8 Tips for Buying Books

As I was searching around on Google for possible book blog post topics, I stumbled upon this idea of tips for buying books. (Yes, I do search around for book blog inspiration.) When I saw this topic idea, I immediately realized that this kind of post would help me. I also realized that if it would help me, it would help many others like myself.

I think that many of us readers are just so used to buying books, more books, and even more books. However, for whatever reason, we may hesitate to buy books now. Hopefully, this post will help you out in buying books.

Here are 8 tips for buying books.

Tip 1: Look up the book in your search engine and on Goodreads.

Looking the book up in your search engine and on Goodreads will give you access to ratings, reviews, and links to buying the book online. Looking at the synopsis, reviews, and ratings online will help you see if it's actually a book you'll enjoy. You may also get some information on the book's author.

Tip 2: Look up the author online and on social media.

In the past 2-5 years, there has been a lot of stuff going on about authors in their social circles. And if the author has put out some controversial statements or opinions, it may be best to borrow the book rather than buy it. And even if the author hasn't done or said anything controversial, it's still good to look the author up to see what kind of books they write, and within what genre.

Tip 3: Create a shelf on Goodreads for books you want to buy in the near future.

No matter what you name the shelf - "Books I Want to Buy" or "Books to Buy Soon" or something else - it might be helpful to create it. It'll help because it's an easy way to keep track of any books you want to buy soon - anticipated reads, recent releases, new books from your favorite author, or any others.

Tip 4: If you're unsure about the book, see if it's one you can borrow through your local library or through apps like Libby or Overdrive.

We've all been at this point in buying books: we want to read the book, but we aren't 100% sure we want to buy it. Seeing if you can borrow the book, either from a physical library or from apps like Libby and Overdrive, will help you out in this situation. You're not investing money by using your library, Libby, or Overdrive, but you may have the opportunity to read the book. But please note that libraries, Libby, and Overdrive may not have access to every book you want to look into and read, especially if it's a newer book or an older one.

Tip 5: Ask any reader friends or family members about their thoughts on the book.

If you have friends and family members who read a lot, they may have read the book, or they've at least heard of it. You can ask them what their thoughts on the books, even if they've only heard about the book and haven't read it.

Tip 6: See if there are any posts on bookish social media to see what people's thoughts are.

Going to bookish social media accounts on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, or others can really help you find out more about a specific book or two. Bookish social media can also help you find possible new books you may want to buy and read.

Tip 7: If you prefer paperback to hardback, you may want to wait a while before purchasing the book.

Most books come out in hardback in their initial publication, and the paperbacks usually come out within 6 months to a year after the book's first publication. So if you prefer paperback, you may want to wait a little while before you purchase the book.

Tip 8: Follow authors and bookish accounts on social media.

Following authors and bookish accounts on social media, similarly with Tip 6, can really help you out in the long run. It'll help you find new books, view reviews on books you're interested in, and so much more.