I don’t usually reprint PR releases. As a matter of fact I NEVER have. But this one is so right-down-our-alley, that I decided to share the entire thing with you. The first paragraph refers to Amazon’s plans to make e-books available for no charge to Prime customers. If you don’t know about Amazon Prime Membership
Talk of Amazon.com’s Netflix-like e-book library adds fuel to the fire of the ongoing print vs. digital book war. In response to the great migration toward digital literature, print booksellers are simply trying to maintain their toehold in the market. As a result, the two formats are waging a fierce price battle — a battle that bodes well for reading fans.
Regardless of which side you’re on, there are several ways to save on both print and electronic books. Consider these seven resources before adding to your bookshelf or e-reader homepage.
1. Amazon.com, of Course
The retail giant’s prices are often outstanding. For example, a paperback copy of “The Help,” by Kathryn Stockett, is presently priced at just $8.80 and the Kindle edition is available at 60-percent off the list price, at $9.99.
2. Barnes & Noble Marketplace
It’s sometimes a gamble buying from a Barnes & Noble reseller as you can’t always be sure what you’ll get, but the prices are stellar. New and used versions of “The Help” are presently available starting at $6.75, or 57-percent off the face value. Register for a Barnes & Noble free express shipping membership and buy a minimum $25 worth of books to save even more.
3. FetchBook.info
This free website allows you to search by title, author or ISBN for the cheapest price on any book. In just six seconds, FetchBook.info found a copy of “The Help” priced at just $4 via eBay, a savings of 75 percent. If you’re looking for a rare, out-of-print or international book, check out BookFinder.com.
4. Go Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg was launched in 1971 by e-books inventor Michael Hart as a way of providing free digital access to the classics. Today, readers can download over 36,000 free e-books to PCs, Kindles, Androids, iOS or other portable devices.
5. Knowledge for Rent
If you’re a compulsive reader but not much of a collector, renting via BooksFree.com is a good option. Pay $9.99 per month and receive two books at a time with free shipping both ways.
6. Swap or Trade
If your one of those people with a stack of books in every room, consider swapping or trading for unread books on websites like BooksfreeSwap or Chango Books. Each site offers free membership and the cost of doing business is limited to postage, paid for by the book recipient.
7. Read and Return a la Paradies
NOTE: The shops were up for sale in 2015, and I do not know if they are still operating this program, or perhaps under a different name. At any rate the link goes nowhere.
The Paradies Shops offers a unique program to book buyers on the go, allowing readers to return books at any shop location and receive 50% of the purchase price back. With over 500 shops in more than 70 airports and hotels across the U.S., this program is tailored to travelers who need to feed their reading addiction without taking up valuable luggage space.
8. This Place Called the Library
This may come as a shock to some readers, but there are these places called libraries that allow you to borrow books and return them after reading. The selection and value of most libraries is tough to beat, plus the facility itself provides an excellent getaway when you’re in need of some “me” time.
P.S. When Andrea found out I was using her advice, she added this info that she just discovered: 11,000 public libraries announced that they will be adding e-book editions of books for kindles to their electronic collections. This is such a nice treat for any one who owns a Kindle–what a great way to take advantage of a huge collection of eBooks without the price tag.
In return, I told her about the Sony Reader Store having a page that will direct you to your public library, so you can find out if the book you want is available for free. The Sony Store also has a link to Google free e-books. But remember, if you want to encourage authors–once in a while you need to BUY a book.
###
Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more.
Vera Marie back again: Mind you, I am deeply conflicted about discounters like Amazon. My own book, Quincy Tahoma, the Life and Legacy of a Navajo Artist is NOT sold by discounters. You can find it on Amazon, but only being sold at full price through Amazon affiliate book sellers. (You can also buy it right here–see right hand column– and get an autographed copy). On the other hand, like anybody else, I look for bargains–particularly since I’m reading two to three books a week. Please discuss. AND which of the sources that Andrea Woroch names have YOU used to find a travel book?
This was a great post- thank you for posting all this information. I had no idea about the various sites which do lending of books- so interesting- or the 9.99 a month one. Wow- interesting.
I’ve always loved gutenberg and it was a life saver for my family when we lived in Ghana- and my kids needed to do book reports on some great classics!
I am not sure it does bode all that well for reading fans, in the long run.
[not entering the contest]
It certainly will be interesting, Kerry, to see how this plays out. Yes, reading material will be available and cheap, but what about QUALITY reading material? Authors may have to invent their own ways to sell their stuff–wait a minute–they already are with self-published, print-on-demand, etc. Maybe quality will survive.
smart! thanks, andrea. 🙂
I share this blogger’s conflicted feelings. At times like these it’s hard to resist a bargain, but how will small presses, midlist authors, and independent bookstores survive? A well-researched book takes years to write. Who will support that effort?