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Original poster

anywhere to get books when libraries shut?

106 replies

yummytummy · 23/03/2020 19:32

i was just wondering i usually always get books from the library and read several a week, this is likely to increase while we are all at home. however obviously now libraries are all shut. i was wondering if there is any other way to borrow physical books? i don't want ebooks or online or anything but actual books. can't really afford to buy either as any spare money going towards increased food budget with kids at home. does anyone have any ideas or things i may not have thought of? i know bigger things to worry about at the moment but reading is my main escape and i have hardly any books left to read and it is stressing me out

OP posts:
jackparlabane · 23/03/2020 19:52

Project Gutenberg is free - has anything old enough to be out of copyright.

Amazon resellers sell second-hand books for pennies above the postage cost, so if you get a bundle it can be cheap.

If no-one has put paper through the door yet inviting you to join a street WhatsApp group, try that, and then people can swap all sorts as needed.

Original poster
yummytummy · 23/03/2020 19:44

well yes i know ebooks are an option but again as i said £7/month etc still out of reach atm. and there must be some safe way of exchanging books.

OP posts:
Weregoingonanadventure · 23/03/2020 19:39

You're going to have to switch the ebooks. It's really not worth spreading a deadly virus just so you can collect some books to read. I cant believe this is even something you're consider.

Get a kindle unlimited free trial and you get thousands of books. Then it's only what, £6 or £7 a month

Somerville · 23/03/2020 19:37

I’d say charity shops, but I think they’re mostly closed now. Some will be selling online still, plus second hand books go cheaply on eBay and Amazon. Or new books on The Book People - especially the sets of a whole series.
The best thing would be if you could do some book swaps with friends or neighbours?

PlanDeRaccordement · 23/03/2020 19:36

Might have to switch to ebooks. Most ebook web sites have a free book each month. Most libraries are also allowing people to download/check out ebooks for free as well.
I prefer hard, real books too but am thinking I may have to grimace and try an ebook.

Mooserp · 23/03/2020 19:36

Are you on Facebook? You could try posting on a local group to see if there's some way people can safely pass on books?

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