I no longer buy books. There I said it. People who know me may think I have been taken over by aliens, but it is true. I haven’t bought a book in a ver long time, and in fact, I have gotten rid of boxes and boxes of them. Despite this fact, I read several books a week. The only difference, is that I don’t pay a dime for the privilege. In fact, I actually save money, since I can utilize living space that was once taken up by bookshelves.
My biggest source of free books is the library. I can pretty much get any book that I want to read through the library’s inter-library loan program. From cookbooks to novels, I am all set. My kids also get plenty of new reading material at the library.
I do own one of the more basic Kindle devices, and can instantly borrow books with just a couple of clicks. In fact, I powered through on book in a day and was able to return it and borrow its sequel without leaving my home. Our library allows for 7 ebooks (and there are different formats available) out at one time.
I borrow books elsewhere, too. Our church has a lending library, and I frequently swap books with friends.
Another source of free books to read are exchange libraries. You will find these small libraries popping up everywhere from doctor’s offices to people’s front lawns! The idea is that you can take a book or two to keep as long as you replace it with an equal or greater number of books. It is a great honor system and a nice way to find obscure books that can quickly turn into favorites.
Finally, a tip from a friend of mine who lives in an urban area. She often finds tons of books, especially best sellers, on the curb. Many people purchase books, read them and then place in the in recycling bins.