I know I’m dating myself as a child of the 20th century, but I can’t read any of this thread without constantly screaming internally.

I don’t really read books digitally (my poor eyes now I’m in my 30s…) or listen to audio books. However, I do have multiple copies of the same book. I have four editions of The Hobbit, for example.

This is something I find interesting because it brings up the question: are books art in their own right, not simply a format for the story? My answer is YES! I love the look and feel of my Folio society edition, I love the smell and memories of my grandfather’s worn copy, I love the annotations in the second hand copy I got from a closing down sale (like the last reader was sharing the experience with me). And I love having a copy I’m willing to give/lend to friends and family that won’t break my heart if it’s lost.

I buy physical copies of anything I’m likely to reread. I prefer physical books but if I want to fit everything I read into my flat I’d need to throw out bot my partner and everything we own.

Herself(my partner) on the other hand buys books she never intends to read. She’ll buy books with pretty looking spines or covers. Or she’ll buy something she enjoyed before but doesn’t intend to read again as a physical reminder of the emotions she experienced whilst going through it the first time round.

These opposing purchasing priorities have resulted in an 8 year argument which I have dubbed the Bookshelf Schism.

I should also note that I typically have at least 3 or 4 copies of the Hobbit at any given time on the off chance I can convince someone to read it for the first time.

I only buy books I have already read. Keeps the pocketbook full and my library is only stuff I love.

I buy books that I have already read if I would like to: have one around, reference, reread, recommend/loan/give, or to start conversations.

If a book was important to me intellectually or emotionally, just having a copy around and just noticing it occasionally reminds myself of whatever was important about it, and that can be valuable to me.

I don’t generally, but I’ve often wanted to buy some as ornaments. I’ve also bought one to support the author after reading the book online.

I don’t re-read books but I absolutely buy physical copies of books I’ve bought digitally or borrowed from the library/a friend.

A book that really touches you is a special thing, and it’s nice to have a physical object on your bookshelf which you can see and be reminded of. It’s also nice to go “YOU HAVEN’T READ X? HERE PLEASE READ IT”

I read a lot of manga on my phone as it is very accessible, and I buy the ones which stand out the most. That is how I got into buying manga and my bank might not approve of the direction I am going XD

Absolutely.

I used to buy every book physically (perhaps due to the whole being a child of the 20th century thing), but have started relying more on epub these days. Despite that, there is something really meaningfull about simply having a shelf of literature that has moved me and changed my life in some way. Through the course of the day I find myself noticing the titles on my book shelf and recalling that period of my life and the impact it had on me. You just don’t get that kind of memory connection with a digital book that you never see unless you open your reader to intentionally re-read it.

Also, I have never re-read any of my ebooks. I have however found myself moved to re-read my physical books 3, 4 or even more times. Each time they take on a new significance. I’m sure this is due to the physical presence that they have in my life, and books that I only have digitally just don’t seem to have that same effect (with a few notable exceptions.)

Like one of the other comments mentioned though, do make sure to get a copy of the book that has a visually interesting and tasteful cover/spine. Publishers don’t always do well with the cover and that can be unpleasant.

Edit: one more thing: being able to reference certain page numbers for quotes and knowledge bases is really valuable. This is really only feasible in a physical book as the page numbers in ebooks shift higher or lower depending on your chosen font size. If you never change your font that may not be an issue, but with non standard font rendering in ebooks and possible device transfers, any notes that involve specific page numbers can be made entirely useless very quickly.

Yes sometime, I do read some novel/light novel online.

But when there are official release (translated by local publisher and legit), I will buy, for 2 thing:

• For collection purpose. for enjoyment, because book will come with stuff, art, diagram, …
• Support the practice of bringing that type of book local. If no one buy, then publisher will stop doing so

I buy some physical books, but mostly either borrow from the library or for some rare stuff I aquire backup copies from various places online.

If there is a graphical element to a book, like an atlas, or even books like “House Of Leaves” or “pallbearers club” where the ebook is inferior due to the formatting and typesetting, I’ll buy the physical copy.

Recently I’ve been buying really premium versions of books I reread like the deluxe slipcase of LotR and other tolkien stuff (histories box set is next on my list) and the Akira box set. These are things I read every couple of years so I just like to have and hold the really nice stuff.

I also usually like to get physical copies of RPG books because it’s faster to use at the table and I don’t get distracted by a tablet. The physical version of Mork Borg (and feretory + heretic) is in itself a work of art.

Only very occasionally. Masters of Doom and Ubik are examples. I like being able to hand copies of books to friends and family to borrow and I can’t do that with an ebook.

I tell myself I will reread some books, but I can’t imagine ever really doing that. Maybe when my brain is less plastic some day.

I read the whole thread and didn’t find anyone saying they read digital exclusively for functionality reasons.

First, I’ll say that kids’ books are the exception. We have hundreds of children’s books, and regularly borrow heaps from the library and buy used (for both environmental and financial reasons).

But for my reading, I exclusively read* digital books, mostly with text-to-speech. As someone working more than full time with kids and family responsibilities, my reading time is driving, doing chores, or right before sleep. Right before sleep, I like to read with my eyes along with reading with my ears*, but I shift to ear reading pretty soon so it’s completely dark. I fall asleep with a book playing (on a timer) almost exclusively.

I have a few textbooks and course notes packages from university (half a small box), photo books, and unread physical books that were given to me (I read digital versions instead). That’s the full list.

Even if I want to take notes on a book, live links to page references and embedded text in Logseq is so much better. I get the quote, its context, and direct links to the other idea/thought that I connected ideas with in my Logseq “Second Brain”.

* “Reading” is the correct verb for consuming books regardless of medium. It’s ableist gatekeeping to say otherwise, just like deaf people can talk, people in wheelchairs can go for a walk, and blind people can say they’re “seeing a friend later.”

Yes, especially books I want to lend to friends because I thought they deserved attention.

I’ma similar boat. I’ve decided that I’ll buy the physical book of after a while I still feel like the book I’d meaningful to me. I’ve got a short list of books I’ve read digitally that I’ll buy physically.