Stardate: -317724.94

To buy or to borrow?

That was the question that was going through my mind earlier today as I was browsing at my local public library. I like owning books, as it basically ensures that I will actually read the book. However, I am picky, and will often get indecisive when faced with buying a book that I really do actually want to own. If I borrow, I'll often borrow several at a time, and frequently not read all of them. When I'm borrowing, my intent is to give myself options for reading, not necessarily to read all of them.

The flip side of buying is that books, as wonderful as they are, are also bulky and can be hard to store, especially for someone who does not have his own place yet and is prone to move around a great deal in the next few years. Books are also expensive, especially new; but that is not much of a problem for me as I am an avid bargain shopper. So what it comes down to is whether I'm actually likely to read or reference a book more than once. If so, then it is usually worth buying. Even more so if it is one of my favorite books, is by one of my favorite authors, has enduring value, or is particularly interesting to me.

So, my resolution is to buy carefully, and borrow liberally when that option is available to me.