There’s nothing like getting lost in a good book to help you relax and take your mind off your problems. Reading is one of my favorite hobbies, but buying books can add up and cost quite a bit of money.
Reading can also be a big hustle. that’s how you can get paid to read books.
You are reading: Best places to buy cheap books
Although I like to use my e-reader, there’s nothing like the smell and feel of a printed book. If you love to read like I do, I have great news: Getting your next read doesn’t have to break the budget.
For my fellow bookworms, I’ve compiled a list of the cheapest places to buy new and used books online.
You’ll find both online retailers and brick-and-mortar stores where you can find the best prices on the titles on your reading list.
cheap websites to buy books
While the library can be a great place to get reading material, I’ve always loved having books.
One of my dreams is to have a home library filled to the ceiling with hard copies of my favorite books and new ones just waiting to be discovered.
If you also want to get copies of books, including second-hand ones, here is a list of the best places online to buy cheap books and start your own library.
1. abebooks
abebooks.com is a book collector’s dream where you can find rare first editions of your favorites or signed copies by the authors you love. you can also find out-of-print copies of hard-to-find books elsewhere.
If you’re looking for the latest bestsellers or a used copy of an old reserve book, visit abebooks.com. Its online marketplace model connects independent sellers from over 50 countries with buyers like you.
In addition to books, you can find manuscripts, new and used textbooks, art, old posters, copies of old magazines, comics, maps and more.
abebooks.com is a treasure trove of new, used, rare, vintage and collectible items to suit your tastes and help you discover new interests.
The company has several international sites, including:
- abebooks.com
- abebooks.de
- abebooks.co.uk
- abebooks.it
- abebooks. fr
- iberlibro.com
- zvab.com
The website is easy to use and has a great search function where you can find books by title, author, keyword or isbn.
You can find textbooks and hard and soft covers at a discount of 50 to 90 percent. prices start at $1 and some sellers offer free shipping as part of the cost of the book.
2. alibis
alibris is a media marketplace that connects buyers to 260 million books, movies, and albums from independent sellers around the world.
you can shop by category or use the search function and find books by title, author or isbn.
In addition to the search option, you can shop by category, including:
- textbooks
- fiction
- romance
- business & finance
- cookbooks
- children’s books
- crafts & hobbies
- mysteries
You can find used books and movies, but you can also rent textbooks, which can save you money. the website says they have thousands of books eligible for free shipping.
In addition to the great deals you can get through the marketplace, alibris offers more ways to save through coupons and discounts.
If you join their email list, you can get a coupon for $5 off your purchase. they also run sales and discounts, so check back regularly.
3. amazon
While you can find just about anything on Amazon, from clothespins to T-shirts, did you know you can also find used books?
There are certainly many new editions and e-reader options. however, you can also rate used versions for less than retail.
selling cheap books online is how amazon got started. then they started adding more articles.
Today, Amazon is one of the world’s largest retailers, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and even textbooks.
There are two ways to find used titles for books on your reading list: by browsing the used section of the amazon bookstore, or by searching for the book on amazon and checking the “used” option under the title of the book.
when you click on the “books” category in amazon, you can select what kind of books you would like to find. You’ll also see an option to rent textbooks or sell your books through Amazon.
Once you’ve selected the type of books you’d like to search for, use the menu on the left to narrow down your choices.
if you scroll to the bottom, you’ll see the option to click on “used” books, which will show you books from amazon that also have used copies you can buy.
The option is also available when you search for a book and click on the title. select a print version option (not kindle or audiobook). below the print option, you will see the “used” and “new” copy options in fine print.
If you click on the “used” link, it will take you to a page showing all used copies available for purchase, the condition of the book, and the total price, including shipping.
4. worldbestbooks
betterworldbooks was started in 2003 to buy and sell used textbooks. morphed into an online marketplace selling second-hand books in various categories, from mysteries to children’s books.
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For every book you buy through betterworldbooks, the company donates a book to someone in need. Additionally, part of sales fund global literacy and libraries through grants and donations.
The company also partnered with libraries across the country to salvage discarded books and raise money for libraries.
To date, betterworldbooks has donated more than 26 million books and raised more than $28 million for libraries and literacy.
You can find new and used books at betterworldbooks.com and textbooks for up to 90 percent off. While the website focuses on print books, you can also find audiobooks, DVD movies, and music CDs.
check out the “deal bin” section for big savings on used books or the clearance section for bigger discounts. The marketplace also offers deals and discounts to help you save more on your purchase.
In addition to the great prices and good cause, you can also get free standard shipping on your book purchase through betterworldbooks, which is a huge money saver.
5. book deposit
With over 20 million titles, bookdepository is a good choice if you’re looking for your next great read. The online retailer offers free worldwide delivery to over 170 countries, which can be a huge money saver.
Most of the books are new, with prices lower than bookstores and even some used options. Search for books by keyword, title, author or isbn. not sure what you want to read?
search by main categories such as:
- children’s books
- fiction
- graphic novels
- anime & manga
- food & drink
- crafts & hobbies
- art & photography
- biography
- crime & suspense
Looking for more ways to save? check out the bargain shop section where you’ll find even bigger discounts on their already low prices.
6. book browser
There is nothing fancy about the bookfinder website with its simple design and basic interface. Founded in 1997, the site’s goal is to help you find any book at the best price.
lets you search the inventories of over 100,000 booksellers around the world, giving you one-click access to millions of books.
You can search by author, title or isbn and refine your search to include new, used, out of print, first editions and signed copies.
If you’re looking for books in another language, you can search for German, Spanish, French, and Italian editions in addition to English.
The website is also a great place to find the cheapest textbooks and find the exact edition you need, shipping included. when searching for a book, you’ll also have the option to rent it along with a price so you can compare.
7. brochure
book outlet focuses on offering great deals on a large selection of books at 50 to 90 percent off the original list price.
The books on the website are new, unread, and in good condition, but may have a small line or dot marks from the publishers due to being returned or overstocked.
You can search for a book, browse the store, or check out what’s new.
You can also search by category like:
- architecture
- art
- business & economy
- cuisine, food & wine
- gardening
- health & fitness
- music
- religion & spirituality
- true crime
I ship to all the usa. uu. states and canada is free on orders of $35 or more. orders under the $35 threshold will pay $5 shipping.
book outlet also ships to international addresses, but rates are based on the order rate and destination.
The site also offers deals and discounts, which can help you save even more on your purchase. is an option worth adding to your list for finding book deals.
8. half price books
half price books is a used bookstore chain that started in 1972 and has grown to 120 stores in the us. uu. It is America’s largest family-owned retailer of new and used books.
In addition to physical locations, Half Price Books has an online inventory of more than 150 million books, music and movies.
Search options include Topics, Hot Topics, Current Trends, Staff Picks, Rare Finds, Deals, and more.
If you want to maximize your savings, check out the “super buys” section with options as low as $2. You can also browse the sale section for additional discounts.
Please note that shipping is not included. standard shipping for books, music and movies is $3.99 per item and delivery time is 4-14 business days. Faster shipping options are available at an additional charge.
9. powell’s books
powell’s books is another physical store with an online presence. Founded in 1971 in Portland, Oregon, Powell’s Books is an independent bookstore with a book inventory of more than three million volumes.
You can find new and used books by searching your online inventory by title, author, keyword, or isbn. other search options include signed editions and award winners.
Book categories include:
- arts & entertainment
- biography
- business
- children
- fiction and poetry
- history and social sciences
- humanities
- pets
- young adult
Orders of $25 or more qualify for free US Economy Mail shipping. uu. States (including Alaska and Hawaii) and United States Territories.
If you don’t qualify for free shipping, expect to pay $3.99 for economy mail shipping no matter how many books you buy.
10. second hand books
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thriftbooks is an online bookstore with an inventory of over 13 million titles, from board books to classic literature.
You can search for a book by title, author or isbn or search by category. In addition to books, you can find movies and TV shows on DVD and Blu-ray.
Popular book categories include:
- children
- adolescent and young adult
- self-help
- literature & fiction
- mystery & suspense
- sci-fi & fantasy
- romance
- large print books
- rare & ; ; collectible books
shipping is free in the usa. uu. orders of $10 or more, and books are shipped in 100 percent recyclable packaging.
thriftbooks also offers wish lists, which can help you find rare or out-of-print books. When you create an account, you can make a wish list that includes rare titles and be notified when a copy becomes available.
buy books near you
While it’s convenient to find books online, shipping can cost more than the books themselves.
If you like to browse books in person, there’s nothing like going to a physical bookstore to browse the shelves of books and find your next favorite read.
These are the best places to buy new and used books near you:
11. half price books
Half Price Books is my favorite place to find bargains on new and used books. With over 120 physical stores in 18 states, chances are there’s a store near you.
You can find anything from the latest bestsellers to the classics in the store. the layout is divided into sections to make it easy to find the books you want.
store associates are knowledgeable, friendly, and happy to point you in the right direction.
If you have old books lying around the house, you can sell them for half price and use the profits for some new reading. if you prefer to have the money, you can also exchange your voucher for cash.
12. sale of used books in libraries and schools
many libraries hold sales to get rid of excess inventory, raise money and make room for the latest best sellers. In particular, my local library has a big book sale once or twice a year.
Also, my local branch has a section with used books for sale year-round, which can be a great place to find deals. I’ve seen everything from the latest bestsellers to classics and children’s books for a fraction of the list price.
Our local school district also holds a huge annual used book sale, which raised money for schools.
It was my first year attending, so I was surprised by the impressive variety and prices. it’s worth checking with schools in your area to see if they have a book sale.
13. powell’s books
powell books is another store with a physical location, but there is only one in portland, oregon. If you live in or around Portland, Powell Books is a great place to find deals on old and new books and rare editions.
As an independent bookseller, you can get a different level of service than the larger bookstores. however, because they only have one location, you may have to make do with their online inventory if you don’t live within driving distance.
14. target
Although target is not a bookstore, it does sell books at reasonable prices. You won’t find used books here, but I’ve gotten great deals on new editions.
A few months ago, I looked for a book and found it cheaper at target than at the used book store.
The best part is that the books are brand new and you can get them right away instead of waiting for them to ship.
15. thrift stores
Many people don’t realize that thrift stores sell books in addition to clothing and home goods. Since this is not a traditional bookstore, don’t expect the books to be organized by subject or even alphabetically.
Buying books at thrift stores is more like a scavenger hunt. you never know what you’ll find, but it may be worth browsing.
They are great places to look for old and out-of-print books, as many people donate them when they clean their houses.
bookstore search engines
If none of the above options work for you, there are tools you can use to find bookstores near you that sell new and used books at great prices.
There are two options here:
independent
indiebound.org is a community of local independent bookstores. the website has a handy tool to help you find the ones near you.
You can search by zip code, city, or address and adjust the radius based on how far you’re willing to drive.
used bookstores near me
Used Bookstores Near Me is another tool that helps you find the closest places to buy used books based on your location. this list is divided by u.s. regions such as the western states, the midwestern states, and the eastern states.
click on your state of residence and it will take you to a list of cities within the state. the list is in alphabetical order, so find your city in the list and click on the name.
This will take you to a list of used bookstores in your area, along with information such as distance from your location and phone number.
summary
Buying books can cost you hundreds, if not thousands. The list above highlights the best places to buy cheap books online and near you to help you cut costs.
You can search the extensive catalogues, compare prices and find the best place to find a particular book. it’s good to know you’re getting the best price on the books on your reading list.
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