That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler for the pocketbook to borrow a paperbook from the library or to brave the slings and arrows of penury to support favorite authors. Aye, that is the rub. Also, I could be bounded by eBooks and count myself queen of infinite space.
I would like to complete my Ursula K. LeGuin Earthsea collection. I have the first 3 books in dead tree book and actually replaced the falling-apart old paperbacks with better copies. While my mother read me those when I was a kid and I adore them (I have read them several times on my own), I never sought out the three sequels.
I feel like I need to do so but here is the thing. I can:
1) Get them from my well-appointed public library, which has them in pBook.
Pros - I can then share them with Mom without getting a lecture about overspending. Free!
Cons - I'm OCD a little and feel like, if I have some of a series, I need to have it all. In the same format. Ms. LeGuin doesn't get paid.
2) Buy them in pBook.
Pros - Can share with more people. And cheap. I can get used copies for 4-5 bucks (including shipping) from Amazon. OCD assuaged.
Cons - Possible overspending lecture, lack of physical space. I might have to get rid of a couple of other books pBooks. Ms. LeGuin doesn't get paid.
3) Buy them in eBook.
Pros - I love reading on my Kobo, which I find easier to handle than a pBook. No spending lecture. $ goes to Ms. LeGuin. Saves space.
Cons - More expensive than the used pBooks (6-8 bucks each). Can't share. Doesn't assuage the OCD because it is in a different format.
These aren't the only ones I'm have that issue with. I want to read Jasper Fforde's latest Thursday Next book and I have the previous ones of those in pBook so do I complete, do the library thing, or buy in eBook? Also, Lev Grossman's sequel to
The Magicians is coming out this summer and I have that in pBook, so same deal. What would you guys do? I know I should probably get over the OCD and just get them from the library. But, but, my collection!
