I am an avid reader. I am also on a very tight budget. Books are not so cheap. This is could be a problem for me. Over the years, okay, try my whole life, we have frequented the library. Actually, I remember “discovering” the library when I was around 12. Before that I devoured any book I got my hands, as evidenced by the book my parents found under my bed at 5-6 – “What The Bible Says About Divorce and Remarriage”. I must have raided my pastor father’s study shelves. Then at 7 I was reading the 4th-8th grade library books in school since I had read all the 1rst-3rd grade books.
I was the not so proud glasses wearer at 12, most likely due to my “twilight squinting at a book near the window” reading habits, and a bee stung my nose when I put my glasses on, again in twilight, to sneak a few more pages of my too good to put down book.
Even just two days ago I woke up bleary eyed and miserable because I was up until 2 AM reading a book that HAD to be finished even though I also HAD to be up before 7 AM.
Here are my top book resources-
Kindle – even though my Kindle died, I have free reading apps on my Smartphone, the PC, and my laptop. I peruse the Free Kindle books section often and love that I can get a good deal on Kindle eBooks everyday on Amazon.
Library – I miss the days of flipping through the old card system to find the library card for the book I was searching for – good old Dewey system was conquered by me at a very young age. The library said they should hire me before I even turned 13 but I am sidetracked. I love finding books at the library, requesting books from other libraries, or requesting statewide searches for that elusive book. Most libraries even have an eBook lending library now. SWEET!
Thrift stores – Goodwill is my book buddy. Books are $2 or less and there are often treasures lurking on the shelves.
Lion’s Club – some have Book Barns where books are CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP and ours never fails to send kids home with free books.
Book Exchange – some grocery stores or restaurants have a little book exchange area. Leave a book, take a book.
Friends – Share books between friends.
Reviews – Free books in exchange for a review.
What are your tips and tricks for finding inexpensive books?
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Oh my my. I have a major book problem. Major. Every time I even walk into a library, I walk out with a stack of books. I have at least 50 on my Kindle waiting to be read. I also have 3 shelves of unread books in my bedroom–that I really want to read *right* now. I hit all of the categories you mentioned. I also ask for Amazon gift cards as well as specific wish list books for birthdays and holidays.
I have 300-400 books on Kindle, many of them not read. I get so many from the library too. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Our library is excellent. They have a great selection and also free ebooks to check out. One of our favorite places to get cheap books is at the Friends of the Chester County Library book sale every spring and fall (usually Oct and Apr) . The prices and selection are great, but it really helps to get there near the beginning of the sale for the best selection.
I still need to get to the library sale. I am not sure where I would put more books but there is always room, right?
I love our library and Paperbackswap.com is another great treat! Our preschool and the church where I do yoga also have a book swap area. I love to read and am thrilled that my little one seems to be going in the same direction.
I will need to check out Paperbackswap. Thank you. Oh, I also forgot Freecycle! I have gotten boxes of books through Freecycle.