Without access to a library, what is the best and most affordable way to read a lot?

Submitted by sadlegbeard t3_10cskrg in books

I’m happily getting back into reading after a long pause but finding a consistent way to get my hands on books is stressing me out. The library is too far for me to get to (can’t drive) so that means I have to figure this out for myself. What I’ve been doing for a couple months is buying books online secondhand. It’s honestly great and I’m really pleased with it except, of course, I have to store all these books myself. The only way I can really pass them on is if I walk to the “little free library” thing in a nearby park and donate them there…but I’m not sure many of these are appropriate for that. I read a lot of historical fiction which can get pretty graphic due to wartimes, so like…I don’t want to be responsible for some 8-year-old finding out how Tsar Nicholas II and his family were brutally slaughtered.

I’ve also been considering buying a Kindle Paperwhite but the price seems like such a steep investment. I had a Kindle Fire I bought for $50 and tried to read on that but it gave me horrible headaches, if I get something like that again it HAS to be e-ink which raises the price. I’m just having trouble justifying it I guess.

Are there any other options I’m not aware of? Anything to really sell me on a Kindle?

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Jenstarflower t1_j4hh9dy wrote

Ebooks from the library.

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phidgt t1_j4jajja wrote

Yes - came here just for this. You never have to leave your house.

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Roylotte t1_j4hji2n wrote

Call your local library, many libraries have delivery for patrons who, for whatever reason, can’t go the library. Speak with the director or circulation manager. They may have something in place.

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Standard-Counter-422 t1_j4ksszb wrote

Yeah, our library has a Bookmobile for neighbourhoods that are too far from library branches! Definitely look into it!

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SoundbudsSlimCognito t1_j4hianu wrote

So, the Kindle is e-ink, meaning it helps with not getting the headaches a standard iPad or tablet would.

The text is customizable. The font, boldness, size, and orientation can all be changed.

You can also connect your Kindle to a PC and upload your own ebooks on to it. This is really the only downside though, as Kindle likes special formats and everything else will have to be converted to other formats using a program like Calibre.

This effectively gives you unlimited free access to books if you know what you're doing.

The price is a bit much, but if you're an avid reader I'd say it's worth the barrier to entry. My reading has skyrocketed since buying a Kindle. I personally have a Paperwhite but you may want to research the pros and cons of different models or even different brands like Kobo

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kafkaluvr t1_j4hv09f wrote

I use my kindle for uni notes - using free online convertors turn whatever format into a PDF, it only takes a minute. This is readable by kindles :)

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Lotensify t1_j4krj42 wrote

How exactly do you use kindle for uni notes?

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kafkaluvr t1_j4qklui wrote

I study STEM and don't have many written notes at all. I write up my what I do need and copy some examples each night on a computer, and put them on my kindle so that it's easier to read and it's more portable, so I can take everything into uni the next day

.

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Lotensify t1_j4rmusr wrote

That's one great way to use kindle.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

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REkTeR t1_j4m2adt wrote

Just FYI the kindle recently phased out their unique format (.mobi) and supports .epub now.

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95BCavMP t1_j4hhtt9 wrote

You can get the kindle app without actually buying a kindle. If you have Amazon prime they have a program where you can borrow e books.

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Bad_Becky t1_j4k2gd8 wrote

Wait, what??

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Infinityand1089 t1_j4lj4sa wrote

Yeah, go to Amazon then filter to show eBooks that are included with Prime. You can "rent" up to 10 at a time for free and keep them in your library as long as you want. Beyond 10, you have to return one to rent a new one, but it's just an included perk with Prime.

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Bad_Becky t1_j4mobks wrote

Damn, I r had prime for YEARS. Never knew about that, thanks!

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jefrye t1_j4hiu69 wrote

A Kindle seemed like an unnecessary luxury item until I was gifted one a few years ago. Now I couldn't live without it. I do so much more reading thanks to easy access public domain and library ebooks, and I vastly prefer the Kindle reading experience to paper books.

A used older model Paperwhite is under $100.....though I say go for it and get the newest model new, if you hate it then Amazon has a generous return policy. Be sure to get a case (people on r/Kindle say the kids bundle is the best value).

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llama_raptor89 t1_j4hssai wrote

Some library systems allow you to get a library card online, so you may be able to get one even if you can’t physically get to a the library. Then you can use the Libby app for e-books and audiobooks.

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LeeAnnLongsocks t1_j4hhsyc wrote

Do you have friends/family/coworkers/schoolmates with whom you can exchange books?

If you donate something to a free library, you aren't responsible for what someone reads as it is their choice. History is history. It can't be changed. All the terrible things that happened in the past shouldn't be swept under a rug. People should learn from it instead of closing their eyes to it.

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Ok-Professional3832 t1_j4hl2t3 wrote

Anyone anywhere can sign up for the broward county (Florida) library and use their large digital collection. You can join a waiting list if you see something you want to read. They have audio books too

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kageriqueen t1_j4huml5 wrote

Yep! There is also the Brooklyn Public Library, with an ebook collection of over 190k. In fact, I have signed up for cards at several libraries that allow this and pretty much always have access to excellent reads, including ebooks, audiobooks, comics, cookbooks, etc. Best part is I didn't have to visit those libraries in person--I was able to do everything online and once I had a card, I just added it to my Libby/Overdrive profile.

If you have a Kobo e-ink reader like me, you can log into your overdrive account right there on the device and borrow books straight to it without jumping through hoops like on amazon devices. I personally went from an older amazon ereader to the Kobo Libra 2 and love it with all my heart. I only wish I had the one in white, too!

Here is a website with more details and information about libraries offering non-resident cards for ebook access (and more!):

https://www.aworldadventurebybook.com/blog/libraries-with-non-resident-borrowing-privileges

Good luck!

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Purple1829 t1_j4ji7kw wrote

They no longer allow out of state cards for the Brooklyn library anymore, sadly.

Clark County Ohio will let you have access to theirs for $30 a year. They have about 200k books and the Hoopla collection is great for audiobooks

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headlesslady t1_j4hiiyt wrote

Most libraries these days have e-book collections. If you can have someone take you to the library to set up your initial card, you’ll be able to check out ebooks at your leisure.

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Lizk4 t1_j4hrwl2 wrote

A lot of public domain books are free online. Try Google books, Project Gutenberg, or Amazon and probably many others I'm unaware of. I also read on my phone. Download the appropriate app and you can access the books from there.

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Ravioverlord t1_j4i5mh2 wrote

Gutenberg is my fav way to read, I've had so many books I've found that I'd never stumble upon otherwise. Some really cool old guides to handicraft and stuff are forever saved to my iPad from there.

Also In the Ibook app on iPad you can change settings like screen color/brightness/text size etc. I do the warmer BG that is like a book with lower screen brightness and it helps a lot.

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XandyDory t1_j4hi59s wrote

Also is nook, which is also compatible with Libby and other library sites.

I have a kindle and pay the 10 dollars a month for kindle Unlimited, but there you need to decide if it has things you would read and if you read enough to make the rent dollars worth it.

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MenopausalMama t1_j4iefg8 wrote

Wait until Prime Day and they practically give the Kindles away. Then you can use the library to check out Kindle books without having to drive there. The vast majority of books I read are checked out of the library and sent to my Kindle without leaving my house. I only buy hard copies when I know I will want to keep the book.

I have the Kindle Paperwhite. No glare and it won't give you a headache like your Fire did. Also, you can probably trade the Fire in for a discount on the Kindle. I always send my old one in and get $20 or so off the new one.

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mamastrawb t1_j4hlopy wrote

If you want physical books, and you're able to plan a trip to a library, see if/when your nearest one has a used book sale. They're usually a few times a year. You can donate everything you're done with, and get some new books for very cheap.

If you decide to go to kindle route, Unclaimed Baggage is a great place to find them used.

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hannah_nj t1_j4i0iy0 wrote

I have a Kobo e-reader (the model that’s closest to a Kindle Paperwhite) and I think it’s absolutely worth the investment. Similarly to Kindle in the US, my e-reader lets me connect to my library so I can borrow ebooks straight onto it for free!

You don’t need an e-reader to use the Kindle app or the Libby app (connects to your library and lets you borrow ebooks and audiobooks), but if screens bother your eyes then I think it’s worth the investment. The ~$120 price seems steep for a one-time purchase, but since books cost about $20-30 new (probably around $5-10 each including shipping if you buy them used?), it pays for itself quickly!

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meownarchy t1_j4i41mq wrote

My mom uses paperbackswap.com to cycles books in and out of her collection. It's basically an online community where people will list what books they have available and trade for other books to read. She loves it and she's even made friends there lol. Not sure the demographic of the community and what's usually available, but worth checking out I think!

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azuri_aster t1_j4hi8pc wrote

Audio books from the library as well or possibly a fellow bookworm in your neighborhood that you could carpool to the library with. Facebook groups are a great way to find people in your area. Most libraries will let you keep books for a month & can checkout multiple depending on your available time to read

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le_fromage_puant t1_j4hxz25 wrote

Libby app for e- and audiobooks, archive.org also has older books. And your library may have access to Kanopy for movies, too

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Known_Study3560 t1_j4hubl8 wrote

Paperwhite and then download free books from your library using either Libby or Overdrive. Lots of free audiobooks too.

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isisvda_ t1_j4hw7j7 wrote

If you like listening to audiobooks, I would recommend Scribd. It’s €12 a month for me and you can listen to an unlimited amount of audiobooks! I think more audiobook subscription services have this, but I have only used Scribd and it works great. If you’re unsure about audiobooks you can try a free trial as well I think! Goodluck

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MountainSnowClouds t1_j4ilp9j wrote

Ebooks. Kindle unlimited. Libby app. Requesting eARCS to review on Net Galley.

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bearrr16 t1_j4j7iim wrote

Libby app :) it’s how I save money and I read audiobooks when I commute! If u have friends from other areas, you can log into each others regions using each others card

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Wingkirs t1_j4jc5f4 wrote

Sign up for net galley, you’ll have to review the books but they’re free.

Besides the Libby app I also sign up for authors newsletters sometimes they’ll send out free books.

Also entering the good-reads giveaways.

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MemeSearcher_09 t1_j4jhmhr wrote

Libby. Free online books, audio books or otherwise the patron system at the local library.

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DazzleLove t1_j4huooy wrote

Charity shops get a lot of books in the UK, though you are limited to what people donate. Often they are flooded with the last ‘big thing’ like 50 shades of grey, Dan Brown etc.

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Tortuga917 t1_j4hwnkw wrote

I'll add that maybe you should try blue light glasses if the screen is hurting your eyes.

Also, if you don't have glasses, you might actually need them! My eyes started hurting during covid from screens all day, and lo and behold, turns out I needed glasses.

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IAmAlive_YouAreDead t1_j4hwwmp wrote

If being unable to drive is the barrier, can you get public transport to the library?

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lokilady1 t1_j4i2e5p wrote

BookBub has free online books. Also Amazon kindle has a lot of free books

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MainzKidEinz t1_j4i6f5c wrote

Pirating eBooks. Kindle is 60$ for base model.

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bettinafairchild t1_j4i7r58 wrote

Most libraries at this point have eBooks you can borrow and read on your phone. Same with audiobooks. You never have to leave your house. Check out the apps Libby and Overdrive. Even if your local library doesn’t have that, you can find libraries via those apps that you can use.

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cookiesadist t1_j4i84mo wrote

If you google a book title with full text and pdf, you can find copies on the internet of many, many things. You can also use project Gutenberg for classics. All free.

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CMAC_212 t1_j4i8i3x wrote

Download the app Overdrive. It uses the public library system to check out free e books and audio books

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moverton t1_j4in8pq wrote

You can get a used Kindle off eBay for under $20 if you want a dedicated reader, but these days you can have stuff delivered to mobile and desktop apps such as the Kindle app.

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5six7eight t1_j4jhtxq wrote

I use my library extensively through my kindle. Check to see if your library has overdrive/libby and borrow books through there. I need to go into the physical library once every year or two so they can re-verify my address but that's it. In addition, I read a lot of fantasy and scifi so I hang out on r/Fantasy a lot. I find a fair amount of free books for my kindle that way. You might be able to find similar deals on other subreddits for genres you enjoy.

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PAnnNor t1_j4jnnn8 wrote

Ebooks from bookbub.

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elizamo t1_j4kuilv wrote

Kindle + Libby with a library card!

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JaneAustinPowers t1_j4lmzyf wrote

Please call your local library! I used to work outreach services and you’d be surprised how many service points there are — this includes shopping centers, firestations, etc. Not to mention, random outreach happens at various places like farmer’s markets, school functions, festivals, etc

Also, you might get lucky and the library can do things over the phone, like at my former library system, it was possible to get an e-card since we don’t need to see IDs since it’s for electronic resources with the small amount of info you give so then you can have access to ebooks and audiobooks on your electronic devices.

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jenna_grows t1_j4lp62u wrote

My iPad broke. I read on my phone.

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EmbarrassedTomato212 t1_j4lprc3 wrote

I absolutely love my kindle paper white! It’s hard though bc I do prefer physical books, but I am able to read quicker bc of the kindle for some reason lol

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smileglysdi t1_j4lwep4 wrote

Talk to your library about getting connected to ebook services. I use Libby/Overdrive and Hoopla frequently. I also have a Kindle Unlimited subscription…. It’s kinda worth it? Another idea is to buy them at Goodwill/Salvation Army or other thrift stores. You might be surprised how much you can find!

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NarymnMizrael t1_j4lz5m2 wrote

Archive.org. It has a bunch of digital books you can virtually "rent". They also have a text-to-speech feature.

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Turbo_AEM t1_j4hhswa wrote

Kindle unlimited saves me $$$ on books. I don’t have a library subscription and I get all my books off of KU and sales.

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[deleted] t1_j4hzk3r wrote

[removed]

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books-ModTeam t1_j4i3chw wrote

Per Rule 3.6: No distribution or solicitation of pirated books.

We aren't telling you not to discuss piracy (it is an important topic), but we do not allow anyone to share links and info on where to find pirated copies. This rule comes from no personal opinion of the mods' regarding piracy, but because /r/books is an open, community-driven forum and it is important for us to abide the wishes of the publishing industry.

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HappyLeading8756 t1_j4i1bg5 wrote

I personally use Kindle and I find it to be a great investment - comfortable, light, battery lasts for weeks, customizable.

I use Kindle Unlimited & Kindle offers to buy books. There's also Project Gutenberg, Open Library and I know that various libraries offer also e-books.

I spend 5-20$ on books a month and have plenty to read.

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Mayor__Defacto t1_j4i6me1 wrote

If you can get yourself to the library once, you can get yourself a library card, and then you can use that to get ebooks from them without going there.

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EmseMCE t1_j4icwcc wrote

Goodwill or a thrift store. I always feel good when I find a book I really want for $5 or less. Just recently I bought a book that had the original receipt still in it, $20 at B&N, $2.50 at Goodwill. In great condition too, like new.

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MyDogThinksISmell t1_j4idq6s wrote

I buy a ton of books on eBay. Most for less than $5 with free shipping.

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BrooklynBillyGoat t1_j4ikji3 wrote

U can get tons of books online for free. The library even has an online collection u can get books from

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readallthewords t1_j4inqxd wrote

>The only way I can really pass them on is if I walk to the “little free library” thing in a nearby park and donate them there

You could also post them to a local free giveaway group if you're online, say on Facebook or somewhere. A "Buy Nothing" group for your area would be a great start. You can just do a no-contact "porch pickup" if you wanted.

-----

Separately, I think the Kindle would be a great choice for you, with a card to your local library, and some other libraries that people have suggested on this page, you could be in great shape through Libby.

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Pokeynono t1_j4iq2gw wrote

Check state and national libraries and museums. It is becoming more common for them to offer digital library memberships. Most local libraries offer digital loans or book deliveries for people that can't visit

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Impossible-Sort-1287 t1_j4iu13d wrote

I'm in the place where we cant actors a lot of books so I do use the online check out from the library but I also go the thr eretailets and download the free books. Most are first books in a series and many are quite good.

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GFVeggie t1_j4j45w8 wrote

Have you checked eBay for a used Paperwhite. I have had mine since they first came out and they are much easier on the eyes.

Isn't the Fire like an iPad that has back lighting?

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bcopes158 t1_j4j6ss8 wrote

Yard sales, charity book sales, shopping clearance at book stores, borrowing books from people you know.

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[deleted] t1_j4j8jv3 wrote

[removed]

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books-ModTeam t1_j4jlmuk wrote

Per Rule 3.6: No distribution or solicitation of pirated books.

We aren't telling you not to discuss piracy (it is an important topic), but we do not allow anyone to share links and info on where to find pirated copies. This rule comes from no personal opinion of the mods' regarding piracy, but because /r/books is an open, community-driven forum and it is important for us to abide the wishes of the publishing industry.

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JanesPersuasion t1_j4jd1ig wrote

Thriftbooks.com is a great way to buy used books. The prices are reasonable. And the selections are varied. Good luck!

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Shadow_Lass38 t1_j4jdbzl wrote

E-books can be very expensive.

If you can somehow arrange transportation once in a while to somewhere that has a library when they have a book sale (like Uber, a bus, a cab), library book sales are usually very inexpensive. And if you buy a book for a dollar, it won't bother you if you get rid of it. (You can also donate the books you accumulate back to the library to sell again.) You can also get cheap books at Goodwill or a thrift shop. Again, you'd have to arrange for transportation, though.

There is a website booksalefinder dot com which helps you find book sales. (I hope it isn't against the rules to post that. Everyone should know this site!)

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Impossible_Rest1009 t1_j4jg99u wrote

U can find alot of books on Anna’s archive for free ;) I do that when I dont want to give my money to controversial authors or get textbooks

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BixaorellanaIsDot t1_j4jttzm wrote

I see a couple of people have mentioned BookBub & others have mentioned the free Kindle app. I add my vote to both those things.

The Kindle app allows you to adjust the brightness of the screen & its color, the type face, boldness, line spacing, etc. All of that means you can create a very comfortable reading experience.

BookBub will send you an email every day with books at really low bargain prices, usually only available for 24 hours. They are put at those prices for promotional reasons and can include new releases, pre-releases, books from series, etc. An author whose book was included in one of these offers told me that authors get the same royalty for the books sold on promotion as they do for those sold at full price. Nice to know! You can tweak your preferences in order to be (mostly) offered stuff that will appeal to you. These ebooks don't have to be bought from Amazon. Generally, the same deals will be on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc.

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IAmNotAFetish t1_j4k21yy wrote

I got a used kindle paperwhite off of ebay for like $40 . It is an older generation but still does the job. You might want to consider going that route. As many others mentioned, you can checkout ebooks thru the libby app on your phone and have it delivered to your kindle.

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regrettableredditor t1_j4k9fyf wrote

If your library doesn’t use libby, call them up/check their website if they use a different service. Mine isn’t on Libby but they do use something called CloudLibrary. It’s clunky and they don’t have all the books I wish they did, but a fair amount, audiobooks too!

I also like to go to my local barnes & noble and just read for as long as I can in their cafe then put them back when I’m done (taking care to not stain/bend/damage the books of course.) Mines not that strict so I’ll bring my own tea/coffee a lot of the time. I’ve read many books that way, especially shorter fantasy books that typically don’t take me more than a sitting or two.

Finally check to see if Kindle/Audible/Nook have free trials or discounted intro rates. You don’t need a specific device anymore, they all have apps that let you read on your phone/tablet/computer now.

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Unpopularwithpipl t1_j4kaokg wrote

Library apps like overdrive, libby, cloud library and hoopla. Free and just need a library card.

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Monicks t1_j4kgalv wrote

Standard Ebooks is a volunteer-driven project that produces new editions of public domain ebooks that are lovingly formatted, open source, free of U.S. copyright restrictions, and free of cost. https://standardebooks.org/

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Da_Moose65 t1_j4kgvpy wrote

If you get a Kobo, you can browse and borrow your local library's books straight from the device! I love my Kobo Libre 2.

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[deleted] t1_j4klgng wrote

[removed]

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books-ModTeam t1_j4kv4ca wrote

Per Rule 3.6: No distribution or solicitation of pirated books.

We aren't telling you not to discuss piracy (it is an important topic), but we do not allow anyone to share links and info on where to find pirated copies. This rule comes from no personal opinion of the mods' regarding piracy, but because /r/books is an open, community-driven forum and it is important for us to abide the wishes of the publishing industry.

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Imaginary-Dog8332 t1_j4kwmyc wrote

If you're reading in English, you can find most books for free online, just go on google and write "book name + pdf", if not just look for book directories.

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abu71120 t1_j4l1dvn wrote

I read on my phone with the settings switched in the kindle app (I use Kindle Unlimited) or the Libby App (free ebooks from the library) for the screen to be black and the font white. That has helped TONS! Another option is an inexpensive pair of blue light blockers or a blue light coating on your own glasses. We also check out a lot of audio books from Libby (and Hoopla is also an option at a lot of libraries) and play them when we can’t sit down to read like while going on trips or commuting to work etc.

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dietwatermelonvodka t1_j4l5bmk wrote

Kindle was so worth it for me personally. Ebooks are by far the cheapest way to read so finding a device you're happy to read on is a good idea. All my suggestions are for eboosk.

Do take seriously what people say about library ebooks, call your nearest library and see how they can assist you or look on your library's website if they have one and you're already a member.

Outside of the library you should look at ebook subscription services. They're basically like a streaming platform like Netflix but for books. So none of them have everything but they all have a lot of options. I've never subscribed personally but I found the article below which rates them below. Its a good thing to ask for as a gift too, a couple family members could band together and get you a year of books for under $200.

https://bestwriting.com/blog/best-ebook-subscriptions

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gavinpoehm t1_j4l8p2z wrote

If you have a library card you can download Libby, enter your card number, and you can check out e-books and audiobooks from the library.

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ColaEuphoria t1_j4l97o1 wrote

If you don't have an e-reader, I just logged into Libby for the first time. You can rent e-books and audio-books from your local library for free.

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brenkai22 t1_j4ladwz wrote

I haven’t paid for a single book since I got my kindle. I’ve read enough books on it that the upfront cost was worth it. Would have spent more on all the books I’ve read on it than what the kindle cost.

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Eze325325 t1_j4lfarn wrote

If you can get a library card download the libby app, you never have to go to a physical location

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ToraAku t1_j4lijce wrote

  1. Call your local library and ask what your options are. Some libraries even have the ability to ship books to patrons who can't make it to the library.

  2. If you are considering an e-ink (I have an old nook that still works great that I use but of course there is also kobo and Paperwhite) check with your local library regarding compatibility, some brands may not work with your library's systems. For example, my library uses Cloud Library which works with kindle fires but not paperwhite.

  3. Read on your phone or tablet. Even if you had trouble with the Fire, you may find one of these works for you. An app like CloudLibrary, Libby, Hoopla can give you access to e-books, e-audiobooks, and even tv and movies and music all for free through your library.

  4. Even if you can't use a phone or tablet, these services have web addresses you should be able to access through your library's website, so you can read on your PC.

  5. Read on your PC through free sites like Project Gutenberg.

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Complex_Ad_7994 t1_j4lku8y wrote

Such good suggestions. You all are a treasure.

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Buschandtar t1_j4lp8q5 wrote

Goodwill. They're usually a dollar or less

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rpbm t1_j4m319q wrote

You can get a refurbished 2018 model on Amazon right now for 49.99. I had one for years, it always worked perfectly.

I upgraded to the 2022 because it had more storage, but if you’re not like me and insist on having most of your books ON the kindle, not just available to download, the smaller storage is fine.

The plus to Amazon refurbished is they give you basically the same warranty you’d get on a new one.

I bought my first kindle in 2009, more because “hey it’s cool I want one” than because I thought it’d be well used. It’s so convenient-I no longer buy purses based on how many books they’ll hold—so long as it holds my kindle, I have thousands of books available wherever I am.

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drumstickkkkvanil t1_j4m4osf wrote

Some libraries let you get a card online. I did that with my library from home and connected it to this app they offer called Libby where they let you check out online books on your phone, tablet, computer, and you can even connect some to your kindle. I honestly prefer it over going to pick out a book IRL!

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Lysergicoffee t1_j4m61ay wrote

Alibris.com, you can get used books for $5-$10

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LibrisTella t1_j4m9tgw wrote

The thing that really sold me on the kindle is the fact that I can use it to just read library e-books from the Libby app without having to pay for kindle unlimited or anything. So it was a big cost, but only for the one time. Some libraries allow you to apply for a card online so you never actually have to go in, and you can use Libby or other similar apps to get free e-books for your kindle.

I have the kindle paperwhite and I love it. I’m extremely prone to migraines so I was nervous. But you can adjust the brightness and warmth to your preference and I haven’t had any problems with it. I recommend!!

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LibrisTella t1_j4ma7qd wrote

Also BetterWorldBooks.com is the best place I’ve found for used books. If you haven’t already, I recommend checking it out!

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Smeesme310 t1_j4mbf9q wrote

See if your library is on the libbie app. You can read books from their catalog on your phone if they are.

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Woods_Bandito t1_j4meu6a wrote

Definitely, the Libby app or you can use Kindle. I don't use Kindle Unlimited but Amazon does offer Amazon Prime books that are free to read. The variety is small, but they do have a few noteworthy ones. All you need is a Prime membership. For Libby, you just need a library card.

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Bucklehairy t1_j4mg5oc wrote

Get a kindle. There are cheaper models than the Paperwhite, and you can also get discounted ones from woot.com (amazon clearance). Once you have a kindle, you can get kindle deals, which has saved me a ton on novels (I admit I'm not super picky about muh casual reading) but also you can get Libby (formerly overdrive) which uses your Library account to allow you to digital books for free. Cheapest way to the best, most on-demand source IMO.

You can do the same basically for free by downloading the kindle app onto a smartphone or tablet, but if you're a serious reader, that's tough on your eyes.

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_tomfoolery t1_j4mqi1n wrote

You can usually apply for a library card online and receive it electronically and then use an app like Libby or Hoopla to download e-books and audio books. Your library will likely have a page related to the resources available.

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UncutEmeralds t1_j4nm9n7 wrote

A lot of people already have their comments removed for piracy talk… so there’s that.

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Temporary_Win8206 t1_j51mbb4 wrote

If you’re having headaches, this might not be of much help, but sometimes I just search for a PDF of whatever book I want to read. If the file is NOT a pdf, don’t even click it. But I have found the whole ACOTAR series, folk of air, tons of other famous books, scans of short stories, and often on public school sites there are books that are scanned and uploaded to students. I wouldn’t trust links, but pdf files are really trustworthy (in my experience)

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