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What to do if you cannot afford to buy a book a month?
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Kimberly
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Jan 07, 2016 06:34PM
most people cannot afford to buy a new book each month and most public libraries do not have these stories. Any ideas as to how people can participate with a limited budget.
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Perhaps you could write in to your library to request that they purchase the book? Or perhaps group members staying in the same area could do a book exchange?
If you can get enough people in your area to request a book, the library will usually get it.
I know at a lot of libraries around me, you can request books from other libraries so if yours doesn't have one they can get it from another library.
What book has been suggested for this month ?
And audible does free trials, so if you can't get the books for cheap any other way you can start a free trial with them to get the audiobook version.
Requesting from libraries works and asking them to get it is fine but they do not always process requests quickly and people want to read it during the month we are discussing it
Requesting from libraries works and asking them to get it is fine but they do not always process requests quickly and people want to read it during the month we are discussing it
Please don't download stuff illegally. It's not fair to the author.
The books should be announced in advance to alleviate some of the delays some might experience with libraries.
You should definitely go for books on rent. I have ordered two books of worth 1000/- from padhega india( a place to get books on rent, check online) for 200 bucks.
If someone can't get a particular title, they could post their general area and maybe others in the group in that area can help find one. Obviously use common sense and don't post your full address. ;)
I live in Germany and our libraries mostly dont have any english books, and i guess i cannot request it there. So the only option is to buy 12 books a year.
Or could books be decided a month in advance so that there is time for libraries to process the request? For example, march's book could be decided by 1 Feb, april's book by 1 mar and so on. 2 months should be good enough?
Or we could make a list of books for 3 months in advance for example.
If your library has a partnership or group with another library or other libraries then you can usually take books out from the other library.
Since I don't have the ability to sit down a read a book with my 3 month old daughter, I'm going to use my credits from Audible. It's much easier for me to listen to them in the car. The first book is on Audible and it has great reviews. Since Audible is only $15 a month and you get a free credit each month, that could be a cheaper way to participate if you don't mind audiobooks (and if all the books have an audiobook). I guess I'll have to put Goblet of Fire on hold to start Gloria's book!
There is a legal app known as Overdrive that you can read ebooks on even if you're not online. I use it because I have no library nearby to check books out, and my friend was kind enough to share her library card number to log in. Its got a ton of libraries on there and some even have a way to sign up for a library card online if you don't have one already ^-^ just figured I'd throw that out thereIts free to download and there's no worry about overdue books as it tells you when you open the app that a book is due and must be removed from your list that you can add to your phone so there's never any fees to pay
I hope one of the suggestions above will help! I'm glad you brought this up and I hope others can find affordable ways to participate as well. Even if you don't get the book for that month, I'm sure you can make contributions by reading posts and responding.
E-books are a great option, or you could try renting the book.
Overdrive says it is not available in my region. My library has 6 holds on it, the soonest expiring 1/27. I'm just going to subscribe and add the books to my to read list until they become available, because 12 books adds up.
See if your library has on line access. If it does, have them show you how to find books you want to read, and then have them sent to your local library. I did this in Portland. It's a really wonderful service they provide.
Pirah wrote: "Can we download books online ?"Always purchase to support the authors BUT in my experience books are cheaper as e-books.
Also, would be good idea to pitch this book club to local libraries, they might get on board and get the books, advertise and/or organize a local book club for people to meet.
As a librarian, I can tell you libraries have several options here in the states:1. Most libraries purchase most top books so your library should have at least one copy of this title if not more
2. They often purchase audio books of the titles in the old fashioned CDs
3. Ebooks are available from vendors such as overdrive, 3M, Hoopla- most libraries will let you apply online for a card to use these resources
4. Audio ebooks are also available from the same vendors again just need a library card from your local library
Ebooks and e-audio books work on most major tablets and smartphones.
5. Inter library loan, most libraries will get you something from another library between a couple of days to about 2 weeks
Living Social has 3 months on Audible for only $9, which is an awesome deal...especially if you prefer audiobooks.
Not every country has fully stocked libraries and bookstores, and not everyone has the money for ebooks. Just saying. I see how that can be a problem.
I also have the same problem especially in getting any recently released title, as it is very expensive (from amazon and such). I live in a (what I call) 'second-world' country which made our public libraries not that equipped with the latest popular books. So my way out usually is to buy books in second hand book shops and at the year-end stock clearing book sales. I hope for the next group reads, there will not be another recently published books like, My Life on the Road. This is for us who could not get access to those kind of books to participate and enjoy the discussion too.
You can always borrow the books from you local or school library. If not, maybe one of your friends has the book and try lending it from them. :)
Not sure if this has been mentioned, but many libraries now have an online component( at least in the US) and have wider selections online than in the libraries themselves as ebooks are cheaper for libraries to buy, as well as easier to share between branches. This is how I get 90% of books I read. All you need is the free kindle app, an Amazon account(no proem account needed), a local library card, and Internet access to download the title. If you don't have a smart phone the kindle also has a desktop app.
You just have to find a pdf, my life on the road PDF and you'll probably find it
You have to think this is a global book club, and in many of out city there is no access to public library with the resources to buy new books every month, I live really close to San Diego, Ca even I live in México, I can borrow a book from one of those libraries.
**Read through or skip to bottom to see my main idea**Amanda has a good idea about Audible.com, it's a cheap way, and if you have kids or ride public transportation, it's also an effective way to get through a book. The only con is that it might be as expensive as the book. Also check your library to see if they have audiobooks in their catalog.
There are also ebooks like Manami said. Now, I'm not wanting to get into the paper vs. ebook debate. I own a kindle paperwhite and an entire library of books. It's a hell of a lot easier to carry my kindle around with me than to lug around Moby Dick. Ebooks are also generally cheaper and sometimes major libraries offer the option to check them out. That said, I'm not sure how that will work with smartphones or tablets with the kindle app. You can also read books on the computer, but who wants to stare at a computer screen all day long after you get home from work?
As far as libraries go, they can do interlibrary loans (which means searching neighboring or sometimes interstate libraries to see if they have the book on their shelves). Amy you mentioned this. Ask your local librarian.
I'm sure this has been driven into the ground, but before you buy the book wholesale, check a used bookstore. In NYC they have Strand, Housing Works, Greenlight and many more. If this fails, before you walk into B&N and Walmart, visit abebooks.com or thriftbooks as Lexi and Lynsay have mentioned. THEN amazon.com. Support your local used bookstore! They're the closest thing to Narnia.
**Finally, I was wondering if some of use wanted to start a Kickstarter for those who wanted to participate, but couldn't always afford the book. I first had the thought that I could purchase a book for someone in a kind of "pay-it-forward." I've been in situations where I couldn't afford a book and a friend stepped in and paid for it. Perhaps a fund would be more effective. I don't know if this comment will reach Emma, and I'm not trying to get it to, but perhaps someone could take the initiative and follow me in this endeavor. I'm willing to put in ar least $50 were we to get this started. I'm not sure how to determine the disbursement of funds. Perhaps some could advise on that. What do you all think?
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Kindle Unlimited yet. It's $9.99 a month with a one month free trial and as of a month or two ago when I was last on it, Gloria Steinem's books were all available for free with the service.
Try a university/college library. Some schools open their collections to outside people.
find how to get it online for free, by 'free' I mean, sites like goodreads or so sometimes create some trivia or quizzes where they're giving some good stuff or books for free if you win their quizzes. some books will be delivered to your door, some books are sent by email on pdf format.
I'd try a library but i do not live in an English speaking country...
Try to check on Scribd.com, you can have a free trial month.
Where are a lot of e-books available. Also we have a reading club here, where I participate, one buys a book, after reading it, it goes to the others. Next interesting book - somebody else a.s.o.
I recommend, www.impossible.com, a website/app run by Lily Cole where the idea is to ask and give, taking away the need for money. You may find someone who has books they want to give away. Another good source is Audible.co.uk, I think I pay £3/month and I get a book per month, any book. These are obviously audio books as opposed to Ebooks but they are well narrated.
If you are an Amazon prime member you can get discounts on Kindle books as well and you don't need a kindle to read them, just get the kindle app on any device and download your books to it.
Hope this helps!
If you live in a city that has a university you can always check if their library has the book... your chances are good if theres
an english departement
an english departement
Well, most libraries will reach out to other libraries in surrounding areas, and they can get books for you that way. If the book in question is classic you can check if it's in the public domain yet. If it is, Amazon usually has them for free.
Or maybe connect online with others in groups like these. There are TONS of groups I've joined where we share books. Mailing them back and forth or sharing e-books. You have tons of options! :D
And if your library doesn't have the book and it is an older one that they will not purchase, ask them about Interlibrary loan services. This way they can borrow the book from another library on your behalf. As for purchasing, Paperswapping is good. Google the Paperswap book swap site. You earn credits for shipping your lightly used books to someone else and in return, you are able to choose books that you would like. All you pay is shipping, which is only a couple dollars compared to $17-26 for a brand new book.
Hi! I'm french and I would ask you how can I get the same books translated in french? As you can see my level in English is not good enough to read a book in a mounth, but I think it would be very interesting. Thanks for read (and sorry to not answer).
I think some sort of Kickstarter or Go Fund Me page might be a good idea! I haven't used impossible.com but that might be a great place too!
I think it would be great if we can group together as a community and help each other out.
Jen
I suggest visiting your library, and if that is unsuccessful, try either perusing used book stores, seeing if any friends own the book, or purchasing the Ebook version for a cheaper price.
I live in Bosnia and Hercegovina, a small country in Europe that was ravaged by war, and even though libraries are getting better with getting new titles, its far from what I would like. On top of everything I am currently not in the position to buy a book every month, even though that is the only thing I love buying. I always had more books than shoes or purses :-)Anyway if you could find a way for all of us to be able to read and participate I would be greateful.
