The Frugal Reader’s Choice

Who doesn’t enjoy a new book every now and then? It’s one of those simple pleasures that doesn’t cost a fortune and lasts for several days (or several months as the case may be for some).

However, the traditional methods of book buying are slowly coming to extinction.  Going to Barnes & Noble to get a book will easily cost $10 or more. That’s just for one book.

Kids’ books are essential for any responsible parent looking to develop literacy in their children. They’re lovely when they’re new and shiny, but c’mon people, how long with that glossy cover really last?

Is it worth the $12.99 to get a copy of “Guess How Much I Love You?” when you know your kids are going to be dropping it, chewing it, dribbling juice, smearing teddy grahams and stepping on it daily?

Never fear, Frugal Family is here to share some great tips for buying new books at a fraction of the bookstore prices. Here are just a few ways to keep up with that valuable literacy time while saving your pennies.

1. Attend local libraries’ used book sales.

The will host a sale on Thurs., May 5 (noon to 8pm) and Sat., May 7 (10am to 4pm) with over 10,000 books, music and movies.

Six used book sales are offered by Bethlehem’s library each year. Students and “Friends of the Library” receive an additional 10% discount on their purchases. Prices range from 50 cents for paperbacks and $1 for hardcover books if not marked with a price sticker.

Profits from library book sales are used for the libraries’ funding which is also a great motivating factor.

2. Visit your local independent used bookstores.

There are several used bookstores throughout the Bethlehem/Hellertown/Upper Saucon area. Here are a couple of options:

• Old Library Shop – 1419 Center St., Bethlehem – www.oldlib.com
• – 515 N. New St., Bethlehem – www.thenewstreetbookshop.com

3. Stop by the thrift shops in your area.

Most thrift shops have several shelves of used books for sale. VIA Thrift Shop at 1401 Broadway in Fountain Hill has some amazing deals on children’s books. Many times you can get books for a dime a piece, and sometimes they even give a 50% discount on top of that! Where else can you pay a nickel for a book?

4. Go to yard sales.

This is the ultimate in cheap book buying. Most yard sales offer their paperbacks for 10 to 50 cents, while hardback books go for an average of $1. Compare those prices to the typical retail price of $19.99 for a best-seller. Most times, the books have been read one time and are in perfect shape. Unused activity books, which typically cost between $3.99 to $9.99 from a retail establishment, can often be found for 50 cents as well.

5. Check out the online options.

There is a multitude of online shopping websites pertaining to new and used books.

Half.com, an eBay company, is a great place to buy and sell books (as well as movies and music). The goal is to sell current books for “half” the price, or less, one would pay at a traditional bookstore. Often times, sellers inundate the site with multiple copies of the same title, leading to a price decrease.

A popular title such as “Guess How Much I Love You?” by Sam McBratney, costs $13.98 (including shipping) on Barnes & Noble’s website. Half.com offers it for $4.74 (including shipping), which is clearly less than half the cost.

Thriftbooks.com is another website that offers great deals on used books.

6. Share books with friends, and visit your local library on a weekly basis.

This is an obvious way to save. However, Lucy McLeod, a local children’s librarian, said, “I'm a big believer in libraries and borrowing books too, but I would say, in my "wise old perspective," that my greatest pleasure from owning books now is loaning them to friends.”

McLeod also made a unique point. “I have several of my now-departed parents' cherished books and love "visiting" the pages of those books to see where my dad made notations (he was an English professor) and where my mom autographed some with messages just for me or other members of our family.”

Despite the “e-volution” from traditional books to nooks, Kindles and eReaders, there’s nothing quite like a book with a solid cover and pages that turn. If you enjoy buying books, make sure to use these tips to save yourself a bundle.