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Those who read for requirement and those who read for leisure can agree that books are not a cheap venture. In fact, books are extremely expensive considering the era that we live in, with the internet and technology providing many outlets for reading. As an avid reader, I found myself growing sad as the price of books began to rise. Fortunately, I discover many resources that allowed me to maintain my reading habits, while saving money too.
Used Book Stores
This should go without saying, but I think it is important to touch upon this subject. Used bookstores are amazing because you can find books that are out of print or have a little scruff to the binding. I fell into used bookstores about five years ago when I walked passed this hole in the wall place that offers a $1.00 cart of used books every day. The fun part about it was that the owner made each day's cart of books to have a running theme. One day, there would be 17th century British Romance and the next day it would be dedicated to science fiction. After that, I dedicated $10 per week to finding used books. Hunting down the used book stores helps you diversify your library and keeps you within budget. I advise that you do not splurge, though, just because you are in a used bookstore does not mean that you cannot accidentally spend over your budget. Decide on a weekly or monthly budget for books and stick to it.
My favorite online used bookstores are half.com, amazon, and Abe's Books. All three offer great deals, but you do have to pay separate shipping for each book that you buy, which adds up quickly. I would only use the online resources if you absolutely cannot find a book that you are looking for. For in town stores, check your local phone book or research it on the web.
Free Books
That's right, free books. In fact, there are places all over the country that offer free books. During my three stay-cation in San Diego, I took a few courses at the local community college and a man would drop boxes of free books off in front of the bookstore every Thursday. Anybody was allowed to take them. Not only did I complete several bookshelves with noteworthy reads, I learned that many places do such an amazing thing.
Finding the free books can be difficult, but ask around town. Libraries are known for having free book carts in the hallways of the entrances when they make room for the new editions, so keep that in mind, too. Colleges are also a great resource for free reading material.
If you are looking for online resources or perhaps free books for your e-reader, then I would suggest using The Gutenberg Project that provides tens of thousands of free eBooks that you can download to the e-reader. There are other great resources as well such as Freebooks.com and Free-Online-Novels.com. These sites are great for readers looking to avoid the cost of purchasing books.
Book exchange
Whether it is a book club or an online book exchange site, trading your already read books for a book that you haven't read before is a great way to save money on this wonderful habit. Trading books means that you do not expand your library, but you do get to expand your knowledge. I think that is a pretty great exchange. This is a great option for readers who do not require a permanent library.
The book exchange is a great way to read and my favorite online book swaps are BookMooch and PaperbackSwap. Neither of the sites charges a fee, unlike some other sites, so I suggest these sites. If you would like to exchange books in your area, search the Meetup website for local book exchange parties. They are always happening, believe it or not!
Books are important, but they do not have to clean out your wallet. These three methods will help you maintain your reading habits without significantly affecting your budget. I hope that you will be able to collect and read as many books as you desire, just remember to maintain a budget and find as many freebies possible.
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