SAVING MONEY ON BOOKS 📚 tips and tricks for readers and reviewers

[@heyimsasa]

signing up for a physical library card lets the city see "oh, people ARE using it" = more funding for more books, events, seminars, employment, activities, etc.

[@cherish6084]

i love libraries and used to work in them, but in my personal experience with rural libraries that request a book page usually gets responses like "this book is too old to be relevant to our population" (requesting the wheel of time series lol), but even those libraries are willing to do Inter-library Loan (ILL), where they don't add a book to their collection, they just order a book from another library on loan and lend it out to you. Just make sure you are returning ILL books on time. I use this to get books in Turkish language mostly, but if your library participates (a lot do) you can get just about any book. I have ILL'd D&D DM books before, cook books, picture books for my niece, series that just never have that one book available, etc. It's a great tool!

[@andeeleininger5968]

My brother and I used inter library loan a LOT when we were in school. We live in a poor, rural area and our library is always on the edge of broke. And last year, our Mayor and City Council decided to cut some money from the library’s budget. 😢

[@gulcinkabay1887]

Are you Turkish? Or learning Turkish? Any way, Hello from Turkey. And I didn't know that libraries loan books from each other. Really cool.

[@bonk895]

unfortunately for my library, it costs money to use it and even then it jsnt guaranteed 😔😔

[@Tessa_Ru]

Even my middle school library used to do this. I read all the fiction books in the first year (not a big library overall), so they would borrow 5 or 6 books a week from the high schools for me.

[@sandyokey7728]

Elliott, I don’t see how anyone could ever accuse you of bragging or making anyone feel bad based on how many books you receive or read. You’re one of the most thoughtful as well as informative you tubers I watch. You’re very articulate in your reviews and respectful, even if the book didn’t appeal to you. I enjoy your videos, and this one has a lot of good information too. I love my library and use Libby quite a bit. Unfortunately Hoopla isn’t available through my system, but I’ve used it and enjoyed it in the past. Have a great weekend.

[@silvialopez2030]

I'm a big believer in our local library. Thank you for reminding everybody that🎉🎉 you don't need money to read a good book. Your local library can help you pretty much get anything that you're interested in.🎉

[@Hamilwhovian]

I started using libby in april last year and I managed to get 12 audiobooks, 9 volumes of mangas and 4 ebooks trough them, so it was a pretty big save!

[@Rachlemm]

I want to make more of an effort to actually visit the library this year. I want to use Libby more often but I hate having to wait so many weeks and months for a book and then I’m not in the mood to read it anymore.

[@Tessa_Ru]

What got me going more often is I realized it wasn't just books I could borrow. They have movies and old video games too. 😯 It's seems silly, because yeah mostly it's for reading, but it just feels better checking out what's there when I'm not sure if a book is going to catch my attention, if that makes sense?

[@noelanikaanana]

I love that my library prints a receipt with the books due date and how much you saved by borrowing verses buying.

[@melanie6759]

My library does this too and it’s so satisfying seeing how much I save every time I go 😌

[@Curious-Cat]

OK, I've been complaining about my library having only a tiny selection in English (I live in France). I didn't consider requesting books in English, because I know they have a very limited budget for that and assumed it would not be successful, but this video made me decide to at least try and not just rely on my assumptions (and also because things definitely won't change if people don't show interest in having more English books either). I just sent in a request! 🤞🤞🤞

[@Tessa_Ru]

Good luck! And yeah, sometimes they can just borrow from another library instead of buying it, you help both libraries that way. And even if they don't or can't have it yet, if more people ask for books, they have a record to show the increase in interest to argue for a bigger budget.

[@__-yh7pn]

Heads up to non Americans, Libby is not an only American service. It's an international library system. As of writing this it unfortunately excludes majority of African countries, Greenland, some middle eastern countries, a few European countries & a few countries in other parts of the world. With that said it is available in the majority of the world. You can also ask your library to try to get Libby or to get different versions of it such as "public library, k-12, academic or corporate". I'm an American that lives in Ireland & use Libby. Also another tip. There's many libraries throughout the world that you can get library cards without living there. If you're on a road trip & find a library, ask what you need for a library card. I have 3 cards. One from my old library in America, Ireland & Northern Ireland. NI doesn't require you to live there or be a citizen. I switch between the libraries on Libby. There are some libraries in America that you can pay to get a library card from them without ever going there. Many non Americans buy these cards to have access to online American collections

[@luisab5726]

Thanks! I was about to look this up. Got back into reading more last year, and damn it's getting expensive (the local library isn't the best unfortunately)

[@Tamsuw1781]

I have a condition that can make me dizzy if I read too much so listening to books is a great thing for me. Libby is my go to and I have listened to over 100 in the last year.... Love it.

[@julatsa]

I completely forgot there was a library less than 10 mins from my house 😂 its only open 4 days a week but I think I will stop in and sign up

[@TheRandyGr]

I used to go to my local library sake they had twice a year. They would sell used and old books for dirt cheap. There were times we could get a paper bag full for 5 bucks!!

[@marliscan]

Same here, they have one twice a year and I go at least once. After 15 years, these days I buy much less but I always find something to help fill in my shelves. I love the library

[@TheRandyGr]

@ I also used to buy audiobooks (on cassette) and could get a bag full for 10 bucks. Hundreds of hours of listening!!

[@blandface9957]

I used to not live near any libraries and the one closest to me didn't have libby. I recently moved however and while the new library is still pretty far it has libby and I've now been reading like crazy! I feel like I saved so much money too because I'm picky and I usually don't love most books I pick up anyway. I can't wait to read (most) books for free and only buy the ones I love now :)

[@mediabunny4016]

Libraries may also have interlibrary loan services where you can request a book that the library doesn't have but they can get it from another library within their consortium.

[@EotuaDawnwalker]

Yes! This is such an amazing service! So many people at the library I work at use it in order to request super niche things that we don't have in our system.

[@bobkeane7966]

I've been looking for your book, not one to buy new books it's been tough to find. Well I finally found it at my library on Hoopla it is next on my TBR.

[@lieslherman]

I agree with all these, but I also want to add: if you have a Spotify subscription already, make use of your audiobook hours!! There are so many books that are 15 hours or less, including new releases, that are available on premium. I've been able to listen to do many audiobooks that way, which is so helpful when my library does not them!! I don't recommend signing up ONLY for the book service, because I don't think it's worth the price just for that, but if you already are using it for music it does feel like a "free" perk!

[@_dayliqht]

most countries don't have access to audiobooks on spotify

[@Calm_And_Peace_]

Thanks! Especially the new releases are so expensive....

[@BookDustMedia]

I adore the library and finding books at thrift stores! Thank you for the library book request idea! That’s going to be amazing.

[@shesagift1]

It’s amazing how much you can save using the library! I kept track all year and spent $1330 on books but saved just over $2000 (if I’d bought everything list price) through a combo of using the library, going to book swaps/borrowing from friends, and buying from overstock retailers. Aiming to spend less this year by waiting out the library wait list more often 😂

[@EotuaDawnwalker]

Library worker here: The note at the bottom of your receipt that says how much money you saved usually comes from the Amazon price of the exact same copy of the book (paperback, hard cover, etc)

[@onescentperbook]

You can also get arcs or published books through sweepstakes! Contestgirl typically posts a fair amount of those! You only have to share your address with publishers and they don’t even ask for social media handles etc

[@marliscan]

I love my library and I live in a pretty big city, the only thing Ive noticed is that its very difficult to get a indy authors books and those are the ones that are a bit pricey, and I get that, it just makes buying a physical copy a bit slower cause theres never sales on physical copies and even looking for a used edition is scarce, i can only spend so much money a month. I wish i could help support more authors but im limited until I win the lottery-lol!!

[@lifesabeach2597]

Love our library, they are pretty well stocked

[@catsandbats77]

I used Libby mostly last year and didn't use the physical library a lot in 2024 because I'm trying to read from my own shelves. I want to use the physical library more this year. I miss going and just browsing until I find something that sounds good. Of the 93 books I read last year, 30 of them were books I own.

[@miandagny]

I've been checking out DVDs lately and have done probably 30 in the past couple months. If I were to buy those that's easily at least $300

[@gnomishviking3013]

I just started reading everything on my ereader. Either buy books on sale or borrow ebooks from the library. Then if I love something I buy a physical copy.

[@adrie2408]

I bought my first kindle over christmas and happy i did so. A lot of romantasy series I'm interested in are free and now i don't have to spend money on every new release

[@gnomishviking3013]

@@adrie2408 kindle is pretty good for the kindle unlimited. But I use kobo since kindle won’t let me use my library app in Canada.

[@hannahbrennan2131]

My library doesn't get new releases right away, so I usually go for e books for new releases. I did buy the physical version of Wind and Truth to complete the series on my shelf. It was almost $40 though, prices for new hardcovers are getting ridiculous.

[@adrie2408]

I swear nowadays every new release is at least $30. That's a lot for a new book that you may or may not love. Reading is becoming an expensive hobby😅

[@hannahbrennan2131]

@@adrie2408 IKR? Thank goodness for libraries, used bookstores, and e books.

[@marydarlenesardan3905]

I live outside of the USA (somewhere in Asia) so I am not sure if I can use libby/hoopla... and I don't think there's a library in my area with a selection of books that I'd be interested in. However, I read a lot of indie fantasy/progression fantasy/romance so kindle unlimited is really worth it for me.

[@Calm_And_Peace_]

Not sure about hoopla but Libby accepts library cards from libraries outside the US.

[@marydarlenesardan3905]

Nice, I'll check that. Thanks!

[@__-yh7pn]

Libby is an international library system. I'm an American but live in Ireland & use Libby & have library cards from both countries as well as Northern Ireland. You can also request your library to get Libby as well. I've heard of people doing that

[@EotuaDawnwalker]

Many libraries will have systems in place to be able to request from other libraries nearby or sometimes even far away! Always ask your library about inter library loan if they don't have what you're looking for. They should be able to help you figure it out. The website is a little confusing the first time you try it.

[@DasBuecherregal]

Cant even start to count how many thousand euros I saved since getting my first "for review"-copy in 2013. And just rediscovering libraries as I am finally living somewhere with a decent (= existing) library again :)

[@LilNincat]

I switched to Libby in 2024 and my wallet sighed in relief. Then I started to look at special editions... 😂

[@kierleanne4066]

😅 so accurate

[@aluralorrell3297]

If you or anyone in your family is in the US military, the dod libby catalog is massive, and they always order books if you request them.

[@c.lstrife]

I got my first arc from a give away on good reads (It was death of the author by Nnedi Okrafor) and I was SO THRILLED. I got it last year and I still have it with the packaging too.

[@AwkwardBookworm]

Lobby is my bestie 🥹

[@Lilhyna]

My goal this year is to read as much as I can from the library and kindle unlimited, no buying books unless I LOVED it.

[@1027london]

My library (and many more in state) have dropped Hoopla, the price went up astronomically. Libby holds have been reduced at my library, right now all 5 of my holds are a several month wait.

[@GreenGawain]

The best way to save money is to stop buying books and read all your shelves / backlog. In my case, it will be a year or two of reading / saving. And clearing the backlog will be so satisfying.

[@indestructible8111]

It's surprising how under the radar book The Secret Doctrine of Wealth is. If you're curious, It is definitely worth a look.

[@sunaskneepads9938]

Don’t go to B&N… it’s always more expensive.

[@KittyAndTheBooks]

I think I saved around 150 Euro through borrowing books last year. However, I am trying to read the books I already own. Otherwise, this number would be much much higher. :D

[@susan3009]

My library doesn’t have Hoopla. Boo.

[@lindaklinedinst9236]

I use my local library from March through December. I have the Libby App through my Local Library. I can use the County Library but it cost me 50.00 per year. I use my local library more than my County Library so I may not renew it this year. I am always putting books on Hold when I am using my local Library and my Local Library uses Evergreen Library System so us Patrons can get our books from other Public Libraries. Take Care & Happy Reading ❤️🤗🔰☕️

[@snowflake2597]

cries in South American reader 😔

[@MatthewLoom]

LOL libgen is your friend.