Why People Buy Books
After I decided to retire my Kindle for the rest of the year, my husband borrowed it so he could read a book I own (Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke). Yesterday he was extremely excited to tell me he had finished it and wanted a new recommendation. He looked through some of our paperbacks at home, and then decided Google was the best place to find his next read (ha!). After almost purchasing multiple books, I finally convinced him to look through my Kindle library again - this took more persuasion than I expected. I truly could not understand his reasoning for wanting to buy books when I expect we own over 100 books (between paperbacks and Kindle), and, not to forget, our local library is always stacked. This morning, still ruminating this interaction, I decided to Google "why are people still buying books", like a very innocent person would. Like always now, the 'AI overview' popped up first and impressed me by listing the following (among many others) reasons people buy books:
While I typed my question into the search bar on Google, my intent was to understand why people are not using free resources, and spending (significantly) large sums of money in purchasing books they will read only once, if even. It was interesting to see how much more there is to it. Let's break it down:
The 'Ownership and Identity': People are not buying books to read and enjoy, but to show others they are buying the book and, theoretically, have the capacity of reading it (which many times does not happen). From my perspective, ownership and identity is about performing for other people; and not only people that live close to us, but also those that reach us over social media. Recently I saw an Instagram post from someone I personally known my entire life; on this post they were "reading" while pedaling on a stationary bike (& filming it for their Instagram profile). The book in question was a self-help book. As I looked through other posts from this person, I realized their online presence on Instagram was based on this type of content; their identity was entirely based on unhinged self-help book phrases and some other - for a lack of a better word - interesting points of view. With this type of reading-identity behavior, each purchased book is considered a "self-investment". They are not reading for fun and to increase their creativity and empathy, but to show that they are capable of reading about complex subjects, like philosophy and psychology.
This type of book-purchasing behavior can easily roll into the 'Diderot Effect'. In a very basic explanation, the Diderot Effect could be divided in two: 1. One purchase causes a reaction of additional purchases and very likely, overspending and 2. Wanting to buy things we don't necessarily need. Related to this phenomenon, it is well known that shopping can cause a short burst of dopamine. I cannot say it has never happened with me, as I mentioned my 'addiction' to thrifting cookbooks. Plus, this past weekend I finally pulled the trigger and ordered something I needed for my house, and 2 hours later found myself shopping for additional unnecessary items (online, of course).
Now, 'Collecting and Display' is entirely related with both of the previous items. Focusing the Identity and Ownership mainly on the looks of the books and not the content - quite literally: "please judge me by my books covers" - it is for the aesthetics; owning them keeps your taste visible and can be a hobby in itself. My mind immediately went to Rafa Kaliman (Brazilian social media star), that decided to spend 10 thousand reais (around 2.5 thousand dollars) in books for the sole purpose of decoration. Because this story involving Kaliman was from a year ago, I had to look it up to remember the details - and then was further reminded that the same that happened previously in the US with Ashley Tisdale, who had purchased 400 books to fill her bookshelves for an Architectural Digest video in 2022.
So what is the answer? Why are people still buying books? With online shopping, it has become so easy to purchase anything at any time. When my husband was looking for books last night, he was looking on Libby too. The problem? 6-8 weeks wait time. It is simply easier (and faster) to spend money than having to wait for a free resource. This issue goes so much further, but I will leave it at that for now. My trick, as I shared previously: whenever I feel like online shopping, I open my Libby app and browse through books and place holds (if my hold quantity allows). This way it is always a nice surprise when I receive a notification that a book is available multiple weeks later.
Now, the other issue: People don't have the time to go to the library in-person. I am to blame too; it is so much easier to buy, trade or pick up a book from a Little Library in the neighborhood than taking the actual time to going to the library branch closest to me. Finding a good book at the Little Library gives me the same feeling as when I am "multitasking" to the maximum - I went on a walk (for my health), but also with my puppy (for her exercise/health) while listening to a podcast or audiobook and then still found a book!? Is there a better example of multitasking? I don't think so.
To finalize, I cannot ignore the bigger issue too: writers need to get paid, and for them to get paid (and publish more), they need to sell. While researching all of this, I came across multiple websites actually asking people to buy books rather than borrow. Some of the 'reasons' to buy go back to the list mentioned above, including: 'Ownership and Personal Connection', 'Immediate Access', and 'Pristine Copies' (I cannot even get into the 'Pristine Copies' part, I will choose to ignore it). Buying books from a local bookstore, from an author you love, or even emerging writers are very good reasons to do so. Some of my favorite book purchases I made while traveling and visiting local small businesses in different places! I truly believe that buying a book on a trip is a better souvenir than other trinkets.
The botton-line is: use the library, it's free and there are so many cool events going on at local libraries! Borrow from Little Libraries (if available around you; and remember to donate too). Buy from local-small businesses, and don't let the internet trick you into the 'immediate' online shopping scam (this should not be our new norm). Finally, I beg you, PLEASE do not film yourself reading a self-help book and using a stationary bike.
Understanding Shopping Dopamine and Retail Therapy
The Diderot Effect and How It's Keeping You in a Shopping Loop
Rafa Kalimann e Nattan gastam R$ 10 mil em livros para decorar casa
Ashley Tisdale é criticada por comprar 400 livros para decoração de casa | G1
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