Build Your Homeschool Library!

It is a well-known fact that most homeschooling families love books.  We love all kinds of books.  We love books that are science-related; we love books that are history-related; we love fiction and nonfiction books; we love action/adventure books; we love the classics.  We read books to go along with what we are studying.  We read books to supplement our unit studies or our textbooks.  We read books just for fun.  See what I mean?  I've often said that my idea of the perfect day is a day on which I receive a huge box of books and can spend hours looking at each one, thumbing through the pages, and reading bits and pieces.  (Put me on the beach under an umbrella beside the ocean with the box of books, and that's really a perfect day!!)


There is one problem, though, that many homeschooling families face because of our love for books.  Money.  We spend waaaay too much of it on books.  I was introduced to Homeschool Library Builder and asked to review it for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Homeschool Crew.  Membership is free, and I'm not receiving any kind of payment or other compensation for writing this review.  I want to share it with you, though, because they really do provide an opportunity for homeschooling families to build their libraries without spending so much doing it!


You can find them at www.hslibrarybuilder.com.  Here is a little bit of information about how the site works.  First of all, I already mentioned that membership is free.  As a member, you can receive their monthly newsletter which has information about sales, promotions (like 25% off books or free shipping), special events, and seasonal promotions.  You can also ask them for help with finding a particular book that you haven't been able to locate.  Of course they can't guarantee that they will find the book for you, but they'll do their best!  They also have an HSLB Marketplace.  If you qualify, your business's information is added to their page at no charge.


The books at HSLB are rated by condition and priced accordingly.  They are also organized by categories and age level as a guide in helping you choose books that are right for your family.  Another little perk is that, for every dollar you spend, you earn one Book Point.  Every 15 points gives you $1 in your account to use on a future purchase.  And I'd also like to mention that money they receive from books purchased from the "Helping Hand" category goes toward supporting Homeschool Library Builder's child adopted through Compassion International.  


It's definitely worth checking out!  If you're going to buy books anyway (and you know you are!), you might as well get the maximum number of books for the minimum price, right?  


And just for fun, I'd love to hear what kind(s) of books you and your children particularly like.  I love children's books--particularly the ones that are meant for older children or teens.  Of course I read plenty of "grown-up" books too, but I've always especially loved children's literature.  My son prefers books with lots of action and/or adventure.  My daughters both love historical fiction.  My younger daughter loves Amish books and books set during the pioneer days.  My husband likes Christian books and/or books related to politics.  He also reads just-for-fun books too.  What about you?  Do you have one particular favorite book or a certain kind of book you really love?  Share it with the rest of us so we can enjoy it too!


Happy reading!