Thread by @wirecutter

(📚THREAD) Reading is a great way to pass the time—especially while you’re stuck at home—but it can quickly get expensive. Here’s how to read more while spending way less: wrctr.co/2ZLRxpM

1. Shop at your local independent bookstores!

Sign up for their newsletters: Many bookstores offer discounts & announce sales every so often, but you can’t take advantage of discounted pricing if you don’t know about it.

Also, ask your local bookstore if it offers frequent-buyer cards or free memberships.

Plus, many independent bookstores offer discounts to teachers, librarians, and book-club groups. If you think you might be part of a population privy to discounts, don’t be afraid to ask.

Some bookstores work w/ libraries to produce free programs w/ authors & community events, & often curate local literary festivals. Though these aren't a way to buy books for less, they're still a way to engage w/ your community for free while supporting your area’s indie stores

2. Write reviews in exchange for early-release books

Online platforms like @edelweiss_squad & @NetGalley let readers request advance reader copies of books from publishers in exchange for honest reviews. Keep in mind that you’ll have to write a review for every book you receive

3. Subscribe to a monthly book box

They're convenient + they can help you save money over time as book boxes often cost less per month than you would spend if you were to buy the books on your own

A few of our recs: @bookofthemonth, @bethanybooks, & @bookroo_love 💙

4. Tap into the public domain

There are many sites you can use to read older books that are considered public domain, for free.

@gutenberg_org is one of the most popular destinations for free ebooks, w/ 60,000+ titles available for download

5. Get friendly w/ local bookworms 🤓

Children’s book experts suggest keeping an eye out for @ltlfreelibrary boxes in your neighborhood (check the nonprofit org's map to find one near you). And you can also start your own (littlefreelibrary.org)

6. Find free books for the blind & visually impaired

• The National Library Service works w/ a network of libraries in every state to deliver books & magazines in braille or audio formats that you can receive and return by mail, free of charge

• You can also opt to instantly download ebooks & audiobooks. If you or a family member is eligible, the NLS even loans out playback equipment & accessories

• Large Print Reviews, a site that reviews large-print & audio books along w/ low-vision aids, is another good resource

7. Invest in an e-reader

Take stock of what you already own before starting your hunt for the best e-reader (tablets, laptops, & smartphones can get the job done, especially if you’re looking to spend as little as possible)

If you don’t have anything that can moonlight as an e-reader, you’ll have to invest in one before stacking up the savings

It can be a big up-front cost, but the purchase will pay for itself over time as long as you commit to reading on it often

Our recs: nytimes.com/wirecutter/rev…

8. Make use of trial subscription periods

You won’t own the books you’re reading, but an ebook subscription service is a good idea if saving $ is your end goal

Once you’ve made your way through trial periods, you can sign up for the service that works best for you w/ confidence

9. Buy used 🔁

• Most libraries do something called ‘weeding’ where staff go through & discard copies of books based on various criteria. If these weeded books are in good working condition, they might end up in a library book sale

• These sales are often organized by Friends of the Library groups—nonprofit, charitable groups that support their community libraries—and sometimes you can score paperback books for as little as 50¢

• You can also check @BookSaleFinder to find upcoming local library sales

• Another obvious place to start is at your local used bookstore, thrift stores, & yard sales

• You can also visit @HalfPriceBooks, a national used bookstore chain with 120 locations across the United States.

• If you'd rather stick to buying online, especially during this pandemic, there are tons of used-book sites:

@Thriftbooks offers free shipping once you hit the $10 minimum

@BWBooks sells discounted ebooks + physical books

@Alibris sells rare, hard-to-find titles & textbooks

• @BookDepository is a UK-based site that offers free global shipping on discounted books

• You might also be able to find great deals on used books through Amazon. Normally, these sellers aren’t affiliated with Amazon; they’re just using the site as a sales platform

And we saved this section for last since there's so much it offers:

10. Make the most of your library card 💳💙

Physical books? ☑️
eBooks? ☑️
Audiobooks? ☑️
Securing holds on popular books? ☑️
Requesting books from other libraries if yours doesn't have the one you want? ☑️

•Both the @OverDriveLibs app & @LibbyApp let you borrow titles from your library straight to your e-reader, tablet, or phone

All you need to get started & gain full access to your library is the info on your library card. You can also borrow audiobooks through both

• If you prefer audiobooks & find either apps’ selection lacking, check out @hoopladigital, another service that partners w/ public libraries across the country to provide readers w/ access to audiobooks (as well as ebooks and other digital content)

• If you belong to a few libraries or share your tablet with a partner or family member, we've found @LibbyApp makes it especially easy to switch b/w accounts while displaying all your digital checkouts on the same shelf. This is especially helpful for readers trying to save $$

Whew, that was a lot! We know that not everyone can afford to buy every book they’d like to read at full price, so if you’re itching to read more each month for less, we hope these tips can help you do so w/o breaking the bank

Let us know of any other resources you love, too 💙