The five best places to find bargain books for your summer holidays

ARE you looking for your next page-turner, as thoughts turn to summer holidays?

Reading is the nation’s favourite hobby, according to a recent Mintel survey.

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Here are ideas for how to bag a bargain read . . . 

GO LOCAL: Your local library is a treasure trove of books, and membership is free.

Ask the knowledgeable staff for their recommended reads and take advantage of the ordering service to get your hands on brand new titles.

If there’s a book you’re desperate to read, whether it’s a new novel or a cookbook, you can reserve it for just a minimal fee.

SECOND BEST: Charity shops always have shelves of books at bargain prices. But if you are looking for a particular kind of book, seek out a specialist charity shop.

Look for local Oxfam and British Heart Foundation stores in your area. Or head online, to onlineshop. oxfam.org.uk or the British Heart Foundation store at ebay.co.uk.

There’s a great range of titles available including some first-edition signed copies.

OUTLET: Amazon sells off surplus stock via their books outlet at amazon.co.uk, which includes a great Under £5 category.

Or support your local independent bookshop by popping in regularly to check out any deals they may have on offer — and if they have a newsletter, do sign up so that you can be the first to learn about any special promotions or discounts that they might be running.

SWAP ’N’ SAVE: Swapping books with friends and family is the cheapest way to get your hands on a new read, but Bookswap.co.uk offers a points-based swapping service, where you just pay for shipping plus a £1.50 fee.

For in-person book swaps, check out eventbrite.co.uk and see if there’s an upcoming one happening in your area.

E-READER: Prefer to read using your tablet? You can register at free-ebooks.net to download five free ebooks per month, with thousands of titles on offer. Or go to gutenberg.org which is a library of more than 70,000 free eBooks.

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability

Deal of the day

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TREAT the family to a Lay-Z-Spa Miami hot tub – usually £300, now £250 at B&M, in store only.

SAVE: £50

Cheap treat

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SETTLE in for an afternoon of crafting – the Bing Painting Playset Figures set was £16.99, but you can snap it up now for £2.99, at Home Bargains.

SAVE: £14

Top swap

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PERFECT your pout using Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Revolution lippie, £28 at cultbeauty.co.uk, or try the L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Intense Volume Matte in Worth it, £9.99 at Boots.

SAVE: £18.01

PLAY NOW TO WIN £200

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JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle.

Every month we’re giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers – whether you’re saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered.

Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.

The more codes you enter, the more tickets you’ll earn and the more chance you will have of winning!

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk