Buying books can be expensive, especially new books. There are a lot of digital options that are far more inexpensive, convenient, and take up less space, but we are old fashioned. Over the years, I became very good at finding inexpensive books because as a former elementary school teacher, I had to be very creative in getting books to build up my classroom library. I also buy a lot of books for my husband who loves to read. Here are some of my favorite ways to buy inexpensive books. You can use these ideas to buy new or used books for your own library, a classroom library, or for a gift.
1. Thriftbooks
Thriftbooks is the largest used bookseller in the world. This is my go to website to find used books or new books at a discounted price. I also find that their books are very comparable to Amazon if not cheaper. They also have a great rewards program. It is free to join. If you sign up using my referring link you will get a free book when you spend $30 or more on your first order. Click here for the referral link.
2. Amazon
Like Thrift Books you can buy new and used books. Many third parties sell on Amazon, so you can get books for cheap that are new or used, even Catholic books. If you do purchase through a third party, it may take longer than the 2-day prime shipping. You can see the estimated arrival of each item, before you “add to cart.”
3. Antique Stores, Thrift Stores, Used Book Stores
If you have a bit more time to comb through books, this might be an option for you. When I was trying to build my classroom library, I would go to local thrift stores and used book stores to find inexpensive children’s books. You can also find an array of topics, more so at your local used book store than your thrift store. But you can find both. If you are looking for specifically children’s books I would start looking in the summer to early fall (September) at your local thrift stores. Sometimes they will put out more children’s books.
4. City Libraries
Some city libraries will have used books for sale. Sometimes it will be library books that they had at that library, but most times, it will be books donated. You can get some books really cheap, especially children’s books. I have even heard of people getting children’s books as cheap as 25 cents!
5. Buy Nothing Group
If you are on Facebook, you can join your local Buy Nothing Group. These groups are based on geographic location, so you never have to travel far. You can ask people for any books and they will give them to you for free. This is such a great way to get children’s books, especially when families grow out of theirs and they want to give them away.
6. Garage Sales, Teacher Sales, Estate Sales
Another good way to find books is at garage sales, teacher sales, or estate sales. My husband and I often find religious books for cheap at estate sales. In fact, we bought an antique Bible for $1. Garage sales are ways to find any kind of books. If you are specifically looking to find children’s books, you want to find teacher sales. It is like a garage sale, but for teachers. You can find local garage, teacher, and estate sales through Craigslist, Facebook, Google searches, or just driving by.
7. Tan Books
Tan Books is a Catholic publishing company. Each month, they have $5 sale on selected books. These books are not your clearance books. These are books that are popular on their website and often recently released books. Some of my favorite books are on these sales. Each month it does change, so you want to check back often. Shipping charges are less than $5.
8. Ollie’s
Ollie’s is a brick-and-mortar store that sells discounted items that are either closeout or excess inventory items. You can find a lot of inexpensive new books here from children’s picture books, chapter books, Christian books, fiction, cookbooks, etc.
