My husband and I decided to start a library when we met. Although it took decades to get to this point, we finally accomplished our goal of creating a room exclusively dedicated to books a few years back.
We have more than 2000 titles and we are still collecting. We love to mix up our purchases, sometimes paying full price (someone must fund the publishing industry and bookshops!). But we often find bargains. The majority of our collection was acquired using these methods. If you are willing to work hard and put in some time, you will be able find great books without spending a lot. These are our top tips to help you build a book collection without breaking the bank.
FORAGE FOR BOOKS AT CHARITY SHOPS (THRIFT-STORES)
It’s always surprising to see the number of high-quality titles that are available at charity shops. If you have the time and patience to go through the bookshelves, it is possible to find new works at a fraction of the price. Sometimes you may even find a first edition. However, these are often snapped up by the retailer. Although you might not find the perfect cover for you, you can still have your pick if aesthetics are not important to you.
ATTEND LIBRARY SALES
Library sales are held by UK public libraries to free up space for new stock. These titles are usually not loaned very often or out-of date, but there are still great low-cost books available if you are willing to look through the stacks. These sales are not usually announced, so talk to your librarian to find out if they plan to sell any in the future. This will give you a head start in deciding which ones to pick.
JOIN ONLINE COMMUNITY GROUPS TO PROMOTE REUSE
Many people use social media to find local groups that offer free items. It could be to help others, declutter their homes, or pass on ethically-sourced goods. Freecycle is a great website to check out if there are any books being offered. Be careful when buying books. When you collect books, take someone along with you and ensure that you don’t divulge any personal information.
SECONDHAND BOOKSELLERS – BUY VINTAGE BOOKS
Although not always the most affordable, they are great for finding classics at a low price and essential for building your vintage book collection. When possible, we support independent bookshops. A great way to start your collection is to buy used books. This is particularly helpful if you are looking for more expensive editions, such as Folio Society, which can be a third the price if purchased secondhand. You can also find bargains on slightly damaged copies. These copies are likely to be even more affordable.
ENTER COMPETITIONS AND GIVEAWAYS TO ADD TO YOUR BOOK COLLECTION
The bigger publishers and booksellers offer regular competitions for those looking for new books. However, smaller giveaways on social media are more likely to be successful. Bookstagramming is a very generous community so if you don’t already have an account and love books, I highly recommend it. Be careful not to enter giveaways as this can make your account appear spammy. Keep an eye out for these promotions on Twitter.
REVIEWING BOOKS
Although it takes more effort, this is very rewarding. This is where you should get involved. You can start a blog or social media account to help you apply to publishers to review copies. This topic is covered in more detail in my bookstagram influencer article.
You can join a network of reviewers if you don’t have a blog or an online account. This is how I built up my YA section. Follow a few book bloggers to keep an eye out for opportunities. If you feel confident in your writing abilities, consider applying to magazines like Kirkus. However, you will need to have some samples on hand.
BUILD A BOOK COLLECTION WISHLIST
Why not create a gift list to share with family and friends for those expensive treats? While we may occasionally crave signed copies, we tend to save these purchases for Christmas and birthdays. We always borrow the paperbacks from the library before we commit to it. This helps avoid disappointment. It’s true that I have been stung several times in recent months, which is why I am mentioning it here.
This should give you some ideas on how to begin collecting books. Although it can seem expensive to start a book collection, even if it is cheap, I can assure you that it is a worthwhile investment. After spending half of our lives on paper and ink, we have never regretted it. We have learned so much from all the books we’ve read, and we continue to revisit them often. They are also shared with our family and friends. It is an investment that lasts beyond the page.
