Reading on a budget

In this post I intend to show you that it is possible to read lots of books and spend little money. Reading is my passion and can get expensive if you over buy but there are ways to get books cheaper.

1. Tip 1 - Buy second hand books. - Charity shops are good places to go to find cheap second hand paperbacks. Often you can find classic novels, like Animal Farm, for a fraction of the price of the same books new. Used books are often in good condition and you still get the same book. I own a old paperback version of the Hobbit, printed in the 1980s, it is the same book as the fancy movie cover addition and is a lot cheaper. Car boot sales are also good places to buy second hand books cheaply as well.
2. Tip 2 - Tackle your unread books. - Sometimes you are tempted to buy books on impulse, I have done this myself a few times. However, often there is a pile of unread books waiting for you at home. So f you are stuck on choosing a new books, check your own shelves first. 
3. Tip 3 - Borrow books from the library - I will admit, I should use the library more, as public libraries allow you to borrow books for free. The only downside is that there is no guarantee that the library will have the kind of books you like, though it is worth experimenting with new books.
4. Tip 4 - E-books - There are many classics available free of charge on the internet, which can be downloaded and put onto your e-reader. Moreover, they are cheaper than penguin classics with their fancy introductions, which are only there for English Literature students. When I choose to read a classic I prefer to simply read the book and then do research online if I wan other opinions of that specific book. Buying e-books can sometimes save you money as well, if you do not mind using an e-reader. Standard e-readers are generally reasonably priced, do not buy an iPad to be used primarily as an e-reader. Top range tablets are expensive and can be bad for your eyes if you stare at them too long, which is no good for readers who want to get lost in a book. E-ink e-readers are better for hardcore readers. 
5. Tip 5 - Re-read books - Like my favourite films, I cannot resist reading my favourite books again. Sometimes you can understand a book better on a second reading. Moreover, re-reading your favourite books is a good way to keep reading fun and to stay in the habit of reading regularly.

Follow some of these tips and reading books becomes a very cheap hobby. Happy reading.