7 Best Ways To Get Books

Raise your hand if you have a book buying habit?

As much as I am quick to find a show to binge watch, I am just as eager to find a good book to read. Once I find said book, I become completely consumed. I will not only buy a physical copy or a download a copy of the book, I become so engulfed that I will also download the audiobook for morning and evening commutes to work. Yes, it gets that bad.

A good book is the best because your imagination can take you further than what any television show or movie can. I spend many late nights reading, saying to myself just one more chapter and end up staying up far too late. I enjoy reading all types of books, lately I’ve been stuck on fantasy/paranormal series. I will admit that this is typically my television and movie choice as well.

Recently, I went on a book shopping spree and had to finally tell myself to stop. This lead to me searching for the best way to satisfy my need for new books to read. Rather it’s purchasing or borrowing from the Library. and Although tomorrow I want to go to one more store. One more seems to be my favorite saying. Here are my best ways to purchase or borrow books:

1. Local Independent Bookstores

Yes, I am going to plug local book stores first. Over the years big box chain stores have saturated the market and local bookstores are far and few between. If you are lucky and have found a good local book store, please shop there first. If not, to find a local bookstore visit Bookshop.org. or shop directly on their site. As stated on their website, Bookshop is an online bookstore with a mission to financially support local, independent bookstores. If you want to find a specific local bookstore to support, find them on the sites map and they’ll receive the full profit off your order. Otherwise, your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookstores (even those that don’t use Bookshop).

2. Library

Of course the Library is the number one way to a borrow a physical copy of a book. But did you know that through your library you can also borrow e-books and audiobooks. By using the app Libby by Overdrive you can download e-books and audiobooks directly to your phone or tablet. As long as you already have a library card.

Once you have downloaded the app, open the app and search for your local library. Have your library card on hand as you’ll need to enter your library card number to set up your account. Now, even though the e-books and audiobooks are digital files, libraries treat them like any other book. Stocking limited “copies” and allowing only one person to check out each copy at any given time. The more popular the book the more copies there tend to be. If there are not enough copies available you can place the book on hold, once the book becomes available you will be notified. Depending on the popularity of the book you may have a long wait. Most books I select become available within 2- 3 weeks but I am also currently waiting for a book thats has a six month plus waiting list. Yes, I will probably purchase this book before it becomes available then but at least I have it on hold. Just in case.

3. Goodwill

Buying books from Goodwill is for people not looking for a particular book. Yet, you may end up lucky when shopping for books at the Goodwill. I find often when shopping at the Goodwill for books that you may find recent bestsellers. Remember some people dispose of their books once they have finished reading them, leading them to donate the books to the Goodwill. This leads to the stores having some of the most popular books in recent years. This cuts down on my cost for book by a lot. Tip: Know what color of the week is. Every week there is a color of the week. All items in the store are tag a different color, if the books you choose are tagged the color of the week you’ll get 50% off those items.

4. Books A Million

Books A Million offers several discount on books. They are great for purchasing books online, Booksamillion.com. The site offers plenty of discount codes as well. Books A Million has a membership for $25, to where you can receive 40% off top bestsellers, 10% off in store and free shipping. The membership also comes with $100 in bonus coupons.

5. 2nd & Charles

2nd & Charles is a subsidiaries of Books A Million. And like Books A Million, 2nd & Charles sells books, magazines, collectibles, toys and much more. Here you will find new and used books. You can even sell or trade books you no longer want. But who wants to do that? The store reminds me of Media Play from early 2000’s.

6. Barnes and Noble

Barnes & Noble is one of the largest online book retailers, with more than 5 million titles to choose from and hundreds of physical bookstores. Barnes & Nobles has a membership as well for $25, to where you can receive 40% off hardcover bestsellers in store, exclusive in-store & online offers,10% off in store and free shipping. Non-members receive 30% off of Hardcover Bestsellers in store.

7. Amazon

It should be mentioned that Amazon is the biggest bookseller in the world. Like I stated earlier, I prefer to purchase from local bookstores when possible but often Amazon offers the best pricing. Not only does Amazon offer books sold and shipped by Amazon, but you will find that you can purchase used books from other suppliers too. As I am a big fan of hardcovers, I usually used Amazon to purchase hardcovers I cannot locate anywhere.

There are several honorable mentions such as Book Outlet , Powell’s Books and Alibris but as I have yet to order from them, I can’t provide additional information. Either way, the time you purchase a book I hope you enjoy!!!