Books | Budget | AudioBooks
by Rah Carter August 30, 2017
The book world can be full of snobbery.
BookTube videos will tell us that if we can afford to pay for internet
we can afford to buy every book we read. Never mind that the books I
read per month are worth more than the price of my internet bill. But
this is part of an attitude that overflows with blind privilege and
callousness. Many of us on tight budgets can’t afford to buy every, or
even any, book that we read. Or we don’t have the space to keep them. Or
we don’t have access to good bookstores. Or other circumstances that
prevent us from living up to this bookish ideal. And that is okay. It is
okay to read and love books in a way that fits your personal economic
and social circumstances. Anyone who suggests otherwise is a jerk.
First
let’s talk about libraries, the most obvious port of call when looking
at reading on a budget. If you live within easy access of a public
library, they can be an absolute lifeline. While homeless, I found that
libraries are warm, dry, comfortable, free places to go. [This is also
useful if you don’t have heating/air-conditioning in your home]. I could
use their electricity for free to charge my phone. There is access to
free WiFi and computers and a quiet place to study or relax. Many
libraries also offer classes for adults and activities for children. And
then there’s all the books, audiobooks, music, DVD’s, games, newspapers
to read, borrow, and play for free or a very low fee.
If the public library isn’t accessible for you, or you want more choice, there are other options.
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