Have you ever purchased a book after borrowing it from library? - Page 4

deedward9 · 06-07-2026, 09:49 AM

I checked out 1Q84 from the library. In the two weeks I had it, I made it only about 1/3 of the way through. I was going on a two week vacation, and I purchased a copy from ABE Books, and finished reading that copy.

I'm still very happy I own that book.

ApK · 06-12-2026, 01:38 PM

Yes, yes, and yes. Notably, I've checked out reference books of various kinds and decided I want them in my collection. I'm sure I've paid cover price on occasion but of course I look for sales. Occasionally I've taken out a book and decided I'd prefer it in another format that the library didn't have.

DNSB · 06-12-2026, 01:53 PM

Sometimes I think Sir Terry Pratchett had the right idea.

crossi · 06-16-2026, 11:50 AM

Back when I was buying paper books (MMPB only) only about one in ten turned out to be keepers. The rest I donated. Reading first allowed me to weed out the books that were not keepers before buying.

curtw · Yesterday, 09:07 AM

I grew up in a small town, so when I discovered Philip K. Dick in the late 70's, there were no stores selling his books (and honestly, most were out of print at that time). Happily, my public library had several to borrow.

Today, I own them all. For the ones that were published before his death, I do have pre-1982 editions. Some incredibly strange paperback art.

View Poll Results: Have you ever purchased a book after borrowing it from library?
Yes, at full price	39	48.75%
Yes, but it was on sale	35	43.75%
Yes, but in a a different format (physical/digital/audiobook)	27	33.75%
No	10	12.50%
Other	6	7.50%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 80. You may not vote on this poll

06-07-2026, 09:49 AM	#46
deedward9 Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 2112556 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Morristown Device: Boox Nova 2, Kobo Clara, Nook Glowlight Plus, Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4	1Q84 I checked out 1Q84 from the library. In the two weeks I had it, I made it only about 1/3 of the way through. I was going on a two week vacation, and I purchased a copy from ABE Books, and finished reading that copy. I'm still very happy I own that book.

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06-12-2026, 01:38 PM	#47
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,407 Karma: 69116640 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	Yes, yes, and yes. Notably, I've checked out reference books of various kinds and decided I want them in my collection. I'm sure I've paid cover price on occasion but of course I look for sales. Occasionally I've taken out a book and decided I'd prefer it in another format that the library didn't have.

06-12-2026, 01:53 PM	#48
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 52,491 Karma: 180945220 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Sometimes I think Sir Terry Pratchett had the right idea.

06-16-2026, 11:50 AM	#49
crossi Guru Posts: 999 Karma: 12000001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Wahington U.S. Device: kindle	Back when I was buying paper books (MMPB only) only about one in ten turned out to be keepers. The rest I donated. Reading first allowed me to weed out the books that were not keepers before buying.

Yesterday, 09:07 AM	#50
curtw Outside of a dog Posts: 904 Karma: 5649340 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Device: Kindle Voyage	I grew up in a small town, so when I discovered Philip K. Dick in the late 70's, there were no stores selling his books (and honestly, most were out of print at that time). Happily, my public library had several to borrow. Today, I own them all. For the ones that were published before his death, I do have pre-1982 editions. Some incredibly strange paperback art.