Reading for a Better World: eReaders, Libraries, and Buying Small or Secondhand

My tips for reading more sustainably.

Jun 18, 2025

Hello, dear readers,

Today, I am zagging on you a little bit and sharing some information about an intersection of our world that impacts the environment. Some of you may know me from my previous life in the publishing industry, or M.A.R.C.H. book club. Some of you have known me for much longer, and know that books, storytelling, and reading is a crucial part of the fabric of who I am. In any case, reading and access to reading is something I feel extremely passionate about, and I want to talk about the publishing industry and its many intersections with our environment, as well as share some resources, because that’s what we do here!

I won’t spend too much time discussing the publishing industry itself (I can make that a separate post, if you’re interested). But I will say that, like almost every system in our capitalist country, publishing is a capitalist industry, and if you dig a little deeper or have seen even a little bit behind the curtain, you’ll almost immediately see the exploitation required to keep that machine running. I could go on and on about the problems with the publishing industry (and lord knows I have), but that isn’t exactly why I’m here. I want to specifically talk about what we can do as individuals and within community to participate in reading, learning, and sharing knowledge with each other while doing less harm.

Now, I’m going to provide some recommendations for how to implement more sustainable habits via your reading without compromising your access to the knowledge, joy, and the community reading can supply. But my #1 recommendation to you is to meet yourself where you are and do what you can. You, individually, are not responsible for these misdoings, but your participation in better practices can invoke change. So let’s get into it.

eReaders

eReaders are great for reducing how many paper products you’re consuming. They also allow you a chance to practice de-influencing consumerism for yourself. Books are fun to collect. They’re pretty and when we have them in our home, it helps us achieve a certain aesthetic. Many of us book lovers have more books than we plan to read. We buy books to buy something or just to have them, not because we intend to read all of them. If you’re like me, you have a mile long TBR on your shelf of unread books you have no idea when you’ll have the time to get to. eReaders can help you be more purposeful in your spending on books, and help to ween you off of the compulsion to buy more.

There are a lot of eReaders out there, the most popular of which are attached to mega corporations of varying griftiness. You might even have one already. You might be looking at your Kindle, wondering if you should sell it to get the stain of Amazon off of your hands. But the most sustainable thing is to keep and use what you already have. There are ways to get around buying from your eReader’s supplier—more on that in a moment. There are also many brands outside of Kindle and Nook that you can look to. Kobo is one example. Kobo has a program where they sell refurbished devices at a discount. These are secondhand devices that Kobo repaired using recycled materials. Kobo does source their books from Walmart, but fear not, you can access OverDrive, and therefore, Libby (more on that next) on your Kobo, and Bookshop.org is currently working to enable their newly available ebooks to be compatible with all eReaders.

Libraries

This brings us to the glorious library! Libraries are an incredible (and free!) community resource. Often, libraries offer much more than books to their patrons—from tool libraries to seed libraries to computer/internet access to community events, and more!

Among the incredible resources offered by your local library are Libby and Hoopla. These are online systems where you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your library’s collection. They’re a great way to support your library without having to worry about returning your books late or making the trip in-person to borrow or return.

There are some exclusively online libraries that will allow you to obtain a library card, such as The Queer Liberation Library. Some big libraries like The Free Library of Philadelphia allowed non-PA residents to purchase cards at the start of the pandemic, but most libraries seem to have moved away from that in favor of serving their local communities.

Libraries will also sometimes have Book Sales. This is where they sell donated books that aren’t added to their collection for a major discount. Usually, they will last an entire weekend, sometimes with the discounts getting better as the sale goes on. Check the websites of the libraries in your area for when these sales are happening. They usually do them once a quarter or every other quarter. And you don’t always have to be a member. Sometimes, library card holders will get access to the sale early, but otherwise, they’re open to the public! Go into these events like you might thrifting—be prepared to be patient and take your time sifting through the sea of books to find a gem. I’ve found some really awesome and unique books at Book Sales.

Buying Small or Secondhand

Let’s face it, the current administration is working overtime to get our libraries defunded. In my town, my library is not connected to the county’s library system, which means it’s collection is quite limited. More than that, libraries don’t often have access to new books or really niche books, or you’re stuck signing up for a 50 week wait. There are lots of amazing indie bookstores popping up in South Jersey that you can check out. Here are some of my faves:

If those spots still don’t have what you’re looking for, try ordering from them! (Note: used bookstores sometimes take requests! If they come across a book you’re looking for, they’ll give you a call!) You can speak to a bookseller about ordering a copy from them—they may direct you to their website or Bookshop.org. Bookshop.org allows you to purchase books online and ascribe the purchase to an indie bookstore of your choosing. If you’re looking for an audiobook, check out Libro.fm! Another great online option is Thriftbooks, mainly for secondhand buys.

Bonus: Sharing & Borrowing!

There are few things in life sweeter than finding a bookish bestie whose taste in books overlaps with your own. Loaning out your books to a friend or borrowing a book from a friend is a love language. The book should be the same in every printing, so why not share the wealth? Unless you are an avid re-reader, it’s likely each book you buy will sit on your shelf, untouched, after you’ve read it. Books are meant to be read! Let go of the fear that you’ll never see the book again, or that it will return damaged, if you can. The reciprocity of sharing content with your friends is a beautiful thing.

Little Free Libraries are a beautiful way to engage in this kind of lend/borrow economy if you don’t have a bookish friend in your life to swap with. Often, there will be a couple in a neighborhood or area, and it’s fun to walk around hunting for them!