Why do you purchase books?

[Aurora13]

Originally Posted by Asawi

I did not vote here. I don't buy books for any of the reasons above.

I purchase non-fiction paper book now and then because it's something I want to keep. Usually for some sort of reference (craft, hobby, special interest).

When it comes to eBooks I purchase them if I can't get hold of them legally through the library (Swedish eLibrary does not have waiting lists, all books are available at all times).
That happens very rarely. When I'm on hold at one of the US libraries I'm a member of I read Swedish books or downloaded (legal) freebies.

Hi Asawi,
Does the Swedish eLibrary have books in English?
I live in Sweden as well, but don't read so much Swedish (yet.

Tack!
/Christie

[Aurora13]

I buy books because that is the only way I can get them, permanently.

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

P.S. If you really don't like copyright, there's a quite straightforward way to get rid of it (in the US, at least). All you have to do is amend the Constitution...

Isn't that under copyright !

Originally Posted by Aurora13

I buy books because that is the only way I can get them, permanently.

Strictly only if on paper - .....

[Barbara1955]

Libraries [I deal with 2] Dont even have my authors! eBook or audio! So if I want a book I buy it!

[theGsayeth]

I rip from torrents and purchase through Amazon so it's a bit of both. I do support the authors I really enjoy and for others I download from various other places. If I like something enough I'll pay for it because I want to support that person and their work.

[Asawi]

Originally Posted by Aurora13

Hi Asawi,
Does the Swedish eLibrary have books in English?
I live in Sweden as well, but don't read so much Swedish (yet.

Hej Christie!
No, they don't have eBooks in English as far as I know (if they do it's just very very few). That's why I belong to Free Library of Philadelphia and Singapore library (and another US library, through a US friend).

[Giggleton]

I'm actually a bit surprised that no one has chosen option number two, it seems to be an opinion held by some,

"Also, I don’t really believe in ‘free’ books (donate button or not)--people pay for value—if it is ‘free’ then the perceived value is less."

[Anthem]

I suppose it is obvious but:

I purchase books to read them.

Option one does not apply: I have never EVER purchased a book thinking anything even remotely similar to option one. I might have this one time, but it was too close to call so I can't say that I did.

Option two does not apply: There are many free things that have great value.

Option three doesn't work for me because I never look at personal book purchases as some sort of contribution to anything other than my self. "Here you go me! Yay!"

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by Anthem

I suppose it is obvious but:

I purchase books to read them.

Option one does not apply: I have never EVER purchased a book thinking anything even remotely similar to option one. I might have this one time, but it was too close to call so I can't say that I did.

Option two does not apply: There are many free things that have great value.

Option three doesn't work for me because I never look at personal book purchases as some sort of contribution to anything other than my self. "Here you go me! Yay!"

So you can just replace purchase with download then? (I mean semantically not physically lol) I suppose that is the point I am trying to get to here. If you don't place the author's well being in your mind when downloading a book, why do you purchase books at all when they are all readily available to download with no surcharge from various sites?

[jessicalynn]

I purchase books because I'm an honest person and I prefer not to steal. I know it would be easy to download ebooks from the darknet (several people in real life have suggested that to me upon finding that I have an ereader) but since I like books I want to support the people who provide them for me.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

Why do you purchase books?

Because I want to read them.

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

Because I want to read them.

I must admit the original poll questions were a bit skewed, but then again every poll every created has been skewed, anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something.

I considered adding your response but felt that reading was implied by the acquisition of a book. Although I must admit to knowing of those who purchase books because of a particular design, perhaps thinking of how that book will look in their home, placed on a coffee table.

Maybe the entire question needs to be reformulated.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by jessicalynn

I purchase books because I'm an honest person and I prefer not to steal. I know it would be easy to download ebooks from the darknet (several people in real life have suggested that to me upon finding that I have an ereader) but since I like books I want to support the people who provide them for me.

Bingo, we try to be honest and believe that in the long run everyone will be better off this way.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by Giggleton

I must admit the original poll questions were a bit skewed, but then again every poll every created has been skewed, anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something.

I considered adding your response but felt that reading was implied by the acquisition of a book. Although I must admit to knowing of those who purchase books because of a particular design, perhaps thinking of how that book will look in their home, placed on a coffee table.

Maybe the entire question needs to be reformulated.

I answered that way, because, that really is the only reason why I purchase books. At the risk of sounding spoiled or callous, contributing to the author has never really crossed my mind, other than the purchase of subsequent books.
If I really like a particular story I may go ahead and purchase it in multiple formats, i.e. e-book & paperback.

Also, like Anthem, I feel that there are many free things that have great value, including books.

[Giggleton]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I answered that way, because, that really is the only reason why I purchase books. At the risk of sounding spoiled or callous, contributing to the author has never really crossed my mind, other than the purchase of subsequent books.

As we move into the era of complete connectivity, where everyone has the possibility of connecting with everyone else, every upload can easily be traced back to the creator. We have to start thinking about the sources of our content, if we ever really want to eliminate the middleman so to speak. I'm not saying the middleman is completely irrelevant, they can still be connected to content but should be seen as part of the content's creation. Amazon.com, specifically its servers and marketing algorithms are the middleman between the author and the reader for instance.

This idea of connecting our texts to their creator needs to be instilled in us as early as possible and fostered continuously every time we make a purchase or make a purchase for someone else. I'm not talking about ad campaigns relating downloading an audio file to theft. In a copyright free world theft of content will not be possible, but everybody's gotta eat after all.