[jhowell]

In most cases, possession of a physical book comes with presumption of ownership, even without a receipt to back it up. Ownership of a license to read an e-book is an ephemeral record in the database of a e-book store, subject to loss due to the store's actions. Also, the ability to transfer the license (including by inheritance) is generally not allowed. So owning a license to read an e-book has little value for me.

Because of this, I try to avoid buying e-books when possible, but without resorting to the dishonesty of piracy. Public libraries and paid lending services are my preferred means to obtain books to read. I would rather pay for such a service than buy individual books.

I will buy when there is a book I want to read immediately and it is not available to be borrowed. I purchase when I am ready to read, not ahead of time. Many books that I could have bought when they first came out became available to be borrowed or dropped substantially in price before I would have had a chance to read them if I had bought them immediately.

The cases of buying are rare for me so when they occur the price of the book isn't much of a factor. I prefer to spend under $10, but will go as high at $17.