SOFT COVER's Guide to Free and Low-Cost Reading: Twin Cities Edition
As promised, this is a comprehensive guide to free or low cost literary resources in the Twin Cities. This is something that will have periodic updates and will include links when able.
While SOFT COVER is a low-cost ticketed book club events company, it is founded on an ethos of access to literature for everyone. While support of local independent bookstores is often highlighted here, it is a privilege to be able to spend the money on a full-priced book.
If you are reading this and have any additional resources not listed here for physical, digital, or audiobooks, please send resources to softcoverbookclubmn@gmail.com.
Physical Books
Your local libraries
Your local library (all residents in the Twin Cities can get a library card!). Each of these “Library systems” will have different branches.
MELSA (“the “Metropolitan Library Service Agency”) is a library system with over 100 libraries in the system. With this access you can:
If you live in the Twin Cities and get a library card, you have access to books in entire library system.
Have access to a larger catalogue of books including new releases
This includes being able to place holds online for pickup
Little Free Libraries
You’ve probably seen a lot of little libraries across the Twin Cities. The concept is simple, take a book – give a book. The one caveat is that you won’t know what you get with each little
How to access:
They have an app where you can find locations and registered little libraries all across the Twin Cities!
Friends of Library Book Sales
Books are extremely affordable, for example, the Friends of Hennepin County says that books are sold at $2 or less.
On the site there is a calendar of when book sales are happening at various library locations
The website has a sales calendar for sales out of the Roseville Branch
Twin Cities Used Bookstores (In no particular order)
Half Price Books (in St. Paul and St. Louis Park)
The Bookhouse (Dinkytown)
Midway Used Books (St. Paul)
Magers & Quinn (Uptown) (Used book section, some might be on the regular shelves)
Uncle Hugo’s / Uncle Edgar’s Sci-fi and Mystery Books (Minneapolis)
Eat My Words Used Books (Northeast)
Digital Books
Libby
You’ll need a library card to a MELSA Library – basically any library in the Twin Cities Metro / MELSA area.
What you can do on Libby:
Borrow digital books that you can read on your mobile device, tablet, or Kindle. (I saw a pro-tip that if you are a slower reader you can get the book on your Kindle and then turn your Kindle on airplane mode without disrupting another person from borrowing the book).
Listen to Audiobooks
Fable (for classics)
On the Fable App (free) you can download free e-books of classic literature. It looks like they have over 600 titles. Note, they partner with another company called Everand that has e-books and audiobooks but after a 30-day trial it looks like there is about a $12 a month subscription. You want to select “download free ebook” to get the Fable free version!
Audible
Audible is connected with Amazon but it is accessible and you should use it if it is a way you can get access to free audiobooks!
Spotify
Okay, I know Spotify is not a great company BUT I have not found a replacement yet for my premium music account. If you already have a Premium account with Spotify you can actualy get 15hrs of audiobooks now. This is a “2 for 1” tip if you already have Spotify but just ignore this one if you do not.
