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Even if you are a die-hard fan of the public library system, I’m betting you have at least ONE permanent resident on your bookshelves in your house. I’m betting that no real book-lover can go through life without owning at least one book. So, why that one? What made you buy the books that you actually own, even though your usual preference is to borrow and return them?If you usually buy your books, tell me why. Why buy instead of borrow? Why shell out your hard-earned dollars for something you could get for free?
My Response:
The first and most precious book I own is the Bible. Obviously, I wouldn't want to check out and renew a Bible constantly, since it's a book I try to read daily. Of course I have reference books: dictionary, thesaurus, book of quotes, Shakespeare's works, and other titles that have been given to me as gifts.
Other than that, I have a collection of John Grisham. A friend loaned me The Firm. When I finished that, I checked out A Time to Kill from the library, and I was hooked! Here is an author who can write: no run-on sentences or sentence fragments. He tells a good story. He's contemporary. Profanity is dramatically reduced. I began buying his books as they were published. My family loves to give his newest release to me as a gift. His is a book I'm proud to own.
One year, I even assigned The Street Lawyer for a summer read to my incoming tenth grade Gifted students. It's one of Grisham's few titles that has not been made into a movie, and it deals with the homeless. Although I've not cared as much for some of his latest publications, I still consider John Grisham an American treasure.
What's your answer?
37 comments:
I can't read Grisham now! I gave all my Grishams which I had not touched to my niece! And now she too does not want to read him!
I prefer Jeffrey Archer and Robert Ludlum!
Must buy!
Another John Grisham fan! Most of his I own are secondhand and falling to pieces but I keep trying to find new ones to replace them.
I've never read any John Grisham - sounds like I'm missing out! I try to collect books in my favourite series. My favourite author has a whole shelf to herself lol.
You're right about the Bible... but, that one is not on the shelf.. it's right by my bed!
There are several authors I feel that way about - I read everything they write and collect all the books. I've been waiting for months now for the new Adam Dalgliesh mystery from P.D. James. Haven't read any John Grisham, but now I want to!
I have never read any of his books, maybe I should try reading one. Thanks for visiting my blog :)
Thanks for visiting my blog and Happy BTT! I used to love John Grisham books, haven't read one for ages, I will have to go and find my old copies!
Isn't it great to collect an author? Especially when people know about it, and can give them as presents! I may need to start leaving better hints for my family...
When I answered this I couldn't really think of any books that I absolutely HAD to own but you just made me realize that I'm sure anyone who is religious probably has a copy of their holy book(s). I know I have 2 or 3 copies of mine.
I'm like you except for the non-fiction books I own. But with fiction especially I don't own too many books.
My husband is into Grisham. Thanks for stopping by.
We don't keep too many books anymore or stuff in general, less clutter and less cleaning.
Here is our Booking Through Thursday post.
Thanks for visiting. Maybe chewing on the Bible was good for my soul.
I love the library, but I love the bookstore too! I'm an equal-opportunity reader :)
Hi Sally,
I like John Grisham too. Like you, my family bible is my post precious book. I hope you have a great day!
I used to pick up a book when I grocery shopped, i forgot this, haven't done it since my grocerystore stopped selling books, plenty of fashion magazines but no books. I have A TIME TO KILL, it is said it is his best and his most liked one. I let you a fan tell me
Happy Thursday
I loved Grisham and I used to read a *lot* of his books, but I stopped after a while because I felt that they all started to sound the same. I still keep my favorite Grisham books though, The Client and The Firm, and I still re-read them sometimes.
Oh yes! Grisham is definitely a keeper.
Hi.. Thanks for dropping by. Well, I didn't get much chance to owned books during my early age, although I would always love to had them around me. I remembered, I only had a collection of dictionaries despite those fictional books that I'd always wanted. That's the price I'm paying now, booking thru buying. :)
Happy Reading!
I like Grisham's early stuff -- very well written! I'll ready nearly anything, though. I can't get enough books :-)
Thanks for visiting, and happy BTT!
I'm always buying books. I buy them because I want to have them, period. I like to maintain a history of my reading over the years. There are so many good literature out there that have been overlooked by readers that after the first, or second printing they will go out-of-print. I'm always buying and preserving what I enjoy reading.
I'm a big fan of Grisham's older books, although, strangely, I don't own many. I borrow my brother's copies because, lately, you never can tell if it will be good or not.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Funny about your family getting you the latest Grisham novel. We do that for my mom with Danielle Steel.
Thanks for stopping by! I've never read anything by Grisham, but it sounds like maybe I should try one sometime!
I've read a few Grisham novels, and I want to read more. The list of what I want to read is way too long. Only so many hours in the day and all.
I hear you about the profanity. It's distressing. A while ago HBO started sending me stuff linked to their new TV show True Blood. Well that got me interested, and I love fantasy and vampires and all (the Historian was BRILLIANT) so I tried to watch it.
All sex; almost no vampires. Is it so much to ask that the word "undead" show up more than the f-bomb in a vampire story, and maybe that there should be more fantasy elements than pornography in a fantasy story? Books are generally better for that at least.
I'll have to try some Grisham. I've never read any of his books, although I've seen some of the movies. I don't like to read lots of profanity either.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Nice answer! The religious books that I own are very special to me as well. Though, I never bought one for myself. My parents always ended up buying them for me. ^_^
~ Popin
i'm reading skipping christmas, but i have not read any other grisham.
I love John Grisham too. My favorite of his is "A Painted House."
I used to be a Grisham fan but stopped reading his works. Maybe I'll try to give him a spin again. :)
I'm that like that Nora Roberts. My aunt always asks me "Do you have this?" when she's coming over for a visit and she wants to give me one.
My take on "Why Buy?"
I have stayed away from Grisham for reasons unknown to me. I think it's cos everyone talks about him, and I then feel like I'd be reading simply because everyone else is doing it. I don't know, maybe I'll get there.
So, do you actually buy any books, or are the ones you have only gifts?
I agree that there are some staples every reader must have, the Bible and the Complete Works of William Shakespeare being two of them.
I'm a buyer more than a barrower, although I do like the library for some books. I also have a HUGE collection of John Grisham. The Firm blew me away! As did A Time To Kill. I did take a break from his books for several years and I'm hoping that with his new one coming out in January, it will be the one to get me hooked all over again.
I must try to get a copy of John Grisham's novels. I am sad to say I have not read any of his work.
I've never read Grisham, but my parents are huge fans :)
I really like 'The Street Lawyer' too. I agree with you -- Grisham tells a great story!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Great answer.
I inherited a few John Grisham novels when my husband and I moved in together, but I've never read any of them!
Shana
Literarily
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