The Best Places to Buy Discount Paperbacks Online
Because our TBRs are endless, but our budgets definitely aren’t.
If you’re a romance reader, you know the struggle — too many books, not enough shelf space, and a budget that’s side-eyeing your next “Add to Cart” moment. I love a brand-new paperback as much as anyone, but let’s be honest: the book-buying habit adds up fast.
Luckily, there are a ton of great places online to snag paperbacks without paying full price — whether you’re hunting down that one special edition, collecting indie favorites, or just looking to feed your reading addiction responsibly.
Here are some of my go-to spots for finding deals, complete with pros, cons, and a few insider tips.
📚 Pango Books
What It Is: A reader-to-reader resale app where book lovers buy and sell directly to each other. Think Depop or Poshmark, but for your TBR pile.
Why I Love It:
- Tons of romance titles — from small press to special editions.
- You’re supporting real readers, not a warehouse.
- You can follow sellers or search by trope (“hockey romance,” “second chance,” “dark mafia,” etc.).
Watch Out For:
- Prices vary depending on the seller.
- Shipping adds up quickly.
- Listings move fast — hesitate and it’s gone.
Pro Tip: Follow your favorite sellers and enable notifications. You’ll get alerts when they list new books.
💸 Mercari
What It Is: A resale marketplace where you can find everything from collectible paperbacks to signed editions and limited runs.
Why I Love It:
- Great for finding collector editions, signed books, or indie exclusives.
- Buyer protection is built in.
- You can negotiate — haggling for romance feels weirdly appropriate.
Watch Out For:
- Search results can be messy (you’ll need specific keywords).
- Shipping isn’t always combined.
Pro Tip: Save your searches — like “FairyLoot romantasy” or “special edition indie romance.” Mercari will alert you when new listings match.
🏷️ Book Outlet
What It Is: A discount retailer selling publisher overstock and returns. Basically, brand-new books that didn’t make it to store shelves.
Why I Love It:
- Deep discounts — 50–90% off retail prices.
- All books are brand new (no coffee stains or cracked spines).
- Regular flash sales and coupon events.
Watch Out For:
- Inventory changes constantly — blink and that book is gone.
- Some titles might have remainder marks or small scuffs.
Pro Tip: Join their email list. You’ll catch free shipping promos and 20% off sitewide sales that make it worth stocking up.
📖 ThriftBooks
What It Is: One of the largest used-book marketplaces online. If it’s out of print, there’s a good chance they’ve got it.
Why I Love It:
- Huge inventory.
- They have a rewards program that adds up to free books.
- You can choose the condition you’re comfortable with.
Watch Out For:
- Quality varies — “very good” can sometimes mean “loved a little too hard.”
- Shipping can take a bit longer than Amazon.
Pro Tip: Always check the edition details — cover images don’t always match the copy you’ll receive.
💬 Facebook Marketplace & Book Resale Groups
What It Is: Reader-run groups and local listings where you can find bundles, signed copies, and exclusive editions at lower prices.
Why I Love It:
- Perfect for buying whole series sets.
- Local pickup can save on shipping.
- Passionate reader communities (especially in romance).
Watch Out For:
- Organization is chaos.
- No guaranteed buyer protection.
- Posts disappear fast.
Pro Tip: Join genre-specific groups like “Romance Book Resale” or “Special Edition Buy/Sell/Trade.” Set notifications to “All Posts” so you don’t miss the good stuff.
🔍 Other Hidden Gems
- AbeBooks: Great for rare and international paperbacks, but prices vary wildly.
- eBay: Still a goldmine for signed books, older indie titles, and out-of-print editions.
- Better World Books: Similar to ThriftBooks, but every purchase donates to literacy programs — so you can feel good about buying more books.
☕ Final Thoughts
If you’re building your romance library on a budget, these sites are your new best friends.
- Use Pango for special editions and indie resales.
- Hit Book Outlet for bulk hauls and new releases at half price.
- Try ThriftBooks for older series and backlist gems.
- Stalk Mercari when you want those collector covers.
And yes — even Facebook groups are worth the chaos if you’re patient.
Because at the end of the day, the best feeling (besides a happily-ever-after) is a towering book stack you got for a steal.
What about you?
Where do you love to shop for discounted paperbacks? Drop your favorite sites or secret deal spots in the comments — let’s help each other keep our TBRs growing and our budgets intact.
