Here are the main places to buy books, depending on what you want:

  • Online new books: Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and Amazon are common choices. Barnes & Noble sells books, ebooks, and magazines, while Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with each purchase.
  • Used, rare, or discounted books: BookFinder, Better World Books, and AbeBooks are strong options for comparing prices and finding older editions, collectible copies, or affordable used books.
  • In-store shopping: Barnes & Noble and local independent bookstores are good for browsing in person, and some guides also mention stores like Books-A-Million, Half Price Books, Target, and Walmart depending on your area.
  • Support-local option: If you want to buy from indie shops online, Bookshop.org is one of the easiest ways to do that.

Best by need

  • Lowest price: Better World Books or BookFinder.
  • Support independent stores: Bookshop.org.
  • Rare/collectible editions: AbeBooks.
  • Quick all-purpose browsing: Barnes & Noble.

Practical pick

If you just want a simple answer: start with Bookshop.org for new books, Better World Books for cheap used copies, and AbeBooks if you need something rare.

Site snapshot

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StoreBest forNotes
Barnes & NobleNew books and in-store browsingAlso sells ebooks and magazines
Bookshop.orgSupporting local bookstoresEach purchase supports indie shops
BookFinderPrice comparisonSearches many booksellers
Better World BooksAffordable used/new booksAlso promotes literacy
AbeBooksRare and collectible booksGood for used, signed, and first editions

Bottom line

For most people, the easiest path is: Bookshop.org for new books, Better World Books for used books, and AbeBooks for hard-to-find titles.