Why I’m Buying Books, Not Borrowing Them (for Now)
It might surprise people who love libraries as much as I do, but lately I’ve been buying my own copies of children’s and YA books instead of borrowing them. My shelves are ready for stories, and there’s a little bit of magic in that choice.
Each book bought is an opportunity for more. It is knowledge, power, and love all in one. It is the backbone of this entire passion project.
1️⃣ To Study, Not Just Read
When I explore a book for The Storystead, I’m looking at more than the words on the page. I notice how illustrations align with the story, how themes come across pages, and how the rhythm of the writing invites reflection. I hope to be able to show these examples to you. Owning the book means I can linger, return, and let it speak in its own time.
And just like the stories I collect, I’m still growing too. The way I understand a book today might change tomorrow, and that’s part of the beauty. I hope to continue my education and understanding with even more education. Being able to go back to these books over and over again, is priceless.
2️⃣ To Build a Living Reference
The Storystead is becoming a living reference and a cozy collection that grows through touch and curiosity. Buying books lets me notice details a screen can’t capture: the weight of paper, the scent of ink, the soft creak of a well-loved spine. It turns research into relationship. I want to know everything there is to know about these books, so you can do less research.
3️⃣ To Support Authors and Illustrators
Every purchase is a quiet vote for the creators who bring stories to life. It helps small presses, debut authors, and self-published storytellers find their audience. The Storystead will always make space for the quiet voices and the ones still finding their way into the light. Many resources only allow authors or books with established backgrounds to take part. Did you know school libraries, at least a fair few, have to make sure their books fit certain criteria. These criteria can include the number of professional reviews. I am encouraging small publishers to aim for that, to aim for more.
4️⃣ To Leave a Legacy of Story
One day, these shelves will pass to new readers such as maybe my children, maybe a local library, maybe someone who needs a good story on a hard day. Each book will carry notes, sticky flags, and a touch of love, waiting to spark something new in someone else.
Libraries will always be my first love. But for now, as I grow The Storystead into something rooted and real, buying books feels like tending a garden, page by page, story by story