If you are a reader, you know how important it is to collect your own precious books, but you also know how that hobby can get expensive real fast. Building a perfectly looking bookshelf with all of your favorite books, going book shopping with a friend, and searching the internet for that one story you are thrilled to read is all part of the reader experience.
I’ve recently stopped getting books from the library and started collecting my own. And quickly noticed how fast reading was draining my money. Buying every single book in hard cover for over 20 dollars at the book shop was not going to do it for me anymore. So, I quickly found ways to keep my hobby on a budget.
2nd & Charles
With a limitless stock, 2nd and Charles has all types of both new and 2nd hand books, all at affordable prices and good quality. To me, the most worth part is the second hand books. They have them next to the new popular books for almost every single one. Their quality is not top ten, but still their price sometimes makes it worth it.
Goodwill
Goodwill is widely known for its book section. In my opinion, this is the best place to get books if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Surprisingly, every time I’ve gone, I found many popular and new addition books I was interested in, in very good condition. There, I can fill up a bag of like-new books and spend less than 15 dollars.
Book Outlet
When I found out about this website through a friend, my jaw dropped. All of the most popular books, new releases, hardcovers, and, to top it off, all in amazing condition. It doesn’t even feel fair! Buying a new release hardcover for $5.99 should be something only possible in dreams. If you are not in a rush to read your book and can wait a week for the delivery to arrive, this is certainly a valid option!
Amazon
Amazon as always makes the list! And it is surely one of the easiest options. With limitless options, Amazon offers both brand new and secondhand items at surprising prices. It does have the downside of having to wait. However, from certain sellers, books can arrive in less than 24 hours after purchase.
If you can’t wait for the deals, though, borrowing from the library is always an option. I’ve done this for a very long time. Buying just one book forces you to buy the entire collection; you also have to invest in sturdy bookshelves to hold your treasures. These things build up, especially if you read multiple books a month.
However, if you do decide to keep your collection going like me, go with Amazon if you want the easy route, Goodwill and 2nd & Charles if you are not looking for anything specific, and Book Outlet if you want a ridiculously good deal.
To sum it up, good deals on books can be found in many places if you look hard enough. Even grocery stores like Walmart and Target have good collections at decent prices. Just avoiding popular bookstores is a good idea sometimes; they seem to enjoy raising their prices.
