Here are a few ways I decide what to do:
I borrow from the library if....
- I think the book is a one-time read
- the book is fiction (see below for exceptions)
- I'm not sure I'll like it
- its not a favorite genre
- its written by a brand new author
- its a cookbook that I only want a few recipes from
Once I decide a book is worth buying, then I choose between the paper or digital version. Since I discovered that readers absorb less on Kindles than on paper (and I find this to be true for myself), it's usually easy to determine which format I want.
I buy the "real" book if....
- I know I'm going to underline, write and highlight all over it
- I'm going to want to read it again
- I want Ryan to read it
- I'm using it for a Bible or book study
- I want to save it for my kids to read one day
- its a favorite from my own childhood and I want to give them to my kids so they can give them to their kids (like Nancy Drew, Pippi Longstocking, or the Beverly Cleary books)
- its a great series and I want to own the complete set (like The Mitford series by Jan Karon or the Fairacre series by Miss Read)
- its a cookbook with lots of great recipes
- I just want to own it for some reason (some books just speak to me that way)
I buy the e-book if it meets the following criteria...
- If I know I like the author
- its the next book in a series
- its cheaper than the hardcover/paperback
- the library hold list is way too long and I just can't wait
- if its on sale for $5 or less
What about you? Do you have a preference for borrowing or buying books and how do you choose?
