One of the most common questions I get after making a recommendation is, “Where do I find the book?” And that is a super good question, especially as there are so many options now for digital or audiobooks. The first thing to determine is whether you want to buy or borrow the book.

Buying Books

To buy a copy of the book, you must determine if you will go digital or physical. The easiest way to find the book for digital copies is on Amazon. Amazon makes it super convenient to download the digital copy of the book, especially if you have a Kindle or use a Kindle reading account. I have seen some authors turn to platforms that let people buy their book by chapter, but I’ve never personally read a book that way, and I don’t see it used frequently.

Amazon is also the most convenient place for finding physical copies of the book; all you do is type the title into the search button, and viola! Most books on Amazon are available in paperback or hardcover, depending on how you like the book to feel in your hands. Though Amazon is the most convenient, it is not my preferred method.

If you’re looking for a new book copy, I recommend visiting your local bookshop. Local bookstores are excellent for finding books; you browse their selections, get recommendations from the workers, and contribute to the local economy. Local bookstores are unfortunately dying off, so if there isn’t one near you, you can go to Barnes and Noble for the in-person buying experience. If you live in the Salt Lake area, check out my list of local bookstores.

To save money, you can find a used copy of the book. One site is ThriftBooks, and there I found a Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire copy in good condition for $4.19 compared to $15 on Amazon. ThriftBooks isn’t the only site, but just one of the ones I have used in the past. You can also visit local thrift bookshops.

Borrowing Books

Not ready to commit to the sale, or don’t have space? No worries, because you can find a way to borrow most books that you’d want to read.

If you are a physical book reader, your local library is the best place to go. Libraries are a great resource (and should be better funded!), and often have the book in their inventory or you can request that a library copy be bought. There might be a waitlist for the book, but you can add your name to the list and check out a different one in the meantime.

For digital copies, the library is the first place I’d check. You can create an account at Libby using your library card and start checking out digital copies of anything your library has available. Another great digital borrowing resource for finding books is Kindle Unlimited (KU). KU costs $10/month, and while you won’t find everything, there is an excellent library of books to choose from (and yes, authors get paid when you read in KU).

However you consume books, I hope this guide was helpful. I wish you the best in finding your book!

Visit my tracking books guide for recommendations on what to do once you’ve found your new read.