So I read a lot. I love reading. However, buying new books, or sometimes even used books can be expensive. So how do I manage to read so many book while spending very little?
I have a few tricks. First, which most of you are probably aware of, is your local public library. I however, have not set foot inside my library in probably 2 years. Did you know that many libraries have an on-line library where you can check out e-books and audiobooks? This has been a lifesaver for my audiobooks. I have used both the Overdrive app and the Libby app (which is also by Overdrive) on Android, and the Overdrive app on my kindle for the audiobooks. The e-books for Kindle are checked out in your library, my local library uses Bridges, then delivered through Amazon. You can check a book out for up to 14 days. You can place holds on books if they are currently checked out. You can check out up to 3 books at one time. I absolutely love using the on-line library.
Next is giveaways. I have won e-books from Amazon's giveaways. I have also won e-books, paperbacks, and even signed copies from Goodreads giveaways. I love entering giveaways. Do I always win, no, but if I don't enter then I definitely won't win. So when it comes to Amazon and Goodreads giveaways, I enter as many as I can as long as the book looks interesting.
Let's talk about authors for a moment. Authors frequently do giveaways. They will to new release giveaways, celebratory giveaways, random giveaways. They need to get the word out about their books, and one way to do that is to give away copies to fans, then a good fan will leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or other sites that will entice other readers. So sign-up for those author newsletters, follow them on social media (Facebook, Goodreads, BookBub, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon), basically stalk your favorite author's any way you can. You never know how you might be rewarded.
Another way I get free books requires a little work on my part. I have signed up with NetGalley. It is a site where publishers and authors can put their work for reviewers to look at. As a reviewer you can look through all of the books available and request a copy. You will not always get a copy of every title you request, and you need to leave a review after you have read the book. Another site I have registered with that works similar to NetGalley is Hidden Gems
Hidden Gems Books. With Hidden Gems when you sign up you tell them your genre preferences. Then they will send you an email daily with a title that is looking for reviewers (note: I get about 3-5 emails a day with a title that is available). If the title looks interesting you can request it, if not, don't. The email with the title will tell you what day that book will be sent out, it's usually about 4 days after the initial email, it will also tell you when the review is to be posted, usually 7 days after the book is sent out. This allows you to make sure you have enough time to read the book before you even request it. Again you won't always get the book, but when you do it's a free book to read, just for leaving a review on Amazon.
So for those of you on a budget there are lots of ways to make sure you always have lots of reading material. With some of these you might end up with more emails in your inbox. Some of the time I end up deleting the emails without even opening them just to clear up my email. Just because you signed up doesn't mean you have to read every email. Although I do know that some of the authors giveaway a monthly Amazon gift card to one of their newsletter subscribers that took the time to open their monthly newsletter.
No comments:
Post a Comment