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Having a healthy reading habit can also mean spending money you don’t have.
Books are not cheap. EBooks can be just as expensive as some paperbacks. You could probably buy 2-3 paperbacks for the cost of a hardback. And audiobooks can send your book-buying budget through the roof.
Read on for 8 tips on you can how you can read more on a small budget.
1 | Register with your local Library
Not only can you get physical copies from your local library, but you can also register online for access to your local library’s eBooks. The stock available to you from your library will always be limited, and there will be a waiting list, but if your happy to wait a bit longer then register with them online now!
2 | Second-hand shops and thrift stores
Don’t be a snob and start shopping at your local second-hand shops, or thrift stores! There’s always a section full of unwanted books, and for as little as a pound or two. You will be surprised at how up-to-date the books in these shops are as well; I always find a handful of recent releases in them.
And when the summer comes around, head on over to a couple of car boot sales. You will be sure to find a couple of stands selling books for as little as 25p!
3 | Book Swapping Club
Start your own library-style book club, and there’s nothing stopping you from having more than one of these clubs on the go either.
Traditionally, a book club will involve all of you reading the same book at once. Instead, suggest to your friends, family and colleagues if they would like to start a book-swap club.
Though you may need to wait your turn, all of you involved will be spending less money, you get to read books you may never have chosen yourself and you’ll all have access to your own personal libraries!
4 | Try audiobook app Scribd
If you do not want to wait in the Library queue, then why not try Scribd? Membership is £9.99 per month for unlimited access to their library of eBooks, audiobooks and documents. You also get the first 30 days FREE. However, I do find their library is limited and some of the books they offer are not full length.
5 | Free Audiobooks on YouTube
There’s an array of free audiobooks available to you on YouTube. Type in free audiobooks and you can start listening or watching audiobooks on YouTube.
Why not check out my YouTube Channel where I read to you the chapters from my book, Benaghar: The Rat, The Wolf and The King’s Fool, as well as providing tips and advice on self-publishing.
6 | Try audiobook app Audible
I prefer to use Audible. As with Scribd, you get a 30-day free trial. Thereafter, you start paying £7.99 monthly for 1 credit a month. You might not think this is a lot, but they do provide access to the following benefits:
- access to thousands of eBooks and podcasts;
- once you buy a book it’s yours to keep, even if you cancel your subscription;
- get access to exclusive deals, up to 80% off selected audiobooks;
- Listen online, offline, underground or mid-flight.
What I love the most about Audible is that it is up-to-date on all new releases. Plus, if you buy a book and you don’t like it you can exchange it for another book. This means you can return any book you don’t love and get your credit back to purchase another eBook.
Another pro about Audible is they want to keep you as a customer and provide you with other offers. If you do decide to leave, they will always offer you a lower-paid membership. Sometimes, they even offer you free credit. Keep an eye out for their 2 for 1 offer as well!
7 | Keep a lookout for FREE and discounted eBooks
If you have a Kindle, Kobo or you access eBooks via apps on your phone or tablet, be sure to keep an eye out for discounted eBooks. But try out the following websites for more news on free and discounted ebooks:
Google Play
GooglePlay gives you access to discounted and free eBooks and audiobooks. Download them straight to your phone, tablet or laptop!
Bookbub
Bookbub is one of my favourites. It looks great and again, you get access to lots of free and discounted books. It’s also great for authors, like myself, to market books.
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg has over 60,000 free eBooks. It is run by volunteers who digitise old books and proofread them for your enjoyment. The eBooks are available for download in ePub, Kindle, or you can download them to your computer or read online.
Kindle Unlimited
If you sign up for Kindle Unlimited, you get access to over 1 million titles. You also get access to thousands of audiobooks and selected magazines. Check out their ‘Try it for Free, pay later’ deal here.
If you already have Amazon Prime, you get access to Prime Reading. Amazon Prime not only means you have access to quick deliveries, access to original movies and TV shows, and 2 million songs but you also gain free access to books and magazines.
8 | Author websites that offer FREE stories
Go and check out your favourite author websites for FREE stories. Nowadays, authors will entice their readers to their website by offering free snippets from one of their books; some authors offer a whole free short story.
When you subscribe to my newsletter, you get access to a free short story, A Tale From Benaghar: The Lost Little Wolf.
How to Read More Books on a Small Budget
Don’t be put off by reading due to the costs of books, ebooks and audiobooks. There are many resources out there for you to access. Have a look around, spend a bit of time researching to see if you can get a discount on your next book. Use your library, second-hand book shops or thrift stores. Look out for the next car boot sale in your local area. And don’t forget to look out for deals on those audiobook apps too. There are lots of free ways to get your next book fix.
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