Many of us readers go about enjoying our books in different ways, and even in different formats. Some of us don’t read at all, instead opting to listen to our favourites be read to us (often by a high-profile name).
For those who prefer to work a tad more traditionally, whether that be reading physical prints or digital copies, here are some tips and places to get books for cheap, sometimes even for free.
1. World of Books (Wob)
World of Books is a great website for buying pre-loved books. With free UK shipping, quick delivery, and quality assurance — Wob is a solid choice.
They also have many deals and discount codes on the go, so you’re sure to pick up some good titles at a low cost. New prints of books can also be bought, but the primary aim of Wob is to re-sell donated books to reduce the environmental impact of printing.
2. Local Charity/Thrift Stores
You can typically find an array of books within most charity shops and thrift stores. From old lifestyle magazines to genuine classics, the choice is usually pretty wide and often contains more than what you’ve bargained for.
I, personally, have picked up quite a few good quality prints this way. Books that retailed for £10+ all bought for £1 per piece. That’s a great deal, and you can get straight to reading once you arrive home.
3. Open Library
The Open Library is one of the most valuable website out there for readers. Create a free account and borrow books at your own will. Of course, you are only borrowing these books, not taking them to own.
Loans last up to two weeks, so there’s no pressure to quickly sit down and read the book start to finish. The only catch is that everything is done digitally, so the Open Library isn’t for everyone.
4. Many Books
Similar to the Open Library, Many Books is an online collection of over 50,000 titles. However, the vast majority of these are now public domain works, and therefore aren’t always what you’ll be after.
Still, if you want some PDFs of old classics, Many Books is a great place to visit.
5. AbeBooks
AbeBooks is quite like Wob, except that it is known to be less reliable and not as consistently cheap (or consistent on its quality standards). I have used AbeBooks and haven’t had any issues thus far, but I’ve still read some pretty unpleasant stories about bad sellers and refund issues.
At least you can find some deals on AbeBooks. For example, I was able to buy The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories for much cheaper than I could find on any other platform.
6. Borrowing From a Local Library
If all else fails, you can always get a membership at your local library and borrow books there. Not all libraries are free, but the vast majority are, so definitely look into it if you live nearby to one.
It is important to remember that there are late fees, and you may need to reimburse the library for any damages or loss of property. Moreover, for those of you who live further away from libraries, it is good to consider fuel and travel costs in this day and age. There’s no point spending more on travel if it would be cheaper to buy second-hand books yourself.
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