Where to Buy Books Online After Book Depository's Closure: 7+ Alternative Sites You Need to Know

I seriously thought it was an April Fool’s joke when I heard the news Book Depository was closing down. I couldn’t believe it until I visited the website myself and saw the announcement posted. It also explains why my preorder of the Puffin clothbound special edition of The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper was canceled (it’s one of my childhood favorites, but don’t worry, I reordered and actually got it for even less!). For years, Book Depository has been an incredible source of UK and international editions, with a massive selection. As someone based in San Francisco, it was my main site for sourcing UK covers of books I loved. I’ll be honest, while I do like a lot of US covers, I often prefer the UK editions. With the closing announcement, many of us on Booktok and Bookstagram have been wondering where to go next? While none of these are a perfect replacement for our beloved Book Depository, below you’ll find a list of alternatives for online book shopping, especially when you’re looking for those coveted, beautiful UK editions.

Blackwell’s

For your standard UK hardcovers and paperbacks, Blackwell’s is probably my favorite alternative to Book Depository. They also have free international shipping, and their prices are pretty competitive. I recently purchased a couple of UK paperbacks of Brandon Sanderson on sale from them, and they arrived in perfect condition. I have also shopped at the physical locations in Oxford and Edinburgh, so this bookstore brings back fond memories and holds a special place in my heart. Until recently, it was family owned, but Waterstones has acquired it.

Waterstones

And speaking of, we all know Waterstones is AMAZING, but ouch, that international shipping hurts. However, here’s a #ProTip: if there are several books, even if they’re preorders, that you’re looking to acquire, you can order them all at once, and they only charge you one flat fee for shipping, even if those orders are shipping at different times.

Wordery

This is a new one I’d never heard of until the Book Depository announcement, and I’m so glad people shared it in my comment section on Booktok! Like BD, it has free international shipping, which is HUGE considering a lot of people outside the UK and US struggle to find affordable books and shipping. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this site as a future source for UK covers I really love.

Book Outlet

While US based, on occasion, Book Outlet will get UK editions in stock. It’s still one of my favorite sites to get amazing prices on new books. And it’s free shipping over $35. You could say I’m…slightly addicted to this site. If you want to become addicted too, here’s a $5 off coupon for your first order.

Thrift Books

This one is US based, but you can add a search parameter specifically for “UK editions” and they have free US shipping over $15.

Better World Books

This is another one recommended in my comment section on TikTok, and it does look like a great option for buying used books. If you know the title you’re looking for, it does show you everything they have in stock, and doing a quick Brandon Sanderson search, I was able to see they had UK editions as well. So this one is probably not as good for casual browsing, but great if you’re looking for something specific.

Abe’s Books

I personally don’t feel like they always have the best selection, but you can find gems on occasion. And especially if you’re looking for vintage copies, it’s definitely a good site to peruse.

SUBMISSIONS BY THE BAMTP COMMUNITY:

Kennys

Someone from the Kenny’s team reached out to me about being added to this list, and after taking a look, it was an immediate yes. Based in Ireland, they boast being the oldest online bookshop on the world, with new and secondhand books, and ship to a number of countries worldwide from €1 per book (or free if you’re in Ireland!).

The Book Grocer

This one’s for my Aussie readers, and one of them submitted The Book Grocer to be added to this list as another great alternative. I had a look, and they do seem to have a wide selection in various genres. Of course, I had to check the fantasy section and it did have popular titles. Their search bar informs us they have 33K titles to choose from. Flat rate shipping for all of Australia, and free in store pick up.

“I received 11 books today in perfect condition in a brown cardboard satchel, like the book depository, just amazing!!! :)” —May

While this won’t assuage our collective mourning over the shuttering of Book Depository, I hope this helps lessen the blow, and there’s a big hole to fill in the market now. Do you know of any other great options for getting the UK book covers we love, or international editions for those outside of the UK or US? Drop them in the comments!