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Unsolicited - verified purchase, solicited - verified purchase.

Book Outlet has a rating of 3.8 stars from 1,743 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Book Outlet most frequently mention great prices, customer service, and new books. Book Outlet ranks 6th among Books sites.

• Service 289
• Shipping 1577
• Quality 1594

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38,692 reviews

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights.

• I'm always happy shopping Book Outlet , great sale prices on brand new perfect condition hardback books.
• Very good prices, easy to search, reasonable delivery time .

Critical highlights

• Just terrible customer service and I really do not like being lied to.
• Instant feedback

“Customer service”

I've ordered form here many times a mever had an issue until recently. While I know this was their problem to begin with. I can't be more than impressed with their rapid responses from customer service. A book I ordered didn't come in and they covered all costs to get it to me, on an order than got free shipping due to a promo. They responded quickly and sorted out the problem to no extra cost to me, also offering a refund. Excellent experience with them. Will continue to order from here.

“I selected 4 more books than I found in my cart”

I selected 4 more books than I found in my cart. There are too few points for dollars It takes a ridiculous amount of time to leave your warehouse even before slow, ailing

Reviews (1,743)

Reviews that mention popular keywords

Q&A (7)

Does the scratch and dents book has the possibility that it doesn't have a dust jacket i'm pretty much concerned about that. i really dont have any problems with the scratches or possible dents but not having a dust jacket concerns me. thank you.

The dust jacket could be missing or could be ripped.

Hi i live in yelm washington how long would delivery take

Hi there, Thank you for the question. It is generally 3 - 10 business days

My order hasn't arrived in a month! the tracking hasn't moved, and they are ignoring my emails. what do i do?

I reached out via dispute with pay pal and heard back right away after waiting days and being on low priority

Hi, i ordered a few books on friday, and i live in ontario. i still haven't gotten the tracking info, so i was wondering when i'll receive them?

Hi, I ordered on Friday Jan 13.I did not get tracking info also but tracking number. But I received my goods this morning Thursday 19 in the morning. I have never waited to long for my goods.I live in Ontario also.

Would you know how long it takes to get the keeper of lost cities - nightfall, if ordered today from montreal? thanks.

It could be up to 15 days but right now the shipping is taking longer due to Christmas. You could get it early and you may not. They can not promise anything. They do not control shipping. I have had no problem getting my books though and I order several. Elizabeth

Do u ship to the united arab emirates

NO, I do not know anyone in the United Arab Emirates.

How long does it take the shipping label to update and order get sent out?

Can’t see your question ask to get answers from the book outlet staff and other customers..

• How long does shipping take?
• What is the return policy?
• Where is the company located?

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From the business

The only thing better than a good book is a good book at half the price…or more. And that’s what we offer. All our books are brand new and discounted at least 50% off publishers’ list prices. Book Outlet is your haven, full of excess publishers’ inventory eagerly waiting to find their way into the hands of readers like you. So go on, get lost in the pages of a great book and revel in the thrill of a good deal that awaits you every day. WARNING: Bookworms have been known to lose track of time, neglect household chores, and cancel plans. Side effects may include an insatiable desire to read, an expanding TBR pile, and an occasional book hangover. Proceed with enthusiasm.

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• Kids Educational Resources , Kids Reading & Writing
• #3 in Books Other
• Buffalo, New York, United States
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Business History

Since 1997, Book Outlet has evolved both as a business and a brand. Our community of bargain book lovers continues to grow daily and we have a tireless desire to dream big, innovate and provide our customers with the best possible experience. We recognize that as a company, we are only as good as our people. That is why it has been a goal of ours to build a company culture that fuels curiosity, creativity and sustainable growth. In 2021, we were recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation.

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Never Enough Novels

BookOutlet Review (2023 Update): Is It Worth Trying?

My bookoutlet review will help you decide whether bookoutlet is the best book buying website for you..

*Disclosure – I receive a small commission for any products purchased through the links below at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this book blog!

Many used book lovers know that part of the fun of searching through a library sale, used bookstore, or antique mall is not knowing what books you’ll find. Even though you may have a few books in mind to hunt down, you’re open to all the possibilities. The impulse buy is expected and since books aren’t very expensive, you can get a lot of bang for your buck.

My husband and I are frequent visitors of our local library sales. They’re diligently added to our shared calendar so we won’t miss any. When we travel, I usually seek out local used bookstores as well.

BookOutlet allows you to have this treasure hunt experience online. My BookOutlet review covers what it’s like to shop at BookOutlet, the condition of our books, and the shipping time.

Plus, their Black Friday sale includes A TON of fiction books for $5.99 and 20% off all other categories! It’s going on now!

You can also check out my post of 9 alternatives to Amazon for buying books online if you’re looking for both new and used options!

– If your books need to be in pristine condition, BookOutlet is not for you!

– If you are dying to read a book and don’t want to wait weeks for the shipment, BookOutlet is not for you!

If you’re still with me, let’s explore more!

Comprehensive BookOutlet Review

I am only sharing this BookOutlet review because it’s a service I stand behind and will often use myself. I was a bit skeptical the first time we placed an order, so I hope this will help answer any questions. 

I now place multiple orders a year, since the selection is always changing!

BookOutlet Review: Condition of Books

Technically all of the books that BookOutlet sells are new, but the condition can vary. The vast majority are in great condition and may only have a minor dot, dash, sticker, or other marking. This is usually because the books were overstocked or categorized as bargain books. Some may have minor bends or signs of wear, but that seems to be rare.

If there are any structural issues with your book, you can contact customer service for a replacement or full refund.

In our experience, the books were exactly as listed. Most came with a marking but the cover was pristine. If you don’t mind these slight imperfections, then you should give BookOutlet a shot!

BookOutlet Review: Book Variety

Since this company sweeps up bargain books, overstocks, and other unwanted books, you never know what you’re going to find there. I liken it to a TJ Maxx or HomeGoods, where the inventory is constantly changing.

We tried searching for a bunch of specific books and more times than not came up empty. So, I’d recommend just browsing the site and seeing what catches your eye.

I did have more luck when I searched for an author. For example, I looked up Fredrik Backman. They did have one of this books, Us Against You, so at least I had something from which to choose.

Otherwise, I typically start with the New Arrivals section and filter by the Categories I’m interested in reading. Then I move on to the Bestsellers and finally quickly check the Sale books.

You can browse their entire selection by Genre/Subject but that was too overwhelming for me.

BookOutlet Review: Shipping

There’s no denying that we’re not talking Amazon Prime level of shipment times here. It felt like it took our order FOREVER to arrive. Plus, the box was pretty destroyed when we received it. That might have been a fluke and the fault of the shipping company, but still worth nothing. Thankfully, the books were packaged well and none of them appeared to be damaged from the trip.

In total, it took our books 14 days to arrive at our house after we placed our order. They filled the order in 7 days and the actual shipping process took 7 days. All in all though, two weeks wasn’t an unreasonable amount of time.

As for price, they offer free shipping to the US and Canada on orders of $35 or more year round. Otherwise it’s a flat rate of $5.

BookOutlet Rewards

As with practically every other company, BookOutlet offers a rewards system if you sign up for their program. Thankfully it’s very straightforward. You earn 1 point for every $2 spent. 100 points gets you a $5 gift certificate.

Do the math and you earn $5 every time you spend $200. We’re not talking groundbreaking savings here, but at their prices that at least gets you a free book.

There are also plenty of other ways to earn points, including taking their quizzes, visiting them on social media, and of course referring friends !

If you plan on buying from them a few times, its probably worth setting up an account.

My 2023 BookOutlet Order

Here’s a list of the books I recently bought. 

Mr Wrong Number by Lynn Painter – $6.49

Exes and Ohs by Amy Lea – $6.99

Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese – $6.99

The Plus One by Mazey Eddings – $6.99

Maame by Jessica George (Hardcover) – $8.99

In summary, BookOutlet is a terrific way to buy cheap books, as long as you don’t mind a marking or two and a bit longer shipping times.

Did my BookOutlet review convince you to give it a try or stay away? Let me know in the comments!

I was completely unaware of this book source! Will check them out for sure.

Yes will try.

I’m looking for the best deal for an English class that I’m taking. Thanks to this comprehensive review I’m definitely going to order from Book Outlet!

I just ordered from them and I’m very excited to see how my books will arrive.

Wondering what you mean by..books might be marked or markings? These books are gifts so I hope they will be in good shape. Anxious to get my order but when I went to track order..said you were having a cyber security issue…not sure what’s going on?

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Now That's Thrifty!

Making life more affordable, book outlet review: the best place to buy new books.

I’m not sure why I didn’t know about Book Outlet before last year, but they are my favorite website to buy new books.

Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links . This just means that we make a little money if you buy something through one of our links. It does not cost you any more to purchase an item through our links. It just helps support this blog so we can continue to bring you more content like this. As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.

Get $5 off your first order of $25 or more from Book Outlet!

What is the quality of their books?

The books that you can buy from Book Outlet are greatly reduced in price because they are purchased directly from publishers. Publishers often have excess inventory or books that have been returned. The quality of the books are still new, but Book Outlet is able to purchase them for a discounted price and then sell them for low prices to their customers.

Book Outlet has three different types of books that they offer: bargain books, scratch & dent books, & specialty products.

The type of book you purchase is stated before you buy it, so make sure you read the description.

Bargain Books

These are new books purchased from publishers that look new or almost new. You will typically find a small mark on the end of the book that marks it as excess inventory for a publisher (see the following picture for an example).

Sometimes they are hardcovers and sometimes they are paperbacks (they will specify which one).

They are 50% to 90% off the publisher’s price. For example, one of the books on my wish list is normally $18.99 because it is a newer hardcover book. On Book Outlet, it is marked down to $7.38.

Scratch & Dent Books

These are still new books, but they have a lot more wear on them and can be missing dust jackets. These books are purchased from publishers as they are typically excess inventory or store returns.

While there is more cosmetic damage, they are structurally sound, so they still make great reading.

These books are sold as is and cannot be returned.

Specialty Product Books

While these books are not as cheap as bargain books or scratch & dent books, they also are brand new with no marks on the ends.

These books are still offered at a reduced price. For example, they currently have some special editions of classics that are marked down from $17.99 to $7.38.

My experience with Book Outlet

I wanted to write this Book Outlet review because of how much I like them.

My first purchase

Last year I discovered them a couple weeks before Black Friday. I saw that they were having a big sale, so I decided to buy a bunch of books from them.

My purchase included 16 bargain books, and it only cost me $38.26. If you purchase $35+, you get free shipping, so that’s what I did. This made my books approximately $2.39 each, and they are all brand new and in great condition. A few were even hardcovers with nice dust jackets.

Quarantine buys

The second time I ordered books from Book Outlet was during quarantine. I purchased four books, and it cost $16.28. I had a $5 off coupon, so that basically paid for the shipping.

They weren’t quite as cheap as the ones from the Black Friday Sale, but they are still a great bargain for being new books.

How to save even more money

Besides Book Outlet’s low prices, there are ways to save even more money.

Markdowns & Clearance

They constantly mark down their book prices and have clearance books that you can buy.

One of the books I bought during the Black Friday sale was only $0.69 because it was on clearance!

Look out for their sales as well because you can save quite a bit with them. For the Black Friday Sale, it was 30% off your total order! They have been having 15% your order for the last few months, so now is a great time to check them out.

One easy way to save money at Book Outlet is to earn rewards points and redeem coupons.

For every 100 points you have, you can get a $5 off coupon. There are several easy ways to earn these points:

• Buy books—for every $2 spent, you earn 1 point
• Take monthly loyalty quiz—every month you can earn 10 points for taking a short quiz
• Refer a friend—you can earn 100 points every time you refer a new friend, and they purchase $25 or more (they also get a $5 coupon when using your link)
• Sign up bonuses—there are a few things you can earn extra points for when you first sign up such as signing up for their newsletter and visiting their social media pages

If you haven’t shopped at Book Outlet before, you can use our link to get $5 off your first order of $25 or more.

What kinds of books can you find on Book Outlet?

Book Outlet is consistently adding new books to their website, so you should check back often. You can also get notified of books on your wish list coming in stock.

There are so many different kinds of books that you can buy on Book Outlet including adult, young adult, and children’s. There are many popular books on there, and you can even find box sets of books.

You can easily sort by author, genre, topic, price, arrival date, and more.

Have you ever ordered from Book Outlet?

If you haven’t looked at their website for a while, you should look to see what new books they have!

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Book Outlet

50 customer reviews of bookoutlet.ca.

My review I have nothing negative to say about Book Outlet, even though I sometimes discover that if I had waited a little while longer to purchase certain books, the price would have been lower... even though Book Outlet are already quite low, which is what drew me this this site in the first place. It's just that I am terribly disappointed with some of the titles that I thought would be more interesting, like reading some of these books was not worth my time and I would gladly had traded them in for other titles.

They replaced an entire book set! I ordered a copy of The Complete Anne of Green Gables from Book Outlet and sadly when it arrived the box and first book were damaged. I reached out to their customer service team to report the damage and see what Book Outlet could do, and they offered to replace the entire set free of charge. The team members I spoke with were kind and expedient and the new set arrived just the other day, in perfect condition. It's now the crown jewel of my collection.

Always fabulous shopping experience and I end up on... Always fabulous shopping experience and I end up on this site for a couple of hours every time I searching. There are an abundance of books both hardcover and paperback and up to date books for tweens and teens on make-up application, organic soaps. Also how to pair your wines. Just love everything about this site and fact the categories are numerous. Don't be afraid of buying bargain books. The ones I have received have a discreet dot near the seam of the book so you really don't notice it. On the other hand not all books have a mark, in fact many are lower priced due to a scratch and believe me when I saw a scratch on one of my books I though right on you really can't see it so its perfect for gift giving.

Funky fresh! I was very pleased with bookoutlet's pricing, updates, and the quality of the books received. Book Outlet weren't as new, but i wasn't expecting them to be. The only issue i had was one with shipping (the package was not at my building the day bookoutlet's site and the canadapost shipping site said it was, rather, the next day), but i don't think that's their fault. I ordered 4 books— 3 for myself and 1 for a friend— and am very pleased overall. Would recommend!

When you click on something in your favorites and then... When you click on something in your favorites and then click backward you always go to the first page of your favorites, not the page you were just at, this is very annoying. Would love my favorites to be one long list, not split onto multiple pages... on the good side, it's way easier to use points now during the checkout. Its also annoying the way the book menu pops open when you just hover the cursor over the "books" in the ribbon, it pops open most of the time when I don't want it to

I did the buy two get one free and it said if I spent... I did the buy two get one free and it said if I spent $4.63 more I'd get free shipping. So I ordered another book for $5 or so and my bill went up significantly. Because now suddenly the less-than-five dollar book was the one I got free. That seems poor! Also, I've redeemed points and got a code to use to use the savings, but I can't figure out how to get it to work and even though I've written 2-3 times to ask for help I never get help with this. So... It's actually stopped me from recommending Bookout...

I feel that you guys think that people are stupid I feel that you guys think that people are stupid. I placed an order just because your prices are cheaper. You should stop trying to lure people in by asking their email address and promissing $5 discount that Book Outlet will never get. You should also stop advertising %20 off which the customer will never get. Also when i added books to my basket there is a pop up that shows total. This total is about $15 less than the total the customer gets charged at the end. I am not sure if it is a coding mistake or you guys trying to rip people off. Very disappointing

I an an artist-educator constantly looking to find... I an an artist-educator constantly looking to find ways to engage my students with reading and writing. The school I work with is a high needs school, with many of the students in our school reading at 3 grades below level or more. The prices you offer help me in the classroom on a daily basis. I so very much want my students to fall in love with books and reading and your company helps me do that! However, I am paying for these resources out of my own pocket. Please do what you can to continue to help teachers in the classroom by bringing high interest/low price books to our classrooms in Saskatchewan. Your help is deeply, deeply appreciated. I am very much open to being a book outlet advocate and share your site with my coworkers daily. Thank you!

Yay Book Outlet! Book Outlet definitely saves money. While I cannot find every book there, I do find "zillions." When I did not receive an order--during Covid--Book Outlet refunded my money, telling me to keep the books if Book Outlet did ever arrive. And they did... likely they had been hung up in some postal warehouse for months. With their quick response and desire to meet customer needs, I will continue to purchase from Book Outlet. They also have good rewards, interesting surveys, and really encourage a love of reading. I already did in previous comment, so I won't force you to read it again.

Oh wow, I was impressed that I received the response to the feedback provided. A+ Had 2 gift certificates of $5, from rewards, and was able to redeem only 1. Also prefer paying using PayPal but BookOutlet wants to store my PayPal info for automatic payments. I have never encountered that with purchases online hence ended up using a card I don't normally use for other purchases. Not happy that I as the consumer do not get a choice of whether I would like to store my card with you or not! I do NOT mind at all typing it in each time, rather than having it "safe" with online merchandisers.

Book Outlet has given me many enjoyable hours of reading. I am 61 years old and I wait for my Book Outlet orders with the same anticipation I did as a child in Elementary School when I used to order my books at school. My experience with Book Outlet has been very positive and I highly recommend them to anyone. The difference in Book Outlet's prices compared to others is phenomenal and makes buying books much more affordable. Because of their affordable prices I can buy more books which makes me very happy. Like the title says Book Outlet has given me many enjoyable hours of reading.

Finding Bookoutlet has been an honest miracle for me Finding Bookoutlet has been an honest miracle for me. I have so many nieces and nephews that buying gifts for the holidays can be, well, very expensive. So for the last few years I've turned to giving them the gift of books. Purchasing from big box retailers is pretty expensive too, now that the kids are old enough to read chapter books. But since I found Bookoutlet back in 2019, I've not only saved a ton of money on a frankly astounding selection of kids books, I've also found and saved on a lot of new books I would never have thought of or actually found in my local bookstores! Suffice to say my experience with Bookoutlet has been very satisfying - the only drawback in that I have to restrain myself from purchasing more than I can store at home. Thankfully, the local Goodwill is also benefiting from my transactions here. :)

Truly A Hidden Gem After ordering twice from BookOutlet, I continue to find incredible deals on used or overstocked books. I always check this site first before going to a major book store. Every order is well packaged so the books aren't damaged. Amazon and Indigo can take a note from them in this regard. If a particular book is shipped damaged, Book Outlet state it up front on the item's page. I will always buy my books from BookOutlet as all the local book shops in my area have been closed due to a recent pesky virus or big box stores shutting them out of the market.

I tried to order yesterday, but didn't send it and... I tried to order yesterday, but didn't send it and today my cart was empty, so I had search through everything again. Then when I tried to order today it wouldn't let me, but it did not say what my issue was, so I tried to change addresses, entered my credit card again, etc. and finally I was allowed to order. If there is an issue, your order page should let me know what is wrong. I wasted too much time ordering from your web site. Frustrating to say the least!

Good Prices, It was a good experience and the books were a good price. However 3 out of the four times I've bought from Book Outlet there have been books missing from the order because Book Outlet were sold out. I wish that they had a system that would let the buyer know the book is sold out and not to get the hopes up. Also, there are often books that once they're gone, they're gone forever. Otherwise, the quality of service is great, the prices are amazing and there are constantly 15-20% off sales throughout the month.

I love shopping with Book Outlet I love shopping with Book Outlet. I keep a list of books I want and check to see if Book Outlet are in stock or not. It would be a nice addition to the customer experience if could make a list of books we want and then be notified via email that you have them in stock. My other favourite thing is that you are in Ontario. I love to read and support local businesses and I simply can't afford books at full price. Book Outlet allows me the opportunity to read, read and read. I keep a number of my favourites but also share them with our local shelter so others can enjoy reading too.

I don't like how it's mandatory to make an account... I don't like how it's mandatory to make an account in order to purchase from you. Other regulatable online retailers do not force their customers to open accounts (guest option as well as subscriber option. Regarding question # 2 - It's premature to ask if I would recommend book outlet to others before I've sampled your delivery experience. Book Outlet's initial impression is tacky. On the positive note, your website experience is great. If you make the small change (guest option) you'd get top marks.

Great finds! Everything from Book Outlet's end was perfection. Great selection, wonderful prices, and I even was able to get two books signed by the authors! The only things I wasn't happy about were strictly due to Canada Post - the box my books were shipped in was pretty beaten up upon arrival, it was left in the rain (!) instead of on my covered front porch, and my delivery was "Out for Delivery" for multiple days. None of this was Book Outlet's fault :) Luckily my books were all mostly ok! One got damaged but went out to a local small bookshop and picked up a replacement.

Updated this review UPDATE: I called Book Outlet and the person I spoke to was far more communicative and helpful. Book Outlet are working on replacement for the parcel that I didn't receive and also allowed me, given the circumstances, to send it to another address, which I'm hoping the courier service, Metroland, will be more thorough and careful with. I will update this to five stars if the parcel is actually sent with the new address details. ORIGINAL REVIEW: I have no idea where my package actually got sent and instead of dealing with this issue themselves, I was told I have to waste more of my time contacting the courier service, Metroland, myself and ask them yet again (I already contacted them once) to actually respond to me. This whole situation is a mess and I have no intentions of dealing with Book Outlet or Metroland again after this. I had no idea this wasn't going to be sent by Canada Post when I placed the order and had to pay $5 for shipping yet you would think there would have have been insurance to cover the cost of the parcel in that payment. Both companies are just ignoring the situation. I strongly caution anyone to reconsider dealing with either company. You can't even tell by the Proof of Delivery image Metroland took which unit this in this building they left the parcel at and I paid $5 for shipping. If this was with Canada Post, I'd at least have a route to recover the cost and no one would be leaving my parcel all over the place without me knowing where. Canada Post also would have attempted inserting my parcel in my mail slot rather than just leave it out in a random hallway.

I am placing this order with the same books as the... I am placing this order with the same books as the previous order was delivered to the lobby of my apartment building and the package was stolen. I am not sure if you changed delivery carrier but Canada Post would deliver to the door which would make it more difficult for thieves to carry off packages. I do appreciate though your prompt reply to my complaint and your willingness to fully refund the stolen order. I trust you would do so, and hence I placed another order for the same books.

It would not take my credit card It would not take my credit card. Had to enter it 5 times them it finally was ok. Makes customers think this is not a secure web site. Also I noticed you raised the price of the books then offer a discount. The price of the same books in my cart was cheaper before your sale stated. This is deceptive and a totally unfair practice. It means the sale is not actually 20% off if you order $75 or more. Please bring this to management's attention. Integrity and honesty keep customers coming back. Being cheated for $1 will make someone buy from another place even if the item is $5 more. Just offering you some insights as a successful business over for over 30 years. Most sincerely and respectfully, Sanjay Jagota I think your website and service is excellent but I disagree with this practice of price manipulation for the sale.

Had 2 gift certificates of $5, from rewards, and was... Had 2 gift certificates of $5, from rewards, and was able to redeem only 1. Also prefer paying using PayPal but BookOutlet wants to store my PayPal info for automatic payments. I have never encountered that with purchases online hence ended up using a card I don't normally use for other purchases. Not happy that I as the consumer do not get a choice of whether I would like to store my card with you or not! I do NOT mind at all typing it in each time, rather than having it "safe" with online merchandisers.

Don't like how you setup auto-pay with paypal Don't like how you setup auto-pay with paypal - customer should be given an option. More details about the books would also be appreciated. I have to look up every book manually on Amazon since page count is often not populated and there are no details other than a smallish front cover. Consider moving book size higher on the page so I don't need to scroll down - this is probably a non-issue for certain genres, but for kids books it is important.

Excellent as always... Excellent as always... just had a little trouble finding out how to use the points earned... took a little searching for the information, b/c it doesn't tell you in the email that you receive that provides the code, that you also have to use a password, and what that password it... i only finally found that by searching the website, within my account, to find out how to apply the $ from points earned. But otherwise, love love love shopping with your company :)

The search engine could use some tweaking The search engine could use some tweaking. Probably it's a matter of keyword input. I was looking for a particular book my friend recommended for my granddaughter. I tried typing "8" and then "eight" to no avail. Being a former librarian, I know how precise keywords can be hard to think of so I start with the easiest. No luck. Eventually I found the book typing "everything you need". Most people would have given up. Whoever types in your keywords needs to include everything in the title at least. Other than that, no problems.

I was unable to place my order for 2 days due to error... I was unable to place my order for 2 days due to error messages on the website and i was unable to contact service through the web site due to error messages also. I responded to the messages that I continued to receive about forgetting something, but the response was that it would not be read but to use the website... which was not working correctly. There was no alternate way to contact you. Frustrating. Also somewhat bothersome and confusing as to how to use rewards (for the first time).

Find the selecting of the payment method to not be... Find the selecting of the payment method to not be intuitive. I assumed since there was just one there it was already selected and couldn't figure out why the order wouldn't place. On another note, would appreciate emails/alerts of some kind letting me know one of my ordered items is no longer available. Has happened a couple times where I didn't realize one item wouldn't be delivered until the package arrived. Enjoying the updates to the site though!

No customer service I placed an order 2 days before their website went out of service for fully unknown reasons. Their website only had one page up with a phone number and email address and stated that their service was temporarily down but customer service was still open. 5 days later, I emailed to inquire about the status of my order as it was not able to be tracked. I followed with an additional email 3 days after that and inquired whether orders were still being processed while their website was unavailable. I received no response for either email. I checked my banking and my order was charged and then refunded after 10 days. I left it be then noticed 2 days later I was charged again. I sent a follow up email inquiring about that status of my order, if orders are being processed and that I hadn't received a response from my previous 2 emails. I received my order 15 days after placing and still, to this date, never received a reply from book outlet. Very very poor customer service. 2 stars is for the books received.

Only judging on the site & checkout experience because... Only judging on the site & checkout experience because I haven't received anything yet. The prices are good, the website easy to use but docked stars cause I hate having to save my credit card or PayPal to a website. I should be able to make a one time payment, instead I'm forced to save my credit details & the solution offered by their customer service was to just delete the details afterwards. A bit of a hassle, not sure how often I will use their site because of it but couldn't beat their price for the books I was looking for.

My New Go To Bookstore It was difficult for me to realize how to effect the end of my transaction; there were no instructions, so I kept moving up & down the site to see where I could click on that my order was finished. Other than that, it was ok. I received the 10 books I ordered 4 days later. Incredibly fast turn around time. All books were in mint condition. Great prices, great service. I will definitely be a repeat customer. I'm so glad to have found Book Outlet which is a Canadian book seller. Thank you.

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Description: Book Outlet’s core purpose is Enchanting the Mind - one book at a time! We're passionate about making reading affordable and are happy to offer a large selection of new bargain books for up to 90% off the original list price -- along with the availability of free standard shipping on orders within the US and Canada. Our parent company has been recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation in 2021.

Address: 67 Front Street North, Thorold, Ontario, Canada, L2V 1X3

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Everything you need to know about Book Outlet

After the racist comments made by the Book Outlet team on Twitter and their subsequent response to the public outcry, I no longer support or recommend Book Outlet.

I’ve chosen not to delete this post because I’ve spoken about Book Outlet so much over the past months that I want to make sure that those searching my site for this post see this and know that I stand against businesses that don’t align with my anti-racist values. I suggest that you look at this post for other recommendations for places to get books at a discount . 

Have you used Book Outlet before?

I included it a couple of years ago on a list I made of the best places to get cheap books , but I didn’t really start using it until this year and now I’m OBSESSED.

Let me tell you a little bit about it and why it’s so great!

Why I Love Book Outlet

Book Outlet sells new books that are publisher overstocks.

That might mean that the books went to a physical bookstore and didn’t sell and then got sold to Book Outlet or that the publisher still was holding on to and is now ready to sell at a discount.

So they’re brand-new books, but because they may have gone in and out of boxes a few times or been on shelves for sale, it’s possible they’ll be slightly dinged up on the corner. The book description on most of the books also says, “The book is in new condition and will, in most cases, have a small dot or line on the edge of the book.”

They pass along the savings to you, so most of the books available on Book Outlet are somewhere between 50-90% off.

What kinds of books does Book Outlet have?

Book Outlet doesn’t have EVERYTHING, but they have a darn good selection.

I like to scroll through the Bestsellers page and see what’s getting a lot of traction.

I particularly love using Book Outlet to buy Paint by Sticker books, Scratch and Sparkle books and drawing books. I stock up on these ones for birthday gifts for the endless parade of birthday parties my girls go to or for Easter or birthday or Valentine’s Day gifts for my own children.

It’s also a great place to grab a copy of a classic book or bestsellers from a year or two ago (very book in the photo stack above are books that Book Outlet currently has in their inventory).

There is no Amazon Prime with Book Outlet, so you won’t be getting your books in 2 days (unless you would like to pay truly astronomical shipping prices), but shipping is a flat-rate $5 or free shipping if you spend more than $35.

Is there a Book Outlet Coupon Code?

Occasionally they’ll have special coupon codes, but if it’s your first order from Book Outlet, you can use this link to get $10 off a $25 order.

They also have a great rewards program where you earn points for every purchase you make and for referring friends and you can convert those points into gift certificates that you can spend on any book you want (if you refer two friends that make purchases, you’ll get 400 points which translates to a $20 gift certificate. They do cap referrals at 10 per week, so you can’t earn hundreds of bucks at one go, but it can add up over time).

What about KidsBooks.com?

When I talked about Book Outlet a few weeks ago on InstaStories , I was flooded with messages about Kidsbooks.com. They’re owned by the same parent company and KidsBooks.com works almost exactly like Book Outlet except focused exclusively on children’s book.

You’ll need separate accounts for each and KidsBooks.com doesn’t have the rewards program that Book Outlet does.

One other little perk? The Library Extension plugin works on it so you can see as you browse books if your library has copies of it too. Score!

Any other questions about Book Outlet? I’m happy to try to answer!

If you liked this post about Book Outlet, you might like these posts too:

• How to build your home library on a budget
• Should I buy or borrow a book? 
• How to keep track of your library books and avoid fines

Photos by Heather Mildenstein

Reader Interactions

March 3, 2020 at 6:51 am

Book Outlet is one of my favorites. They recently had a sale where your 4th book was free and I bought extras for my child’s school. They are also cheap enough that I don’t feel bad when I take them on vacation and leave them behind! Now I’m off to go check out Kidsbooks!

April 11, 2020 at 5:45 am

Thank you for the recommendation on Book Outlet! I just made my first order for me and my daughter. I also wondered, where did you buy those cute sneakers in your photo? Love them! 🙂

April 11, 2020 at 9:50 am

They’re from Asos, I think, but I bought them on thredUP!

June 20, 2020 at 9:49 am

I appreciate you denouncing Book Outlet. I realize that might be a difficult thing to do with all the referrals and saved money. I appreciate you being so upfront about why you don’t support and giving us other options. Thank you for taking a stand and not just doing what is easiest for your business.

May 28, 2022 at 12:52 pm

Can you recommend an online book vendor that isn’t amazon owned? I appreciate your anti-racist stance but I also try to avoid Amazon. I used to LOVE Abebook.com but then I found out they’re owned by Amazon. So is the Book Depository. I should buy local but I’m mostly looking for children’s Spanish books which are easier to buy a lot of online. Ugh. Suggestions for anti-racist, anti-Amazon online books?

May 29, 2022 at 10:49 pm

I really like Thriftbooks.com.

July 11, 2023 at 7:30 pm

Book Outlet is amazing. Love that website. Great customer service. Definitely classy and family friendly.

August 21, 2023 at 11:44 am

I appreciate when a business is called out on their racism. I don’t find racism classy or family friendly.

May 7, 2024 at 10:11 pm

Totally. so we shouldn’t support Comcast nor Home Depot! Gah! Or Starbucks, if we care about how employees are treated.

[…] ask a neighbor to leave a few out for you on their porch or order a couple of new titles from BookOutlet for way below the regular […]

[…] I meant to get in bed at nine so I could read for an hour, but I spent way too much time looking at Book Outlet so now I’m finally in bed and I read for about 25 minutes while Bart watches one of the Thor […]

[…] older kids (my 9 year old definitely prefers the adult versions). I like to stock up on them from Book Outlet for half the […]

[…] Book Outlet. I am OBSESSED with Book Outlet – they sell brand-new books at a massive discount (usually 50-80% off) and their collection is always changing. I wrote an entire post about it how it works here, plus, you also get $10 off your first order of $25+, making it extra affordable. […]

[…] Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream at Home by Jeni Britton Bauer. I LOVE making ice cream at home and when a friend gave me a copy of this book, I was so delighted. My goal this summer is to make at least a dozen of these recipes! (There are a whole bunch of copies of this for a fraction of the retail price on Book Outlet!) […]

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Reviews 4.5.

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Great customer service

I recently ordered from Book Outlet for the first time. The prices were amazing, the shipping was fast & the books are in great condition. One of the books that arrived was not the one I purchased. I emailed their customer service and got a quick, friendly response. They didn’t ask me to return the book I received; they requested I donate to a locate charity if I did not want to keep it, and are sending the correct book immediately. I’m very impressed with their customer service, book options and prices! I will definitely purchase from them again!

Date of experience : 13 May 2024

High shipping cost

Prices are good but I live 10 minutes from their location and paid 10.00 for shipping. They should offer a pickup option.

Date of experience : 30 April 2024

Incredible Find for Book Lovers on a Budget

I was hesitant to purchase my books with an unknown company but the prices were unbelievably low compared to Amazon and Indigo. My experience exceeded all my expectations. My "discounted" books were in pristine condition, delivered to me in less than a week, packaged very securely and I collected some points. I will certainly use Book Outlet again.

Date of experience : 30 December 2023

Affordable & Reliable

I have placed multiple orders to send home to my parents in Nova Scotia and we have never been disappointed. The selection of books is wonderful and I never have an issue picking out items to purchase. I love that they have other items available such as puzzles. The shipping costs waived once a certain amount has been purchased is amazing. I always love sending home a care package filled with good reads, puzzles and activity books for my aging parents in remote NS … and it’s like Christmas for them to receive packages from the Book Outlet!!

Date of experience : 28 December 2022

Book Outlet has some good prices, and a great selection. I have used this site, mostly for Christmas shopping, since finding it, a few years ago. I am not able to review the customer service department as I have never needed to contact them. The order took about 10 days to arrive. When shopping here I, almost, feel like I am shopping locally, it is a quality Canadian store. I will continue to support this business.

Date of experience : 12 October 2022

I order all my kids books from…

I order all my kids books from BookOutlet. They have great selection and I have always been able to get books that I have been looking for. I’m actually still unsure as to why these books are discounted as they are new condition and I have never noticed misprints or anything. Delivery is quick and shipping is painless as they deliver to a PO Box. Five stars ⭐️

Date of experience : 24 October 2022

OMG! I can't believe people have returned these books with slight marks or dents. I wouldn't mind at all=) The shipping was fast, the books are in neat condition, and the prices are unbelievable. The selection is not as wide as book retail companies like Indigo but there are a ton of new releases and award-winning books to choose from

Date of experience : 07 January 2023

I honestly can’t believe I didn’t know…

I honestly can’t believe I didn’t know about book outlet prior. The book quality is amazing, shipping is super quick. In fairness, I’m not too far from the warehouse. But all in consideration, book outlet is now one of my favourite spots!

Date of experience : 31 December 2022

AVOID FOR EXPENSIVE BOOKS

Half the books were in horrible condition. They should have been listed under Scratch and Ding. I expect the overstock books to have remainder dots and small scratches and tears, which is fine, but 4 of the $50 books I picked up had gouges, rips, and smashed spines and corners. If I wanted reader copies I'd have bought the paperbacks instead of splurging on the collector's editions.

Date of experience : 21 January 2023

Amazing Deals, Affordable Prices

The deals on this site are incredible! I'm so glad I found Book Outlet just before Christmas, because I was able to order a bunch of items to give as Christmas presents, all at affordable prices for students like me! I have already started telling my friends and family about Book Outlet, and they are purchasing their own books. I have found my new favourite store!

Date of experience : 14 December 2022

Using the mail for a single book

Using the mail for a single book added greatly to the price and a delay. For local non-commercial customers, a pick-up spot for prepaid orders would be convenient for both the Depot and clients. A box by the door would probably be adequate, as thieves are not likely to target books.

Date of experience : 09 January 2023

I really love ordering from Book Outlet…

I really love ordering from Book Outlet for their good prices. It is easy to order and delivery is quick. My only complaint is that often books come in less than perfect condition, either bent covers or pages that look like a box cutter may have got to them. Over all I am happy with my purchases but books are not always in gift-able condition.

Date of experience : 16 December 2022

Always a great experience

I have made multiple orders and always have a great experience. The prices are already lower than other sites but the sales make it even better. With two book-loving sons in the house, Book Outlet makes it more affordable to expand their library!

Date of experience : 28 November 2022

I wasn't sure about ordering from this…

I wasn't sure about ordering from this website, because the prices are so low! but I took a gamble and ordered 2 discounted books for a Christmas gift, they arrived fast and in perfect condition! for an unbelievably cheap price, I will definitely be ordering from here again.

The entire process was flawless from cart to check out. However, when my order was delivered, I was missing a book. Logging a ticket for the missing book process was even easier, no issues. Someone from Customer Experience team reached out, apologized and shipped over the book. Smoooooth sailing!

Date of experience : 04 January 2023

I made a big order and...

I made a big order and 3 out of 4 boxes in my order came in no time at all. The 4th one was lost in transit, therfore I called customer service. Not only was I greeted and treated with kindness they promptly replaced what books they could and once the delivery came in I noticed they added an extra book I was looking at and interested in. A true surprise indeed and they all showed up before Christmas. I am very grateful for such wonderful service and all the books are in great shape. Definitely will keep ordering from here. Thank you!

Date of experience : 02 December 2022

A Very Good Experience

I was searching for a specific cookbook which I easily and quickly found (at a great price) and proceeded to place the order, a first time purchase for me. That was also easily and quickly accomplished. The book arrived a few days later so obviously my order was quickly processed. I appreciated getting the emails that kept me appraised of the status of the order and the slick tracking system. It was a good experience!

Date of experience : 03 November 2022

Big fan of Book Outlet, less so the delivery company

Big fan of Book Outlet! No issues with the items received, all great condition. One book had some slight defects along the paper edges but nothing major. My only issue was with the courier service used to deliver my package, BNI. Mainly, despite being home and with my phone handy all day, they left the package in the public doorway outside the lobby of my apartment building and did not even try to contact me or enter the building to drop it off in a secure spot, outside my door or even inside the more secure lobby. Luckily I was keeping my eye on the tracking and caught it early or it could have very easily been swiped.

Date of experience : 21 December 2022

The online purchase was easy

The online purchase was easy, the pricing is great and nice to have free shipping. Unfortunately the box the books were shipped in was a bit oversized and one of the books ended up getting quite bent. Would suggest to fill extra space with something so that items can't move within the parcel and get damaged.

Date of experience : 04 December 2022

Awesome service for the Price

I buy toddler and pre-school books from Book Outlet and I have never been disappointed. Good range of selection for awesome bargain prices. Delivery is super fast at least to my area (GTA). very satisfied.

Date of experience : 10 February 2023

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Reviews 4.1.

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More missing than shipped

More than half of the books I ordered and was charged for did not come. The message saying my order was on its way included all the books I had ordered.

Date of experience : January 09, 2023

Reply from Book Outlet Online

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this feedback. We are so sorry some of the books did not arrive. Please feel free to reach out to a member of our customer experience team who will be happy to help.

Brand new books at a super low price!?

Brand new books at a super low price!?! Amazing! Free shipping!?!? Amazing!

Date of experience : January 21, 2023

Had every book I was looking for!

Had every book I was looking for. Ordered one wrong book by mistake but the ticket was easy to fill out and the response was quick.

Date of experience : October 27, 2021

It took about 2 weeks for me to get my…

It took about 2 weeks for me to get my shipment and one of the books I needed a lot sooner than that. Otherwise, everything was fine.

Date of experience : September 24, 2022

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this feedback. We do apologize that it took longer than you/we would have wanted but we are happy you received your books. We will certainly pass this along as we are always looking for ways to improve our services!

My books arrived quickly

My books arrived quickly, and they were inexpensive and they were in good condition

Date of experience : October 21, 2021

Doesn't ship and then lies about it

Ordered a book from them Thursday last week. I was sent a usps tracking number pretty soon after. After no movement on the tracking I inquired about it Wednesday afternoon this week. That is 4 business days not counting the weekend. Plenty of time to see some movement one would think. They responded that it can take up to 3 business days and possibly more if the order was placed close to the weekend (again on day 4 with no updates). Fair enough. I decided to wait a couple of days in hopes to see something. Not 5 minutes after my interaction there was an update to usps. But usps updated what their shipping partner (which is in house btw) stated. It is now Friday and nothing has changed since then. Usps still does not have the package which tells me that it has not shipped. I have worked shipping before so I know how the process works. I also know that it does not take a week to leave the warehouse. I needed the book by this Sunday and given that nothing has shown up today means a refund for me. I email them today asking them to refund me. I tell them that lying to customers about shipping is bad customer service and I would rather not do business with such company. They refuse to refund me and claim that it is with their shipping partner and is on the way. They sent me the internal tracking from their shipping partner as evidence of this. It shows that the package has been circling the east coast for the past week. It shows a scan in my home city in VA on the day of my original email. It then shows a scan on the 13th with it in PA then with in only a couple of hours back in VA where it has sat for the past day and half. Usps still shows that it has not received the package and that it is in PA. Their evidence just makes them look even worse. I don't know what to believe. If my book doesn't show up soon I guess a chargeback will be in order. Edit: Book showed up so I'm updating the score. Still low as I feel customer service could be better. They should also fix their shipping process to be more transparent to the customer.

Date of experience : July 05, 2023

Baby shower books

I ordered books for baby showers on the moms' lists. Great prices and books arrived safe and on time. It does take a little longer to get them but well worth the wait. I just order well ahead of time needed. Very happy with purchase.

Date of experience : May 11, 2022

It was my first order and I was really…

It was my first order and I was really happy with the book selection and the great prices. I can’t wait to order more books!

Date of experience : August 30, 2022

Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! It always puts a smile on our faces!

Packaging not appropriate size

Books were packaged in too big of a box. Had some damage, but not enough to warrant the hassle of sending them back.

Date of experience : January 06, 2023

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us this feedback. We are sorry you experienced some damage because of the packaging and shipping process. If you haven't already done so please feel free to reach out to a member of our customer experience team who will be happy to help.

Amazing prices

A great variety of books that interested me on the site, great sale prices.

Date of experience : December 15, 2022

Book Outlet has good prices

Book Outlet has good prices, but the shipping for my order took forever.

Date of experience : January 04, 2023

I have only received 2 out of 17 books…

I have only received 2 out of 17 books purchased and the tracking number does not work.

Date of experience : November 04, 2022

Can't wait to read my books!

All the books I got were a great price for the condition they are in. Not a scratch or dent on them. Everything came in a timely manner, and I can't wait to read them!

Date of experience : October 13, 2022

I'm an avid reader, no book store ever did this!

Gosh I'm a TREMENDOUS reader & love almost all book shops, so these guys really had to disappoint me to make me not want to ever do business with them again. My first order ever was literally just thrown in a box much too big for both items, without any protection whatsoever, and one was a big box craft kit while the other was a smaller paperback book – they jostled around in that box from Canada to Philly, USA so the paperback's cover is hanging by an inch of binding, and it's mangled. The craft box was also damaged. These were both gifts for Christmas. They literally didn't care enough to even package with any semblance of care. And I paid for shipping! So it should cover the basics like bubble wrap and accurately sized boxes. I have been an eBay seller before so I know that this is not okay behavior for a seller if they care about their customers. And how broke people are, companies should be grateful for the sales. This was anything but. Then I get a automated reply email to my email showing the damage and it says to go to the website to view my ticket, but there's no ticket there. So even more lack of concern for the customer and their time. I'm just disgusted at this order – if I were able to show you the picture of the box and the items, you would all agree this was not acceptable. I never had an experience like this with any book store online, and I buy from them all. So it's telling. Then the lack of accurate or timely customer service when it's the holidays and they know that most orders are gifts. Now I have to use the money I shouldn't use to get these gifts elsewhere and just hope this store eventually responds and gives me my money back. Because that's what they should do if they want to make this right. That's the only thing with this level of... Honestly, disrespect. Opening that box was a slap in the face. Throwing items in a huge box without any thing to keep them safe and then shipping them cross country – there is no reason for this!!

Date of experience : December 14, 2022

Thank you for taking the time to write this feedback. We definitely understand your frustration and apologize for the way the items were shipped. We were able to look into this and it looks like you were in touch with a member of our customer experience team but we would like to assure you we have been actively looking into the boxing/packing paper of our products, as fellow book lovers we do not like to see books or our other products damaged. Thank you for helping us to improve the services we provide.

my books arrived on time

my books arrived on time. Wonderful service from books outlet

Date of experience : September 01, 2022

Thank you so much for putting a smile on our faces! We are so happy to be doing what we are doing and these comments certainly contribute to that. All the best

Long delivery time

Got the book but it took what seemed like forever ! 11 days from order date to delivery. I needed it for a book club - not sure if the savings of $4 was worth the wait.

Date of experience : January 11, 2023

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this feedback. We will certainly pass this along as we are always looking for ways to improve our services!

i HAVE nothing negative to say

i HAVE nothing negative to say, easy order, delivered on time

Excellent packaging

Thank you for the minimal, non-plastic packaging! That's very important to me.

Date of experience : October 19, 2021

Prices were awesome and books are in…

Prices were awesome and books are in great condition

Date of experience : January 05, 2023

Great find!

Great selection, great prices... my order was exactly right and right on time.

Date of experience : October 25, 2021

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A Modern Mom Finds an Ancient Outlet for Feminist Rage

In Alexis Landau’s ambitious new novel, “The Mother of All Things,” the frustrations of modern parenting echo through the ages.

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By Eliza Minot

Eliza Minot is the author of the novels “The Tiny One,” “The Brambles” and, most recently, “In the Orchard.”

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THE MOTHER OF ALL THINGS, by Alexis Landau

What is the source of maternal rage? The answer is as infinite as it is ancient. In 1965, the poet and essayist Adrienne Rich, with small children underfoot, captured a possible explanation for this abyss in her journal when she described it as “a sense of insufficiency to the moment and to eternity.”

But where — for moms, for women — does this nagging feeling of insufficiency come from? From the misogyny that we grow up with? From the helpless outrage we bear as our messy, gorgeous, individual maternal experiences are flattened by society into a weirdly infantilized stereotype that’s placed, like a paper doll, into a two-dimensional dollhouse called “Motherhood”? Or does it come from the profound feeling of helplessness that accompanies the ability to give life to a human being, but be unable to ensure that life’s safety?

Ava Zaretsky, the diligent heroine of Alexis Landau’s ambitious and engaging new novel, “The Mother of All Things” (her third after “Those Who Are Saved” and “The Emperor of the Senses”), simmers with a steady rage that never fully erupts toward her kids (Sam, 10, and Margot, 13, who’s at the edge of “adolescence’s dark tunnel”) or her husband, Kasper, a preoccupied Los Angeles film producer. Rather, Ava’s rage burns beneath the surface, “so white and hot it blurred the contours of her body.” She is angry that, in a marriage of supposed equals circa 2019, Kasper can relocate to Sofia, Bulgaria, for a six-month film shoot without a second thought, while her own work as an adjunct art history professor is smudged out by the needs of her family. Her fury is also embedded, we later learn, in the powerlessness that comes with profound loss.

When the family joins Kasper in Sofia for the summer, the kids enroll in a day camp, allowing Ava to wander this mysterious city. Her curiosity and creativity bubble to the surface. She begins writing about an ancient Greek woman whose life parallels and dovetails with her own, and whose narrative is interspersed throughout the pages of the novel. By coincidence, Ava also reconnects in Sofia with an intimidating former professor named Lydia Nikitas and becomes involved in a group of women who participate in re-enactments of ancient rites and rituals, most notably the Eleusinian Mysteries.

Despite some moments that feel forced and overly earnest, particularly in the ancient narrative and the Nikitas story line, Landau’s writing is accessible, specific, lush and transporting. Her research is rigorous and full of elegant effort. The great success of this novel is the author’s sustained exploration of a woman in early midlife who, seething quietly on the inside but operating gracefully on the outside, bravely re-evaluates how her life has unfolded in order to progress as a mother to herself. Renderings of Ava’s childhood — a heartbreaking recollection of a favorite red belt, memories of a father’s girlfriend entering her life and then leaving it — are especially astute and rich.

At times, the novel’s disparate parts compete with rather than complement one another; some characters seem predictable, and certain ideas redundant. When things are meant to get weird, as in the rituals, it can feel more Scooby-Doo than genuinely haunting. For this reason, more than once, I felt like shaking the book like a snow globe, as if its fascinating contents, suspended, might set free more of its wildness.

Landau’s prose can also lift off the page, as it does in a prolonged memory of Ava’s first childbirth and its aftermath. Here, Landau’s writing is intimate, tender and full of terror. The sentences breathe with the softness of shared human experience across time — absolutely sufficient to the moment, and to eternity, too.

THE MOTHER OF ALL THINGS | By Alexis Landau | Pantheon | 336 pp. | $29

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Cheap with some flaws

For the most part, cheap prices of new books is great. The dots and lines can be a bit annoying especially when the books are bought as gifts, but not all of them even have the dots or lines, and I am aware that many places do that to indicate a flawed book. Their packaging could be improved. No bubble packaging and rarely, if ever, even packing paper inside. On more than one occasion, I've had a book inside another book damaging at least one of them from not having proper packing material. Book Outlet is generally good at reimbursing, although if they disagree with an attached image having an issue, they don't acknowledge it. I mentioned a specific item at least 3 times before it got acknowledged because it "didn't look" very damaged in the picture. Overall, I do like the website, but be warned that the new books may not always look new.

Date of experience : September 19, 2023

Horrible! been a customer some time. Last few orders the books were seriously damaged from improper packing. They lost me.

Date of experience : October 08, 2023

Books are in fantastic shape BUT…..

Books are in fantastic shape! The prices are incomparable! Only reason I did not give five stars is the shipping takes so long. In an instant gratification/Amazon Prime 2 day world, waiting over two weeks for delivery feels like an eternity. The system on shipping status does not really update until your books have almost arrived.

Date of experience : September 30, 2022

GREAT COMPANY! LOW PRICES! BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE!

Lowest new book prices I have ever seen! So many books in stock! My husband & I have been customers for many years. Two books I just purchased for gifting were damaged in shipping. Customer Service is replacing them immediately! Thank you so much! We will be telling everyone we know to purchase from Book Outlet!

Date of experience : November 05, 2022

On Balance a Real Resource

Except for the fact the site has too little fiction and that using points is difficult, this is an oasis of inexpensive reading. Books arrive well packed and in fine shape. The occasional side marking is an issue when buying gifts. Also, one guesses due to reduced staff, it sometimes takes a week for an order to even leave the warehouse. Hoping this will get back to normal.

Date of experience : May 09, 2022

I supervise student workers in our college library. I always buy the graduating seniors a good, basic cookbook. I found exactly what I wanted using Book Outlet, a site I discovered while shopping for a particular cookbook. Not only were the prices and new account discount amazing, the books arrived quickly and in good to excellent shape. Although I am a new account, I know this will be my favorite place to shop for all books! Thank you!

Date of experience : May 04, 2022

A heart of gratitude. My grandchild has enjoyed your

My grandchild has enjoyed your books tremendously and that means so much to me. The books peak her curiosity about life in a positive and uplifting way and also while helping her establish a foundation for reading it also helps her peak her curiosity to explore the world around her. Thank you for your work in delivering them to her. Much appreciated!

Date of experience : January 18, 2023

A few small suggestions

I purchase a lot of books from Book Outlet. About half of the time the boxes arrive re-sealed from the post office and sometimes pages/softcovers are bent. I also wish your system had an easy way of identifying books I've purchased already, as I've accidentally gotten myself 3 duplicates. That money would have been better spent on books I didn't have yet. I love the selection, and I appreciate the way the system recommends books "for me".

Date of experience : October 17, 2022

I love bookoutlet

The prices and selection of books are GREAT. Shipping was timely. My only complaint is the packaging could use some sort of bubble wrap or cushion material. Some of my books arrived with slight tears on the dust jackets, hardcover tips bent, and one cover page folded.

Date of experience : February 13, 2023

Good experience

At first, I struggled logging in but then managed to get in. I was worried because a lot of reviews said that their packages arrived in bad condition. My books arrived in great condition, and there was a plastic covering so it didn't get waterlogged. The books looked new!

Date of experience : June 28, 2023

Packaging is horrible

Packaging is horrible. Boxes are weak. They often have holes or are partially ripped open. There is no packing material inside. Books bounce, jostle, and slide into each other, causing damage. My last package had to be taped closed by the post office, because it was so badly ripped. Two books inside sustained damage. I'm sick of taking photos of damage and asking for refunds. I'm no longer buying from Book Outlet. If they go back to the previous boxes and packaging I'll reconsider.

Date of experience : December 19, 2022

Reply from Book Outlet Online

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this feedback. We definitely understand the frustration of this, especially as it has happened multiple times. We are actively looking into this issue and we hope to see some continued improvements within the next little while.

Excellent selection of books! Need searchable past orders.

I love the selection of books that you have, and I especially love the prices. One addition to your website I would really appreciate would be the ability to search my past orders. I sometimes forget whether or not I have purchased an item, and it is so time consuming to go back and search each order individually. We order a lot of books, so a search feature would make that process so much easier.

Date of experience : November 23, 2022

I LOVE ordering books from the Book…

I LOVE ordering books from the Book Outlet. I get awesome books at crazy inexperienced prices. I love reading so this is the perfect place to order from. The orders come within 7-10 days & my orders are always correct. So easy to order.

Date of experience : February 01, 2023

Great books at good prices, but packaging leaves something to be desired

I love shopping from Book Outlet. The only thing keeping this review from being 5 stars is how the books are packaged. They’ll frequently arrive with bent pages, torn dust jackets, and covered in dust and dirt because the books are stacked loosely in a box. Nothing a bit of tape and a wipe can’t fix, and for the price it’s worth the fixes, but the packaging could be more secure to keep the books from shifting around or at least putting the two stacks spine to spine to avoid crushing pages in transit.

Date of experience : August 08, 2022

Thank you so much for the positive feedback, we are always trying to improve our services so this helps us do that!

This was my first order from Book…

This was my first order from Book Outlet. I thought it was easy, simple, and inexpensive. I'm looking forward to using the books for my students' families to check out and take home. I'm famliliar with many of the books and have not seen many of these titles for several years. I look forward to reading some of them to my students as well. I will definitely come back and order more from Book Outlet soon.

Date of experience : January 16, 2023

The book price was fabulous (a fourth…

The book price was fabulous (a fourth of others’ prices) & arrived in perfect condition in a week. The transit time did seem slow & I was unable to track it with the link provided. I ended up emailing, & then calling & the representative I spoke to was very polite & helpful. The book arrived later that morning.

Date of experience : January 09, 2023

First time ordering from this company

First time ordering from this company. I usually buy used books on eBay and small local book stores. I purchased 4 books from Book Outlet. I'm very pleased with my purchases. Books look brand new. Nothing was wrong with them. I read other reviews about slow shipping but I did not experience that. It took about one week. I definitely will be ordering again!! Thanks!

Date of experience : February 02, 2023

Affordable Prices!

I love how affordable the prices are. I am a high school English Teacher , and I host a book club with students at my school. When picking books for book club, we always start by looking at what is available on Book Outlet. This website never fails to provide us with countless affordable options!

Date of experience : November 28, 2022

Books arrived damaged, NO PACKING MATERIAL

Books arrived damaged due to NO PACKING MATERIAL at all in the oversized box. That's a recipe for guaranteed damage. I love the selection, but the prices have just taken a jump, and the packing situation makes every order a gamble. I hope they rectify their practices, as I'd hate to stop shopping there - which I do multiple times a month.

Date of experience : March 04, 2023

Best Place for Bargain Books

Prices are always the best you can find. Books are often new or near new (The do sell "scratch and dent" books so if you want excellent condition be sure that's not what you are ordering). I've only had one problem in my orders and that was dealt with quickly and politely. Orders can take a couple of weeks to arrive but that is the only real negative about buying there.

Date of experience : May 01, 2022

Amazon Announces Summer Book Sale, Featuring Deals on ‘Red, White & Royal Blue,’ ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ and More Bestsellers

By Selena Kuznikov

Selena Kuznikov

• Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment Selects 2024 New Writers Fellowship Class (EXCLUSIVE) 8 hours ago
• Kristen Wiig to Present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Carol Burnett at the Gracie Awards (EXCLUSIVE) 10 hours ago
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Amazon Prime Day doesn’t kick off until July but the behemoth retailer has announced another deals event to tide us over until then. The Amazon Book Sale, announced today, will run from May 15-20, featuring savings up to 50% on print best sellers and up to 80% on Kindle Books.

Early deals include a 29% discount on select Kindle Scribe devices and up to 80% on curated recommendations made by Amazon Books Editors, including “Memphis,” “The Last Bookshop in London,” “Now Is Not the Time to Panic,” “Happy-Go-Lucky,” “Broken (in the best possible way),” and “The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song.”

Sarah J. Maas Starter Bundle

‘red, white & royal blue’, popular on variety.

Customers can also save up to 70% on celebrity books, including Viola Davis’ “Finding Me” (Kindle Book only), Molly Shannon’s “Hello Molly!” (Kindle Book only), Anthony Bourdain’s “World Travel: An Irreverent Guide” (Kindle Book only) and Rebel Wilson’s new memoir “Rebel Rising.”

Popular book-to-screen titles are on sale, with savings of up to 50% on titles like “Oppenheimer” inspiration “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “Firefly Lane,” “Red, White & Royal Blue” and “The Last Kingdom.”

Other savings include three free months of Kindle Unlimited . All Amazon customers, not just Prime members, can participate in the book sale. A full list of deals available can be found here .

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