Buying Books - Cutting The Costs

Being a book lover can be an expensive business - how often have you seen a book in a shop, or on the net, and just haven't been able to resist? You pay out your cash, read it in a few days, then pop it on your bookshelf!

There are ways, however, to make this a cheaper hobby. There are places to find both new and second-hand books at a better price if you know where to look. Then, if you can bear to part with them, you can swap for a new one, or sell them on.

Of course, your first port of call should be the forum. We have a section where members can buy, sell and swap their books.

Most avid readers will already know to search boot fairs, charity shops, and second hands book stores. The latter will often buy your books back from you aswell.

Savings can also be found when shopping online. If you shop at Amazon, and are buying just one book, check the Marketplace sellers. They have to charge £2.75 postage on their books, so some will sell books fairly cheap.. including brand new ones. Be careful though.. if you buy more than one, they will charge you postage for each.

If you're used to shopping at ebay, don't forget to take a look there. You will find a large choice, but you also have to out-bid others for the popular titles. And watch the postage prices!

A new alternative is List Books, a site where you can list your own books at no cost, or browse for new reading material. Hand coded by the owner, it's a great idea, and highly recommended.

Another recommended site is GreenMetropolis, where the emphasis is on recycling. Each book is priced at £3.75 (incl. delivery for standard paperbacks). You may also list your own books for sale.. for each one sold, you are creditied £3.00. Take a look at the site for more details.

Finally, you could swapping a book for something new at read it swap it.

Of course, once you've read all these books, make sure you come to the forum, and tell us all about them!

by Michelle