If there is one thing I learned from my days of watching Levar Burton blow my little mind with the wonderful world of books, is that reading is spelled F-U-N. Twenty years of required reading and book reports undid some of his teachings, but in my current hardcore Broke-Ass state of being I am ready to ride the reading rainbow once again! Reading is a FREE activity as-is, but I’m here today to learn you some of the ways to make it even more fun and fancy FREE. But don’t take my word for it.
1. Visit your local library
This one my seem like a given, but it’s easy to forget that within five miles of your residence there is most likely a big building full of books that are available to you and yours for FREE. I can relate to the obsession of buying books like they’re going out of style, but in the spirit of Spring Cleaning ditch your book hoarding habits and start borrowing your written materials.
2. Swap It
There are couple different swapping systems out there, but the one I’ve heard good things is PaperBackSwap. After posting books that you’re willing to swap you get credits to get books you want from others. Once you get the book you can keep it forever, or put it back up to swap. It seems like a pretty sweet deal and the only thing you have to pay for is postage when you send them out. You could also organize a swap amongst friends.
3. Talk amongst yourselves
I cannot personally attest to this one, but I’ve heard book clubs can be fun. I somehow equate reading with a deadline to reading for school, and that takes the fun out of it for me, but my roommate has a monthly club, and they always seem to be having a good time. Being able to discuss what you’re reading ads another element of fun and creates a sweet activity for a Tuesday evening. Make a night of it, have a potluck and enjoy!
4. Reading with the stars
If you’re hip to the latest books and authors you will surely enjoy the plethora of mostly FREE readings happening all over at all times. Sign up for your favorite book store’s newsletter and stay up to date on the upcoming readings and appearances. There’s nothing quite as nerdy as getting star struck when you hear your favorite author reading in person.
Photos from: scrapetv.com, i.buyoly.com
Related posts:
- Broke-Ass Stuart Book Reading and Signing Tonight!!
photo by Julie Michelle of I Live Here SF. Aw shit!! Tonight is the night!!! Book Passage in the Ferry Building has asked me... - Broke-Ass Stuart Book Reading, Signing, and Walking Tour!
Come out and bring your friends to the McNally-Jackson Bookstore on Friday, March 20th to get your books, boobs, man-boobs or butts signed and listen to... - Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll, and um…Reading at the Knockout
One of the things I love about The Knockout is that, generally speaking, those motherfuckers are down for whatever. Just take a look at this... - FREE Books, FREE Reading, FREE Show
Tonight, you can enrich your broke-ass brain with some FREE literary events around the city. FREE Bushwick Book Club Bushwick Book Club is to traditional book... - In the Flesh: FREE Erotic Reading and Cupcakes
I keep a book called How to Write Erotica on my shelf next to my other reference books about grammar and proper citation rules, because the... - FREE Underwater New York Reading
On Saturday, I biked from Williamsburg to the Intrepid, and I had to run through a nearby fountain as soon as I got to the...
