Why Do People Brag about Not Buying Books?

Since I’ve become an author, I’ve noticed people have a certain (rather irritating) pride about not buying books. I’ve been consistently perplexed at how well-educated, smart women almost wear their anti-book-buying policies as a badge of honor.  And it comes up more than you’d think.

Just in the past few years:

Some members of a short lived book club asked to pass the book around so they “wouldn’t have to buy it.”  (Imagine how long it would take to pass around one book to at least three people.)

At church, one very lovely woman came up to me and told me how much she loved and supported my writing.  Then, she explained that she used the library for e-books and added, “I haven’t purchased a book in eight years.”

And speaking of e-books, I recently published one, which cost a whopping $2.99.  After publication, a friend sent me a Facebook message:

If this book were free, I’d read it.

And most recently, Kathy Tuan MacLean’s posted in our sister blog What She Read:

…My 13 year old asked me to read her favorite book The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen and gave me a list of Dessen books she wanted for Christmas.

“That won’t happen.” I said.

“Why?”

“Because you know I don’t believe in buying books–order them from the library.”

Let me say that none of these women are impoverished.  Kathy is has her PhD, lives in the Boston area, and is gainfully employed.  Some of those mentioned above are doctors’ wives, one is a professional woman, and the other could afford a $2.99 book.

So, why are there so many people who are so proud to announce that they don’t buy books?  And why do they not consider for a moment that bragging about their policy to an author might be off putting?

Non-Book-Buying-Braggers, consider this:  Would I go up to one of your husbands at the grocery store and say,  “Doctor, I’ve got a rash right here.  Do you mind looking at it here in the fruit aisle so I don’t have to go to pay money for health care?”

Would I go up to a lawyer if I saw him at a restaurant to explain my most recent car accident, refusing to call the office to avoid that pesky “billing by the hour” business?

Of course not, and these typically polite women probably wouldn’t either.   Yet, there’s a disconnect when it comes to writing.

Some of these same moms would be the first to decry the demise of the arts without considering that book-buying is the best way to actually support the artists, and consequently, art.  “The starving artist” is a stereotype for a reason…  and one of the reasons is because people believe they’re entitled to high quality books which frequently take years to write for absolutely no money.

Libraries are wonderful things.  They allow people to access information regardless of socio-economic class.  But they also provide a platform so readers can find — and try out – new authors. Readers might discover authors at events and then go out to buy their books. My own local library, for example, encouraged others in my community to read my books, has bought copies of my books, and even allowed a book seller to come into the library for actual sales.  Who doesn’t love to go into a library, walking through the rows of books, and hoping to discover a new favorite?

However, there’s still something disconcerting about the pride people who can afford books exhibit concerning their anti-book buying policies.

For these people I honestly ask:

1.     Why don’t you buy books?

2.     Do you understand why this would be concerning to an author?

3.     If you were a published author with books on the shelf for sale, would you change your perspective on the issue?