Being a book lover can get expensive fast, especially with many of the amazing new releases out right now. It can be tempting to turn to sites like Amazon to purchase books because of their low prices, but this harms the book community as a whole. Currently Amazon sells books for a deeply discounted price, sometimes even lower than the price they can be sold by other places. As more people purchase books from Amazon, independent bookstores are being used less, causing them to slowly shut down. This will one day lead to Amazon having a monopoly over the book market and they will be able to increase the prices drastically. Here are some alternative ways to save money that don’t include supporting companies that damage the book community.

Going to your local library
If you're looking to save money while supporting your local community, getting a library card is the way to go. Libraries are in danger and the best way to support them is getting a physical library card which is a quick and easy process. Libraries have hundreds of books available to borrow, including new releases and timeless classics. On top of being able to borrow books, there are a multitude of other resources for library card holders. If you support the library, the library will support you back.

Libby
One of the benefits of having a library card is having access to Libby, an app that allows you to borrow books virtually through your local library. Signing up for Libby is easy and a great way to read e-books, audiobooks, and even magazines. Borrowing books through Libby is free, just like borrowing a physical book through a library would be. This is also a convenient choice since all the books are borrowed online, meaning you can browse and choose books from the comfort of your home.

Little Free Libraries
Little Free Libraries are similar to actual libraries, with their slogan being “take a book, share a book.” Little Free Library’s goal is to make books accessible 24/7 through all types of neighborhoods. Books are free to take, but you must leave a different book behind for each book you grab. Using Little Free Libraries is a great way to read books for free while fostering the local book community. The website has a map that can help you find Little Free Libraries in your area. There are also some Little Free Libraries that have puzzles too!

Used Book Stores
If you prefer owning your books and growing your collection, used book stores are a great option for discounted prices. Utilizing used books stores also helps keep books in rotation rather than them just being discarded which then helps the environment. Many used book stores, such as Half Price Books, will purchase your old reads, which you can then use for in-store credit to purchase more books. Used book stores may also have out of rotation books that are not in print anymore, making it a fun way to hunt for certain editions of books.

Thrifting and Yard Sales
Looking for books are thrift stores and yard sales can be another way to look for used books for cheap. A lot of the time yard sales will have books for even cheaper than a used book store since people are typically looking to get rid of their things quickly. Thrifting and going to yard sales has the added benefit of being able to hunt for clothes and fun trinkets while you are bookshopping as well. Going to yard sales can give you the chance to meet people in your neighborhood who may also be readers.

Discount Sites
If you are looking for a specific book or don’t want to leave your house to book shop, discount book sites are the way to go. Sometimes used bookstores won’t have the exact book you are looking for, but a lot of the time a discount book site will. Bookoutlet has new books for a fraction of the price of a full priced book since they receive excess products from publishers, giving them the ability to heavily discount books. Thriftbooks is another great option to purchase used books online and is a great way to hunt for editions that are no longer being sold at retail bookstores.

Sharing with Friends
If you have bookish friends, sharing each other’s libraries can be a fun and effective way to save money. Sharing with friends creates an environment where you guys can discuss books and can even create a small book club. Combining your collection with a friend also helps expand the books you both have access to without purchasing each individual book. With literacy rates declining, sharing books with friends may encourage them to pick up reading while inspiring yourself to read more.

Electronic Readers
The initial purchase of an e-reader can be expensive, but can help you save money on books in the long run. One popular choice are the Kobo e-readers. In the United States, the price of a paperback book can be as high as $20 and a hardback can be up to $35. E-books are significantly cheaper, with prices ranging from 99 cents to $15. There are also discount e-book websites that sell books for a discounted price. And on Stuff Your Kindle Days throughout the year, you can grab a ton of e-books for free!

Reading should be accessible for everyone and this hobby does not need to break the bank. Knowing and educating readers on ways to save money while being a book lover is the first step to making this hobby more accessible. While it may be tempting to turn to Amazon for cheap books there are other ways to save your money while still supporting the reading community. Whether you are looking to borrow books or grow your collection, there is a way for you to enjoy books while still saving money.