Why Buy Second Hand Books? 7 Reasons It's Better Than Buying New

Second hand books cost 50–70% less than new copies, they're better for the environment, and the reading experience is exactly the same. The only thing you're missing is the shrink wrap.

That might sound obvious. But most people still default to buying new — out of habit, convenience, or because they assume secondhand means battered charity shop paperbacks with someone else's coffee stains. The reality is quite different.

1. You'll save a serious amount of money

A new paperback in the UK costs £8–10 on average. The same book in very good secondhand condition typically sells for £3–6. If you read a book a month, that's roughly £60–80 a year saved by buying secondhand instead of new.

For heavier readers doing two or three books a month, the savings start to look like a holiday fund. And unlike library books, you keep them — or sell them on when you're done, recovering most of what you paid.

2. The book doesn't know it's second hand

A second hand book in good condition reads identically to a new one. The words haven't changed. The story hasn't degraded. A slightly creased spine or a minor dog-ear on page 47 doesn't affect the experience of reading it.

The publishing industry has done an impressive job making people feel that new books are inherently better. They're not. You're buying the content, not the packaging.

3. You'll find books that are out of print or hard to get new

Backlist titles, older editions, and books that went out of print years ago are readily available secondhand. If you're looking for a specific edition of a classic — say the original Penguin cover of a Graham Greene novel — secondhand is often the only option.

This is where secondhand marketplaces genuinely beat Amazon. The long tail of titles that aren't commercially viable to reprint but still have readers looking for them is enormous.

4. It's significantly better for the environment

Publishing a single new book produces roughly 7.5kg of CO2 equivalent, factoring in paper production, printing, and shipping. Buying secondhand skips all of that. The book already exists. You're just moving it from one shelf to another.

The UK publishes around 180,000 new titles every year. Meanwhile, millions of perfectly good copies of existing books sit unread on shelves across the country. The supply of second hand books is massive — the challenge has always been connecting the right book with the right reader.

5. You're supporting real people, not just corporations

When you buy a new book from Amazon, the author gets a royalty (typically 7–10% of the cover price) and Amazon takes a large cut. When you buy a secondhand book from an individual seller, the seller keeps the majority of what you pay.

On platforms like Sell Your Shelf, you're buying directly from someone who read the book and is passing it on. Your money goes to a real person clearing their shelves, not a warehouse operation.

This isn't an argument against buying new — authors deserve royalties. But for books you'd otherwise buy from a massive retailer, buying secondhand from an individual is a more human transaction.

6. Second hand books have more character

This is subjective, and I'll own that. But there's something about a book that's been read before. A previous owner's bookmark left inside. A slightly sun-faded spine. The fact that this specific copy has been on someone else's shelf and meant something to them.

New books are pristine and forgettable. Second hand books have a small history attached. If that appeals to you, great. If it doesn't, the previous five reasons still stand.

7. The quality and selection are better than you'd expect

The stereotype of second hand books is a charity shop bin with water-damaged thrillers from 2003. The reality on online marketplaces is very different. Most secondhand books listed by individual sellers are in good to very good condition — often barely read.

You can browse hundreds of recently listed titles across fiction, non-fiction, self-help, literary fiction, and more. Filter by condition if it matters to you. The selection is broader than most physical bookshops, and it updates constantly as new sellers list their shelves.

When buying new still makes sense

Being fair about it: there are times when buying new is the right call.

Supporting a debut author. First-week sales matter for new authors. If you want to help someone's career, buy their book new in launch week.

Gifts. A brand new hardback in a gift bag hits differently than a secondhand paperback, no matter how rational the arguments above are.

Reference books you'll use daily. Cookbooks, field guides, and anything you'll spill things on — buy new, keep it pristine.

Very new releases. A book that came out last month won't have many secondhand copies in circulation yet. Give it six months and the secondhand market will be full of them.

Where to buy second hand books online in the UK

The main options for buying secondhand books online in the UK:

Sell Your Shelf — a marketplace where you buy directly from individual sellers at fair prices. Every book is listed by a real person, not a warehouse. Browse what's available now.

AbeBooks — huge selection, especially for rare and collectible titles. Owned by Amazon, so less "independent" than it looks, but the inventory is strong.

World of Books — large volume of cheap secondhand stock. Condition can be hit-or-miss and the descriptions are sometimes generous.

eBay — good for finding specific editions. Prices vary wildly and you need to check seller ratings carefully.

Charity shops — can't browse online in most cases, but if you're near a good one, the prices are unbeatable.

Frequently asked questions

Are second hand books hygienic?

Yes. Paper doesn't harbour bacteria the way people assume. A quick wipe of the cover is all most books need. You're more likely to pick up germs from a door handle than a secondhand paperback.

How do I know what condition a second hand book is in?

Reputable platforms use standard condition grades: Like New, Very Good, Good, and Acceptable. These give you a clear idea of what to expect before you buy. If a book is described as "Very Good," it typically means light wear but no significant damage.

Is buying second hand books legal?

Completely. The first-sale doctrine means that once a book is sold, the buyer can resell it without the publisher's or author's permission. This applies worldwide.

Do authors lose out when I buy second hand?

Authors don't receive royalties on secondhand sales. However, the secondhand market also helps books reach readers who wouldn't pay full price, which builds an author's readership. Many authors have said publicly that they'd rather their books were read secondhand than not read at all.

Can I sell the book again after I've read it?

Yes. That's one of the best things about secondhand books — they hold their value. A book you buy for £4 can often be resold for £3–4 once you've read it. Your net cost per book ends up being remarkably low.