Owning books can be expensive. Some people love books with sentimental value. Others own books only from a particular genre, series, or author. Many people love bookshelves full of favorites they can read repeatedly. While others own books that have touched and transformed their lives in some way. Building a book collection is a personal expression. Regardless of what you choose to include in your collection, everyone can buy books on a budget.
What Makes a Good Book Collection
Inexpensive Ways to Build a Book Collection
Local Bookshops
Charitable Shops

Library Sales
Free Little Libraries
Book Swap
Online Marketplaces
eBook Deals
Mackin
Mackin is a book distributor for public and school libraries. If you’re looking for ways to build out your Novel Effect collection, Mackin has you covered! They’ve got a list of books that pair with Novel Effect. Talk to your local librarian to find books that work with your favorite read-aloud app.
School Libraries
School libraries are a great place to get books as well! As librarians update the collection, books may be removed to make space for new titles. They’ll often place discarded books on display for children to take home and add to their own collection.
You can also ask your school librarian if they offer summer checkout! While this won’t grow your child’s collection, it does provide them with books to read over the summer.
A book collection can be built in a way that works for readers of all ages. Kids change their interests all the time. It only makes sense to help them build their own collections without breaking the bank.