How to Read Books for Free: 10 Smart Ways to Save Money

Reading opens the mind, lets you travel while staying still, and helps you grow and expand your knowledge. In recent years, however, book prices have risen, and for avid readers the cost can really add up. The good news is there are many ways to keep nurturing this passion while spending very little, and often nothing at all.

If you're wondering how to read books for free or at very low cost, there are plenty of legal and simple solutions. From libraries to free ebooks, through reader swaps, here are 10 ways to read more without emptying your wallet.

1. Use the library

It sounds obvious, but it isn't! Libraries are a precious resource that is often underused.

The number of books you can borrow at once varies by library: in the Turin library network, for instance, you can borrow up to 40 titles. The standard loan period is 30 days, but if no one else has reserved the book, the deadline can be extended.

Reserving books is very easy: you can do it by visiting the library, calling during opening hours, or accessing the online catalogue with your credentials. To return books, besides handing them directly to staff, you can use the convenient outdoor drop boxes available 24/7.

2. Cross booking

Cross booking shelves are popping up everywhere these days and I personally love them, so much that I created one in the building where I live. I arranged it with my neighbours and we set up a small shelf in the entrance hall, under the mailboxes, where everyone can take or leave books of any kind. Over time it has hosted thrillers, novels, children's books, cookbooks, poetry collections, and much more. Every time I walk past that little sharing corner it makes me smile.

3. Buy used and resell after reading

On Vinted, finding books — even recently released ones — is becoming easier, and if you look carefully you can also stumble upon great deals. I've recently bought books that cost 18 or 20€ on Amazon for less than 10€, and once I'd read some of them, I resold them at the same price I'd paid, effectively losing only the shipping cost.

4. Borrowing from friends and family

If none of your acquaintances are avid readers... change your circle! Jokes aside, we all have a friend, relative, colleague, or neighbour who loves reading and with whom we can exchange recommendations, opinions, and why not, books too. Over time I've learned to be selective about who I lend books to, since I hate it when they're not returned, but I must say the gains have far outweighed the losses over the years.

5. Make the most of digital subscriptions

I love paperbacks, but I think audiobooks and ebooks are wonderful alternatives to further increase how much you read, thanks to their different consumption format. For example, I listen to a lot of audiobooks while driving or doing housework, while ebooks are particularly handy when commuting on public transport or travelling.

Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose one of the many digital subscriptions like Kindle Unlimited, Storytel, or Audible, which for a fixed, not-too-high fee offer unlimited access to their catalogue. Plus, there are often great promotions (for example, three months free or six months for 4.99€). Finally, if you're an Amazon Prime subscriber, check out Prime Reading: you'll find plenty of free ebooks.

6. Flea markets and second-hand stalls

Every city has those magical spots where you can find all sorts of treasures at low prices... and books are certainly no exception. In Turin, the Balôn market and the Via Po stalls are true institutions in this regard, but a quick search online will help you find a second-hand market near you, and once you're there, all you need to do is trust your bargain-hunting instinct!

7. Themed book swap parties

For those unfamiliar with swap parties: in short, they're gatherings where everyone brings items to exchange with other participants, usually taking one item for each one left behind. A bartering party, basically. As the name suggests, a "book swap party" involves swapping books.

To make it more interesting, you can organise it around a theme, for example choosing a literary genre, a specific author, or a topic. One idea is to set a small participation fee to create a themed setup, with snacks and drinks designed for the occasion — if you choose mystery novels, feel free to bring out pipes, magnifying glasses, felt hats, and teacups.

8. Gifts

Never, ever forget to add a few titles you'd like to add to your bookshelf to your wish list. And if someone asks what you'd like for your birthday, Christmas, or any other special occasion, a great idea is to suggest a gift card for your favourite bookshop.

9. Google Books

This is a giant search engine that lets you find, explore, and browse thousands of books. There are three levels of access: limited or full preview (classics are often available in full), short excerpts for copyrighted texts, and a bibliographic card with links to purchase or borrow from a library.

10. Liber Liber

This is an Italian volunteer organisation that runs one of the most important free digital libraries in Italy, with an online archive gathering thousands of literary masterpieces, essays, and poems, freely accessible to anyone. All the texts can be legally and freely downloaded from the official website, with no download limit and no subscription required.

How much money do you really save?

A reader who reads 20 books a year and spends an average of 16€ per book invests about 320€ a year. By using libraries, swaps, and second-hand books, the cost can drop to a few dozen euros. Not bad, right?

I hope you found this article useful. If you use other methods to read for free or almost free, let me know!

FAQ

Where can I read books for free online?
You can use Google Books for texts available in full, or platforms like Liber Liber, which offer thousands of free and legal works.

Is it legal to download books for free?
Yes, if they are public domain works or distributed for free by the rights holders.

What's the best way to read a lot of books while spending little?
Libraries, used books, and digital subscription platforms are the quickest and most cost-effective solutions.