I love reading. It’s something I’ve done consistently my entire life. I started reading novels really young, and read everything I could get my hands on thereafter. I remember being 8 or 9 and reading while walking in the grocery store beside my mom. I’d walk into things but keep on reading.
Instead of staying up late playing video games as a kid, I stayed up past my bedtime trying to sneak in a few more pages of whatever I was reading at the time. It’s still rare that you’d ever catch me without a book on the go. Ever since I graduated last year, I’ve been able to read for leisure again, instead of textbooks and business books (even though I still read those).
My most recent phase is non-fiction. I’ve recently read Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
by Sheryl Sandberg, and Good to Great and the Social Sectors: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great
.
They’re both good books and definitely captivating and inspiring.
But I never pay for books.
It’s not that I don’t think they are worth it, because I most definitely do. And if I had to pay for them, I would; I wouldn’t just do without. But I don’t have to.
Swagbucks
Most of my books recently have been purchased through Amazon gift cards, which I mostly bought through my Swagbucks (referral code). I reviewed Swagbucks not too long ago if you want to know a little bit more about how it works, but essentially it allows you to do things for Swagbucks, which you can then redeem for things (like, in my case, Amazon gift cards). My favorite feature is the search, because I almost always win Swagbucks through it.
Most recently I bought Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. I heard good things. I haven’t started reading it yet but I’m excited to.
Amazon Account Sharing
I clearly buy most of my reading material through Amazon. I love their prices and I have a Kindle, so it’s just easiest to use Amazon. My mom also has a Kindle, so share an Amazon account. That way, whenever one of us gets a new book, it loads automatically onto BOTH of our Kindles, not just the purchaser’s. I love when my mom gets a new book because I get to read it, too.
Every once in awhile I get to go into the “Archives” section of my Kindle and there’s a new book there.
Most recently I read Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
using this. My mom has access to all of the books I buy through my Amazon account too (AH-Mazing book by the way. Read it).
I hear you can “lend” books through the Kindle, but I’ve never tried it, so I can’t speak to it.
The Library
Alright. This is obvious. But if there is a book that I really, really want to read but I don’t have enough in Amazon gift cards or no other way of getting it, I just order it from the library. Obviously this is free, and I’m surprised as to how few people actually borrow from the library for their reading material.
Yes, sometimes you have to wait for awhile until the library actually has the book in stock, but it’s better than shelling out a ton of money for something you’ll only read once, right?
Free eBooks
If you just Google it, there are a lot of free eBooks out there. Some aren’t amazing, but most of the classics are free and sometimes, you just need a good, free classic.
There are also lots of authors that will send you a free copy of their ebooks for your review, so that’s also a possibility if you are interested. You just need to know where to look!
(Hint – a Google search is always helpful).
So there you have it. Reading is a great way to unwind at the end of a long day, and you don’t have to buy everything you read!
Are you committed to the goal to never pay for books?
I’ve pretty much exclusively used the library for books up until this point but ill have to look into swagbucks. Sounds interesting and free! Awesome post.
Our library system is great. They’re so good about getting books for me that it’s been ages since I actually bought a book!
I’m with Cash Rebel, gotta get into swagbucks!
My Dad and I both have Kindles and have neglected to share ebooks, yet. Although he does enjoy getting into my prime account to stream Downtown Abbey…
I do love how many libraries have started offering ebooks too. While I’ll always love the tactile experience of reading a book, ebooks are so convenient for traveling.
Great post!
I loooove my used bookstore, McKays. I treat it like a library becuse you get trade value.
I am a devoted library person – but yes, it sometimes can take a while. I’m starting to be more active on Swagbucks so I can earn some more points there!
I love the public library. I can put ahold on a book and they email it is in. In fact, I am going there today to pick up 2 books on hold.
Absolutely love the library. I almost always have multiple books checked out at a time.
I read constantly, whether it’s a book, magazine, blog or even the news. To get free books, I love, love, love my library. I put so many books on hold at the library that they actually know who I am at this point! I also love Project Gutenberg for eBooks (since I’m on a classics kick). And my other free way to read without spending money? Borrowing from friends and family.
That said, I will buy a book from time to time. If it’s a career or reference book, or a book I know I will read again, I’ll buy it. Also, if it’s a book I desperately want to read and none of the libraries in my state carry it, I’ll buy it. I did that with The Girl’s Guide to Homelessness (by Brianna Karp) and it was money well spent.
I love swagbucks. I use the amazon gift cards to buy dog food. We have amazon prime (free trial) so we get free 2-day shipping. We also borrow a ton of books from our local library.
I love me my books too. The Kindle forums are a good place to find free books too.
This is a great list. I used the library a ton and also tend to get a lot of books as gifts. I like your Swagbucks idea.