Getting Books for Free

Posted by Melissa Howard Jul 26, 2007

Free Books

The internet is definitely a mixed blessing for bibliophiles. Sometimes you hear bibliophiles sound the doleful call of a trumpet heralding the end of print books. The internet and the media of our world are often blamed. Yet, if you want to get your hands on free books the internet is the ultimate tool.

Paperback Swap is one good way to augment your collection. For the price of shipping, you can acquire any book that is being offered by someone else. However, you must also participate by offering up some of your books. You can only request a book if you have credits, which you receive when you post a book offering. However, as all spouses and relations of a bibliophile will suggest – getting rid of a few books is not a bad thing. Oh, and don’t worry if you prefer hardcover books, paperback swap is not limited to soft covers. :)

Bookcrossing is a delightful and fun way to add books to your collection. The definition of bookcrossing is “n. the practice of leaving a book in a public place to be picked up and read by others, who then do likewise.” Your first response might be but I want to collect more books not get rid of books. First, look at the comment about spouses and relations in the preceding paragraph. Remember, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Second, bookcrossing has a feature called ‘go hunting.’ See free books! It is like a scavenger hunt and is fun to do. Okay, maybe bookcrossing won’t grow your library quickly but...

Other Ways to Add Books to Your Collection

Book clubs are a great way to get more books. You know the ones I am talking about. They come in the mail and usually go straight into the recycling bin. But wait they do offer 6 books for $1.00. Sometimes working the system isn’t a bad thing. Pick 6 books, opt for the seventh book at half off and you only have to buy one at full price. It isn’t as cheap as some of the other methods but it does work. Just remember to cancel after you’ve fulfilled your membership.

Retail Booksellers Online

Amazon is another book-lover’s paradise. If you are thrifty, don’t buy books full price. Most books listed on Amazon have used book offerings too. Just make sure that the seller of the used book has a good rating so that you know you can depend on the accuracy of their description of the books condition. I’ve collected some books for my daughters that I wanted but were available only from overseas vendors but I managed easily through Amazon.

Online booksellers are great. My favorite is Loganberry Books. Perhaps it is because of a feature I found on their site-one that helped me find a book that I had loved as a child but couldn’t find again. I had searched the internet many times seeking the book and had not located it because I could not remember the title of the book. Then I found Loganberry Books and their “Stump the Bookseller” feature. I described the book and the next day I had the title. I ordered the book from them. You should know that it costs to try and stump the bookseller, however, the money you pay is nominal and gets taken off the price of the book if you choose to order it through them.

Go out and build the library of your dreams!