(AI Tong Prelim 2026) Do you prefer borrowing books from a library or buying books from a bookstore? Why?

I am going to be vulnerable and reveal my idiosyncrasy. I actually don’t like these two options as much as I like getting books from book exchange corners.

Let me explain what I mean. Outside community and public libraries, you can sometimes see book exchange corners, in which people donate their preloved books. Anyone who passes by can bring home these books for free should they choose to. And this is my favourite way of getting books.

No doubt, I enjoy free things, but the reason why I have stopped buying books from bookstores is that space has become a prized commodity at my house. I may have the financial means to buy books, but I don’t have enough space to display them all, especially when my children’s toys multiply like rabbits. 

I also borrow books from the library, but nothing beats the joy of coming across a trending book at a book exchange corner. The thrill I derive from finding popular books like “Surrounded by idiots” and “Talking to strangers” is enough to make my day. Nothing beats indulging in a cheap thrill.

I also relish passing on these books to interested friends once I am done reading them. You can’t do that with books borrowed from the library. And I am not so generous to give people books bought with my hard-earned money.