Set an annual book spend, balance purchases against library loans, and calculate how many books you can acquire each month — without exceeding your budget.
Enter your budget, average book price, and loan preferences to generate a personalised acquisition plan.
Practical approaches to building a rich reading list without overspending.
For most readers, a 60/40 split between purchased books and library loans delivers the best value. Borrow titles you're uncertain about; buy books you'll re-read or reference.
Quality second-hand paperbacks cost 40–60% less than new. For older titles and backlist classics, second-hand is often indistinguishable from new and dramatically extends your budget.
Review your book spend every three months. Adjust the monthly allocation based on unread stock — this prevents accumulation of books that sit unread for years.