How To Read More For Less
Are you wanting to read more this year, but don't have much room in your budget? I've compiled a list of both free and budget friendly ways for reading and listening to more books this year.
It’s no secret that I love to read, and read *a lot.* While it’s simply something that brings me the utmost joy, lowers my cortisol, and has turned into something I prioritize over TV, bookish costs can add up quickly!
Like a true mood reader, I like to read many books at once (thank you ADHD) and like to listen to audiobooks at 1.5x speed while I work, walk, drive, and do chores. With ADHD and aphantasia, it can be difficult for me to get into a story. So having the ability to not commit to books at a steep cost is ideal.
Below, I share several ways to aid you in devouring books while not breaking the bank. These also serve as great outlets to finetune what kinds of books you like to provide more agency in your purchasing power when you choose to splurge!
A few bookish buddies from @rosebudmode’s discord community pitched in a few ideas.
Free ways to read books:
Visit your local library: Public libraries offer a wide variety of books that you can borrow for free. You often only have to show proof of residency. Libraries also often have free wifi and printing capabilities.
Utilize online libraries: Many libraries also offer e-books and audiobooks that you can borrow online for free with a library card. The app is called Libby and can be downloaded on your smartphone and iPad for easy access to books and audiobooks. They also temporarily send e-books to your kindle. (Libby is only compatible with Kobo in Canada).
🦋 TIP: Some states and counties allow you to sign up with multiple libraries to expand your ability to borrow through Libby.
Little Free Libraries: These are small, community-run libraries where you can take a book for free and leave one in return. They are scattered *all* over my neighborhood. Some folks like to go for “Little Library Walks” with friends, and I make my husband pull over every time I see one. Don’t have one in your neighborhood? Start one!
🦋 TIP: This map allows you to find one close to you!
Story Cartel and NetGalley: These websites offer free e-books in exchange for an honest review.
🦋 TIP: While NetGalley takes some getting used to and finesse to build your profile, it is a really fun way to read ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) before they are published. If you’ve been thinking about making a Bookstagram or Booktok or revamping your blog for books, this is your sign to do so!
Borrowing from friends: Ask your friends if they have any books they'd be willing to lend you. Or simply start the vibe! At one of my book clubs, there’s a really generous woman who I will refer to as V. She brings books to share that the women pass around. She writes her name on the inside cover and asks that it be returned once everyone has enjoyed it. On Wednesday, V mentioned a book that she really enjoyed, The Idea of You. It is soon to be a film starring Anne Hathaway. Without thinking, I simply shared that I’d love to look into it. She then excitedly said “I will want it back, but I’d be happy to lend it to you, I’ll bring it to our next meeting. That way you can read it before the movie comes out!” Be like V!
🦋 TIP: Books are precious and a wonderful way to add an extra layer to friendship. Always return books in good condition, don’t fold the corners, do use a bookmark, and if you must underline, jot down notes on a separate piece of paper. If you, a pet, or another individual damages the book, offer to replace the book or go ahead and do so if they are keen to have it returned. It’s the right thing to do.
Organize a book swap where people bring books that they are willing to contribute. I have received a lot of books this way and have a pile started for the next one!
Giveaway piles: Keep a book pile by your door that is up for grabs. I keep a pile stacked in the event I can get someone to leave with one lol. Friends are always welcome to raid my stash when they come over.
Project Gutenberg: This website offers over 60,000 free e-books, mostly classics, that are in the public domain.
Open Library: This is an online library that lends books for free, including many modern titles.
Librivox: This website provides free public-domain audiobooks read by volunteers.
Stuff your [Kindle] Day: A few times a year, romance authors make their books entirely free for e-readers. You don’t have to have a Kindle to participate, but *thousands* of books become available once announced. For updates on when to expect these drops, check out this website or subscribe to their newsletter for updates.
Free Kindle books: Amazon offers a selection of free Kindle books, including classics and self-published works.
🦋TIP: If you already have an Amazon Prime account, then you are qualified for Amazon Prime First Reads, free copies of pre-selected books. Thank you for the tip: @shelvesofmo on IG
Free Nook books: through Barnes & Noble readers can enjoy many free books year-round.
🦋TIP: They also sponsor Free Fridays through their e-readers and Nook app. Free Fridays—a pre-selected e-book on them. Thank you TayTay for the intel!
Google Books: Google Books offers many free books, particularly older titles that are in the public domain. The same goes for Apple Books.
Bookbub: This service provides a daily email with free and discounted e-book offers. (Deals are usually under $3.) Free online magazines: Many magazines offer free online articles that you can read.
Author websites: Some authors offer free short stories or sample chapters on their websites.
Goodreads: This book review website often hosts giveaways where you can win free books.
Hoopla and Cloud Library offer options for free books in your area. They accept donations and provide outlets for acquiring free books. Thank you for the tip, @StanDee019!
Follow your favorite publishers— they often host book giveaways as promotional content and often request a short blurb on why you’d like to read the book. They also often welcome readers to email them requesting copies for reviews. If you write a compelling email, you may just end up with a book or two in your mailbox! Some book influencers are automatically added to PR lists and you don’t have to have an astronomical following in order to do so.
Keep your eyes open: I’ve seen a lot of “take one leave one” sections at coffee shops, public pools, airbnbs, and more.
Long Term, Long Distance, Low Commitment, Casual [book relationships]:
Subscriptions, while can often devolve into sneaky costs, can be super effective ways to save money in reading—if you use them! It is girl math in its purest essence if you take advantage. While there are many paperback/hardcopy subscriptions like Book of The Month, FairyLoot and more, you’re kind of stuck with the options that they give you. Digital subscriptions are far more non-committal.
Kindle Unlimited: A very advantageous platform for independent authors. (They get paid per page read, so read those acknowledgments! lol) While there is no cap on how many you can read in a month, there is a cap on how many you can borrow at once, which is a generous 20 titles.
Cost: $11.99/month or about $145/year
Everand (Formerly Scribd): Unlimited borrowing of e-books AND audiobooks. I swiftly canceled my Audible subscription after a fellow reader told me about Everand and love the low commitment. There’s nothing worse than buying a book or audiobook and immediately disliking the story/narrator. If I don’t like a book or audio narrator, I can skip it and move on without using a precious credit or hard-earned cash. This is particularly handy if you like to toggle between paperback and audiobook.
Cost: $11.99/month or about $145/year
Thrift Stores and Goodwill are great places to score big! I have heard goldmine stories of people finding full series for $5 or first editions for coveted titles for less than a coffee.
Scour discounts by big-name stores. I’m a sucker for scrolling on Apple Books audiobooks for $4.99 or less.
Used bookshops are a DELIGHTFUL microcosm in the world. We are very lucky here to have so many wonderful used booksellers on the island. Bookshops will often buy back books in good condition. My closest indie will buy back for $2 a book and sell used books for $7. The girl math is mathing.
Do you already have a Spotify account? Great! Then you get 15 listening hours of select audiobook time each month. This is a great way to finish or sample books before pursuing them further.
🦋TIP from Syrcy on Discord: Chirp often has book deals for audiobooks under $5. Audible has daily deals for $5 for members, and Amazon will send you an email with Kindle deals for under $5 fairly regularly. Book Riot has a daily featured e-book deal emailed with books typically under $3. For physical books: Book Outlet carries a ton of popular books for 50% off or cheaper as they source from excess inventory and returns. As a result, some books may have a smudge or aren’t perfect for displaying, but are for reading. Thank you Syrcy!
Start a book pool! Are you interested in starting a book club with some of your friends or community members, but don’t want to buy every copy every month? Pitch the idea of a book pool— a portion of readers purchase the book for each month and pass it around once they’ve read it.
How it would work: Let’s say there are 12 members in your book club with readers of various reading speeds. Three members buy the book and share it with three other members before the book club. That’s three copies for four individuals. Members take turns with who buys that month’s copy. As a result, for 12 books a year, you are only purchasing
What’s your favorite bookish tip? Let me know in the comments!
Remember, while these methods provide free access to books, it's important to support authors and the publishing industry when possible by purchasing books you enjoy.