If you love books, you know one thing—they aren’t cheap. Whether buying the latest bestseller or building your dream bookshelf, being a reader can cost more than you’d like.
But here’s the good news: You don’t need to spend big to enjoy good stories. You just need to be smart about where and how you read.
The Cost of Being a Book Lover
Love always comes at a price. New hardcovers often cost $25-35, while paperbacks run $10-20. Add in the cost of bookshelves, reading lights, and storage space, and your hobby starts looking pricey.
Then come the special editions—those gorgeous books with sprayed edges, foil details, and bonus content. Collector’s editions can be tempting if you’re loyal to a particular author or series. But they often cost twice as much (or more) than the standard version.
That’s just one book! If you read one book a week or love adding “bookish” items to your collection, that price adds up fast.
The good news is, your love of books doesn’t need to conflict with your budget goals.
You Don’t Always Need to Own a Book
There’s a big difference between reading a book and owning it. Many readers feel they need to:
- Own every book they read
- Buy books brand new
- Have physical copies of everything
If you’re on a budget, you don’t need to keep every book you read on your shelf. You just need access. The words inside are the same whether the book is new, used, borrowed, or digital.
Used books often cost 50-75% less than new ones. E-books typically save 20-40% off print prices. By being flexible about format and condition, you open up many budget-friendly options.
How to Get Books Without Breaking the Bank
When you fall in love with 10-20 books a year but your budget only allows for buying 3-5, what do you do?
Public Libraries are Your Friend
Public libraries are amazing. With a free library card, you get access to:
- Thousands of physical books
- E-books and audiobooks through apps like Libby and Hoopla
- Magazines and newspapers
- Special collections and rare books
Most libraries also offer interlibrary loans to get books they don’t own. Today’s libraries let you borrow, renew, and request books online without stepping foot inside.
Some libraries also host free author talks, book clubs, and reading challenges. You get to be part of a community, with a chance of meeting your favorite authors.
Free Digital Books
Countless classics and older books are in the public domain. Get them free from:
- Project Gutenberg (60,000+ free e-books)
- Open Library
- ManyBooks
- Standard Ebooks (beautifully formatted classics)
For audiobooks, check out LibriVox.
Also, sign up for BookBub or Book Riot Deals. They send daily eBook discounts and even free titles straight to your inbox.
Join Online Communities
Online communities are a godsend for book lovers trawling the internet for deals. Members often share news, deals, and limited-time sales you might miss otherwise. From Reddit threads like r/books and r/BookDeals, to Facebook groups and Discord servers, there’s always someone posting a discount, giveaway, or price drop.
These spaces are also great for finding secondhand swaps, unhauls, and even alerts on special editions going for less. Plus, you get to chat with people who get your love of books—and might talk you out of that impulse buy now and then.
Many writers also frequent these spaces. Some might offer deals on their books, tease upcoming releases, or share exclusive discount codes with their followers. Indie authors, especially, often run promotions to boost visibility. It’s a budget-friendly way to support writers you love while scoring good reads for less.
Buy Secondhand
Used books are cheaper and often just as good as new. Try places like:
- Local thrift stores
- Indie bookstores with secondhand sections
- Online sellers like ThriftBooks, Better World Books, or eBay
Even collector’s editions show up secondhand now and then—sometimes still in great condition.
You can also keep an eye on Facebook Marketplace or community swap groups. Some people even give books away for free.
Read Ebooks
Ebooks, being digital goods, are often cheaper than physical copies. Many new releases hit Kindle or other platforms at a lower price, and older titles often go on sale for just a few bucks.
Plus, there are tons of free ebook options out there. Sites like Project Gutenberg, Libby (through your library), and Kindle’s free ebook section offer thousands of titles without spending a dime.
Sure, e-readers can be expensive, but they’re not a requirement. Most ebook apps work fine on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Be Selective in What You Buy
You likely share the same sentiment of “there’s just something about physical copies you can’t beat.” The smell of the pages, the weight in your hands, the way a well-worn spine feels—it’s part of the magic.
Save your money for the books that truly matter to you—favorites you’ll reread, editions you’ll display, or titles that hold sentimental value.
Borrow or go digital for the rest. That way, your shelves hold books you love, not just ones you bought in the moment. You’re curating a collection with meaning.
The Collector’s Dilemma
That urge to fill your shelves with all your literary loves is powerful—but it’s also expensive. There’s something satisfying about seeing a full shelf, building a personal library, or owning every edition of a favorite series.
Why? Because books are magic and we all want more of that magic. They take you to new places, teach you new things, and let you escape real life for a while.
But here’s the tricky part: collecting books and reading books aren’t always the same thing.
It’s easy to fall into the habit of buying faster than you can read, especially when new releases, special editions, or limited-time discounts pop up. Before you know it, you’ve spent more than you planned—and your “to be read” pile keeps growing.
Being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to give up collecting entirely. It just means being more intentional.
How do you read on a budget? Share your thoughts below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
