I’m in Canada, so options available in Canada are especially appreciated.
Do you want free? Ask in the piracy mag.
I want to read on paper. There are already too many screens in my life.
Kobo isn’t bad.
I’m looking for hard copy books. Paper in my hands!
Maybe a local independent bookstore?
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.
Secondsale.com has treated me well
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.
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
My toxic trait is that I want to keep every book I ever read …
I hope you hire movers or never move
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.
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.
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.
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.
Biblio is a solid but not perfect
AbeBooks. Usually better prices than Amazon, too.
AbeBooks was bought by Amazon in 2008.
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
Book outlet! They’re based in Thorold Ontario. They don’t have everything but I always check them first.
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.
