At last count, I had over 1,000 books in my house. You could say I’m a bit obsessed with books and I have never met a book I didn’t want to read. Even the ones that I know I won’t like. I can’t say I don’t like it until I read it. (This is why I know I don’t like Twilight).

I rarely pay full price for books. Here are some tips and tricks to getting cheap or even free books.

FREE BOOKS:

The Library

I know there’s a difference between owning a book and borrowing a book. Trust me, I get it. But hear me out. Have you even bought a book (and maybe spent too much on it), then read it and found out you don’t even like it that much? I’ve been in that situation multiple times in my life. The nice thing about the library is that you can read a book for free, then decide if you like it enough to buy a copy. This is also a great way to know if you should splurge on a hardcover or even the fancy illustrated edition. Over the last three years, I have read over 600 books from the library, including graphic novels, picture books, audiobooks, novels, and non-fiction books. Not to mention all of the cookbooks and movies I’ve checked out. You can also check out e-books without even having to leave your house. Libraries are a great way to read/watch/listen outside your comfort zone and try new things. I highly recommend it. Plus, your local library probably also offers other great services and events like author talks and composting classes. Be sure to take advantage of all of the free things they have to offer.

Giveaways

These are great ways to get free books, especially new releases. They might include advanced reader copies or final editions. Here are a few of the ones I use.

  • Goodreads – My favorite website for this is Goodreads. They always have A TON of giveaways active and include physical books and kindle copies, ideally in exchange for an honest review on Goodreads. I have won and received over 80 books this way. The website as a whole is also a fun way to track your reading and create digital shelves and to-read lists.
  • Shelf Awareness – I also subscribe to the Shelf Awareness newsletter. I get a email two times a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) with new releases and other such things, including a few giveaways. I have won and received 6 books, including A Man Called Ove, which I loved.
  • Book Riot giveaway newsletter
  • Booklikes
  • LibraryThing
  • Epic Reads

Little Free Libraries

I am very lucky to live between three lending libraries that are all within walking distance. I have found some great reads in these adorable boxes. The idea of the Little Free Library is that you take a book and return a book. It doesn’t have to be the same book and, in fact, it’s a lot more fun if it isn’t the same book. I have a bad habit of stockpiling books so I have quite a few LFL books on my shelf. When I feel like I need to add to the lending libraries I’ve taken from, I utilize some of the tips found below in finding cheap books as well as weed through the read books on my shelf. This allows me to share some good reads without spending a lot of money.

Kindle First / Free Ebooks

If you have an Amazon Prime account and have a digital reading service, be sure to utilize the Kindle First program. Each month, there will be a selection of e-books and you can pick one to read for free. Also, you can search for free e-books on Amazon. (And don’t forget, you can check out e-books from the library for free.)

Free Comic Book Day

For comic fans of all ages, be on the lookout for Free Comic Book Day and other free comic events. These events offer a variety of promotional comic books for free. Go to your local comic book store and check them out. Many comic book stores will also have sales, contests, and deals during these to score your some extra savings and fun.

Gifts

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it seems obvious, but a great way to get nice books is by asking for them for holiday gifts. I ask for the newest illustrated Harry Potter book every year from my mom and it is a gift I love receiving (and reading!). Plus, the book mean so much more when it comes from someone you love.

Reader Coin – No longer available

If you’re interested in audiobooks, you can download the free app, Reader Coin. This app allows you to listen to various audiobooks and you can earn points for listening, which can be redeemed for money or donated to charities. Many of the books are old, but it’s a good way to get into classics like The Jungle and Jane Eyre. You know, those books you keep saying you’ll read but haven’t gotten around to yet. Now you don’t have any excuses. You can get a start on collecting readercoins by using my referral code: McKenvn7

CHEAP BOOKS:

Used Bookstores/ Goodwill

My go-to for buying books is usually to check out Goodwill or various used book stores to see if they have a copy. You can get a ton of great books for very cheap this way. I once found a signed first edition of Judy Blume’s In the Unlikely Event at Goodwill for $3. Definitely worth it. I also like to plan my book shopping around sales. Usually twice a year, Half Price Books has a 50% off event that takes half off your highest priced item. It’s a great way to get nice books that you might not have normally splurged on. I usually get boxed sets or nice hardcovers on those days. They also send birthday coupons so you can buy yourself a present. Be sure to sign up for the mailing list for get coupons. Look for deals at bookstores near you. I also like to use my local bookstore. I love going to Boswell Books near where I live. Plus, they always have great author talks/signings, so once in a while I splurge on a new book to get it signed (that’s how I got Veronica Roth’s gorgeous new book of short stories, The End and Other Beginnings).

Clearance Sections

The great thing about actual stores is that many of them have clearance sections. I am a huge fan of the clearance section. I have gotten some amazing books from the Half Price Books clearance section for $3 and under. This is one of the ways I get cheap books to stock up the Little Free Libraries around my house. I love picking up copies of books I’ve read, own, and love to contribute to the library or finding popular series like Goosebumps, that I can read quickly and then share with my neighborhood.

Library Sales

Honestly, is there anything libraries can’t do? Another awesome way to get cheap books is by going to library sales. They sell books that are weeded out of the collection, sometimes simply because they have too many copies. And they pass that right on to you. This is a wonderful way to support your library, find some great reads, and not have to spend a ton of money. Prices may vary but are often $1-2 per item. They often sell DVDs as well. I have gotten some good workout DVDs for a dollar each this way. This is another technique I utilize for stocking the Little Free Libraries.

Sell Your Books

This may seem counter-intuitive, but selling your old books is a nice way to get money to buy more books. Some used book stores will even give you more money in store credit than cash when you sell your books. A few years ago, I cleaned out my mom’s house and sold a bunch of my old books at a local book store. I didn’t get a lot for them, but I got enough store credit to buy some new reads.

For more ways to save/earn money to buy more books (and other things, I guess), check out my Money Saving Opportunities and see what apps I use to make a little extra money.