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

Agreed. My anxiety is ramped right up at the moment. DH has been identified as vulnerable (asthma) and ordered to stay home. I'm trying to keep away from the worst of the news and keep the DC calm (both have ASD).

There are very few places you can go online to have some down time away from all the talk. Even my Instagram feed is getting dodgy now, where it used to be all calm and bookish

Our library offers free audio books, ebooks and e magazines. All available free with your library membership. There us an app you download (magster, cloud library or RBdigital) and there are hundreds of books available free of charge.

Previous posters have mentioned Project Gutenberg - this compilation from a Reddit post might help you find something you like within the project, which can be daunting to navigate otherwise:
www.reddit.com/r/FreeEBOOKS/comments/fip0m1/here_are_2780_free_ebooks_and_100_free_audiobooks/

The Kindle app is free - just download it onto your phone. Lots of free books on there, mostly classics that have been converted into digital format by community-minded people. And plenty of books for 99p.

There’s a community called Librivox that creates free e-books, and you can download a free app to listen on your phone or other device. If you don’t like reading on a screen then this could be a good option.

If you prefer contemporary authors, take a look at their blogs and websites. Neil Gaiman, for example, has some free content on his site including short stories:
www.neilgaiman.com/Cool_Stuff?fbclid=IwAR0LE-djSdIyn4E_-cMQ1uPAon6lrWixNgFB5SY1DZRZHaZlxoI2NIS8ylo

@highlandcoo - yes I completely agree. I love coming here to read all the recommendations and thought I had stumbled into AIBU.

Another recommendation for BorrowBox, Libby or Overdrive whichever your local library offers OP. Overdrive seems to have the most choice.

Be Kind - we are all in this for a long time I think.

@FiveShelties
We will be in it for a lot less it people stop trying to work around the lockdown rules.
Going out to swap books with people is not an essential journey.
The OP didnt come on asking for book recommendations. She came on to find a way around a lockdown so she got the responses she deserved. This should have been put into the coronavirus topic.

Libraries have online services which are free. Audible are allowing free access to their audio books while schools are off. No way would I accept books from others until I have the virus myself.