By Beth Cranford
If you're anything like me, then you can't seem to go a day without scoping out new romance reads and trying to sort them into some kind of to-be-read order. My TBR is an overstuffed mess of books I've added and then never removed after reading or forgotten about, only to rediscover with a pang of, "Oh, damn, I really wanted to read that when it came out!"
But here's the thing . . . I can't afford to buy every single book I want to read. That's why my TBR exists. Perhaps if I was one of the fictional billionaires I so love to devour, it'd be a different story. Instead, I'm just plain ol' me, trying to read as much as humanly possible without a) becoming a book pirate and b) making it impossible to pay the mortgage.
<< A short rant on book piracy >>
I know that the lure of free books is tempting for some people, but there are other, better ways of finding books to read without taking money out of the pocket of hard-working authors. If your boss asked you to work for free, just because they didn't want to pay for your labor, you'd laugh in their face. Every time you download a book from a piracy site, that's essentially what you're doing. Not only that, but it's illegal.
Yep, downloading a free book from the internet that's been stripped of its DRM (digital rights management) code so it can be shared widely online is stealing. That's someone's hard work. Please remember that.
<< climbs off high horse >>
Anyway, ever since I got my first Kindle way back in the late 00s (and lord, that feels like forever ago), I've tried to find different ways to read on a budget, and while some things have been a bust, others have—and continue to—work.
So, here are my favorite ways to feed my book habit without spending all the money:
Digital Libraries
Or the regular library—a classic choice and one that is ALWAYS in-style.
Remember being a kid and going to the library and it being a treat? Just me?
The excitement of seeing row after row of books neatly shelved, and just waiting to be picked, scanned out, and taken home was likely the root cause of my endless need for books, and I am 100% okay with that. Especially since libraries offer so much to readers and non-readers alike.
First of all, most libraries these days offer a digital version. Here in the USA, and in dozens of countries across the globe, the Libby app puts eBooks and audiobooks in your pocket, purse, hand . . . well, you get the idea.
"Wait," you say, "did you mention audiobooks?"
Why, yes, yes, I did! In addition to eBooks, Libby also offers audiobooks for those who prefer to listen to their romance, so you don't have to love the written word to appreciate this excellent app.
Oh, and did I mention it has literally hundreds of thousands of books and is free? All you need is your library card and the app, and away you go.
Kindle Unlimited
Tell me why I just downloaded another 3 books. Please, I need to understand.
Look, I know that Amazon has a ridiculously huge market share and that there is an argument to be made for why Kindle Unlimited (KU) is not great for the book industry. But . . . it's also a program that offers a world of books (especially romance books) at a reasonable monthly price, making it a quick and easy solution to your budgeting woes.
In the past few years, the KU library has expanded significantly, so if you, like me, tried it once before and didn't find the variety you hoped for, now is a great time to give it another whirl. This month alone, I have borrowed upwards of 12 books through KU and lemme tell you, saving anywhere from 99c to $4.99 and beyond on a dozen books is a DEAL.
Pro Tip: Sign up for a monthly subscription (which you can cancel anytime) but keep your eyes open for 12- and 24-month subscription deals. They pop up periodically and are a great way to save even more money, which you can save to splurge on your favorite authors who are not currently in the KU program.
Pro Tip II: A lot of authors and/or publishing houses will offer the first book in a series for free through Kindle Unlimited, and while yes, it's a ploy to get you to buy more books, it's also a damn good way to get a feel for whether a book series is worth the investment of both time and money.
Prime Reading
Amazon Prime: not just free shipping and TV shows & movies . . .
Let's keep this one short and sweet, shall we? If you are part of Amazon's Prime program—regardless of the reason—you also have access to Prime Reading. Thousands of books, including magazines, non-fiction, kid's books, comics, and all genres of fiction, are available to you at no additional cost. Plus, one free first-look book a month!
Chirp: For Audiobook Lovers
Did I download two books while creating this article? Yep! #NoRegrets
From their website, since they know their product better than I do:
"Chirp is a free audiobook service that brings you amazing limited-time deals on popular audiobooks, including New York Times bestsellers."
I know a lot of authors who have had audiobook sales through Chirp, and they add new ones all the time. If you love to listen to books on tape (throwing it way back with that expression, LOL), this is a terrific solution.
Buy the books you want at a price that fits your budget, without a monthly subscription fee. You're still supporting your favorite authors but in a way that allows you to enjoy their words without the money stresses bringing you down.
Gift Cards
The perfect gift? Um, if not, it's pretty damn close!
Ask for them. I do, all the time. It's my go-to response whenever someone in my family (or one of my amazeballs friends) asks me what I want for my birthday or Christmas. Books on someone else's dime? Yes, please. Plus, the added layer of knowing it came from someone who loves you for you, whether that's familial love, a friendly, platonic love, or the fiery, passionate love that makes romance books so bloody good.
Also, and call this a Pro Tip, there are times throughout the year (usually around major holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas) when places do deals on gift cards. You know, like buy a $50 gift card and get $60 of credit, or something similar. Keep those deals on your radar, and you can get even more bang for your gift card buck.
I'm confident that I have overlooked some great (legal) ways of getting your hands on books without sending your bank account into a tailspin, so feel free to share your tips in the comments. Share the love, folks, and make another reader happy.
Also, remember this one important thing: books are food for your mind. When times are tough, reading often offers the chance to stop for a moment and just breathe. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of your reading habits—whether they judge you for reading romance or, hell, for reading at all—as long as it makes you happy and gives you a chance to relax and be swept away.
Embrace your reader status and your itchy one-click fingers.
It's called self-care.
And no, I am not joking about that.