Every time I'm at the bookstore, I look at a copy of EG. But I can't convince myself to buy it. And I absolutely love it. I only read it on the occasions I get it from the library.
It's like that Lewis book, Perelandra. He talks about getting something great only once in a while, because, say, listening to a syphony over and over decreases it.
Is it crazy to fear buying EG and putting it at my convenience will decrease its power and value?
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
No.
Do you have any idea how much money I've spent repeatedly buying copies of EG since 1987? Neither do I - but at least one copy if not two each year.
Why?
I lend it out with the words, "You gotta read this - you'll love it." And I never (NEVER) get my copy back.
Stick to the library version, bud - it's far more affordable.
Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
Anthro,
I think that's a perfectly legit sentiment. Repetition brings boredom, or worse... Rereading a fav book or reviewing a fav film can have the effect of highlighting the seams and the holes - the flaws. Alternatively, foregoing revisitation of past favs can enable the nice clean stable of romantic memories.
fallow
Posted by Crystal (Member # 5437) on :
I'm the opposite way. Anytime I read a book that I like I end up going to the bookstore and buying it. I guess I just like having the book with me whenever I feel like reading it.
Posted by Epictetus (Member # 6235) on :
I'm with Crystal, but it's mainly because most of my friends I've recomended books to have gone to the library before I had the chance to lend it ti them.
[ June 03, 2004, 03:20 AM: Message edited by: Epictetus ]
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
I'm also with Crystal on this one (*waves at Crystal* Hi Honey! How are ya?).
My books are like a security blanket...as are my CDs. I have to have them all ready all the time depending on what mood I'm in. I may go through phases of not reading, say, Enchantment, for a while cause I've read it so many times. But I ALWAYS go back and read it again. If it weren't there when I felt like reading it, I would feel like the planets had slipped out of alignment or something.
Same thing with my music. I'm truly a geek.
(Shan, you should know better than to lend out your books. Have cards made up that say "Go read Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, you'll love it." That would probably be cheaper. )
Posted by BlueJacsFan (Member # 6590) on :
I think I have an over-active collector gene. I tend to buy rather than borrow, but I rarely re-read. My problem is justifying a re-read when I have other stuff on my "gotta read" list.
Posted by Enderwillsaveusall (Member # 6227) on :
nah nothing wrong with that. seems like i enjoy having to go out of my way to read a book or watch a movie. It like anticipation. I am kind of hesitant to buy EG to because im afraid im going to have it at my leisure keep reading it and then lose intrest. Dont want that to happen but ill probably end up buying it anyway cause its my favorite book since this past year.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
You're right, Narnia - but they get read when I hand out the actual copies -
Posted by fallow (Member # 6268) on :
I don't mind buying books (even more than once). First, I read them (selfish enjoyment). Then, I pass them on. Either to a friend, or to an empty table in an airport terminal for example. I figure it's a charity of sorts. cerebral.
fallow
[ June 04, 2004, 12:06 AM: Message edited by: fallow ]
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
Ender's Game is undoubtedly the book I have reread the most times, and rereading it hasn't allowed me to spot any seams or flaws, but rather to get more subtleties I didn't pick up the first time or six. I think it would work as you say for a lot of books, but, in general, it hasn't worked that way for me with OSC books.
Posted by Kabederlin (Member # 6304) on :
quote: I lend it out with the words, "You gotta read this - you'll love it." And I never (NEVER) get my copy back.
How true that is Shan. I guess all the people I give my books to like them so much they aren't going to give them back. I'm not sure whether to be happy because they've grown fond of Card's literature or be angry because I'm paying for their reading... Hmmm...
Posted by cRaZy ToM (Member # 6474) on :
wELL U PROB HAVE THIS GOING THROUGH UR HEAD "if i have read it all these times for free, why buy it"
Posted by julian (Member # 6540) on :
It's said that there are two kind of fools: those who lend books and those who return them. I belong to both groups.
I bought Ender's Game (and other books) many times. I only have one copy now.
Posted by Shepherdess (Member # 6115) on :
I'm sure my friends who recently helped me move wish I was more afraid of buying books!
If I see a good book for a decent price, I just can't resist. I have a first ed. of Ender's Game signed by OSC that I wouldn't lend out even to my dearest friend, but other than that I'm more than happy to share my books with anyone, and its just an added bonus if it finds its way back to my bookshelf again.
Posted by BlueJacsFan (Member # 6590) on :
I know what you mean about the moving thing. In addition to all the books I have (1 1/2 bookcases full of just Star Trek novels, besides all the rest), I also collect comic books. The last time I moved, my friends actually told me that the next time I moved, they weren't moving the comics.
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I'm truly a geek.![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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Ender's Game is undoubtedly the book I have reread the most times, and rereading it hasn't allowed me to spot any seams or flaws, but rather to get more subtleties I didn't pick up the first time or six. I think it would work as you say for a lot of books, but, in general, it hasn't worked that way for me with OSC books.
![[Wink]](wink.gif)