How to Get Inexpensive Books

Books are the food for the soul, and they enrich the lives of everyone who embraces them. Because of that, they also make great gifts, and become treasured members of each family. But as with most things, they are expensive dust-collectors between use. That fact is not as painful if less is spent on them to begin with. Here are some suggestions on how to do just that.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Most bookstores today offer frequent shopper deals. These are based on memberships—-some of which are now free—-and provide key fobs so you always have your card. Coupons for specials are sent via email, making it even more convenient, which are easily printable rather than buried in a clunky website that is tough to maneuver.
2. Sometimes additional deals are part of these bookstore offers-—including specials on DVDs or CDs and sets—-or new book debuts. Books are heavily touted during the holidays, as each publishing house tries to get its own authors out front during gift-giving season. That can work to the benefit of consumers, however, because sometimes special deals become available to move the books out of warehouses. And, if they don’t sell as well as anticipated, the books may additionally be discounted. Dollar stores sell even more un-sold books and can make great gifts, or stock a bookshelf—-at unbeatable prices.
3. Used bookstores can be a gold mine for readers, but another diamond-in-the-rough is your public library. Between the sale of donated used books, “retired” library books and duplicates, you can find at least one author you will enjoy—-and sometimes an entire set of books by that writer. An oft unknown component of libraries is their offshoot community organization, usually known as Friends of the Library, or a similar name. Groups like these hold book sales seasonally--or even monthly, if they have enough books to work with. They also sell tapes, CDs and DVDs, and numerous other categories of media. Sometimes those sales tempt with bags of books for one price, or group sales of 3-for deals, or similar offers.
4. Churches are another avenue at which to find books at great savings. Although they may only host book fairs annually, the events are often filled with hundreds of books, by a variety of authors and also include deals.
5. Don’t overlook online websites for book bargains. You can often buy books and DVDs, CDs and other media at better prices than you might find in stores. EBay is another means for uncovering sales, and at times rare finds can be bought there.
6. When it comes to textbooks, many professors recommend that students peruse the Internet—-particularly Amazon. But make sure that ordering online doesn’t put you behind in classroom assignments; often a student rush to buy textbooks results in weeks-long delays and unfinished homework while waiting. Always check your university bookstores first for used textbooks. These will be cheaper than new books--and often bear the additional help of highlighted passages as study guides—-but make sure that your teachers are using that edition in your class. Updated texts are always the teacher’s perogative—-and the student’s dilemma.