12 Ways to Save Money on Books

Not every option is free, but there are plenty of ways to get new books that are cheaper than a bookstore. Here a few:

1. Trade

Chances are that you have bookshelves full of books that you haven't looked at in years and likely aren't going to. You can use these as trading material for books that you do want and will use in the future.

The following sites offer book swapping capabilities:

• Bookins
• Book Mooch
• Paperback Swap
• Title Trader

While there is the cost of shipping involved, it is a less-expensive way to get books you're interested in reading if you have books on your current bookshelves you are willing to trade.

2. Secondhand

For those who are willing to do a bit of hunting, quality books can be picked up for pennies on the dollar at garage sales, flea markets, library book sales and charity resale stores such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army. While the selection is often very limited, it's a great place to pick up new reading material for next to nothing.

3. Used Book Stores

Another place to pick up discounted books is at a used book store. The quality of these stores varies, but if you can find one that stocks books that appeal to your interests, these can be excellent places to pick up books at bargain prices.

4. Rent

If you are a voracious reader or someone who likes to read the latest titles, Book Swim may be an alternative worth considering. It works much like a Netflix for books, where you pay a monthly fee to have the books you want sent to your house, then return them for a new book when you're finished. While this won't save most people money, in certain circumstances it may be worth considering.