you, I'm pretty picky about what I enter (only YA), but I must have really bad luck!
ReplyDeleteI'm on a semi book ban. I'm only buying books that I really want and only requesting books for review that I really want. I have nearly 200 physical books sitting on my shelves to read and 300 ebooks. I desperately want to read those books!
Thank you for dropping by Kristen - I mentioned some books I have received from their Shelf Awareness. I have received around 25+ physical books from Shelf Awareness in the past six months.
DeleteThat's rather strange you haven't gotten any because they usually have over 50+ copies of each ARC.. Have you signed up for Shelf Awareness PRO newsletter as well? There are actually two different newsletters, one is with the regular news, the other one is with the ads. The ads one is the PRO. you have to sign up for the pro, it usually says "click here to receive your free copy/ARC" You usually have to sign up in the same day you receive the email otherwise the offer can expire. Hope that helps x
I prefer e-books over physical any day and for the most part that is all I buy for myself but my children are a different matter. One likes e-books too but the other likes real books as she calls it so...yeah. We have both around here. But I do agree that e-books are so much nicer because you can take them anywhere and, I can have thousands on one device and it takes up less room than a paperback.
ReplyDeleteYes, ebooks are easier sometimes. With one click, and the book is in your e-reader right away :)
DeleteI'm probably at about 500 owned books....but 300 of them are unread. So, I've placed a ban upon myself. The only exceptions I am allowing myself are series that I love and want to own or autobuy authors new releases. Thankfully 90% of the unread books came from my library's book sale where I got a really good deal on them, otherwise I'd have been kicked out of my house.
ReplyDeleteI do like ebooks for the most part, but I really love having the books on my shelves. It's quicker for me to skim a book with I needed to recall something specific than it is for me to find my ereader, find the book, etc. I've pretty much stopped buying books in general, and when I buy ebooks it's usually because I received a gift card. Once I've read and purged my collection again, I'm thinking of using more ebooks like I did when I first started really getting into reading for fun.
Dreams @ Once Upon A Dream Books
Lol aw I understand what you mean ♥ My family is fed up with my book collection was well, I'm about to sell the books I probably won't read again. Glad to hear you're on a book buying ban as well :)
DeleteWhat a great post! I collect physical books, but I'm blessed that I have a library and space is not an issue (so far -- lol). I have so many books that have been passed down through my family that I could never bear to part with and will pass down to my daughter and her to hers. I believe it's just a personal preference, and I enjoyed reading your thoughts on it! <3
ReplyDeleteAaaah, you're so lucky. Space is a big issue with me, I have two bookshelves and I might need another one soon. It's only been a month since I bought the last bookshelf lol thank you for your thoughts! ♥
DeleteWhat a great post! I collect physical books, but I'm blessed that I have a library and space is not an issue (so far -- lol). I have so many books that have been passed down through my family that I could never bear to part with and will pass down to my daughter and her to hers. I believe it's just a personal preference, and I enjoyed reading your thoughts on it! <3
ReplyDeleteAaaah, you're so lucky. Space is a big issue with me, I have two bookshelves and I might need another one soon. It's only been a month since I bought the last bookshelf lol thank you for your thoughts! ♥
DeleteEbooks are definitely my preference as well. I don't have to wear glasses to read my book and I can highlight quotes and passages rather than use sticky notes to mark. The majority of my reads are review books sent to me as well and they are for the most part e-copies. Yay for Overdrive giving us access to e-books and audiobooks from the library! I love this feature so much and it's free!!! Wonderful post! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts Rachel, & Yes, thank God for ebooks and overdrive! It's really amazing how technology has advanced, it makes me quite happy :)
DeleteI can go either way! I opt toward ebooks because of the cost, and I've become addicted to reading on my ereader. But I do love the feel of physical copies, so I'll sometimes splurge on getting those, but not as often anymore. My bookshelves are a little crowded, too, so ebooks help there! Lol.
ReplyDeleteI agree, e-readers are much easier & addicting ♥ I do love physical books a lot more though. Nothing better than holding an actual book eh? :)
DeleteI see your point and what you said is not wrong and I hope I could be like you but I really can't read book with and e reader, I'm right now trying to change that I read one e book after every ten actual books :) Lovely Post
ReplyDeleteIt can be frustrating to read on an e-reader sometimes but it does make things a lot more simpler now. Thank you Alreem<3
DeleteI totally get the appeal of e-books over physical books, but there's just something about a physical book I always prefer. E-books just . . . Idk. I have them for some things, but I'll always buy the physical book too if I like it. I just can't do without my PBs!
ReplyDeleteYes that's totally true. I prefer physical copies over ebooks as well, there's really nothing better than holding an actual book in your hand :) Ebooks are just less time consuming and with one click, you have the book. Thank you for your thoughts Allie!
DeleteI buy both. Quite often the eBook version is released before most books, so while I wait for my preorder to arrive, I often purchase a Kindle copy as well. But even when it comes to review copies, the ones I've enjoyed, I still go on to support the author and buy a finished copy. Not something I recommend that everyone do, but with the amount of review copies I'm lucky to receive, that's extra cash that I can use to support authors and the industry as a whole. I love my hardcopies, but reading in bed with a husband, a booklight can also disturb his sleep. I love eBooks to read at night, but there's nothing quite like the smell of a new book though. Loved the discussion Benish, really interesting to see everyone elses opinions <3
ReplyDeleteI find that really sweet that you support authors by buying the copies of finished books you love<3 I think you're the only one who I know who probably does that. Physical books are the best, ebooks tend to be easier sometimes agreed. Thank you for dropping by & sharing your thoughts<3
DeleteSame with me. I only buy physical books when I really, really, really want them and can't manage to get a review copy or when they're for university. Since I've been blogging, my bookshelves have doubled in size and I just can't keep on doing this, my apartment isn't big enough for this haha
ReplyDeleteHaha I agree with you, physical copies take up a lot of room and I don't have any space for another bookshelf in my room. Thank you for your thoughts Jen<3
DeleteI buy both, but love the feel of physical copies. I LOVE to use Overdrive as well. It's still kind of a little known secret and I have the same problem when I goto the library. So many books waiting to come home with me.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Benish. Happy Friday :)
I agree, physical books are amazing and I don't ever believe ebooks can replace them. Overdrive is fascinating as well, and a lot of people don't know about it. Happy Friday :)
DeleteI don't buy a lot of physical books either, these days I only buy them if I want to keep them on my shelf...for everything else I have my Kindle and I have too much books I haven't read on there :-/ And yes, review copies help too although, I'm not requesting a lot of them right now. I also have Scribd, it's like Netflix for books and I think it's pretty worth it since they have ebook, audiobooks and graphic novels. Overdrive is awesome too since I can borrow library books using my ipad! But I do agree, physical books take a lot of space...which I do not have so if I'm going to buy them t's only because I really love them. Awesome topic Benish! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts Amir<3 & yes, I only purchase the books I really am eager to read now. I haven't heard about Scribd, but I do want to check it out for myself! Thank you for that :)
DeleteUm, you win at books. Seriously, I buy them ALL. I have absolutely no discretion, I just buy like they'll stop printing tomorrow. I have gotten better (mainly because I have no money) but oh my goodness, I want ALL the books. I am actually afraid I am becoming a book hoarder. I have kind of gotten away from buying ebooks, mostly because I have way too many eARCs and never have the time to read actual ebooks. And again, book hoarding. Maybe I need a support group or something... But I love this topic!! And I am impressed :)
ReplyDeleteShannon @ It Starts At Midnight
Physical books can be addicting, I don't believe ebooks can ever replace an actual print copy. I have over 2000 books in my kindle and I've probably read about 650 maybe? A lot of the books are freebies and e-ARCS. I think the copies of ebooks and physical copies I own are enough to last me a couple of years lol. Hope your addiction gets better though, it's better to save the money for a book you actually are eagerly waiting for - thank you Shannon<3
DeleteI think this is a very fair post! The idea of buying more paperback books does overwhelm me because my TBR pile of physical books is more than a hundred... but if I am going to spend my money I do like to spend it on books. I do think of it as a personal addiction of mine, and I don't really mind too much. I know I am going to get to them, and I will. And I like buying them. Since I am still a teenager and I do make enough of my own money to afford them as well as other stuff I need and want to do like traveling, I think I am okay for now :) Just relish in the addiction while I have the chance xD But then again... I also read a lot of ebooks and like the cheapness and convenience of them.
ReplyDeletePhysical book addiction can be amazing, I actually worked at Barnes & Nobles before so I had somehow became immune to books there - I didn't get impulses to buy a book at the end of the day, I would like to own a huge library one day but only of books I actually have liked :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts Olivia!
DeleteI'm a huge fan of ebooks. I'm always on the go and I carry my kindle everywhere. Otherwise, I'd never get any review books read!
ReplyDeleteI still buy hardcovers, but I only keep my absolute favorites. I don't have the space to keep everything I buy! So that's probably why I do so many giveaways and donations -- if I don't think I'd ever re-read a book, I'd rather pass it on to someone who might enjoy it more.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Jen at YA Romantics
Thank you for agreeing Jen, that's actually a great idea! I'm thinking of giving some of my review copies away in a giveaway or donations and selling the books I have actually bought. I'm hooked on ebooks these days although, I do love the feel of an actual print book.
DeleteI can totally understand this post. I'll probably never stop buying books but I get it. I literally have no room for more books but I haven't stopped. It's madness, madness I tell ya.
ReplyDeleteHaha aw, that is madness, I have no more extra room for another bookshelf. I already have about two large ones.
DeleteI absolutely agree with you too. I don't buy physical copies of books unless they're really good and worthy of re-reading and for collection purposes (or with a gorgeous cover). When I discovered ebooks, good lord, how much money I had saved. Plus, yeah, the space too, but I still have room for some more. :D
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on that! ♥ Physical books are amazing and I love them, but ebooks are more cheaper and just one click away :)
DeleteHahah I actually have trouble buying books, because like you said it's really expensive, and even though I have the money for it I want to spend it on something else. I wish I had the guts to request physical books, but I'll just stick to earcs and the library for now!
ReplyDeleteAw you should go for it! Your blog is pretty amazing, and I'm sure you would have no trouble requesting :)
DeleteThese are all reasons why I decided to go on a buying ban, which lasted a month or so and then I'm back in my book hoarding ways, it's terrible! I love physical copies and these are all fantastic reasons, especially all the books I have already and running out of space. We're so lucky as book bloggers to be able to request review copies too. Great post Benish!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeann! ♥ & Yes, I so agree with you - we are very blessed as book bloggers :)
DeleteI would never see books as a waste of money and I looooove to buy and showcase them, so I will never stop doing so :) I definitely love my e-books and you have great reasons to stick with them (and borrowing books), but I could never do it.
ReplyDeleteAw, yes nothing could really beat physical books - ebooks just seem simpler to me sometimes. ♥
DeleteI love buying books, but I've been buying less of them lately just so I can finish some of the ones that I already own. I don't buy e-books though. The only ebooks I read are my review copies or free ones from the Kindle store. Weird, right?
ReplyDeleteHmm, that's not weird at all though, a lot of people have different preferences :) I love physical books much more though.
DeleteI have been buying fewer physical copies this year because of money and space. I only recently bought a bookshelf that has more than three shelves (I only had one of those short fat ones, haha), and I STILL have books all over the floor. SO obviously I don't need any more physical copies. And I am also in the same boast as you where I have bought books from years ago and STILL have not read them. I get excited about e-ARCs and review copies, and the books I own get pushed WAY down on the to-read list. Which I actually think is sad :(
ReplyDeleteI do buy a few ebooks, especially ones that are really expensive as physical books OR that are only available as ebooks. I like how cheap they (usually) are, and how they get delivered instantly. No waiting time is fantastic! :D
I agree, space is the main issue with me here. My room is more on the smaller side, and it already has two bookshelves. We should so catch up on our previous book buys! Ebooks are very cheap most of the time, although some can be expensive too. ♥
DeleteI don't buy a lot of books either, I get some sent to me, but that's about it. eBooks are easier to hide on my iPad *wink*
ReplyDeleteNaomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Haha mine are in my kindle which is better because the NA physical books I can't buy! Those covers could get me killed by my family xD
DeleteTerrific post, Benish!! I LOVE physical books myself, MUCH more than e-books. I recently moved, and my new apartment (my husband I actually bought a condo) is much smaller than the old one. So, I was forced to donate a LOT of books! I was amazed to see how many books I had sitting on my shelves that I KNEW I would never read! Therefore, I really had no problem donating them. There were many books, though, that I simply could NOT part with, even though I haven't read many of them. I took as many of them as I could to the condo, and put the rest in storage. I have 6 large bookcases and 2 smaller ones in the condo, so I do have quite a few physical books, which makes me VERY happy!!
ReplyDeleteI've been buying e-books lately, though, because of the space problem. I don't want to clutter up the condo with physical books. I have several e-books on my cell phone, as I can't bring myself to buy a Kindle, Nook, or Kobo. I just can't. I feel I would be 'betraying' the physical books.....lol. So I'm really NOT happy about having to buy e-books, and am limiting the number I'm buying.
One thing you mentioned in your excellent post is that e-books are cheaper than physical books. Well, I have to tell you that this is not always true. It really depends! Right now, for instance, I'm reading a PDF of "Pirate's Alley", a book I'm going to review for an upcoming blog tour. I LOVE the book, and went to Amazon to check out the e-book. Well, it costs $12.99. You know, for that much money, you better believe I want a physical copy!! I'm not paying that much for a simple download to my phone! So, in this particular case, I'd much rather pay $19.88 plus S/H for the hardcover. Yeah, I guess that doesn't make sense. But I prefer doing that, so I can hold SOMETHING in my hands! I'm okay with paying $2.99 - $4.99 for e-books, but, no more than that!
Oh, this comment is turning into a blog post......lol. I think I'll have to write about this topic on my blog.....lol. As you can see, I'm VERY passionate about physical books!
Thanks for the GREAT post!! : )
Haha it's no problem at all Maria. I enjoyed reading your passionate comments on physical books. Thank you for your overall thoughts :) Space is the most issue with me right now, I don't have extra space in my room anymore besides my two bookshelves. I personally love print books a lot more, I would own a library of my favorite novels if I could ♥
DeleteI do agree, most of the time ebooks are quite cheap, however some can be expensive as well. I've seen a few ebooks that were only a couple of dollars less than the print copy, in that scenario I would buy the physical copy as well. You should so write a post of you own, I would love to read your thoughts in more detail ♥ Hope you're doing well xx
I love this post! I see so many talking about buying so many books, but few who are actually very economical about it. I mean, I don't really get free physical copies of books like you do nor do we have good libraries, but I'm also trying to cut back. I agree that we don't even re-read some of those books that we own. Or that we own ones that have been on our shelves untouched for way too long. Of course our favorites would always be an exception. Lately, I've been into just getting ebooks when they're on sale. Though I still hoard, at least they were really cheap and don't take up too much space. For those on regular price though, I figured I would just sample them first before buying them to know if they'd be worth it. But like you, I still have hundreds that require reading so I'm really trying to hold back on shopping.
ReplyDeleteAll the reasons you listed is why I'm trying to use my Kindle more. It's so much cheaper and easier! I too have books I've had for over three years that I haven't read yet and I'm running out of space. I really need to embrace the ebook! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my. That's quite good for you. Me, I'm really trying to buy physical books than ebooks because of my eyes, I don't want to read the whole night though my phone. But sometimes I need to since I have egalleys from Netgalley I needed to review. :/
ReplyDeleteYANI @ www.paperboulevard.com