Depending on where you are in the world, it can sometimes be difficult to find affordable books locally. That’s especially true if you’re in a country where you’re looking for books in a language that’s different to what’s spoken locally (for example: English language books in Spain). Thankfully, there are a few online bookstores that ship internationally.
When shopping internationally for books, it can be a good idea to add the same book to your cart across different vendors. While many of the shops will be similar on price (with Amazon often being the cheapest) the cost of shipping is where you can really see a difference.
Top tip: If buying books internationally is a hassle, consider getting a Kindle or other e-reader. This will allow you to instantly download millions of different books wherever you are in the world.
Amazon
When it comes to books, Amazon is the largest of them all. In fact, Amazon actually started out as an online bookseller before venturing off into just about every other category.
Most books can be shipped worldwide, although it does depend on the seller (sometimes it’s Amazon and sometimes it’s a third party). As well as new books, Amazon also sells a lot of second-hand books.
For English-language books, the largest Amazon sites are Amazon.com (the US site) and Amazon.co.uk (the UK site). You will find English-language books on Amazon’s other sites (e.g. Amazon France or Germany) but the selection will be a lot smaller.
World of Books
Dive into the vast and varied universe of literature with World of Books, an exceptional platform for bibliophiles around the globe. Serving as one of the premier destinations for second-hand books, this store boasts an impressive inventory that promises readers both diversity and quality. The beauty of World of Books lies in its commitment to sustainability, giving pre-loved books a new lease of life.
And while the books are second-hand, rest assured that they are meticulously checked to ensure they’re in commendable condition. For those residing outside the UK, the joy of reading is not bounded by geographical constraints; World of Books offers international shipping, ensuring that no matter where you are in the world, a treasure trove of literature is just a click away. So, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly, affordable, and expansive literary shopping experience, World of Books is your go-to destination.
Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble is one of the largest booksellers in the US, both through its retail outlets and its website, barnesandnoble.com.
Barnes & Noble ships books internationally, however, there are quite a large number of countries that the company won’t ship to, including a surprising number of countries in Europe.
EBay
Like Amazon, you can find a bit of everything on eBay, but it’s also a good place to find books, both new and second-hand. For international shoppers, eBay is always a good arrow to have in your bow. Sometimes it’s cheaper than Amazon, but what’s particularly good about eBay is just how easy it is to see which sellers will ship to your country.
Shop at eBay.com or ebay.co.uk, if you’re specifically looking for book sellers from the UK. Where the books are shipped from will depend on the seller. Most book sellers, particularly of English-language books, are based in either the UK or US.
Waterstones
A large international bookstore chain based in the UK and Ireland, Waterstones offers international shipping around the world. There are fixed fees for both Western Europe and the rest of the world, which can be found on Waterstone’s website. Shipping costs are quite expensive, so it often makes more sense to order from another retailer, like Amazon. On the plus side, however, Waterstones ships to the majority of the world.
Not sure what to buy? Lists like The GoodReads book awards, the NY Times Bestsellers, and Waterstones Bestsellers can be a good starting point, as can book-focused blogs, like Just Funny Books, which focuses on humorous fiction and non-fiction.