I’m in Canada, so options available in Canada are especially appreciated.

  • pdxfed@lemmy.world
    341·
    6 months ago

    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.

  • jqubed@lemmy.world
    7·
    6 months ago

    Are there any local bookstores near you still? I’m an American and we still have a few Barnes & Noble around, but there’s also at least one independent local bookstore that has a decent selection of new titles and can order most other titles currently available from publishers. They regularly have events with authors on tour, so that could be a way to find a store near you.

    • guyrocket@kbin.social
      5·
      6 months ago

      I appreciate local bookstores and brick and mortar B&N…BUT prices.

      Unfortunately online is much cheaper than in store.

      • Rolando@lemmy.world
        4·
        6 months ago

        Sure, there’s a price differential, but I think of it as a “cover charge” for going and hanging out in their bookstore.

        • guyrocket@kbin.social
          3·
          6 months ago

          If the difference were only a nominal % I might agree with you.

          When I bought the Complete Calvin and Hobbes the price at the local bookstore was about twice the online prices.

    • NotNotMike@programming.dev
      1·
      6 months ago

      I really like the concept, and I see a store on their list that I’ve been to several times recently. Really makes me realize how addicted to buying books online I’ve become, rather than going in person.

  • Moontress@lemm.ee
    6·
    6 months ago

    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.

  • NotNotMike@programming.dev
    5·
    6 months ago

    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.

  • owatnext@lemmy.world
    3·
    6 months ago

    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.

  • Kevin@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    6 months ago

    Maybe Thriftbooks? They do offer shipping to Canada but it’s not always cheap.

  • wmcduff@kbin.social
    2·
    6 months ago

    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.