Books are expensive. 

From limited edition and hardcover copies to even the run-of-the-mill paperbacks, the price of books increased 7.7% over the past four years. While the never-ending TBR and walls lined with bookshelves may be your dream, without some bargain book shopping, you’re more likely to go broke before finishing your collection.

Pango Books
Pango Books is an online marketplace for peer-to-peer book sales. People from all over the country list pictures of their book, a short description, and name their price. Because of its nationwide popularity, there’s never a shortage of a certain book, and most often, the book is at a decent price. Keep in mind, with this site, sellers may charge between $3-5 per book for shipping, unless you meet a minimum order cost, set by each seller individually.

Book Outlet
The Canada-based bookseller Book Outlet is one of the best way to find bargain books. Book Outlet only stocks publisher overstock, meaning each of the books you order are brand new. Because they’re so heavily discounted, you may see a mark on the bottom of the spine, and the books you want are not always in stock. They’re based in Canada, so the books can take up to two weeks after ordering to arrive, and if your order doesn’t exceed $35, you’ll have to pay the $5 shipping fee. Unlike Pango, the shipping fee covers all books ordered.

Goodwill
Though it may seem a little odd to go thrift shopping for books, Goodwill and local thrift stores can be a great place to find current and vintage books. Obviously, the stock varies from store to store, and the condition of the books can sometimes be less than ideal. Generally, the prices stay low, and if you find a rare or limited edition copy, the price might be lower than in other places, as the stockers don’t know it’s value.

eBay
Most times, when you buy a used book from eBay, you’re buying from a Goodwill somewhere across the nation. These sellers pull the best condition and most popular book donations from their store and list them on eBay so they’ll reach more people and fetch more money. Rest assured, the prices are still very competitive to other used book sellers, and include pictures of the book, so you can see the quality of the book before ordering. 

Facebook Marketplace
If you’re willing to travel for books, Facebook Marketplace is a great place to find, buy, and swap books with other sellers throughout your metroplex. Often, sellers will list books as a lot, meaning you can buy more books for less, but you have to take every book, which can be a gamble. Other times, sellers will sell individual books, though it’s more rare, since the hassle of meeting and buying may not be worth it for one book. These books have already been read once, so don’t expect a perfect copy, but don’t expect to pay perfect book prices, either.