by Lacey Nix

Created on: October 26, 2008   Last Updated: April 17, 2012

It has been said that reading enlightens the soul. Visit your local bookstore and check out the prices of the latest best-selling books and your soul is not the only thing that will be enlightened. Best selling books can be very expensive. Often the latest books are selling for over $24 dollars.

However, true reading lovers should know not to let the introductory prices scare you. There are many ways to get the latest best-selling books for next to nothing.

Your Local Library

Sometimes the oldest way is the best way. In our computer age, people often forget about the library. However, the library will certainly have several copies of the latest books. Joining is free and if the book is not available when you go, you can reserve a copy for later on that week. You have up to two weeks in most libraries to return the book. Often if you are not finished by then you can renew a the book as well.

Half-Price Book Stores

The Half-Price Book Stores are a readers dream. They offer the latest books at the lowest prices. You can often find books with up to 70% off the retail price. The book stores not only have the latest books, but they carry the classics as well. You can find Mitch Album just as easy as you can find Shakespeare or Thoreau. When you are done with the book, you can sell it back and get money to buy a new book.

Book Clubs

If you belong to a book club or just start your own sharing circle you can save a lot of money. If five of your friends and yourself each buy a different book and then pass them around you are basically getting five books for the price of one. So you buy a book for $25 and get to read four others without paying for them. This book circle works out for everyone. It's like the old song, "take one down pass it around. . . ".

Garage Sales

You won't believe how many great books you will find at garage sales. For some people once they have read a book they are ready to get rid of it. This is probably why you can find the newest books for sale at some of these garage sales. Look closely in those old dusty piles; you never know what goodies you might find.

Grocery Store

Sometimes you can find a best-selling book for a discount price at your local grocery store. Grocery stores mark down these books so they will sell fast. You can expect to get up to 40% of the retail price of the book. Check the end caps for the best deals.

So don't let the high prices scare you away from reading. There are so many ways to get the latest books at the best prices. Make sure you check out your local library, Half-Price Book Store, or garage sale.

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