book owning yap of sorts

For example, I cannot find any of Leigh Bardugo's books at my school library or in the online state library, despite the fact that they once had them and this is how I came to of read the 'Shadow and Bone' trilogy and 'Six of Crows' duology. I have a gift card for a bookstore I used to frequent, and I have been considering if I should buy one of the book sets so I can own and reread these books. I already own the second book to 'Shadow and Bone' (Siege and Storm), so it WAS a complicated decision, up until when I recalled not enjoying that series as much and actually finding one of the books in that series a drag to get through. It's like... own a book set that I recall loving vividly and enjoying, or own a book set where the series didn't have much of a grasp on me in comparison?

Anyway, the main reason I am talking about this is because I used to not think about these things. I'd go ahead and buy a book because I heard it was good, or because I could just buy it even though I could get it at my library. Most of the time, these books were not any I felt were worth keeping.

An issue I have, however, is I cannot sell the books I no longer want because I do not live in the city where people could find me easier, and most of them are books my nan would not want to read, so there isn't much I can do with them except stuff them in a bag and sit them in a room we don't use.

Regardless of this, I still intend to sort through what I do have on my bookshelf to A) make room for the other books I own and B) to let go of books I know will just sit there and collect dust. Perhaps I can also talk to my aunt & other nan about not getting me books unless I ask for them. Unfortunately they think I love those supernatural romance books that are generally written and executed poorly...

Anyway, I'm feeling pretty good about acknowledging I keep things I don't need and won't have a further use for, and I do love libraries so I would love to continue to use them. At the very least, I am trying to avoid bookstores unless I have a gift card or they're second-hand because my goodness books are expensive in Australia. I recall some places have far cheaper prices, and I yearn for those. The amount of money I could have saved when I was younger too.... 💔 like Bea, girl.... you don't need to own it. You really don't need to own a book you've already read just for the sake of owning it.... Haha, that being said though, I loved a book from school so much that I stole it. If I had the patience, I could have waited until they were throwing them out because nobody reads them.

Anyway, be smart with your money people! And don't buy things impulsively when you know you won't use them anymore than once.