Used Books, New Favorites: Where I Find My Best Reads

 

I was born to love secondhand things and I wasn’t forced to, by any means; I just genuinely enjoy finding “old” items that have been well-loved in another life before me. I grew up thinking old glass bottles were treasure, you know? This, of course, applied to books as well, and I can remember hunting for cracked spines as a kid at antique shops and yard sales long before I realized there were places like Barnes and Noble.

These days, the thrill hasn’t worn off. If anything, it’s gotten better because now I know where to look. Below are a few of my favorite places to find used books, both locally and online. Some are charming shops I’ve stumbled across in Missouri. Others are tried-and-true online sources I return to again and again. Finding a much sought-after used title always reminds me of why I love books in the first place: the joy of the hunt, the weight of a good story, and the feeling that you’re right where you’re supposed to be when the magic strikes.

•  First Stop: Yellow Dog Bookshop (Columbia, Missouri)

This treasure is tucked along South 9th Street in CoMO, with shelves packed full of well-loved books by genre. I find something to bring home every time I visit and truly enjoy disappearing into the hum of cracked spines, with traffic and college students mulling about outside the door. Stepping down the ramp, you find books from the minute you pass over the threshold, with a healthy selection of Missouri-authors nearby.

Into poetry? Got it. Into YA? Got it. Into military history? Got it.

Prices are incredibly reasonable and, while I've never utilized it, they offer a buying + trading program via appointment. Their note: *Check our Facebook page for the most up to date announcements about Buying & Trading or call the shop to confirm.

They also offer the option to shop online, with both new inventory posted and Yellow Dog merch & gift certificates. (They have the cutest Yellow Dog tote bag that I've been eyeballing lately.)

Their book box subscription is so much fun and you receive super unique goodies - I did it for a few years and cancelled when I made the move south but would love to jump back onboard. If you're a mood reader or love spontaneous blind-dates-with-a-book, this is the perfect subscription for you.

Check out their Instagram for reading recommendations, inventory updates, and their fun rotating window displays!

• Next Stop: Retold Tales (Holts Summit, Missouri)

New to me but definitely not new to others, I first discovered this spot over the past summer! My favorite part about Retold Tales? Their discount offers. Check this out:

In short, the more books you buy the more money you save! We currently offer the following discounts:

When you purchase 5+ Items you receive 5% off your purchase.

When you purchase 10+ Items you receive 10% off your purchase.

When you purchase 20+ Items you receive 20% off your purchase.

Retold Tales involves a hunt but that's why I dig it. Fiction is sorted via author, so having a wishlist or TBR list comes in handy. Nonfiction is sorted by subject and I absolutely adore their backrooms (filled to the brim) of art history, political science, and cookbooks. They also have a middle room stocked full of children's, middle grade, and YA; I've found additions to series in my classroom library for super cheap and some great nonfiction books for research reports on historical figures and different biomes.

They have a really wonderful "entry table" (I usually check out their updates on Facebook) that rotates seasonally, with featured reads and recommendations. It greets you first thing and really sets you up for a warm welcome. The staff is friendly and helpful, especially if you're looking for something specific, and willing to talk trade-ins, too.

• Online Stop: Thriftbooks (Link here.)

Wanna talk the best deals online? Thriftbooks is my go-to and has been since 2014. I'm going to embarrass myself here but, in the last 11 years, I've spent +$2300.00 at this online shop. (Listen...that's A LOT of well-loved, excellent used-condition books that have exchanged hands in both the classroom setting and via my own personal library. I'll hear no vile exclamations of shock!)

Have a pre-teen flying through a graphic novel series? Need a few paperbacks for your next vacation that already bends and curls? Working on a sort-by-color bookshelf and need a few fun additions? Thriftbooks offers books in multiple conditions: "New", "Like New", "Very Good", "Good", and "Acceptable". They also have books which were once library editions and have different binding types/cover protectors, etc.

Prices vary based on condition but the coolest part? Free shipping after you spend $15. Typically, that equates to adding four or five books to your cart and BOOM! Free shipping, as the cherry on top.

Are you a teacher? They have a really great teacher promo:

Verified Educators Earn Free Books at ThriftBooks!

ThriftBooks is proud to offer educators a free used book (valued at $7 or less) with every four book purchase!

Trust me, it's addictive. 

(There's also librarian benefits, if that applies.)

Right now, they're hosting their "Kids Book Fair", with books as low as $2.99 in amazing condition. I've already started a library for our little person who will arrive in February and I'm loving browsing all the children's books. 

Last, but not least, their rewards program: ReadingRewards. Earn points for purchasing, get free books along the way. There are four different tiers to earn through and perks for each:

• New-Favorite Stop: Bloom and Bindings (Boonville, Missouri)

Continually on the hunt for used books that still hold the wispy-sparkle of that new book smell? Bloom and Bindings is going to be your new bestie-for-the-restie. Seriously, this place has so much character and personality; I feel like Boonville's Main Street has a natural charm to it anyway and B+B just adds a reader's flair into the mix.

Amanda's social media presence makes the shop feel welcoming, even if you've never stepped inside, and has a warmth to it only "book people" know. Alongside new editions and excellent used-books, you'll also find: a fresh tea bar, Bones Coffee Company features, an expanded reading space with vinyl records, (seasonal) plants, décor, and more. 

(Side note: The witty, somewhat snarky sense of humor in both the Facebook posts and inventory selections crack me up. If you are a sarcastic person who likes a little "bite" in your funny, you'll love some of the random things you'll find!)

Check this beautiful (seriously, so aesthetic) stop out from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. After your browse, ask the staff where they'd suggest going next to enjoy Boonville's vibes - last time I asked, they gave me such great ideas of other stores to check out and where to get lunch.

• Random Stops: Garage sales, thrift stores, etc.

Y'all know the drill. A shelf full of yellowing paperbacks at a thrift store? I'm browsing anyway. Random table of old Zane Grey's in some Paw-Paw's garage? I'm flipping through them. I have found some of my favorite treasures via other book lovers who are having to de-haul/de-stash. This is also where a lot of good deals can be bargained and bartered. (I'm not always very good at this because, duh, take my money!) 

When Shane and I eloped, one of my favorite memories was a bookstore I stumbled across in Ouray. Shout out to Ouray Books!) While I browsed this really neat, subterranean bookstore for poetry and history books - Shane wandered to a nearby garage sale. He scored a copy of a book as a gift to someone else (that he'd been on the watch for) and, for some reason, I found magic in in: traveling three states away and finding something spontaneous like that? Kind of cool.

What about you? What's some of your favorite places to score used books?

--> If they're storefronts: Have car, will travel - send me some of your recommendations for day-trips in Missouri. (Or Iowa. Or Illinois. Or Arkansas... you get my drift.)

--> If they're online shops: link below in a comment and I'll hide the receipt from my husband, so you won't be an accessory.

Have a great weekend -

B