Where To Buy Cheap Books

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If you’re an avid reader, the size of your home library can add up quickly — and so can the price. Thankfully, finding cheap books is easier than ever with increased access to online bookstores and independent sellers. 

In this article, I’ll take a close look at some resources where you can find new and used books online for not a lot of money. I visited each of the websites below to see what kind of books you’ll find there and how much you can expect to pay.

10 of the Best Places To Buy Cheap Books

While visiting your local library is one of the best ways to save money on books, there are many reasons you may prefer to own your own copies. If that’s the case, shopping for discounted new and used books is a great way to save. 

If you’re searching for a competitive price on a just-released or upcoming book, jump ahead to Books-A-Million. Otherwise, you’ll find a selection of bookstores below that offer unique and second-hand books for as low as $1. While you can search for specific titles on these websites, they’re great for book lovers to browse. With most of these resources, you can filter your search results by price to see the best deals.

Note that while each website offers books outside the prices indicated below, I discovered that each vendor offers a wide selection within the stated price ranges.   


1. AbeBooks

AbeBooks homepage

Price Range: $1-$5
Shipping: Varies by seller
Types of Books: Used books, rare and collectible books, textbooks

Owned by Amazon, AbeBooks is a marketplace to check out if you’re looking for cheap second-hand books or textbooks. When you visit the website, you can search for specific titles or click the “Browse Collections” tab to explore.

As you browse, you’ll find hardcover and paperback titles including novels, biographies, cookbooks, kids’ books and textbooks. In addition to cheap used books, you can also explore pricier rare books, collectibles and other unique finds. For the most interesting titles, be sure to check out the “Weird Book Room.

Shipping is free from a lot of sellers, but costs and speeds vary. The search results are also sorted based on the lowest total price by default, which makes it easy to save!


2. Alibris

Alibiris website homepage - online new and used bookstore

Price Range: $1-$15
Shipping: Free on eligible orders over $39; prices vary from independent sellers
Types of Books: Used and new books, recent best-sellers, rare and collectible books, textbooks

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Alibris was founded in 1997 to bring the power of e-commerce to independent booksellers. Now, you can use the website to find great prices on new and popular titles, buy used books as low as $1 directly from sellers and even rent textbooks.

Popular book categories include fiction, romance, cookbooks, kids’ books and mystery. In addition to books, you’ll also find music and movies for sale at Alibris. 

Click on the “Explore” tab to find featured reading lists and recent releases. Under the “Bargains” tab, you’ll find sub-categories for 99-cent books, coupon codes and discounted titles

Shipping is free for eligible items with orders over $39 from Alibris, but if you buy from an independent seller, shipping fees and delivery times vary. Lastly, be sure to subscribe to Alibris’ emails to get additional coupons. You’ll get a $5-off promo code simply for entering your email address.


3. Amazon

Amazon used books online

Price Range: $5-$10
Shipping: Free for Prime members on eligible orders; varies from independent sellers
Types of Books: Used and new books, recent best-sellers, collectibles, textbooks

Unsurprisingly, Amazon is a strong place to shop online for both new and used books. The company started in 1995 by selling only books. You can find Prime-eligible titles or purchase second-hand copies from independent sellers.

On the side of the web page, you’ll see a selection of genres to help you narrow your search results. Scroll down a little to see additional filters including condition (new or used), format and more. Select the “Today’s Deals” filter to see limited-time reduced pricing.

While there are tons of categories to browse, this is a website I’d recommend if you have a specific title in mind. With so many independent sellers, you’re almost sure to find what you’re looking for.

In addition to hardcover and paperback books, you’ll also see prices for Kindle eBooks and Audible audiobooks. In most cases, these formats are cheaper and sometimes free. 


4. Better World Books

Better World Books online homepage

Price Range: $5-$15
Shipping: Free
Types of Books: New and used books, recent best-sellers, textbooks

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Better World Books is another website that sells discounted new and used books and textbooks. You can browse several categories such as business, kids’ books, fiction, horror, mystery and self-help. You can also use the search bar to look for a particular title or author. 

For the best deals, check out the “Bargain Bin” and “Clearance Sale” pages. Unlike many other online bookstores, shipping is always free on this site

For every book sold, Better World Books donates a book to someone in need. The company also raises money for literacy and libraries.


5. Biblio

Biblio online bookseller website

Price Range: $2.50-$15
Shipping: Varies by seller
Types of Books: Used and new, rare and collectible books, textbooks

Biblio specializes in rare books, so it’s great if you’re looking for a particularly hard-to-find title.

You can search the website by keyword, author, title, ISBN or other options. You can also browse the specials to see the lowest prices and best deals.

While you can find higher price tags on special edition and collectible books, you’ll also find a great selection of cheap second-hand titles. When I visited the website, I clicked on “Discount Books” under the “Specials” tab and filtered by results with a maximum price of $5. There were more than 37,000 results! Most of them included free shipping.

While many books are eligible for free shipping, sellers set their own terms of sale and determine their own shipping rates. You can click on “Free Shipping” under the “Specials” tab to filter your results accordingly.


6. Books-A-Million

Books A Million online bookstore

Price Range: $5-$20
Shipping: $3 per order plus $0.99 per item
Types of Books: New books, anticipated best-sellers

If you’re looking for a good price on new and popular titles, Books-A-Million is worth checking out.

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Since this retailer doesn’t specialize in used books, you won’t see the lowest prices on this list. But you’ll find great prices on new copies of popular books and discounts on pre-orders

You can search the site for a specific book or browse categories including best-sellers, kids’ books, classics, and more. For the best deals, click on theBargain Books tab. There, you’ll see titles beginning as low as $3.97. 

Unfortunately, shipping isn’t free unless you pay for an annual membership. To avoid the fees, use the store finder to see if there’s a location near you and shop in person.


7. Daedalus Books

Daedalus Books online bookstore

Price Range: $1-$10
Shipping: $7.95
Types of Books: New books, recent best-sellers

Daedalus Books prides itself on offering quality books at bargain prices. You’ll find recent best-sellers, kids’ books, and hundreds of other fiction and non-fiction books.

The staff chooses from books offered by publishers as remainders every year to sell at extreme discounts. That means you can find new copies of last year’s best-sellers at great prices.

For the best deals, be sure to check out theLast Chance” tab. Nearly all of these books are available for $3 or less. In addition to books, you’ll find music and DVDs available on the site.

Standard shipping is $9.95. You can also choose from rush, two-day or overnight shipping options at additional costs. Lastly, be sure to sign up for the email list for an additional 10% off.


8. Half Price Books

Half Price Books cheap books online

Price Range: $2-$15
Shipping: $3.99 per item
Types of Books: Used and new books, recent best-sellers, textbooks

Half Price Books is another great bookstore that offers discounted prices on both new and used books as well as textbooks. 

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You can search for specific books or browse available titles by category or price. Scroll over the “Books” tab to see popular subjects, trending topics, and “superbuys” beginning with books under $2.

In addition to books, you’ll also find movies, TV shows and music. Shipping is $3.99 per item, but you can avoid the fees by shopping in-store. Use the online store locator to find a nearby location.

Like Better World Books, Half Price Books donates books to nonprofit organizations. The company’s goal is to donate 1 million books each year.


9. Powell’s Books

Powell's Books online bookstore for cheap new and used books

Price Range: $5-$30
Shipping: Free shipping on orders of $25 or more
Types of Books: New and used books, recent best-sellers, collectible books

Powell’s Books has brick-and-mortar stores in Oregon, but online you can browse a selection of more than 3 million new and used books.

You can use the search bar at the top of the website to look for a specific title or scroll over the “Browse” tab to check out new arrivals and best-sellers. You’ll find the best deals under the “Used” tab where you can filter your results by price.

Shipping is free on orders of $50 or more. For other orders, flat-rate shipping is $3.99 no matter how many books you buy.


10. Thriftbooks

Thriftbooks online bookseller for cheap new and used books

Price Range: $5-$25
Shipping: Free on orders of $10 or more
Types of Books: Used and new books, best-sellers, collectible books

Last but not least, Thriftbooks is another good option for finding discounted new and used books online. 

While some recent best-sellers (available only in new condition) can cost over $20, you’ll find an impressive collection of used titles under $5

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You can search for specific books using the search bar at the top of the webpage or scroll over the “Categories” and “Featured” tabs to browse. I visited the “ThriftBook Deals” page to find some of the best prices.

Shipping is free on orders of $10 or more. For orders under $10, shipping fees will cost $1.29 per item. 


Final Thoughts

Ultimately, there are tons of resources for finding discounted new and used books both online and nearby. In addition to visiting the websites listed above, check out your local library, thrift store or discount book store for more options.

If you do decide to shop online, see if the online bookstore where you’re shopping has an email list that you can subscribe to. You’ll most likely get a coupon for signing up, and you’ll get emails about sales in the future. 

Lastly, if shipping isn’t already free, try to combine your purchases to reach any minimum order total requirements or purchase all your books from the same seller to reduce the fees.

Where do you buy cheap new or used books? Let us know in the comments below!

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