Library- this is probably one of the first things you think of when you think of free books and it is a great resource. If you are like me you probably get overwhelmed looking through the library , end up with 20 books that you don't get to read because you taken out too many. Luckily libraries have come a long way since card catalogs. Most libraries now have websites that allow you to browse/search their library as well as other libraries that offer inter-library loans. Many let you keep a "to read" list right online as well as hold books and renew books. I am LOVING what technology has brought to libraries. What I like to do is go onto Amazon and browse the books on there using a key word and then looking at recommended books based on that. I open another window with my library site up and when I find a book that I want to read on Amazon I click over to my library window and see if they or another library in the area carries in, then I can put it on hold or on my "to read" list. If after I've read it I like it a lot I will buy it. I've saved myself a lot of money this way.
Used Books-there are lots of used books stores around the countries but you can also get used books through Amazon (can you tell I love Amazon?). I know a lot of people are iffy about ordering from independent sellers but a lot of the used books are fulfilled by Amazon through their buy back program. Here is an example (from the book I wrote about the other day)
| You would click on the (18 used....) and that would take you to a list that would show the sellers and prices, below the "new, used, all" tabs click on Free Super Saver Shipping and that will show you the used books that are fulfilled by Amazon. With that being said, I have ordered from independent sellers on Amazon many times and have never had an issue. E-Books/E-Magazines- I have to admit, I have not jumped on this bandwagon, for me I really enjoy the actual book, I like to dog ear the pages, I like to physically flip through the pages, with magazines I like to rip out the pages I want to keep.....that being said..I am close to jumping on the bandwagon. I like the idea that it is better for the planet, that its compact so I can take many books and magazines with me in my purse without breaking my back or using up precious cargo space on camping trips and I really like that these are less expensive and of course instant gratification is a plus. Another bonus is that some libraries lend ebooks (just make sure your ebook has that capability). Borrowing from friends and family- my neighbor and I read magazines and then trade which is quite awesome (well except for her because I'm always ripping pages out of my magazines!) But if you have friends and family who enjoy reading like you do then this is a good option (and I'm sure you can work something out with page rippers like me) Book Swap- I haven't tried this one, I don't know why, I always mean to but I forget...I'm going to have to try it out. Basically you have a wish list of books as do other people and when you have a book another member wants you pay to mail it to them and when there is a book that you want the person who has that book pays to send it to you. This isn't lending, the books is yours to keep, if you don't like it you can list it again. So basically you can get books that you want really inexpensively especially if you use the media mail option at the post office. |
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