Can I support an author without buying their book?

Liana,

I recently joined an online writer's circle. I've made new friends, and I want to be supportive, but some of them publish in genres I don't read. Do I have to buy their books because they're my friends, or is their a loophole where I can be supportive without buying a book I don't want?
- Semi-Supportive

Dear Supportive,

I think every writer involved with a social network of some kind has run into this dilemma. Your new friend publishes a book, gushes to everyone they know, and hints that buying the book would do wonders for their sanity and career.
What kind of heartless person could say no?
Well, I would be that heartless person.
If there is a good reason for not buying, I won't.

Bad Reasons for Not Buying a Friend's Book:
1- Not my genre.
2- I did an alpha-read of the book and know the story.
3- I was going to get my nails done.

Good Reasons for Not Buying a Friend's Book:
1- I find the subject matter abhorrent, insulting, grotesque, unedited, or otherwise morally objectionable.
2- I have $20 left in my bank account and need to feed my kids.
3- Buying this book will open the Gates of Hell in my local dog park and the canine community will be decimated.


Example:
1- The book is titled Robbie Rides the Train, and is a picture book for toddlers. Even if I'm kidless, I can buy the book and donate it to the local library or Women's Shelter. Good deed done all around.

2- The book is titled Why Your Beliefs Brainwash You, and is a 1000 page tome with one period, three commas, and a rant against your preferred method of thinking (religious, athesitic, listening to sea shells, ect). Short of needing fodder for the next solstice bonfire there's no reason to support books of hate, or haters, even if they belong to your social circle. In fact, you might want to unfriend this person. Just a thought.


Suppose your problem with the book is the hardcover price, your general lack of funds, or the fact that it's only published in a foreign country. There are ways to support an author without shelling out cash for international postage.

Ways to Support An Author Without Buying:
1- Congragulate them sincerely.
... When someone posts on a forum, Twitter, Facebook, or elsewhere that they've just sold their book be happy for them! Keeping the publishing industry alive is always good, it doesn't matter what they wrote.

2- Spread the word.
... Seriously, a retweet won't kill you.

3- Recommend the Book
... If someone stops you on the street (or asks on the internet) where they can find a good book in Genre X feel free to point them in your friend's direction. Something along the lines of, "I haven't read Book Z, but I've heard it's really good. You should check it out."

4- Host a Blog Tour
... If you don't object to the book's content hosting the author on your blog or newsletter is a great way to introduce them to new readers and support their career.

5- Request the Book
... The awesome novel your writing buddy had you alpha read is only getting published in Faroverthere in a language you've never heard of? Consider writing a note to the publisher or other powers that be requesting your language's translation. In the future, remind your buddy that there are publishers in your country too.

Added from the comments:
6- Leave an Amazon review
... Maybe you only read the opening chapter, you can still leave a positive review for that!

7- Tag Party!
... Tag your friend's book on Amazon and make sure it has all the genres labeled correctly. Is it historical/historical steampunk? Make sure you list both of those, or check both if they are already listed. The more tags, the more likely a browsing shopper will stumble on your writing buddy's book.

Any other suggestions? Besides buying the book, how do you support your writing friends?