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There are many places to get books. You don't always have to buy books to be able to read them. Here are just a few ideas.
Books for Free!
Libraries - you can visit your school library or public library. In most cities, public library cards are free and give you access to thousands of books. If you can't find the book you want to read at your local library, have them search for it within your city or county library system and send the book to your local branch.
Book exchanges - libraries, schools, book clubs, and even church groups conduct book exchanges. A book exchange is when you bring in your used books and trade or exchange them for books you haven't read. You are typically allowed to exchange one book for each book you bring.
Books That Are Almost Free or Very Cheap!
Does your local library have a Friends of the Library Book Store? In many cities, the Friends of the Library operate a bookstore in which the money they earn supports programs for the library. All of the books they get are donations, so you can buy some pretty good books for a very cheap price.
Garage sales and flea markets are a great place to buy used books. You can get paperbacks for as cheap as 25 cents!
Buying Books the Conventional Way
Retail bookstores are everywhere. There are national book chains that specialize in selling books at discount prices. Some bookstores are places where you can go to drink coffee, listen to entertainment, and read the books in the store. They might even have a storytelling hour set aside on a weekly basis featuring a local or national storyteller. Many bookstores invite authors to visit and sign autographs while promoting a new book. Here are just a few of the nationally known bookstores: Barnes and Noble, Borders, B. Dalton, Crown Books, Waldenbooks. There are equally as many small bookstores that you can find in your phone book. San Diego has a phenomenal, one-of-a-kind bookstore called Yellow Brick Road that has a huge selection of children's books. Bookstores today are far more than just places to buy books!
Buying Books on the Web
Most of the major bookstore chains also have their own websites in which you can buy books. You no longer have to visit the store, just sign onto their website and do your ordering over the internet! One of the largest internet sales businesses is a site called Amazon.com and boasts to have the "earth's biggest selection" of books. You can also buy directly from the book publishers, many of whom have their own websites.
Swapping Books on the Web
You can swap books on the web just like you would at a book exchange! Switchouse.com is just one of the many sites that allows you to swap or trade books. You specifiy the book you're willing to trade and then specify the book you're looking for. The computer database is then searched for a match!
Auctioning Books on the Web
Did you know there are auction sites on the web in which you can actually bid for the books you wish to purchase? You can also sell your own books by putting them up for auction. Sometimes entire collections of books are auctioned. Most of the time you can bid on just one book.
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