Five Ways To Sell Books (Or Give Them Away)
Collecting books is a totally separate hobby to reading books. And I own a lot of books, but I don’t have the space for them all. When I’m done with a book if it’s one I wasn’t a huge fan of or it isn’t part of a series I own then I don’t feel the need to keep it. I like to sell books on so other people can enjoy them, or sometimes I’ll swap or donate books.
A few pounds for a book may not be much in isolation but if you sell a lot it all adds up. Here are some ways I sell books.
Sell books on Vinted
The number one place I sell books is on Vinted. I’ve spoken quite a few times about how much I use the app and I find books sell quite well (as long as they’re reasonably priced).
I always take a look at how much a book is on Amazon and factor in Vinted postage fees when I price up a book. Realistically I know people will only buy if it’s a bargain compared to buying new from elsewhere. Unless it’s a special edition/ hard to find book, they you can charge more.
Sometimes I add a book I’m finished with as soon as I’m done. Other times I’ll bank up a batch of books and upload them together as people tend to like buying books in bundles.
WHSmith book recycling programme
The WHSmith bookcycle scheme only launched within the last few months but I’ve used it a few times. For books that don’t sell on Vinted/ I can’t pass along I will check their value on the recycling scheme.
How it works is you scan a book and it gives you a value for the book. Once you’ve added all the books you want to recycle you take them into a store. At the store they’ll be checked and booked in. And once this is completed you get an e-voucher to spend in store. I’ve done this twice and had about £30 each time which I’ve used to buy even more books haha.
We buy books/ Music Magpie etc
You can sell books through apps such as We buy books, Music Magpie, Ziffit etc. Generally you don’t get a lot of money for books but if you’ve got a lot to get rid of this may be an option.
I’ve got a bundle ready to sell on We buy books, so I’ve not yet used the service. I chose them due to the prices they offered and the fact that they will collect the books from you.
Sell books or swap via Facebook groups
I am part of quite a few UK groups where you can both sell books, but also swap books. And I have used them quite a few times before with great results every time.
Swapping is great as you each just pay postage to send and you get some new books. I’ve probably done this a dozen or so times and it’s great to know someone else will enjoy the books I’ve finished with.
Selling books via the great has again always been a positive experience for me. I’ve sold both books I’m done with where a suitable swap wasn’t possible, and special editions that I no longer wanted.
Ways to give books away
If you’re not looking to make money or certain books just aren’t shifting then there are a number of ways you can give books away.
While little free libraries are far more popular in America there are some in the UK and they seem to be getting more popular. You can pop books in them and if you spot something you like take that as an exchange.
Charity shops almost always accept donations and some libraries do. A big library close to me accepts donations to go towards their library and local schools and universities.
Do you sell books when you’re done with them?
25 responses to “Five Ways To Sell Books (Or Give Them Away)”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
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These are awesome!!! I’ve never heard of most of these tools. My friend has a book and he’s been trying so hard to market it.
I LOVE the idea of swapping books on Facebook groups. I get new books to read, and I know that my precious books have gone to a good home!
It’s such a nice feeling. You just pay postage and get some new books and you know your ones are going to go to a good home x
I generally take my books to my local second hand book store. We homeschool, so all my kids books get sold on our HS groups.
These are all great ways to get rid of books you have. I had no idea about the WH Smiths scheme will have to look into that. We have a charity collection you can book each month and I tend to give to them
I have a huge book collection and I could really do with going through them soon. I haven’t tried Vinted for books yet but that sounds like a good idea. Otherwise I tend to donate them to charity shops.
Yeah I’ll always donate/ give away anything I can’t sell x
Donating books is such a great idea when we are finished reading a particular one. Quality tips for celling books and I am hearing about some of the apps for the very first time. Will give them a try!
I had not heard of the WHSmith program! Thank you for sharing. We always donate all of our books to our local free libraries.
I think it’s only been around a few months but there are certain books that can be worth recycling with them x
This is a great idea. I will save this and share it with my friends, she has many books in their house.
Oh how awesome! This is a great tool because reading is fun, but the pile up of books you’ll never touch again can be a problem! Haha! Thanks for sharing!
I own way too many books to be able to keep everything I read x
The free libraries are a really great way to give books away. The great thing is you can also find new books to read. I always add more when I have them available. I love that hey get reused.
Yeah I love passing on books that I know others will love/ benefit from x
It’s great to hear your approach to managing your book collection! Selling books not only helps clear up space but also allows others to enjoy them. Vinted sounds like a convenient platform for finding new homes for your books. Thanks for sharing your tips!
There’s something special about owning a physical book, but bookshelf space is precious.
I have a bunch that I would love to see or donate so this post is perfect! Thank you for sharing 😉
I have done both, although I sell books less over the years as it just takes more time. These are good tips for finding new homes for books.
Yeah I used to think that but thankfully Vinted is super quick for listing so I only use that x
We have lot of books which we wanted to giveaway or dontate. I will try out WHSmith book recycling programme.
This is a wonderful idea to keep books in circulation and sharing the printed word. I have so many books and plenty to pass on. We have a free little libraries right in town too which I totally forgot about until now! Thank you for sharing ^_^
I wish free little libraries were more of a thing in the UK as I’d love to do more book swaps x
I need to try and sell on some of my old books – I’m fast running out of room for them! I’ve tried selling them on Vinted before, but nobody seemed interested (yet when I list clothes they always sell well). I’ll have to give it another shot now holiday season is creeping up, as people may be looking for a holiday read or two 🙂
I think with books it’s hard to make much money on them unless you list at like £2 (as the seller will have to pay the fee and postage). The best value for buyers is to get bundles so upload loads together x