I am really excited about my post for the day, today I have some great advice for you all…how to feed your reading addiction on a budget or even for free! Now, before I get started, I understand that some of you who are international might not have free library access or library access at all. I’m one who will fight for everyone to have free access to books but for those that do…

Let’s get some ideas on how to get some books without your wallet or bank account looking like this

 

 

 

Libraries

 

This is an actual photo of the arch to the children’s section of my local library! Isn’t it beautiful? There is a special teen section as well but I digress.

 

Libraries…my favorite place in the entire world. I feel that these places of book heaven are underutilized and deserve more recognition for what they provide us. You can get a library card for free where I live. If I want to travel to a library in a different county, I have to pay a small fee for membership. I can go in and use the internet, computers, find books, magazines, movies..etc. I am a person who loves to own her own books but life and my wallet don’t always agree with me.

 

There are many times in life I just couldn’t afford to buy books, but I was usually able to find them at the library. If they didn’t have the book I could always request that they purchase it. These days, some authors even offer pre-order incentives to those who request it through their library. I really love this idea because now those of us who can’t afford to buy the book can still take part in the pre-order gifts. It is inclusive and doesn’t make those who have little money feel worse than they already do.

 

Check out your local library, you might be surprised by what treasures you can find there.

 

 

 

 

Hoopla

 

 

 

This is a magical app I use to listen to audiobooks and borrow ebooks for free!! This one, as well as the next option, are connected to the library. For both of these, you need a library card to borrow books. This also means that not everyone has the same selection of books to choose from. Often I find the selection available to me is smaller than I would like but it allows me to discover new books and for free.

 

When you create your account add your library card number and…BOOM!…you now have access to tons of audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Libby/Overdrive

 

 

 

Overdrive is the same concept as Hoopla but is the computer only version, the app that corresponds with it is called Libby. I have both Libby and Hoopla on my phone because sometimes they offer different selections of books. As mentioned before, you need a library card to use this service. But it is so useful to have free books at your fingertips, even if you don’t have the time to go to the library.

 

 

 

 

Garage/Yard Sales

 

 

 

Some might call these different things, but where I live we call them garage sales or yard sales. As summer is growing closer, you’ll begin seeing these pop up all over your town. People want to sell the things they put aside from spring cleaning. Although rare, I have managed to find free books at a yard sale before. Chances are you will find books but they will cost a small fee. Often, I find books cost anywhere between $0.25-$5.00, depending on what the book is. Many of my Stephen King books were bought at sales such as these for a quarter.

 

 

 

 

Used Book Stores/Thrift Stores

 

 

This is an image of The Book Centre, a used book store that I fell in love with years ago. It was packed so full of books I’d spend hours in there looking, sitting on the floor surrounded by books. Sadly, it was sold and the new owner closed it. It made my heart break when we went to visit and I saw the store empty.

 

These are fantastic places to look for books at great prices. Usually, they cost no more than a few dollars. I’ve seen people post on various social media platforms about their amazing finds at used book stores. There used to be a used book store near me where I could walk out with a big box of books for $40. Sadly, it is no longer here so I have to find another one. You might be surprised what you can find in stores like these.

 

 

 

 

#Bookishwish

 

 

 

If you don’t know what #Bookishwish is, check out this post of mine here. This is a great idea if you are really short on funds or would just like to try your luck. Put your most wanted books out into Twitter and use the #Bookishwish hashtag, you just might find a bookish angel willing to help you.

 

 

 

 

Amazon Kindle Books

 

 

 

I know there are many different E-readers, I primarily use my kindle but I have a nook as well. Amazon has so many amazing deals on Kindle books. You can always find some great books for free. This is also a great idea to find some new Indie authors and read books you might not find otherwise. You can search through Amazon to look for free books or follow people on social media who talk about them. I do Freebie Friday every week where I showcase one free book from Amazon. Be sure to check out that post every week, I am always looking for genre suggestions as well.

 

There are some great sites that also list free books weekly. One of my favorites is Bookbub. This is a free site and you get new books all the time they recommend based on your preferences.

 

 

 

 

 

A Nice Friend

 

 

 

Sometimes, if you are kind to your books, you might have a nice friend who is willing to allow you to borrow their precious books. Just be sure to treat it with kindness and respect or you might not be able to borrow books from them in the future. In high school I actually got in an argument because my ‘friend’ couldn’t understand why I was so angry she had dog-eared my pages. She told me it was ‘only a book.’ Needless to say, we grew apart because she blew up in my face over me being upset and telling her she couldn’t borrow any more books. Treat your friends’ books with love and respect. Bring them back in the same condition they were given to you.

 

 

 

 

 

Giveaways

 

 

 

Enter Goodreads giveaways, Amazon giveaways, and any you might find on Twitter or other book blogs. I always have giveaways going on for most of the Saturday Spotlights. Many times the author agrees to giveaway a copy of their book(s). People often do giveaways for hitting a certain number of followers, just because they really love the book, or maybe they had a good day and are feeling generous. I was lucky enough to win a  Wicked Saints ARC with the purple cover from Goodreads. If you never enter, you don’t have the chance to win.

 

 

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Well, I hope that you have a few ideas on what you can now do to help your reading habit even if you are short on money, which tends to be a problem for many of us. Be sure to watch book sites for sales as well. Book Depository is a great one! I would love to see any other ways you feed your reading habit on a budget! Comment below and let me know if you have any additional ideas.