We buy quite a few books a year from Thriftbooks. Then, a couple times a year, we cull the books we don’t need to keep and drop those books off at our local library. The library has an auxiliary volunteer group that sells the books and uses the money to support the library. A nice recycle system!
Not Breaking Dawn in the rare books section!!! *cries in old* This was such a great deep dive. I've used Thriftbooks for a while and didn't know many of the things you wrote about here, like their buyback program and how most of their books come from Goodwill, where I usually offload books I didn't like and are just sitting around.
I recently bought an original mass-market paperback of Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World that ended up having annotations from previous readers in them. It felt so special. Now I'm like an addict, I keep ordering from them hoping I'll get another one that was previously loved like that.
RIGHT? I was like, whew, didn't expect that to be considered ~vintage~ already.
Annotated copies and those with inscriptions on the inner cover are some of my most cherished books. I recently bought a copy of Romeo & Juliet that had an inscription from the owner's lover, and it made my entire week. I lowkey hope to keep finding books like that, too—I guess it's good that sites like ThriftBooks let you pick books in "good" and "acceptable" condition, hehe
I love this! Whenever my local library system doesn't have a book that I'm compelled to read, I look for it on Thriftbooks or Better World Books. This January, I bought a biography of Louisa May Alcott that came with a bookplate from the Orchard House museum tucked inside.
Love ThriftBooks and love this! I just have one qualm with their practice: the stickers that they put on the spines of each book. They look unappealing and aren’t easy to remove. But I guess quite necessary given the storage system you describe! So cool that you got to check it out.
I honestly didn't even think about this! I love "signs of use" on books (inscriptions, dog-ears, underlines, highlights, etc) so I guess it's never really crossed my mind, but I can definitely see how they'd soil an otherwise aesthetically pleasing bookshelf. I wonder why they don't use easy-to-remove stickers - my local bookstore uses them, so I know they exist!
Yes! I've sold some books I was ready to let go and I've bought books as well. It's been really great for books I needed to get for my book club. And if I didn't end up liking one, I just relisted it when I was done!
It was fun reading this post. I’ve spent a lot of time finding places to shop that are not Amazon. During my book search, I discovered ThriftBooks and immediately downloaded the app. You just shared so many wonderful things and I can’t wait to support them! ☺️
Well you've taught me something new, too - I had no idea ThriftBooks had an app! Thanks so much for the sweet words, I'm really glad you liked this article :)
I love thriftbooks, so jealous you got to visit! I use them as my amazon alternative (had to cut out AbeBooks but mostly find thriftbooks has everything they do) for older books that my library doesn't have or are only available for reference. It's an addicting site between the selection and the prices 😩
Isn't it such a cool resource?! I'm so glad to meet someone who uses it as a library backup like I do, lol. I'm very much trying to make a majority of my reads library loans, but when I can't get it there, an inexpensive used copy feels very special :)
This was a fantastic read, I’ve loved thriftbooks for ages and am so happy to hear they’re as wonderful as I could have hoped. Thanks for sharing!
Isn't it such a relief?! Thanks for the kind words :')
We buy quite a few books a year from Thriftbooks. Then, a couple times a year, we cull the books we don’t need to keep and drop those books off at our local library. The library has an auxiliary volunteer group that sells the books and uses the money to support the library. A nice recycle system!
I’m a dire hard thriftbooks lover because I can find very specific covers. The hunt satisfies my biological need to hunt & gather 😂
Not Breaking Dawn in the rare books section!!! *cries in old* This was such a great deep dive. I've used Thriftbooks for a while and didn't know many of the things you wrote about here, like their buyback program and how most of their books come from Goodwill, where I usually offload books I didn't like and are just sitting around.
I recently bought an original mass-market paperback of Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World that ended up having annotations from previous readers in them. It felt so special. Now I'm like an addict, I keep ordering from them hoping I'll get another one that was previously loved like that.
RIGHT? I was like, whew, didn't expect that to be considered ~vintage~ already.
Annotated copies and those with inscriptions on the inner cover are some of my most cherished books. I recently bought a copy of Romeo & Juliet that had an inscription from the owner's lover, and it made my entire week. I lowkey hope to keep finding books like that, too—I guess it's good that sites like ThriftBooks let you pick books in "good" and "acceptable" condition, hehe
I love this! Whenever my local library system doesn't have a book that I'm compelled to read, I look for it on Thriftbooks or Better World Books. This January, I bought a biography of Louisa May Alcott that came with a bookplate from the Orchard House museum tucked inside.
That sounds so beautiful! 😭
Love ThriftBooks and love this! I just have one qualm with their practice: the stickers that they put on the spines of each book. They look unappealing and aren’t easy to remove. But I guess quite necessary given the storage system you describe! So cool that you got to check it out.
I honestly didn't even think about this! I love "signs of use" on books (inscriptions, dog-ears, underlines, highlights, etc) so I guess it's never really crossed my mind, but I can definitely see how they'd soil an otherwise aesthetically pleasing bookshelf. I wonder why they don't use easy-to-remove stickers - my local bookstore uses them, so I know they exist!
I want to live in that warehouse!! Do you know about PangoBooks? It’s like poshmark but for books! Another great option!
I hadn't heard of it before writing this feature, but now I really want to try it! Have you bought/sold through Pango before?
Yes! I've sold some books I was ready to let go and I've bought books as well. It's been really great for books I needed to get for my book club. And if I didn't end up liking one, I just relisted it when I was done!
me and thrift books are besties! this was a fab read. I want to go to AZ just to visit the warehouse!
Ur so badass!! A dream it must have been walking through their warehouse. Having a baby who's very rough with books, ThriftBooks is our bff!
It was fun reading this post. I’ve spent a lot of time finding places to shop that are not Amazon. During my book search, I discovered ThriftBooks and immediately downloaded the app. You just shared so many wonderful things and I can’t wait to support them! ☺️
Well you've taught me something new, too - I had no idea ThriftBooks had an app! Thanks so much for the sweet words, I'm really glad you liked this article :)
BRB flying to Arizona so that we can go to the Thriftbooks warehouse together MY DREAM.
Fascinating article! I loved hearing how thriftbooks works. I’m excited to delve into the buyback program.
I'm a new convert to Thriftbooks and was so excited to see your behind-the-scenes tour. Thanks!
I love thriftbooks, so jealous you got to visit! I use them as my amazon alternative (had to cut out AbeBooks but mostly find thriftbooks has everything they do) for older books that my library doesn't have or are only available for reference. It's an addicting site between the selection and the prices 😩
Isn't it such a cool resource?! I'm so glad to meet someone who uses it as a library backup like I do, lol. I'm very much trying to make a majority of my reads library loans, but when I can't get it there, an inexpensive used copy feels very special :)
I love Thrift books!
Abe Nooks is my go to. I enjoyed your article!