Buying new books, yes, but why not second-hand? Sometimes it’s a question of money, and sometimes it’s to contribute to a good cause that we buy second-hand books. It’s important to remember that a second-hand book can be as good as new if the person who bought it before just read it and didn’t damage it. So why not give that book a second life? Here, we’ll look at a list of stores that resell used books.
As for resale, here’s my article: HERE
Buy Online
MOMOX :
On the Momox website, you can buy used books quickly and easily. You can choose the condition of the book: “as new”, “very good condition”, “good condition” or “acceptable”. You can also choose by writer, theme, price or format.
Suffice to say, there’s plenty to choose from. You’ll find all kinds of books, and you’ll be able to treat yourself at a low price, which is really appreciated.
What’s great about their site is that you can find novels as well as law or gardening books, for example. You can also buy CDs, video games, films and more.
Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, all you have to do is add the book(s) to your basket, then click on “buy”.
Delivery is free in France, with no minimum order! Orders are delivered by post between 5 and 8 working days.
So it’s quick and easy, and with free delivery I’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Here’s the website HERE
The Bourse Aux Livres :
This is a 100% French book resale and repurchase platform. Their aim is to offer a local solution that minimizes the ecological impact of book sales.
Simply go to the “la bourse aux livres” website and click on the menu at the top of the “boutique en ligne” page. This will take you to the book sales page.
Here you can search by filter, i.e. book condition, format and theme. But you can also search by “best sellers”, by new releases, or by “bon plan”.
There’s plenty of choice, whether for children, teenagers or adults.
There are also what they call “flash deals”, i.e. 2 books bought for 1 book free with the code CKDO21.
Delivery is free, and there’s a money-back guarantee for up to 14 days after receipt of the books.
Here’s the direct link HERE
KIWIBOOK :
It’s a French online bookshop specializing in buying and reselling between individuals.
When you get to the main page, all you have to do is click on “buy”, then you can start searching either by title or by theme.
To buy, however, you need to create an account. Once you’ve found the book you’re looking for, click on “buy” and you’ll be taken to the seller’s page. At this point, you chat with the seller to validate the sale. And, if you wish, you can negotiate the price with the seller.
Then, all the Kiwibook member has to do is ship the book.
This option may not suit everyone, as the principle of having to contact a seller by chat is different from the simple purchase via another platform. But it can allow you to negotiate the price, chat with a seller and make the digital part more human.
Here’s their website HERE
GIBERT :
For Gibert’s online bookshop, click on “Books” then refine your options and choose the category “books / top second-hand” or “books / bargains” or “new books at reduced prices”.
This is quite interesting, because even if you don’t want to look for a second-hand book, but are looking for a particular book, when you click on the book’s page, it shows you the new price, and if it’s available second-hand, it also shows you the price. And, let’s face it, in some cases there’s a big price difference. Like, for example, a new book priced at 20 euros, but available second-hand at 12 euros.
As far as options are concerned, you can choose the maximum price, the theme, the format, the author and, of course, the condition.
It’s worth noting that each item has its own availability displayed on the product sheet, which means that the product can be delivered in 24 hours or 3 weeks.
You need to have an account to order, as you’ll be asked for your delivery address. You can choose the delivery method you prefer: Colissimo, Mondial Relay, etc.
With Gibert, you can also Click and Collect and have your order delivered to your store. However, you’ll need to check beforehand whether the book is available in your store. If the book in question is available in your store, all you have to do is go to them and pay directly on the spot.
Their website HERE
RECYCLIVRE :
Once you’re on the home page, click on the “access the store” tab.
This takes you to the used book resale page, where you can search by title in the search bar, or by author. You can also search by theme on the left-hand side.
To purchase, you need to create an account. You’ll receive your book(s) within 3 to 7 days, which is pretty quick.
As far as delivery is concerned: either you choose “standard” delivery, which is included in the sale price and is therefore “free”, or you choose another option such as Colissimo with or without signature, but these last two options are subject to a charge.
When you use Recyclivre, you’re committing yourself to an ecological, supportive and humane approach. They promote social integration, are members of the 1% for the planet network, and also have zero waste packaging: they have developed packaging that has become the first carbon-negative pouch, it is 100% French and is of course environmentally friendly.
Buying from Recyclivre means doing something for the planet.
Here is the link to the online store HERE
Livre En Poche :
The “livrenpoche” website belongs to Book Hémisphères. Book Hémisphères is a non-profit-making Cooperative Society of Collective Interest (SCIC).
The aim of Book Hémisphères is to give new life to books and other cultural products, while helping people back into employment. Its activities are based on the circular economy, and range from collection to sorting and multi-channel sales.
They thus promote the circular economy, social and professional integration, access to culture for all and their citizen, participative and territorial action with the cooperative.
To buy one or more books, type the name of the book in the search bar, or search the left-hand column by theme, price, format and/or condition.
In the left-hand column, you’ll find a “specials & bargains” tab, where you can even find books for as little as 1 euro.
Delivery is free for orders over 20 euros. Otherwise, it’s 1.99 euros at a relay point up to a purchase of 20 euros.
Click HERE to see their website.
The”Bouquinerie Du Sart” :
Their online sales site is “librairie solidaire”. It’s a work-based integration association created in October 2015. It is based in Villeneuve d’Ascq.
Their aim is to give work to people who are currently housed in accommodation centers in the Lille metropolitan area.
Once on the website, all you have to do is type the title of the book or the name of the author into the search bar, or click on the left-hand bar to choose your theme.
Delivery is free for orders over 25 euros. Delivery is made to a relay point. We’re really into low prices here. There are lots of books for 1, 2 or 3 euros.
If you ever want to donate your books, don’t hesitate. Whether you live in Lille, you can donate directly or by post. For every 10 books donated, you give 1 hour’s work in their workshop, helping to promote professional integration. What’s more, you don’t pay for postage. They send you a Mondial Relay label to print at home. And as a thank you, you’ll receive vouchers for the value of your books.
Click HERE to see their website.
Emmaüs :
You have to go to the “label emmaus” website. On this site, you can buy anything, but here we’re talking about books. Just click on “bookshop”. Then all you have to do is sort by price, category, theme, author, etc.
On this site, there are several stores selling, so you can, for example, buy a book from a store in Eastern France and another from a store in Paris. Delivery methods are indicated under each item.
For shipping costs, here’s a link that explains the rates: Emmaüs shipping costs
You can find what you’re looking for among all the books available. And do a good deed at a low price.
HERE is the website to buy online.
Buy in Store
The BIBLIOVORE :
There are several stores in France: Poitiers, Tours, Blois, Orléans, Angers and Limoges.
In these stores, you’ll find only second-hand books in excellent condition. This is the principle of the circular economy and eco-responsibility.
The special feature of these stores is that: 1 book costs 3 euros and 4 books cost 10 euros. So no matter which book you choose, it’s always 3 euros a book.
They’re a great alternative to the internet, because they’re very friendly stores, and they also put on exhibitions and events from time to time.
HERE’s their website.
Emmaüs :
We all know Emmaus by name, and I’m sure there’s a store or warehouse near you. Well, if you’re lucky enough to have a store or warehouse near you, you should know that they sell books, sometimes for as little as 50 cents. You can find real nuggets in a warehouse, but you have to know how to look.
Emmaüs boutiques are different, because they’re tidier.
There are several boutiques in Paris: the Emmaüs Défi store at Riquet in the 19th arrondissement, the Emmaüs Défi boutique at 104 in the 19th arrondissement and the Emmaüs Campus boutique in the 13th arrondissement.
HERE’s the link.
You can also buy books at lower cost at Emmaüs sales.
In Poitiers, for example, there are two braderies a year at the Parc des Expositions.
Flea Market :
And yes, flea markets! You’ll find everything at a flea market, whether it’s in Paris, Blois, Lille or Poitiers.
You need to be patient and not necessarily look for a particular book, because you never know what you might find. But if you’re a lover of fine antiquarian books, you may find what you’re looking for for just a few coins.
At flea markets, it’s really up to chance, because it depends on what people are going to sell. But you can often find some nice nuggets.