If you're visiting Underground Bookshelf, there's a good chance you like to read. Reading can quickly become an expensive hobby and not everyone has the money or space to curate the beautiful bookshelves that many booktokers like to promote. Some influencers have encouraged book lovers to purchase books from Amazon and return them after reading them as a "hack" for reading "free" books. I would never recommend this method. Firstly, this method hurts authors (especially indie authors) who think they have made a sale, but end up owing Amazon at the end of the month. Secondly, there are plenty of ways to read on a budget that don't actively hurt writers. Check out the list curated below to find 10 new ways to access the books you crave!
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10 Ways to Read More Books on a Budget
- Visit your local library: The literal purpose of public libraries is to make reading as accessible as possible! Visit your local library to borrow paperback's, hardcovers, large print editions, and books on tape. Libraries also have the added benefit of being community spaces, study halls, meeting spaces, and reading rooms for everyone.
- Use your library's e-book app: Libby by Overdrive and Hoopla appear to be the most common e-reading and audiobook apps used by public library networks, but each library selects the app it prefers to use to host its collection. Get a digital library card and download your library's app to start reading e-books and audiobooks without having to leave home.
- Try an online library: There are several free, virtual libraries available online that will either let you borrow e-books or read while your browser is open. Many keep their platforms free or affordable by prioritizing books that have outlived copyright limitations, but some have a mix of public domain and copyrighted material. Check out some of the libraries discussed in these resource articles: 10 Free Online Libraries or 7 Free Online Libraries.
- Try an online audiobook library: There are several free, virtual audiobook libraries available online that you can use to access audiobooks for free or for a small fee. I've assembled a list of audiobook libraries that were free at the time of researching them. You can see the full list by visiting 10 Free Audiobook Libraries Just for You.
- Get your books second-hand: There are many places you can find second-hand books for low prices. Some places I've found these books include: public libraries, second-hand bookstores, book fairs, reading/writing conferences, thrift shops, yard sales, Little Free Libraries, Amazon, and Thriftbooks.
- Trade books with friends: Of course, this suggestion only works if you have friends who both enjoy reading and share your genre interests, but it's still worth a try. Maybe you and your friend group can hold monthly book swaps or share bookshelves another way.
- Check out the Wattpad catalog: Wattpad is social media for readers. Up-and-coming writers post their original work to the website where readers are able to read and interact with their content. You'll find me on there at LauraBrowneLambert and can start reading stories in all kinds of genres here. The catch is that you'll have to make your own login and profile in order to read most content, but once your logged in, you'll be able to read plenty of material for free. Wattpad also has a paid tier and a publishing branch for particularly popular stories.
- Beta read works in progress: Many writers seek beta readers to read their works in progress and provide feedback. Neta readers act a bit like content editors, picking up on inconsistencies, making developmental suggestions, noting glaring errors, or simply giving a few thoughts about the work and whether it will appeal to audiences. Beta readers vary greatly and can be paid or unpaid. Paid readers tend to give more detailed notes while unpaid readers are more likely to give off-the-cuff reactions, but both are valuable and every beta reader is different. If you would like to become a beta reader, I suggest joining beta reading Facebook groups, following indie authors on booktok, or even reaching out to new writers in your network. Writers and beta readers share an important symbiosis!
- Become an ARC reader: Much like beta readers, ARC readers read unpublished work. The difference is that beta readers read works in progress while ARC readers read books that have been finalized, but are not yet published. ARC stands for "Advanced Review Copy." ARC readers receive a pre-published book in exchange for honest reviews on the platforms of the author's choice such as Amazon or Goodreads. As with beta reading, prospective ARC readers should become part of reading/writing communities on social media. Many authors announce when they are seeking ARC readers. When you see their invitation, that's your cue to sign up to read their book. I would recommend offering to read for authors whose books fit the genres you're interested in. This ensures that the review you leave is pertinent to the interests of other people who might like to read that book.
- Visit Underground Bookshelf on a regular basis: We post short stories, poems, flash fiction and similar work on a regular basis! I write much of the content available on this site, but I'm always looking for work from other writers, so if you or someone you know would like to submit your work, please don't hesitate to reach out! I promise I don't bite! Check out original works on Underground Bookshelf here.
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