Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you like to read and if you read a lot

91 replies

Ibuytoomanybooks · 01/04/2023 21:17

How do you keep the cost down sometimes I can read a book in an evening so can’t keep buying new really.

OP posts:
StrongTea · 01/04/2023 23:03

Kindle unlimited and if in the supermarket I take a photo of their bookshelf and reserve new books through online library service or check amazon for price.

biddyboo · 01/04/2023 23:04

TheYearOfSmallThings · 01/04/2023 22:50

I like to read physical books, so I order ones I specifically want from the library for 65p each - a total bargain for a newly released hardback. My tube station has a free bookshelf which always has an interesting selection of paperbacks, and my street has one of those free library cupboards in someone's front garden, which also has a good choice.

I certainly don't get through a book a day though - I would worry about finding that many books that I wanted to read Shock.

I only read physical books too. just got the new Elizabeth Strout and Kate Atkinson books in hardback from my library. It would have cost me about £28 to buy them both in hardback. I love my library so much.

Cocochai · 01/04/2023 23:08

Libraries and charity shops; I never buy a new book unless I’m buying it for someone else. World of Books online has reasonably priced second hand books.

OliveWah · 01/04/2023 23:17

I buy used versions on Amazon of new releases, you can usually get them for about a third of the price from a week or so after release.

There are a few local places, like the GP surgery and big TESCO which have "Take one leave one" shelves, or "Leave a small donation", so I sometimes drop off old books there when I get new ones too.

I buy a fair few in charity shops and there's one where I go pretty regularly. I was chatting to a lady who was working there about the author of the book I was buying, and the next time I went in she had put 2 more by the same author and a couple of other books of a similar ilk to one side for me! I'm not sure if there's a policy against doing this, but she will sometimes have a book or 2 for me when I go in, it might be something you could ask about, particularly if there are specific books you're looking for.

Other than that, you can sell your old books pretty easily on sites like Ziffit, and use the money wisely, by spending it on more books!

WhyCantYourPartnerDoIt · 01/04/2023 23:19

DancingWithBroccoli · 01/04/2023 21:26

I hate reading! I remember at school enjoyment of reading was seen as some kind of marker of intelligence and future success, but I hated it. I still hate reading. Im ok with reading shampoo bottles, cereal boxes, the news on my app, short academic papers etc.. but give me a novel and it's enough to make me feel ill!

I really hate the constant pressure on kids to love reading! I read with my kids every night. But neither of them are too bothered about reading themselves for pleasure. I'm fine with it! But apparently it means their doomed to a life on the scrap heap :)

I've done ok on the academic front - managed a PhD and have a good job. But still don't like reading.

Anyway - to the point! ... If you like reading so much there are so many ways you can do it! The library for novels etc.. and many other books - when you've read everything your local library has in stock, you can order from other libraries. There's book clubs and book exchanges, endless academic papers online if you like that kind of thing, newspapers and online news, and loads of articles online.

Not sure why u r struggling! :)

This is quite the fucking response.

Hellohah · 01/04/2023 23:26

Books are so expensive now.
I use the library. I think different cities have different costs.
I'm in Salford so we can request any book from any of the cities libraries for free and you can request up 6 ebooks at a time via borrowbox. It is all free. They no longer charge late fees either.
If they don't have a book stocked, you just fill out a form in the library and they will buy it for you to borrow.
I always have a list of books that people can buy when they have no idea for gifts too.

batterypark · 01/04/2023 23:32

Here.
use the search option. There’s absolutely loads of free books.

burnoutbabe · 01/04/2023 23:36

Mostly library and Libby (library app)

Only books i generally buy are textbooks for study and jk Rowlings books to support her.

tomorrowalready · 01/04/2023 23:36

If you have a kindle or other download device you can search for free downloads or out of copyright books. But as copyright is 75 years from holder's death they will be quite old. Also google Bibliophile and Postscript websites which are discount booksellers, online and have paper catalogues you can request. They cover a wide range of reading from crime to hobbies, history anything really and often have sales or special offers.If you have a kindle or other download device you can search for free downloads or out of copyright books. But as copyright is 75 years from holder's death they will be quite old. Also google Bibliophile and Postscript websites which are discount booksellers, online and have paper catalogues you can request. They cover a wide range of reading from crime to hobbies, history anything really and often have sales or special offers.

Autienotnautie · 01/04/2023 23:38

I work in a library . We can order books from across our whole county so can get pretty much everything., I read on average 2 books a week,

Gindrinker43 · 01/04/2023 23:40

We have a book case at work where you can exchange books, just leave finished ones and pick new ones from the selection there.

RoseMartha · 01/04/2023 23:43

Second hand books mainly from charities. Then i swap them with friends and family. Sometimes I but new ones in the works 3 for £6

Ellmau · 01/04/2023 23:43

Library
Charity shops
Kindle 99p deals and some other deals
Presents - I keep a list of books I want to read, and give it to interested parties before birthdays and Christmas - usually restricted to paperbacks so they can get more more for their money, and I'm happy to get given second hand ones too

KimberleyClark · 01/04/2023 23:46

Yes but buy most of my books from charity/second hand shops.

FangsForTheMemory · 01/04/2023 23:48

Ask for books or book tokens for birthday and Christmas. Charity shops, libraries.

EmilyMayishere · 01/04/2023 23:53

Library, borrowbox, kindle, charity shops, book swap group on Facebook, friends.

Community book swaps, there's one in the local B and Q (donation to charity) and a free community one.

Hawkins003 · 01/04/2023 23:55

Wikipedia articles for all my educational needs, then if it's a paper back then eBay for second-hand books. @Ibuytoomanybooks

seething1234 · 01/04/2023 23:59

Kindle+annasarchive or zib= free books. There are plenty helpful instructions online to convert/directly email to kindle.

MarchMadness23 · 02/04/2023 00:17

Does MN count??

I used to read loads before MN!!

I also have a problem with my eyesight now due to a health issue and I can't scan, I have to read print slowly, it really does diminish the pleasure.

last books I bought were from Amazon as I wanted the full set immediately 😂 but there's a charity shop in the village that's well stocked with books, lots are new. Others are 'lightly read' none are twice as thick as when they started out in life.

I can't read on kindle/phone/iPad etc.

Ylvamoon · 02/04/2023 08:26

Does anyone read books in French, German or Italian?
Just asking how you get your e-books other than kindle?
(I do get hard back copies from international websites and ebay- but it's more for collectibles)

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 02/04/2023 08:34

The library, not just visiting in person for hardcopy books but also the e-book service.

I supplement this with ebooks on the Google play store bought with points.

Then second hand books bought at national trust places, charity book sales etc.

I rarely buy new books.

dontgobaconmyheart · 02/04/2023 08:38

As above really. I read a lot but wouldn't say I spend much doing it. Charity shops, and the library mainly, I just reserve titles I want that they might not have in which is a good way to get new release titles.

If I do buy something specific (eg if I know I want to keep it rather than borrow it) I'll generally buy it on ebay if it's cheap.

I don't generally read ebooks but kindle unlimited and the library have lots free and there are endless 99p deals.

Last month I read 6 books, 1 passed on from a friend giving some away, 3 from the library, 1 from a charity shop and one I paid full price for in a bookshop but used a voucher I received as a gift. All together not much of a monthly cost for a hobby that takes up several hours, compared to anything else especially!

mondaytosunday · 02/04/2023 08:51

I have a kindle snd pay for Amazon subscription so can 'borrow' unlimited books (not all qualify, but enough do that I'm only paying for two or three a year). I get through about two/three books a month.
Many have suggested the library but I don't find enough of a selection there, at least not my local one in SW London - but charity shops can be a good source.

Hbh17 · 02/04/2023 08:53

Yes and yes. But I also reread a lot - if I enjoy a book, I can happily read it 3 or 4 times.
And if you have a Kindle, there are always lots of good offers.

MargotMoon · 02/04/2023 09:01

bookswap.co.uk/