anywhere to get books when libraries shut?

[yummytummy]

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

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?

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.

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?

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

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.

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.

You know this virus can live on surfaces, right? And yet you still want to borrow books???

Of course there isn't a safe way to exchange books with strangers.

Unless there's a very good reason why you can't use e-books you are being extremely selfish.

I mean this in the least horrible way possible... stop being so bloody stupid.
You dont NEED books. You can easily read ebooks for free, get free trials on different platforms and cancel before you're charged. You do not NEED physical books.
People need medicine. People need food. We take the risk for those. We dont take a risk for books.

/\ this /\

Also OP, if you're stressed out because you have hardly any paper books to read, you really need to get a grip.

Have a read of some other threads - the ones where people are stressed out over real problems caused by this virus.

Hope you find a solution OP.

ok fine i get you i do understand honestly i just thought maybe there was an option i haven't thought of.

Our library service offers free ebooks, lots do
And you can ring them up and get a ticket
Still

and people who love reading i thought would get it and i know there are plenty more things to stress over i truly do but reading is my one luxury as it were and helps my mental health immensely

You don't understand.

If you did you wouldn't be asking this question.

It isn't one rule for you and another for everybody else.

Check with your library, ours has free ebooks and audio books.

You can buy used books for a very very reasonable price on eBay (£1-£3)

ebooks, Amazon have a lot either free or 99p.
Expand your horizons and read out of your comfort zone.

I love reading.

I get that borrowing paper books will spread a fatal virus.

Why don't you?

You can borrow library ebooks. Look up your local library service. There should be information about an app you can download. Also audiobooks. Google free ebooks - you should be able to find ways to download free books that are out of copyright.

Most libraries now offer an ebook option.

Yes please don't get random books into your house from Christ knows who. Ebooks definitely. Sign up for free subscription, put an alert on your phone to cancel, repeat.

omg i do get it. please back off this isn't aibu

I borrow books from my local library online and they download to their app - and you read them and click return. You can put them on hold - they have about 50,000 books, new releases every week.

All for free

Our library also has an online service. It’s free. You just need to register. Have a look at your local library’s website.
And find some old favourites to re read if you can.

I love reading. And lockdown wont change it. You know why? Ebooks!
No one is taking your books. No one is stopping you from reading. No one is saying you shouldn't love reading, especially when you're stuck at home.

We're just saying stop being so inflexible and stupid. People are giving up a lot. People are going without a lot. You're not going to go without or give them up. You can read as much as you like... just read ebooks.