Reading books is a popular leisure activity shared by millions of people. If you are a true bookworm you’re probably passionate about your favorite authors and wait impatiently for their new release. Many new books come out as a hardback copy first and these can be very expensive yet people still queue around corners in order to be one of the first to buy the book (just remember the Harry Potter books). There are plenty of ways to save money on books while still having the ability to read the book when it has just been released.
1. Join a Library
There are thousands of libraries which offer books to loan for free. You can usually loan them for up to 6 weeks and if you forget to bring them back you can face having to pay a fine. The library normally gets around 10 copies of each new release. All you have to do is find out the release date well in advance and then place your name on the waiting list at the library. The earlier your name is listed, the sooner you will be able to read the book and it will not cost you a single penny. In order to get a library membership you will have to take two forms of identification with you. One of these must show your name and address, so for example, a telephone or utility bill would be fine. As well as books, you can borrow DVDs at a very low cost. The library is quite a social place to go as you can find out activities and events which are happening in your local area and you may be able to join a reading group which is ideal if you love reading and you would like to meet new people. Another great thing about the library is that you can try before you buy. If you were thinking of buying a particular book, you can sit in the library and test it out. If it stinks, you will not buy it and this will save you from wasting money.
2. Buy from Websites
You can buy books for half price or less on sites such as half.com which is attached to eBay. These types of sites are particularly useful if you cannot get what you need from the library. They have a good range of text books on sale so if you are a poor student, this site is for you. Amazon is another fantastic place to buy any type of book from text books to new releases. Their new books are cheaper by around 16% compared to book stores but the beauty is that you can also buy used books from around 10 cents plus postage. This is a great way to recycle and you know that your books are going to a good home. Once you have read your books, you can list them on Amazon to sell. You just have to describe the condition of the book and pay a small fee to Amazon if your books sell. The condition of the books tends to vary between acceptable to nearly new so this is a good way of buying and selling used books.
3. Read for Free Online
If you are a fan of the old classics by writers such as Jane Austen, you can read these books completely free in bite sized chunks via email. This is great way of discovering completely different styles of writing and broadening your horizons. These types of books are often part of the curriculum at schools so it is a bonus for students. There are also many online forums relating to classic writers where you can talk to others who are currently reading these books and share your thoughts and opinions.
4. Join a Book Swap Club
These clubs are growing in popularity due to the current economic downturn and the popularity in recycling. You simply sign up for free and list all of the books you are willing to swap. Someone may request your books and this will then enable you to choose some different ones for free. These clubs are the ideal way to save money on books and can be a great introduction to new authors.
5. Flea Markets and Yard Sales
Next time you see an advertisement for a flea market or yard sale, make the effort to go along. For around $10 you can come back with around 20 books. These events are usually organised in order for people to have a clear out so they tend to sell things extra cheap just to get rid of them. You may even stumble upon a first edition as you are rummaging!
Remember to share and swap books with friends and family as this is a good way to save money. Always look in thrift stores as they always have a wide selection of book titles, as well as visiting used book stores. Last but not least, always read book reviews in the newspapers or online. If they only get 2 or three stars you may decide to save your money.
About Grace
Grace Pamer is a thirty something mom of 3 gorgeous kids and a full time writer. She writes romance and dating tip columns for various publications.
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