My process is always the same: check Libby first. If the wait is under 3 weeks, I place a hold and read something else in the meantime. If it's longer or I'm in a huge hurry, I check BookBub for a sale. If no sale and I'm desperate, I buy it at full price, usually on Kobo. That system has served me well for years. It balances frugality, immediacy, and ethics without overcomplicating things. 'The Kite Runner' would definitely go through this same filter.