Make the most of your apps & get more books!!!
As a book lover and avid reader who is also on a book buying ban (again), I’ve tried just about everything to get my hands on books without spending a shit ton. Here are my hacks (some not pictured)
*prices may be a personal offer or may have changed, please check your offers!
1. Kindle Unlimited: it’s $11* a month, and you get quite a large library of books. My favourite authors with Amazon Kindle contracts are Freida McFadden (The Housemaid, Never Lie, The Tenant, etc) and Elsie Silver (Chestnut Springs Series)
2. Kobo Unlimited: it’s $9* a month and you get a smaller library of books, mostly in the fantasy genre. More indie or lesser hyped authors, but still some good reads! The Lightlark series is on there, as well as This Woven Kingdom and From Blood And Ash!
3. Libby: 100% free! You use a library card and can borrow ebooks AND audiobooks! To make things even better, I’ve used addresses of friends and family (with their permission) in order to sign up for library cards in different states and cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, different parts of Florida since I live in one city, my grandfather lives in a different county so a different library, and my brother lives in a different city. Basically, the more libraries you have access to, the more copies you have access to and therefore, hold times are a lot quicker!!!
4. Hoopla: ALSO FREE! Works the same as Libby! I feel like hoopla show everything libby does though, I could be wrong. Same idea, you use a library card and it grants you the ability to check out ebooks and audiobooks! What I’ve found is that Hoopla downloads content differently, so even if it says the ebook or audiobook is checked out on Libby, it still lets you download and check it out on here, which makes more sense since I don’t see why they’re essentially holding a pdf hostage until one persons done with it 😂
5. NetGalley: this one’s a bit different. NetGalley is a website that allows authors to send ARCs (advanced readers copies: books ahead of its release, usually unedited proofs) to readers for reviews before the official release! This is a way to not only discover new and unknown authors and books, but also a great opportunity to get yourself out there in the bookish content creating circle with reviews, arcs, and something exciting to share! Just no spoilers!!! It’s 100% free! All they ask is that you review the books. The more reviews you write, the higher your chances of getting approved for more!
6. Free Little Library: free!!!!! This app tells you where the official free little libraries are around you. Some people and businesses create a free little library outside of their homes, businesses, and other buildings! It’s where they can put books for others to pick up. The rule is: take a book, give a book. That way, we’re all sharing and giving people the chance to read something new! It’s a great way to find new reads without spending a dime!
7. Fable: a GREAT reading tracker app, but it’s also now allowing you to buy ebooks!!!! It’s like GoodReads for the makeover it deserves (but who knows when that’s gonna happen). It’s not a subscription, it’s just another platform to buy books rather than directly from Amazon’s website or another shop! You can buy ebooks, as well as print!
8. YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY!!!!!!! Libraries are severely underrated. The amount of times I go on Libby and see that the ebook I’m wanting is checked out and hold times are for literal WEEKS, only to find out that the library has like three physical copies available? Insane. I am a lover of both physical and digital media, so this works for me, but I get that some people strictly like reading on their e-readers. No shame here! But if you’re REALLY wanting to get started on the next book in your TBR, some sacrifices have to be made (aka, go to the library!!!)
Well, those are my tips for those who were looking for all the options for getting their next read in. Hope this helped! And PLEASE use the comments for any other tips that I might have missed or simply not known about! Us readers gotta stick together! Anyway, happy reading!!!
#lemon8contest #AskLemon8 #easy access to books #freebooks #readwithlemon8
For book lovers looking to expand their reading list without overspending, numerous digital and physical resources make it easier than ever to access books. Rakuten Kobo and Kindle Unlimited provide vast libraries for a reasonable subscription fee, offering access to popular genres and authors. Kobo Unlimited, at $9 a month, focuses heavily on fantasy and indie authors, including popular series like Lightlark and This Woven Kingdom, while Kindle Unlimited offers a broader selection including bestsellers from well-known authors such as Freida McFadden and Elsie Silver. Complementing these paid options are free services like Libby and Hoopla, both accessible with a library card. These apps enable users to borrow ebooks and audiobooks digitally. A clever tactic is to expand your access by registering library cards from multiple locations—such as cities where friends or family reside. This approach significantly reduces wait times for popular titles. Hoopla’s unique content delivery system allows simultaneous access to ebooks even if they appear checked out on other platforms, effectively increasing availability. Another distinctive option is NetGalley, which grants readers early access to Advance Reader Copies (ARCs). This platform is perfect for discovering emerging authors and enhancing your role in the book review community, offering free books in exchange for honest reviews. Don’t overlook the charm and utility of the Free Little Library app, a grassroots network of small community book exchanges based on the “take a book, give a book” philosophy. It’s a fantastic, no-cost way to find diverse and sometimes rare titles locally. Fable is also gaining popularity as a reading tracker platform that now includes eBook purchasing, bridging the gap between tracking your reading and buying through a user-friendly interface reminiscent of popular platforms like Goodreads. Finally, never underestimate the power of your local library—the traditional hub for physical books. While digital copies may have waitlists, physical copies are often readily available. Embracing both digital and physical formats broadens access and supports local communities. By combining these apps and resources, readers can navigate their book-buying bans effectively while still enjoying a rich, diverse reading experience. Whether you prefer digital convenience or physical books, these options offer cost-effective and expansive access to thousands of titles across genres and formats.
https://us9.campaign-archive.com/?e=675adb0265&u=a70c795899e5f44b5dc7b2dbb&id=c1d3df10e4