THIS week sees the start of the annual book wars, when a slew of authors publish their latest titles in time for Christmas.
But those top reads come at a big price, so today I show how to get more value for money with these tips . . .
- READ ALL ABOUT IT: During the pandemic, many libraries are offering little-known online services, and they are brilliant. From free downloadable audio books to e-books, I’ve been using my local one and I’ve saved lots. Start by checking your local council website and you should be able to follow the links from there. In London, I can download five audiobooks, plus music, and for kids there are comic books. The cookery books are my fave — perfect for Christmas meal-planning.
- APPY DAYS: FarFaria and Kidlo are brilliant apps, with books, games and interactive stories for kids. They even have nursery rhymes too — just avoid the in-app purchases.
- SECONDHAND: While I’m a charity shop regular, if you can’t leave the house at the moment, try worldofbooks.com or musicmagpie.co.uk. The latter has a two-for-£2.99 offer on books including David Walliams’s Gangsta Granny and Billionaire Boy, or two for a fiver. They’re £5.99 each at Waterstones. Use Facebook groups such as The Book Cafe to sell, buy or swap books with other users too.
- E-BOOK IT: If you have a Kindle, don’t forget there are plenty of kids’ e-books available for 99p. For more choice, use free trials. You can sign up to Kindle Unlimited, which will give you access to a million books for 30 days. Plus, a 30-day Audible trial will let you download audiobooks such as How To Train Your Dragon for nothing. Just remember to cancel before the month is up.
- BARGAIN WINS: Bulk buy with The Works’s ten-for-£10 picture book bundles, usually £69.90. B&M is also great for cheap deals, and Facebook book group members love to share deals by posting where they have spotted cheap buys.
- Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability
Deal of the day
THE Beldray Revo cordless handheld vacuum is on offer at Asda for £36, down from £48.96.
Order yours at direct.asda.com.
Cheap treat
ADD fizz to Bonfire Night with a bottle of Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso, down from £11 to £7.50 at Tesco.
SAVE: £3.50