The benefits of books are countless — reading regularly can even help lengthen your lifespan. But books can be expensive, and you know what’s not good for your health? An empty bank account. Here are some tips on where to find affordable books.
Don’t Skip the Library
It might sound obvious, but every time I visit the library it’s much emptier than it should be. The only downside to borrowing books from the library is that you have to return them, but if you’re like me, that might just be the motivation you need to actually read consistently.
If you prefer e-books, you can borrow digital versions of books from the library through the Libby app. There’s also the K-12 version, Sora, for the young’uns in the house.
Cheaper by the Chapter
You don’t have to pay full price for books. Here are some great options around Nashville.
- Used book stores — some local favorites include McKay’s Used Books (which also has a free book bin outside), Half Priced Books, and Rhino Booksellers. If you can stand to part with any of your old books, you can sell them to these bookstores for store credit.
- Thriftbooks.com — this organization partners with libraries across the country to find homes for ex-library books for a fraction of the retail price.
- Goodwillbooks.com — your favorite place to buy vintage t-shirts also sells books at a great price.
- Better World Books — a user-friendly site with an excellent selection of titles.
Free Books
There’s nothing cheaper than free.
- Nashville book clubs — the best way to find books is arguably through fellow bibliophiles. The Nashville Public Library has many book clubs by branch. Our beloved Parnassus Books hosts a few book clubs, as does The Book Shop.
- Little Free Libraries — you’ve probably seen these tiny standalone shelves around town. They’re a great option, but the product is a gamble, which can either be a delight or a shock, depending on what you find. Find one near you on their interactive map.
- Project Gutenberg — browse from a catalog of more than 70,000 free books with an expired U.S. copyright.
- Goodreads — the online social network for books also has a lineup of e-books you can read for free.
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — if you have kids 5 and under, make sure to sign up for our favorite Tennessean’s program to receive free picture books.
Do you have a book you’d like to recommend? Tell us what you’re reading!
Nashville newsletter editor Margaret Kingsbury updated this article for Nashville.
