Best Places to Buy Books Online (Best BookStores) 2024

There are many advantages to shopping at the best online bookstores, including convenience and a wider selection of titles. Over the years, more and more people have been turning to online bookstores for their reading needs.

In this review, we will discuss various topics related to buying books online. This includes the benefits of doing so as well as a list of some of the best bookstores online.

In order to gain new knowledge, it is important that you continue reading this article. Diving into different topics and genres can be difficult, so before we get started with this piece, let’s explore some of the most popular book genres.

Top 8 Book Genres You Should Know

Although buying a book online from a bookstore is convenient, it’s also necessary to be aware of the popular genres you can find there. If you love to read, being aware of the genres that interest you will make shopping for books online much simpler. To save you some time, below are 8 popular book genres:

1. Classics: Classics are a genre of literature that have been Newrite for centuries and often span generations in their appeal. A well-known example is Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.”
2. Action and Adventure: If you’re looking for an exhilarating read, then these books are for you. They’ve been known to provide excitement and edge-of-your seat suspense. The action and adventure genres typically feature a protagonist and an antagonist. A good example of this is; “The Three Musketeers.”
3. Fantasy: Some people might say that these genres aren’t real because they are fictional. However, a lot of individuals still enjoy reading them as some stories can be about the supernatural, magic, or mythology. A well-known book that belongs in this category is; “Ninth House.”
4. Horror: Genres such as horror and suspense often cause discomfort or even fear in readers, but many still enjoy reading these types of books. An excellent example is; “The Haunting of Hill House.”
5. Historical Fiction: Books classified as historical fiction are set in the past and often explore real events that occurred in previous decades. For example, “The Help” is a well-known book under this genre.
6. Romance: Many people love reading romance novels because they are emotionally charged and usually have a happy ending. There is an endless supply of romance books available, one example being; “The Savior.”
7. Suspense and Thrillers: Thrillers are mostly focused on a protagonist who seeks to either solve a crime or unmask a villain. These books are written in order to keep the reader guessing and increase suspense. “The 19th Christmas” is just one example of the large variety of books classified under this genre.
8. Biographies and Autobiographies: Some popular types of books are biographies and autobiographies. A biography is usually written by someone else, such as an author, while an autobiography is written by the main person who is in charge of the story. For example, Frida Kahlo wrote an autobiography about her life.

Now that we know what to keep in mind before buying from an online bookstore, let’s take a look at some of the best bookstore options out there.

Top 9 Best BookStores Online

1. Amazon books

Amazon is number one when it comes to the best places to buy books online. Amazon book is a global favourite for one big reason, customer satisfaction. Amazon’s book carries all of the most popular genres like Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, and they also have some of the best prices and shipping around. There are many reasons why Amazon Books is one of the best bookstores online:

Reliable & Trustworthy: If you have a need for a store to purchase books from that is both reliable and trustworthy, this is one of the best options out there. They have been active for many years and have amassed a loyal customer base who keep coming back due to their satisfaction with the service.

Affordable pricing: Amazon offers a variety of books at affordable prices, and some are even free with an audible trial. With such a wide array of books available, Amazon is the perfect place to purchase whatever book you’re looking for.

Customer services: The company’s customer service representatives are quick to help with any questions or concerns you may have.

Safe payment option: Rest easy, knowing that your money and sensitive information are safe when shopping on Amazon books. They only use secure payment channels, so you don’t have to worry about theft.

Lots of reviews: With an abundance of good reviews from past customers, it’s no wonder they’re so popular.

2. Thrift Books

Thrist Books is one of the best places to buy books online. At this book store, you can purchase both new and affordably used books from a variety of genres. Here, you can purchase books such as biographies and memoirs, history, literature and fiction, religion and spirituality, romance, just to name a few. Here are some reasons why Thrift books is one of the best bookstores to shop online:

Special offers: This store has some great special offers that everyone would want to take advantage of. With this program, you can accumulate points to read your way to a free book. You’re also able to get discounts on Thrift books, and once you spend $15, shipping is free!

New and Trending: They always have the latest books that people are interested in reading.

Affordable offers: A trip to Thrift Books is a cheap way to obtain reading material, as books are available for less than $5. They offer a wide variety of genres to choose from.

Return and exchange policy: They will more than gladly help you if the product is either damaged or not as described. They give a 30-day window from the day of delivery to do an effective exchange or return it.

3. Booktopia

This online book store is well-known and has been up and running for quite some time now, boasting an impressive collection of books, eBooks, DVDs, and Magazines.

Booktopia is one of the best places to buy books online for many reasons, but most notably its user-friendly interface. The site is easy to navigate and understand which makes it a great resource for anyone looking to purchase books online. Some other reasons are:

Safe payment method: At this store, all transactions are safe and private. Some of the ways you can pay are: PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.

Free shipping: This is an online book store that offers free shipping on all orders. Simply add any of the featured books to your order and your item will be shipped for free.

Discounts: If you’re looking for a cheap read, this store offers periodic discounts on some selected books – so keep an eye out!

Variety of options: Booktopia offers a wide variety of books to choose from for readers of all ages. Whether you are an adult or child, there is always a book available for purchase.

4. Books A Million

Books A Million (BAM) has made it onto the list of best places to buy books online, and for good reason! They offer a wide variety of categories to choose from, such as Audiobooks, kids books, Young adult books, and much more. No matter what type of book you’re looking for, BAM is sure to have something that will interest you. This is a store where you can find current bestsellers, trending books and collectibles and so on. Some of the reason why this book store is quite popular are:

Excellent services: They boast some of the best customer service online and are always available to help you with anything you might be struggling to figure out.

Special offers: They frequently offer discounts on various genres of books, so if you are looking to buy multiple types of books, you would be saving money as the prices would be significantly reduced. They offer up to 90% discounts on books that didn’t even meet their sales goals.

Bargain books: This bookstore is the perfect place to find cheap books, and they have weekly deals so you can save even more money!

5. Book People

Book People is also a good place to buy books online. Customers can choose from two categories: general books and school books. Under the general book section, books are neatly categorized into children’s collections, non-fiction and fiction, best sellers, and gifts/ stationery. Some benefits of shopping with this bookstore include:

Inexpensive prices: Prices at this store won’t break the bank, as most books are affordably priced.

Wide variety of books: They don’t focus on a particular genre of book but rather make any requested title available to their clientele.

Good services: The services being provided here are of excellent quality, as the staff is professional and efficient in their dealings. Thus, if a customer needs help with an order, they will be assisted promptly.

6. eBay

We cannot list the best places to buy books online without mentioning eBay. This e-commerce store is a household name and needs no introduction. They carry thousands of books that you can easily purchase and have delivered to you without you leaving your home. They not only sell new books, but they also allow customers to purchase used books which is great for those on a budget. Furthermore, eBay is a trusted store, and many book readers feel comfortable shopping with them.

This store offers a wide array of items, including audiobooks, magazines, textbooks, and collectables. Customers can enjoy the following benefits when they shop with them:

Fast delivery process: Once you’ve paid for your order, you should expect to receive it within 10 business days or less.

Amazing catalogues: The eBay catalogue of books offers customers the opportunity to discover new and interesting titles they may never have come across otherwise.

Top deals: By shopping on eBay, you are able to take advantage of their best deals and save money.

With favourable reviews to support them, they are also prompt in their procedures.

7. Square Books

Square Books is among the best places to buy books online, and it is unique because they sell signed books, and you can even pre-order books. They have a wide selection of best sellers, audiobooks and different genres of books. The site is easy to navigate and search for the type of book you’re looking for. The customer service at this store is excellent and has lots of positive feedback. This makes it one of the most popular destinations for book readers. You can also stay updated on their new releases by following them on different social media channels.

If you’re interested in saving money on books, you’ll be happy to know that square books offer discounts for customers who sign up for their newsletter. One more reason why customers adore this website is its customer service; they offer a 14-day window for customers to either return or exchange a book, as long as the book is in perfect condition.

8. Kobo Inc

Kobo Inc is also one of the best bookstores online. This bookstore is a worldwide retailer that specializes in ebooks but also has a wide range of titles. Their app is compatible with all operating systems, including Android, Windows, and iOS.

Kobo Books is the perfect store for anyone looking to purchase audiobooks and ebooks. They offer a wide range of books at affordable prices, and you can also take advantage of their special offers to get free ebooks. So if you’re searching for a reliable bookstore with great deals, look no further than Kobo Books.

9. Walmart

Walmart is one of the most popular places to buy books online. At Walmart, you’ll find an expansive online eCommerce store with a large selection of new books. While they don’t sell used books, their prices for new ones are very competitive. The defining factor of a good company is the type of services they provide. Not only does their company provide free shipping, but customers can also anticipate a swift delivery.

This online store isn’t just for kids- they have a wide variety of options which are available to all age groups. Plus, their prices beat the competition when compared to other online bookstores.

Although there are many other reputable bookstores, such as Barnes & Noble and Biblio, we only focused on the top 9.

Also Read: 21 Best Places to Buy Clothes Online (Best Clothing Stores)

Benefits of Buying Books Online

There are distinct advantages to shopping for your favourite book from an online bookstore, including:

• Huge Discounts: When you shop at a regular bookstore, you have to pay the given amount for the book with no other options. However, when you shop at one of the best book stores online, not only can you save money, but it is also easier to make your purchase. The ability to use discount coupons makes buying from these bookstores an economical and relatively hassle-free experience.
• Price comparison: When shopping for books online, you can compare the prices between different stores to find the best deal. For example, a physical bookstore might charge $80 for a book you want, while the same book is available online from another retailer for $65. If your goal is to save money, which option makes more sense? The great thing about buying books online is that you can choose what suits you best, rather than being limited to whatever a physical bookstore has in stock.
• Convenience: Shopping from an online bookstore is a more convenient option for people who want to avoid the stress of traditional shopping. You don’t need to leave your house, and you’ll save time. This way, you can get other things done. With online shopping, people have a much easier time finding the books they are looking for. With physical stores, sometimes people do not even know how to find a particular bookstore or might have to go to multiple stores just to purchase a single book if it is scarce.
• Easier to make a choice with reviews: When you shop for books online, you can choose whether or not to buy a certain book based on reviews, the price, and other factors. It would be very frustrating to go to a bookstore and have the salesperson try to convince you to buy a book, only to find out later that the book wasn’t worth it. This is why reviews are so important; they can help customers make better decisions. It’s human nature to be influenced by the reviews we read. We’re more likely to purchase a book with great reviews. However, if it’s full of negative feedback, we’ll opt for something else.
• Unlimited choice: An online bookstore gives you many more options than a physical one. If you go to your local bookstore, you’ll probably find that they only sell certain kinds of books, like romance novels or historical fiction. But an online store will have a much wider selection for you to choose from.

Mentioned below are several tips to keep in mind before shopping for a book from an online retailer.

5 Important Things to Remember Before Shopping from an Online Bookstore

• Check the book’s condition: People often get excited when they find a used book from an online bookstore they want to purchase. To avoid complications, it is always best to check the book’s condition and make sure it is excellent. Also, ensure that the content will be soothing for you. You should only purchase a book if it is in the condition that you desire. If the book is not up to your standards, check another store or get a similar one that better meets your needs.
• Read the terms and conditions: Before you make a purchase from an online bookstore, be sure to read the their terms and conditions as well as return policy. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into and won’t be disappointed or stuck with something you can’t exchange. Be aware of the policy before you buy; some bookstores don’t allow refunds, returns, or exchanges. Reading the terms and conditions before purchasing from these bookstores is crucial to preventing any unpleasant surprises.
• Look out for shipping cost: You can find sites that sell books at a low cost, but then charge a high shipping fee. This ruins the deal for many people because they end up spending more than they wanted to. To avoid this, always look for the shipping cost before you purchase anything. Some sites have a promotion where if you spend a certain amount of money, they will deliver your items to you for free. So, when you come across these bookstores, it is beneficial to consider them as an option because you would be saving money.
• Find out more on the bookstore: There are a lot of bookstores out there- some fake, and some genuine. No one wants to be scammed, especially not after making a purchase. It’s bad enough when a store fails to deliver your product, but it’s even worse when they manage to steal your information during payment. Before you pick a particular store, research the bookstore first. Things to consider include how long it has been in operation, customer service reviews, and their preferred payment method. If you’re satisfied with the results of a store’s background check, then you can start shopping there.
• Read reviews: Remember to check reviews before buying a book online. Those who have purchased from a bookstore in the past are likely to leave ratings and feedback that can help guide your decision. Reviews are key for customers who want to buy a product or book. People who have purchased the item in the past can choose to leave either positive or negative feedback depending on their opinion of the book.

Conclusion

In the past, readers who wanted to purchase a book had to go to a local bookstore. However, even then, the number of available books was limited. However, with the introduction of online bookstores, you can now order physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks and have them delivered to your home without leaving your comfort zone.

In conclusion, we looked at the most popular genres of books, things to remember before shopping from an online store, and the best places to buy books online. With this information in hand, you should be able to find the right store to purchase your favourite books.

FAQs On Best Places to Buy Books Online

Q: Do the best book stores online have a safe method of making payments?

A: Yes ofcourse. The best bookstores have a secure channel for making payments, so you can be sure your information is safe. Their site is very reliable and makes it easy to pay for items without having to worry about cyber hackers gaining access to your personal information. Customers can make payment for a book in several ways, including PayPal, MasterCard, Visa and American Express.

Q: How do I know the best book store to shop? 

A: By reading reviews of the store, you can get a sense of whether or not it is a good store. If the store has a good rating, it is likely a good place to shop. Furthermore, you should learn about their policies (i.e., shipping, returns), how long they’ve been in business if they offer discounts or free delivery, and how user-friendly their website is. A store that meets all of these qualifications should be one of the best places to shop for books online, regardless of genre.

Q: Can someone receive my book on my behalf?

A: It is possible to have someone else receive your package if you are unable to do so. If this happens, simply contact the shipping company and let them know who will be accepting the shipment on your behalf. Some shipping companies will adjust the date to better fit your schedule or, even better, when you’re available. However, before the third party can receive your package, he or she must provide some form of identification and be willing to sign on your behalf as well.

Q: Can I return a book if it isn’t in good condition?

A: If a book arrives to you in poor condition, most online stores will allow you to return the book. To avoid this inconvenience, check the store’s exchange and return policy, and always inspect the book’s condition before buying it. If you’re not satisfied with a purchase from some stores, they may refuse to refund your money or let you return the item.