Where to buy cheap second-hand books

Browsing for bargain books has never been easier. Whether you prefer to shop online or you love to spend hours searching through bookshelves, the choices are endless. The following article looks at few ways to help you hunt down cheap second-hand books.

Charity shops and jumble sales

One of the best ways to find real bargain books is to check out the charity shops. With donations coming in everyday, they usually have an endless supply of titles. They are particularly good for paperback fiction and children’s books. Oxfam even have stores that are purely dedicated to second-hand books. Look in your local newspaper or shop windows for details about upcoming jumble sales. Schools, churches and community organisations are always holding fundraising events, and books tend to be exceptionally cheap.

Second-hand book stores

Most cities and towns usually have a few second-hand book stores which will stock lots of cheap bargains as well as out of print or hard to find books. The beauty of shopping in these stores is that the staff is usually very knowledgeable and will know exactly where to look for, if you are trying to track down something in particular. The stores can also be a great place to sell your books if your bookcases have started to groan under the weight of your reading material. Check out the yellow pages or search online for shops nearest to you.

Online

If you know exactly what you are looking for, then perhaps the easiest way to look for books for sale is to go online. Amazon offers the option of buying cheap new or second-hand books from different sellers. It supplies a description of the condition of the book. You can find most popular paperbacks for just one penny, though you will have to pay for postage. AbeBooks offers a similar service.

A weekend book break

If you’re passionate about books and love nothing more than spending your free time browsing bookshelves, then you must visit the lovely town of Hay-on-Wye on the English and Welsh border. This pretty little town has become world famous for its second-hand and antiquarian bookshops. There are about thirty major bookshops in the town, some specialising whilst others carrying general stock. It also hosts an international literature festival every year. If you love books, then you have to visit this charming place.