by Kimberley Heit

Created on: November 01, 2008   Last Updated: November 05, 2008

With a little ingenuity you can get your hands on the latest best-selling books for next to nothing. Why not embrace technology and download an e-book, put your name down at your local library to be the first to read a new best-seller, or organize a book swap club. Whatever you're budgetary requirements there are ways to make sure you never miss a favorite new release again.

12 great ways to acquire best selling books for less then the cover price are as follows:

EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY

E-book downloads are one of the latest emerging markets in the book industry. You can download the latest best seller to your pda or a portable electronic reading device for typically $5-$15 cheaper then buying a physical copy of the book.

Okay this format might not be great for in the bath or at the beach, but there are many times when it comes in handy, for example whilst travelling. You can store hundreds of books on a portable electronic device. You would have great difficulty hauling around hundreds of books.

Some popular e-book suppliers include:

ebooks.palm.com

Mobi pocket

ebooks.com

*Keep an eye out for free downloads-some file sharing sites have books to download for no charge, just be careful of legalities.

DON'T DISCOUNT YOUR HUMBLE LIBRARY

Most libraries get their share of the latest best selling books. If possible put your name down on request forms to make sure you get to read the latest as soon as possible. Some libraries will even take requests for new purchases in deciding how to spend their book funding.

MAKE USE OF REWARD SCHEMES

Gift vouchers to websites which sell books are a common reward option offered by credit card rewards programs, online survey companies, online shopping networks and other loyalty schemes. For example, a recent credit card offer was sign up for a Barnes & Noble Mastercard and you get a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card. Why not get a voucher to put towards your book obsession.

ASK FOR BOOKS AS GIFTS

People often ask what you'd like for your birthday or Christmas and books make for great gifts because they are readily available and affordable. Why not ask for a new best seller on each of these occasions.

CHECK OUT BOOK EXCHANGES AND SECOND HAND STORES

These stores don't just get 20 year old books; bookworms love these joints and sell their books to them. Avid readers read quickly which means that new books end up in second hand stores quite promptly. If you befriend the staff they might be happy to let you know when they get anything in you like, or tuck

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