The United States is a country with a rich and diverse book market. Whether it is paper books or e-books, there are a wide range of choices. But for book lovers, how to buy the books they like at a more affordable price and in a more convenient way is an important issue.
The book market in the United States is mainly divided into two categories: physical bookstores and online bookstores:
Physical bookstores: such as Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and independent bookstores.
Online bookstores: Amazon, Book Depository, ThriftBooks, etc. provide global delivery and a rich selection of books.
Bestsellers: They can be easily found on most online platforms and chain bookstores.
Professional books, such as textbooks or academic books, can be purchased on specialized websites or university bookstores.
Niche books: Independent bookstores or second-hand bookstores are usually a good choice.
Amazon is the largest online bookstore in the United States, covering almost all types of books.
Prime membership benefits: Join Amazon Prime to enjoy free and fast delivery, and some books can also enjoy discounts.
Kindle e-books: Amazon's Kindle devices and e-book library offer a large number of discounted books, and many classic works are even free.
Used books: Find cheap second-hand books through the "Used" option, which are usually in newer condition.
ThriftBooks is an online platform focusing on second-hand books, offering a variety of books at very low prices.
Loyalty program: Purchases of a certain amount can accumulate points and redeem free books.
Clear classification: Choose the right second-hand book based on the book status (such as "Like New" or "Acceptable").
IndieBound: A platform that supports independent bookstores, where you can find many niche or limited edition books.
Bookshop.org: Buy books online while supporting local independent bookstores.
Chegg: Provides services for renting and purchasing textbooks, and the prices are usually lower than those of university bookstores.
AbeBooks: Especially suitable for finding rare or second-hand textbooks.
Big discount days: Such as "Black Friday", "Cyber Monday" or Amazon Prime Day, a large number of books have deep discounts.
Barnes & Noble membership card: After paying to join, you can enjoy year-round discounts and free delivery.
Independent bookstore discounts: Pay attention to the membership programs or special events of local bookstores, sometimes you can enjoy additional discounts.
Honey plug-in: Automatically find and apply discount codes when browsing shopping websites.
Rakuten: Purchase books through cashback platform links and get partial cashback.
Second-hand books are more than 50% cheaper than new books, but the content is the same.
Reprints (such as Dover Thrift Editions) are even cheaper and suitable for classic literature lovers.
Kindle Unlimited: $9.99 per month, unlimited reading of millions of e-books, including popular novels and professional books.
Scribd: $11.99 per month, providing e-books, audiobooks and academic documents.
Audible: A subscription service focusing on audiobooks, suitable for readers who commute or want to cultivate the habit of listening to books.
Campus Book Rentals: Suitable for students to rent textbooks, with flexible rental periods and low prices.
Ziffit: Provides book rental and second-hand book sales services, suitable for users who need short-term reading.
The public library system in the United States is very developed, providing free or low-cost lending services:
Physical book lending: Most libraries allow free borrowing of books, just apply for a library card.
E-book platforms: Such as OverDrive and Libby, provide a large number of e-books and audiobooks for lending, and support multiple devices.
Many libraries and community centers hold "book exchange" activities, where you can exchange old books for new books.
Book of the Month Club: select a new book every month, and members get a better price.
Reese’s Book Club or Oprah’s Book Club: recommend high-quality book lists, and provide discounts on some books in cooperation with publishers.
Little Free Library: a community self-service library where you can take books for free or donate books.
Facebook Marketplace: purchase or exchange local book resources.
Goodreads: the world's largest book review and reader community platform, providing detailed book ratings and recommendations.
Amazon Book Review: comprehensive user reviews to help determine whether it is worth buying.
Most online bookstores allow users to try out some content to ensure that the book meets expectations.
Look for special editions through independent bookstores or online platforms that specialize in collecting books (such as AbeBooks or Alibris).
Go to auctions or book fairs to get signed or limited edition books.
If you are looking for non-US editions, you can try Book Depository (free global shipping) or contact international publishers directly.
In the United States, buying books is not only a cultural enjoyment, but also a manifestation of financial wisdom. By choosing the right book purchasing platform, taking advantage of discounts, exploring library resources, and flexibly using subscription services, you can get more high-quality books at a lower cost.
After mastering the tips introduced in this article, I believe you can not only create your own book paradise, but also explore the world of reading more freely and happily!
