Warning: Jenn is coming up to full ranting speed.
If I see one more person post on the Internet that buying books is a waste of money I'm going to flip my stalker switch to on, hunt them down and take a chunk out of his/ her arrogant hides.
Know-it-alls tick me off.
Are many books available at libraries to borrow for free? Yes, absolutely! But in case you haven't been to one in awhile, libraries are struggling. Mine cut hours back and is now closed on Friday and every other Saturday. In Charlotte, twelve library branches are closing down.
Is it true that most people will only read a book once, so paying anywhere from $6.00to $24.00 is excessive spending? I guess it depends on your idea of excessive. For me this could be a big thing but I clip coupons, bargain shop clothes off season to afford myself this luxury. To me, the written word is worth it. And the authors I do auto buy I trust to deliver a product I will enjoy more than once.
Reasons to buy books:
1.) They are a cheaper form of entertainment than cable.
2.) Many books are still printed in the good old USA. I don't know about you, but I always check to see where something is made/grown/produced. While I do buy things that are made in other countries, I'm more likely to buy it if it was manufactured here.
3.) When you are done, you can either re-sell in a yard sale or donate to the library, they would appreciate it.
4.) Sets a great example for children. Don't you want them to grow up to be well read? The best leaders lead by example.
I could keep going, but I've had my say. Do me a favor, next time one of those yahoos on yahoo or msn post that books are a waste of money, point them to this list and let 'em know they don't know it all.
And I extend the invitation to all of you, to join my book group Show Some Spine on my wordpress blog and Facebook.
Our first read is Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison. Discussion begins April 1st. Happy reading!
8 comments:
I love that book!
And I must confess, I'm a book junky. I keep saying I'm going to buy fewer books...but it never happens.
Books are like a magic box, filled with adventure, love, sadness, wisdom and hundreds of other gifts. Buy one today! (Hell, buy one of mine!)
You tell 'em, kiddo!
Great post! I don't know what I'd do without books!
Deborah: I woke up crabby and seeing this stupid article on my home page this morning didn't help. There are smarter ways to save a buck than cut out supporting an industry thatdefines our culture! Plus, I really wanna get one of my books in print and it annoys me to see anyone bashing the validity of that dream.
Lisa: I totally agree, I'm lost without a book (or ten)to read!
Must be the same people in my community who voted down an increase in money to our local library district, but at the same time they started showing up more frequently to use library services like checking out videos because the couldn't afford rentals from Netflix or Blockbuster.
Wendy, sad but true. Yeah people want the benes, just not the tab for 'em!
I am a book collector. I love books. I love the way they smell, the way the pages feel between my fingers, I love the excitement of looking at it and wondering where it's going to take me. Excessive? No. I have a brain and I like to fill it with things other than whatever the idiot is screaming in my ear.
Go Jennifer! I buy heaps of books -- usually authors I know well and usually series. And I read them over and over again. So even though a paperback in a bookstore in New Zealand costs anywhere from $18-$22, and up to $35 for a mass-market larger paperback, I get a heck of a lot of value from my books.
Because books are so expensive here, I often wait for gift tokens to take chances on new authors. Or I borrow from the library -- I've discovered lots of new authors whose books I'm now collecting that way.
Or I'll hang on till a book has been out for a while, then buy it at a slightly cheaper price from an online store that imports from the US or UK. Even a couple of dollars saved makes a difference when you read as quickly as I do!
And my kids are hooked. Daughter is a voracious reader, so we share her YAs. Son is getting up there, too, but he's a bit slower to finish a book. Thank goodness, because it's hard enough keeping me and my daughter in reading material, LOL.
Books are a waste of time? Hah! What waste of space said that? Son is doing exceptionally well for his age in English. Why? Duh! Because he reads lots. End of story.
OOps! Apologies for the rant!
Maree, I'll move over and let you rant on my soapbox any day of the week! Way to go!
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