What are the best alternatives to Amazon for buying new (or used) books?
What are the best alternatives to Amazon for buying new (or used) books?
I'm in Canada, so options available in Canada are especially appreciated.
It doesn't answer your specific question and isn't meant to be preachy, just want to say that I'm shocked more people don't use public libraries for books they don't want to keep forever. Check it out as often as you want, no need to keep it on a shelf, if you really love it, then buy it.
My toxic trait is that I want to keep every book I ever read ..
I hope you hire movers or never move
You don’t even have to go there! Ebooks and audiobooks are widely available through libraries too. Depending on your area you might also have access to free language programs or classes on other subjects. Emedia has really taken off with libraries.
I use the Libby app with my library card for digital loaned books and audiobooks, maybe the same system works with Canadian libraries
Are there any local bookstores near you still? I’m an American and we still have a few Barnes & Noble around, but there’s also at least one independent local bookstore that has a decent selection of new titles and can order most other titles currently available from publishers. They regularly have events with authors on tour, so that could be a way to find a store near you.
But you're better off coming down to Portland and visiting the mothership in person.
I haven't been (to PDX) since before the pandemic. Powell's is an excellent reason to change that.
If you want to support local book stores, you can use bookshop.org. not sure how that affiliate outside the US though
I really like the concept, and I see a store on their list that I've been to several times recently. Really makes me realize how addicted to buying books online I've become, rather than going in person.
Well there's always Indigo, they're not much better than Amazon but they do have a comparable selection. If you're in Toronto, BMV has decent prices and variety of books, mainly paperbacks editions though. They're website isn't mobile friendly so in-store is the way to go.
Secondsale.com has treated me well
Book outlet! They're based in Thorold Ontario. They don't have everything but I always check them first.
Looks worth checking whenever I'm looking for a book, but their catalog is very limited.
Really surprised nobody has mentioned Better World Books yet. Good selection of books, most of the used books seem to be former library books, and they (at least claim) to donate books to charity with every purchase.
You can get really cool books for really cheap with their bargain bin sales too.
I've also tried ThriftBooks but I got too many bad copies - one book, Lord of the Flies, which was owned by a high schooler and had writing on every single page of the book and another book which clearly had urine of some kind on it judging by how obsessed my cat was with the yellow stain on the spine. Their edition picker is also terrible, very similar to the way Amazon handles their options to where different editions are all smashed into one page.
I use www.ethicalbooksearch.com to find the best second hand options in the UK. You can change your location to Canada, for which they say they search Awesome Books, Better World Books, Biblio and ebooks.
I just want to let you know that abebooks is owned by Amazon.
Last book I bought online was from Wob. World of Books. I don't think they are owned by Amazon.
Kobo isn’t bad.
I'm looking for hard copy books. Paper in my hands!
Maybe a local independent bookstore?
Facebook marketplace for used books and used goods in general. Lots of good quality basically new stuff on there for cheap. I guess because so many Canadians just buy stuff without thinking and then it piles up and they need to make space.
Some neighbourhoods also have some boxes on posts (not sure what they’re called, they resemble mailboxes) where people can take and give away books for free as well.
You can also type ‘bookstores’ in google maps and seeing what local stores will come up.
Maybe Thriftbooks? They do offer shipping to Canada but it's not always cheap.
Abe books. Ebay. If the book is new, bookshop dot org.
But 💯 thriftbooks
Abe books is owned by Amazon :(
Biblio is a solid but not perfect
Yeah, looks like they have a pretty good selection. Thanks!
powells.com. Largest independent bookstore in the world, they ship to Canada, but it ain't gonna be particularly cheap i'm guessing.
If you want digital books the high seas provide plenty now.
I hate screens. I read on paper whenever I can. However, yeah, sometimes only digital is available (or available at a reasonable price).
Do you want free? Ask in the piracy mag.
I want to read on paper. There are already too many screens in my life.
Depending on what kinds of books you're into: https://www.pmpress.org/ https://www.akpress.org/
Tangential but I really wish audiobooks were accompanied by e-books that were keyword searchable.
So often I'm thinking of a passage in a book I want to reference. Can sometimes find by googling but not always.
AbeBooks. Usually better prices than Amazon, too.
AbeBooks was bought by Amazon in 2008.
Alibris for used? They're independent. For new, if you have a local bookstore, I'd go with them first. If not, depends on your province. There's probably a largish bookstore in the provincial capital that will ship.
For Germany, just in case.
Gebraucht:
Neu:
From my experience, rebuy has also been good for used books and other media: https://www.rebuy.de/
A lot of Amazon used book sales go through Powells or AbeBooks.
Could just go direct.
Canuckian results from www.DuckDuckGo.com include..
( I'm just copy/pasting interesting-looking links: I haven't experience with these, but am just saving you some clicks : )
https://chatelaine.com/living/independent-bookstores-canada/
https://www.savvynewcanadians.com/best-bookstore-toronto/
( they are the Canadian equivalent to Am & B&N: they bought & wrecked Chapters, years ago )
https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/home
https://www.renaud-bray.com/home.aspx
http://pulpfictionbooksvancouver.com/
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