For every book lover, there's a universal truth: the to-be-read pile is always growing, but our wallets and shelf space can't keep up. New releases come out faster than we can read them, all while our bank accounts give us some serious side-eye. Being a book lover can be an expensive hobby, but a limited budget doesn't mean you have to limit your reading. Instead what if I told you there's a way to keep your bookshelves (or kindle) stocked and your wallet happy?
Over the years, I've learned how to feed my book addiction without having to break the bank. From library card hacks, to going on bookish adventures while looking for amazing deals, I'm here to share all my secrets for reading more for less. Ready to read your heart out, without going broke? Let's dive in.
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Prioritize Using Your Library
A few years ago, I noticed that a lot of the books I buy end up being around a 3 star rating. While not a bad rating, I realized I was spending money on books that I didn't truly love. I want my shelves to be a reflection of my reading taste, with my limited shelf space being filled with 5 star reads that I can't stop waxing poetics about - not books that I only feel were a "meh" 3 stars.
This is where using your public library comes in. By prioritizing using the library, you gain access to unlimited books with zero commitment. If you borrow a book and love it, you can always buy a copy afterwards for your book collection. If you despised a book, you can simply return it, and move on without the guilt of having spent money on it. It's a clear win-win situation. Plus, many libraries have sitting areas where you can relax and dive into your next read.
Use the Libby App
Now if you haven't heard of the Libby app, you are truly missing out. This is the holy grail app as a reader on a budget, and that's because it doesn't cost a thing to use. Libby links to your public library card and gives you access to their entire collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. My favorite feature being where you can borrow an ebook and have it sent directly to your Kindle device to read. The only downside is that for some more popular titles you may have to wait on hold for a book, similar to that of borrowing physical books from the library. I also like to use the Libby App for listening to audiobooks, as they can be quite expensive to purchase. It even allows you to listen to samples so you can make sure that you like the narrator's voice before committing to the audiobook.
Free Little Libraries
If you haven't been to a Free Little Library, drop everything and go find one. This is one of my favorite ways to un-hual books, while also finding a couple to add to my collection along the way. The concept is simple: you locate a box, drop off a book, and take a book. Easy as that. You never know what you'll find, and it's a great way to spend the day if you want to go on a bookish adventure. Sure, sometimes you won't find anything, but there's true hidden gems out there. I once found a signed copy of Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas, which I immediately hauled and added to my collection. Who knows, maybe you'll find a book you've been wanting!
Explore Thrift Stores
Exploring thrift stores is another great way to find books while on a budget. Usually you can find books for under $5 this way, which is substantially cheaper than buying them new. Now depending on where you go the selection may vary. I've seen videos of girls going to Goodwill Books and finding amazing finds for very little, but sadly we don't have any of those in my area. However, I do have a normal Goodwill near me which luckily tends to have a large selection of books, and I've even had a few books that I've found for half off. If you have the time and the patience to look for books without anything specific in mind, this can be an excellent way to save money while finding some great reads.
Join Kindle Unlimited
Now although it's not free, Kindle Unlimited is an affordable way to read as many books as you'd like, for typically less than the cost of a single paperback. I've been a subscriber for years and have absolutely no complaints. You can borrow up to 20 ebooks at a time, and can keep them for as long as you'd like. If you're a fast reader this is a great way to fly through a lot of books without having to break the bank. The collection to choose from is extensive, with a wide variety of romance, fantasy, and thrillers. I go into more detail about why I love it in a recent post, which you can find here, along with some of my recommendations. I truly can't recommend it enough as a budget-friendly way to read.
Wait For Sales
Although readers love instant gratification when it comes to getting our hands on new books, sometimes the best thing to do is wait for a great sale. I typically hold out for Amazon's "buy 3 for the price of 2" deal, so girl math, I get a free book. Barnes & Noble also has a yearly hardcover sale after the holiday season (December - January) where all the hardcover books are super discounted. So if you have enough patience to hold out for a book, as well as enough reading material to keep you occupied until then, then I'd say wait a bit, because it's sure to go on sale.
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