Used Books UK Search – Find Second Hand & Rare Books at the Best Price in the UK

Where to find used books in the UK

Despite the rise of screen time, an old-fashioned book read is still a popular option. According to polling by YouGov, two in five of us enjoy feeding our minds with a spot of page turning once a week.

Bookshelves across the UK are bulging. E-readers and the like have lightened the load, but physical books are still in demand, especially if they’re rare and collectible. Maybe those books were bought brand spanking new. Or perhaps they were a pre-owned bargain. Such volumes are always going to be bought and sold. But if you’re interested in getting involved in the book market, how do you go about doing it…?

Your choices are many and varied, and require careful navigation. Which of course is where we come in! Our guide to the best used book sites in the UK shows you the definitive destinations and prices.

NARROWING IT DOWN…

With so much to grab your attention, you need to get to the heart of matter. Ideally as quickly as possible. So a good search engine is key. We’re not talking about Google, though that is very useful!

This is great. Many places have their own search facilities prominently displayed. An in-depth, no nonsense site is just the job when beginning to look for the right title, or a book in the area you’re after.

It’s also a must when working out the best price. Sellers are typically wise to what the volume is worth, as like you they’ll have surfed the web to find those answers. Should you be looking to save, a comprehensive search will rapidly identify something within your price range.

By focusing not only on the book title and author, but also keywords and that all important ISBN number, you really save time, and discover options you never knew were out there before. An underrated aspect of search engines is they introduce you to new things, as well as clue you up on the best that’s available…

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME…

Many charity shops focus their operations on books. Walking into one, you might be forgiven for thinking you were in a bookshop, with whole floors devoted to thousands of tomes.

Which are the best? Used book sellers such as Oxfam have run successful online operations for years. They’ve built up a wealth of specialist knowledge and can be consulted on whatever you’re looking for, from a fabulous first edition to an obscure and dog-eared text.

These and other charity shop outlets are still flying the flag for used books in the UK. With the decline of precious resources such as libraries, they offer people with limited budgets access to the world’s finest books. Ignore them at your reading peril…

INCREDIBLE INDIES…

While we’re on the subject, spare a thought for the country’s second hand bookshops. Like Oxfam, they conduct a significant amount of business online.

What does an indie bookshop offer that other places don’t? Charity shops are amazing, but for a true readers’ fix then a dedicated bookshop is the place to go. Operating with often meagre resources, they do things with love, which is something you don’t get from some of the bigger players. They offer competitive pricing and while you’re unlikely to pick up something for peanuts, there might be a deal on the table if you want to try haggling for a bundle.

Where’s your local bookseller? Organizations such as the Booksellers Association provide a comprehensive rundown of locations if you’re after a spot of intellectual retail therapy…

THE RIGHT SITE…

Ultimately, wherever your destination online, it’s a matter of finding the right website for you. Some are content with a trip to Amazon. Others want something more off the beaten track in cyberspace.

If you’re looking to sell as well as buy, then eBay – or similar site – makes a good all round place to do some book shopping and offload quality used reads along the way.

A quick tip. First editions aren’t always the best picks. For example, the hallowed heights of Shakespeare’s Folio (Collected Works) are actually worth more in their third edition. This is due to this version being caught up in the notorious Great Fire of London (1666).

Condition is key. Any website worth its salt will have info on the condition of the books you’re purchasing. A used book shouldn’t mean something that looks like an animal has attacked it! Though if you really want the book, maybe it’s worth a bit of scruffiness.

Whether you’re looking for the Bard or David Baldacci, these sites give you the complete lowdown. From the thorough search engine of Used Book Search, to the vast knowledge base of Alibris, you can make a selection with confidence…