Everyone knows that libraries are a great place to freely satisfy one’s book craving, but libraries also come with the unfortunate side effect of not being to actually own said book. For those looking to avoid the high prices of the average book store or Amazon listing, these resources may be just what you are looking for.
- Thrift Stores
Image courtesy of Savers Thrift Store
Macklemore wasn’t wrong—thrift stores are great places to score all manner of items cheaply, and they are especially fine places to find affordable books. While the selection in any given store may be small, tattered, or boring, you may just come across a pristine new hardcover or a faded hidden gem. They are also particularly useful when it comes to stocking up on children’s books.
- Library Sales
Image courtesy of Friends of the Grosse Pointe Library
From time to time, some libraries will cull their expansive collections by selling off some of their books. Because libraries are not profit-oriented, you will probably be able to get them for cheap!
Image courtesy of Consumer Affairs
Through Paper Back Swap, you can trade books with other readers for more-or-less free! Though you still have to pay to ship the books, all users receive free shipping on any incoming books. Each swap enables you to build up credit on the site, allowing you to request more and more books.
Image courtesy of LifeAfterCube
Amazon is known for providing new books for relatively cheap prices, but they also sell old or used copies of many favorites for even lower prices. While buying used over the internet is always something of a crapshoot—and shipping fees still apply—it may just be worth it to bag a book you really want.
Image courtesy of Biblio
Savvy book buyers should keep an eye out for rare and out-of-print books—though they may be obscure, they are often pretty affordable and downright fascinating to boot. Biblio stocks nearly 100 million titles from rare book sellers all over the world, and they also help stock rural libraries throughout South America. A win-win!
Image courtesy of Chronicle Books
Little Free Libraries (LFL) are teeny-tiny book dispensaries found in train stations, on street corners, and other random public spaces. Though LFL etiquette recommends that you either put a chosen book back when you are finished with it or replace it with another title, such acts are entirely up to you. Who are we to judge?
Image courtesy of PR Newswire
These alliterative websites are both excellent places to find large selections of cheap books. Some even go for as low as 99 cents! Here’s looking at you, Macklemore…
Featured Image Courtesy of Yelp.