QotW #84 Multiple Editions

[Chris, Moderator]

Are there any books you own in multiple editions? Why do you have more than one copy of the same book?

[Kathi, Moderator & Book Lover]

I have more than one copy of some ebooks, mostly because I got a deal on an initial books in a series and then a deal on the whole series, so double copies of the first book. Any others were mistake—I bought a physical book that I already owned. Now I make sure I check my spreadsheet of books before I make a purchase!

[Cheryl]

I have intentionally read different editions, ebook, audio, and paper, of some favorites. But I only own a few paper books, am always trying to read through and cull.

I can def. imagine having two copies of certain special books. Maybe, one a treasured but fragile heirloom, one to actually read. Or, one to mark up, one to keep clean.

[Shel, Moderator]

The only ones I have multiple physical editions of are books that I literally read to pieces and had to buy another. There are a few that I have in both paper and ebook, mostly by accident when I didn't realized I already owned it!

[Random]

My initial reaction was "I don't buy multiple copies of books" and that smug idea lasted about 10 seconds until the rest of my brain woke up and yelled "LIAR!".

The most common would be situations where I have multiple formats. In this case its usually audio and something in text (physical, ebook, etc). Sometimes I get something in text and decide I really want to listen to it instead, or the audio is done by a beloved narrator, etc.

Like Kathi mentioned above, get the first book or two in ebook individually and then an omnibus edition comes out at a cheaper price than purchasing the rest of the series. Or I buy the single editions as they come out. But when the last book comes out, its only as part of an omnibus. I almost always prefer single editions over omnibus editions, but this still happens now and then. I have multiple copies of all the Expanse short stories, except the last one, for this very reason. The last was only released as part of the short story omnibus.

Or my husband bought them cause he likes having both, which tends to really annoy me. :)

I have purchased ebook editions of print editions I already own. Though usually the plan is to declutter the print editions by donating them.

I've also purchased multiple copies of some print books. This is almost always because they were lost or damaged. I think I bought 3 copies of A Bad Spell in Yurt as I read that so often it kept falling apart on me. Didn't help one of my cats hacked a hairball up on the cover one day. And now I have a strong desire to reread that book again. :)

[Chris, Moderator]

I read mostly ebooks these days, but I do collect physical copies of some books that are more meaningful to me. I often buy good used copies, though, so sometimes I trade "up" -- that is, I find a hardcover to replace a paperback (although in that case I donate the paperback to the local library). And once in a while I pick up a great hardcover or signed copy of a used book, only to find I already have one.

But the only book I intentionally have two hardcover copies of is The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle. I have a much-loved old paperback copy that is falling apart, that he signed for me a couple of years ago. But I bought a lovely hardcover copy that he also signed for me, and I keep them both on the shelf.

[Cheryl]

The Last Unicorn is actually one I thought about mentioning in my above post. I loved the graphic novel version, and recommend it to fans.

[Paul]

Like Cheryl and some others, I find myself getting the physical copy of a book, the audio and the ebook.


I confess a large part of this is because I've become Amazon's b*tch - either the ebook will pop up in the 99p sale, or I'll see the "Get the Audible for £2.99 when you buy the Kindle edition" and fold.


Do NOT ask me how many Audible books I own. Or ebooks, but that's just because I don't know...