Reading as a cheap hobby

Brambling

I read My Family and other Animals at school and there were three books set in Corfu.  There is also one he wrote about the early days when creating of his zoo I think with his first wife.   A non biographical book not read in about 40 year is Rosy is My Relative which  about a man who inherits a elephant, i remember it being very funny but it was along time ago i read it.

I remember reading Katherine by Anya Seton a long time ago about John of Gaunt and his mistress.  

I love a novel that makes me want to do research either about a period of history, a person or a place so much easier these days than another trip to the library, when i was a teenage that meant a trip to Poole Reference Library and the Librarians wouldn't let you browse in there you had to tell them what you wanted

Nucktheking

As this is a Money Saving forum, I’m surprised no one has mentioned Kobo e-readers. The main advantage they have over Kindles is that you can use them to borrow e-books (for free) from your local library.

They’re pretty cheap (and second-hand ones are readily available on eBay): and the library can help you set them up.

You choose books online, and then download them by “syncing” the Kobo.

I’ve got a slightly snazzy one which is water/dust proof, so I can read in the bath and on the beach!

I’ve discovered some brilliant titles that I wouldn’t necessarily have found otherwise.

mistersaxon

Can’t see that anyone has mentioned the Libby app for your phone / tablet. It uses your library registration to let you borrow ebooks and other media from your library. As long as you don’t mind reading on a phone or tablet it’s as free as a physical library. 

Missy15

Hi, have only read a few posts on here, so forgive me if I am repeating a previous post. I currently volunteer in a charity bookshop.
We send our unsold books to a company called Wob, formerly known by a much nicer name World of books!
They are re- sold online or if not fit for sale pulped and recycled. Books are graded by condition, but in my experience have always exceeded that description .
Prices are very competitive and it's free delivery with no min.purchase, so that helps.
Something that may not have been mentioned but could be useful is that they have a huge choice of large print books, ( I buy for my mother) and also I believe audiobooks( mum struggles with these so not bought them myself)
It's also worth a mention that If you really struggle with sight, the RNIB provide audio books, large print,books transferred to memory sticks all free of charge. So if you know someone who  loves to read but has sight problems and is finding it difficult to find suitable books please share this info.
Forgot to mention I loved the Chalet girls, Heidi, Little Women, etc still have 2/6d copies bought with birthday money, over 60yrs ago.
In case you are wondering mum is 93!!
Currently reading Linwood Barclays latest, have read all of his and with only one exception can't put them down.

PipneyJane

This thread made Martin’s newsletter this week!

- Pip

owencat

re ereaders i agree kobo is good for borrowing, but i have a chromebook computer so it wont have digital additions with the ability to transfer to a kobo.  I think new kobos have the overdrive app but more and more of uk libraries seem to be dropping overdrive in favour of borrowbox.  so with a chromebook which ereader is going to work for me?  any ideas anyone?  i need an ereader capable of using apps.  why has no one invented one yet?  i do not want to read off my computer or phone.

hollie.weimeraner

Not read the full thread but Abe books is also a good source of cheap 2nd hand books. Every one I've received so far has been like new.

-taff

I used to love the ones that speak from a different country too, like Carol Drinkwater as above, but also Annie Hawes first three books, Ripe for the Picking etc, Driving over Lemons and one I can't remember the title of about living in Mexico. This was in my phase of 'I wish I lived somewhere cool' obviously....I went through phases of reading Woolf, Dostoyesvsky etc, but I think I was doing it because it was cool and intellectual not because I actually liked any of them [ well, maybe a couple]  but I see no-one has mentioned guilty pleasure books, like Daniellle Steele because I used to enjoy a good cry or things like Molly Parkin, another ex guilty pleasure when I was much much younger..My parents found the book with that front cover in my bedroom and nearly ex-communicated me. I also read all the Mallory Towers and the all the horsy books, Pullein Thompson etc. Black Beauty could always and probably still now reduce me to tears.

Wednesday2000

I did reread the Malory Towers books a few years ago and really enjoyed them.

I mainly read psychological thrillers or non-fiction books. I have read a few books on early retirement lately as that subject has been on my mind.

I started reading In Cold Blood by Truman Capote last night. It is meant to be the most famous true crime novel of all time. I don't generally read a lot of true crime (although I have listened to a couple of podcasts) but I thought I could read it while I am just sitting around at home this week.

My husband is picking up my library book for me today. It is an author I disovered on Prime reading the other day. Gemma Rogers. The book he is collecting  for me is called The Feud. I read her books The Flatmate and Stalker a few days ago.

I had forgotten about the Libby app. I am going to look into that.

MrsStepford

I buy books from Wob via eBay and I'm happy with them. Another eBay seller which I buy from is Baham Books. They're good, too. I avoid buying books from eBay sellers using Evri as I've had too many bad experiences with them, generally.

When husband starts complaining about the stalagmites of books, I flog a few using  webuybooks.co.uk or ziffit.com 😉

Oh gosh Pip, this thread is in the MSE newsletter ? Wow ! Thanks to all the enthusiastic readers who are contributing, the thread has taken off. Seven pages already, crammed with book memories and recommendations. Love it !