4 things to do before buying a new book

As I said in a previous post, I'm taking part on a reading challenge in 2019 in which I try to read at least 1 book per month. As a kid, I used to read a lot, but ever since I got into college, I can probably count in one hand the amount of fiction books I've read. Thanks to that, I can feel that I've lost my creativity, and I want it back. So that's why this challenge seems so important to me.

I still have a lot of books at home that I want to read before I think about buying new ones, but boy, bookstores sure seem appealing now. I'm not gonna lie, I love the feeling of holding a new book. And until quite recently, I thought it was a pretty harmless hobby: it's vegan, I don't know of cases of human exploitation in the paper industry and it's sustainable...  right?

Well, yes and no: Yes, paper is more environmentally friendly than plastic or other materials. However, everything that is new has an impact. Sure, you can compost it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't waste important resources, and yes, it's recyclable, but recycling also uses energy, and there's a limit to how many times paper can be recycled. So yes, paper is, as far as I know, an "Eco-friendly" material, but the best is always no (new) material at all.

And let's face it. Buying every single book you read gets really expensive, really fast. So, for the sake of your wallet and the environment, whether you're searching for a specific book or just looking for something to read, here's a few things to try before purchasing a new book:

1- Ask your friends and family if they have the book you want, or a book you'd like

This is so obvious, and if you're into reading but not that into spending money, I bet you've done this yourself. Me and my friends are always sharing books with each other! It's such a great way to read more for free, and to get great recommendations as well!

2- Check a library
Honestly, I'm ashamed to say I never read a book from a library before. I've been in such a privileged position that, whenever I wanted a book that my friends don't have, I could just buy it, even if it is expensive. But now, with my ethical concerns, I've been trying to avoid doing that, and visiting my local library is definitely a better option.
Libraries are one of the few completely public places that there are. It's much more than a place where you can study and read books: it's also a safe space for poor people to spend their time, with shelter, entertainment and free access to knowledge. It's really important that we support these wonderful places!

Also, consider donating the books you own to a library, so others can access the knowledge as well! If you're like me, you probably have a hard time parting with your books, but if you donate them to your library, you can still read them when you feel like it, and they won't be taking up space in your home!


3- Search for second-hand books
If you can't find the book for free, or if you're one of those people who really love owning books (I know I'm guilty of this), consider looking for second hand books, both in second hand book stores and online. This way you'll be supporting a circular economy rather than a linear one in which you encourage more books to be printed and more trees to be cut.
The book that I'm currently reading - "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire - I got it second hand for less than 2 euros! In Portugal, a book like this would probably cost around 20 euros if I had purchased it new...

4- Try finding an E-Book

I'm a sucker for a physical book, so I didn't think I would enjoy an e-book until I actually tried it. I'm currently reading the Game of Thrones series: The first book, I managed to borrow from a friend. The second however, no one I know had it, and I couldn't find it in the library. So I reluctantly decided to purchase the e-book, and I was pleasantly surprised that I actually enjoyed it a lot!
   Some advantages of e-books:

•  Carrying my tablet around is a lot easier than carrying a heavy book...
•  Even if I can't bring my tablet with me, I can access my books from my phone and read on the go!
•  You can have multiple e-books and it won't get heavier! Perfect for traveling, since I tend to bring a lot of books with me hoping that I won't run out of things to read.
• You can zoom in as much as you want!
•  My favorite tool from the google books app: the dictionary. If I'm not sure of the meaning of the word, I only have to click it and its definition will pop up. It's so quick and useful when reading an older book that uses fancier words, or reading a book in a foreign language!

And after all that...
So, you've asked your friends, searched your library and second hand shops, and the book you want is nowhere to be found. You don't have a tablet or e-reader, or maybe you just don't like the idea of reading an e-book. That's fine too.
If you've considered your options and buying a new book seems to be the best one for you, there are still ways to be more conscious about it.
Try buying from small, local bookshops rather than big famous chains.
If you see a book that seems a little bit damaged, don't put it aside. Most people will go for the perfect looking books, but a tiny fold won't hurt your reading experience! Damaged books deserve love too!

If you're not looking for anything in particular, and just want to find an interesting read, look for smaller authors that most people haven't heard of, and support their work.
Look for books written by  women, people of color, people with disabilities, lgbt+ authors... The society we live in doesn't often give minorities a space to talk about their experiences and to be represented in the media, and it's important that we, as readers, support the people that are working hard to change that.

And when you're done reading your new book, consider sharing it with someone else, and donating it to a library, so other people can have access to it too. Let's make knowledge free and accessible to everyone!

Do you often think about these alternatives before you buy a new book? Do you have any book recommendations for me? What are you currently reading? 

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