Nothing in this post is in anyway sponsored.
I get asked this question fairly often, so I’m hoping this will be a handy resource to send out. There are two main options for how I get my books:
Buy them
Get advance reader copies (ARC)
However, these are the options I’m going to recommend
Subscription services
Second hand books
Advanced reader copies
Buy them
The reason I don’t use a lot of subscription services is that I like to read books as close to their release date as possible. It’s like watching a show when it first comes out. I don’t always do that because I can’t read an unlimited number of books but I would usually get books on (or before) their release date. I actually track book release dates, which sounds intense, but it’s just what I like. I also mostly read digital books because that’s how I prefer to read. If I’m on screens all day (like most of us are), I would rather read like that. I know for a lot of people, it’s the opposite, and whatever rocks your boat. I also don’t listen to audiobooks because I feel like it interrupts my interpretation of the story, but also, my attention span isn’t great for audio content.
So without further ado:
Amazon
By far by most used service which is why links in my posts about books are usually amazon links. (Guys, I’m about to get kicked out of the amazon affiliate program because I haven’t generated the minimum spend and I know y’all be buying the books I recommend so use my links so I can buy more books).
Anyway, yes, I use amazon. I own a kindle and have the kindle app on all my devices. You can also read your kindle purchases in your browser, so there is no shortage of ways you can read the books you get through amazon. Now amazon has two book subcription services. The first is amazon prime. Your prime membership also includes a free reading subscription of some books and magazines. I don’t use this because the section isn’t great. They also have kindle unlimited, which has a better selection and also has a lot of self published books which is good for fantasy readers.
If you add books to your amazon Wishlist, they tell you when prices drop and book prices change a lot, so if you can wait, then wait for the price to drop and then you can buy it at a price that’s closer to your budget.
And for people that like physical books, they deliver to Nigeria but I know we have bookstores like Roving Heights that deliver nation-wide. If you live anywhere but here, there’s no shortage of book stores.
Second hand books
in Nigeria, Lagos Island has a lot of used bookstores. If you live somewhere with charity shops, that tends to be a good place to get books.
Scribd
a book subscription service that has audiobooks. Their audiobook selection is actually really good and current. Their book selection is good but isn’t always as current as their audiobook section. The scribd app is all encompassing, so it’s a reading app as well as a browsing app. You can read offline etc. They have a free trial period, so it’s worth trying out to get a feel for their book selection.
Netgalley
This is a website for advanced reader copies and where I get most of mine. Anyone can sign up and I like how easy to use it is. When you sign up and create a profile, you can browse the books and make requests ro publishers. Obviously your profile should be well written because that’s most of what approvals are based on. If approved, the book will be sent to a reading app you would have linked at sign up (the kindle app is one that you can use).
Edelweiss
Another website for advanced reader copies but I honestly hate how it’s laid out and looks and find it more difficult to use than netgalley. Sometimes when publishers send me advanced reader copies, they want me to claim through edelweiss and I just hate the process.
Sometimes, publishers send me books directly which I would usually have to claim through netgalley or edelweiss. I prefer to use netgalley and request things I’m actually interested in.
A Nigerian e-book site I’ve used is okadabooks. I’ve used it like twice so I can’t say too much about it, but including it if you want to check it out.
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