thrift books online reviews

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ThriftBooks   Reviews

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Reviews 4.7.

1,870,980 total

Most relevant

The book was delivered in perfect…

The book was delivered in perfect condition, which is very rare for THRIFTBOOKS, but that's why I'm giving it four stars. However, it was not a normal sized book. It's a coffee-table formatted book, and nowhere does it tell you that, so it's a bit disappointing. I use this service because of the pricing, but caveat emptor, "buyer beware." Most of these books are disasters in one way or another.

Date of experience : July 03, 2024

you have such a wide variety of books

you have such a wide variety of books; something for every interest group, and the prices are so good.! I use my e reader alot, but there is still something very satisfying about the tactile pleasure of holding a book!

Date of experience : July 02, 2024

Surprises - Good and Not-So

I was pleasantly surprised to open the package with the book and find that it did still have its dust jacket. The description indicated it did not and I did want the dust jacket so it would better fit with the other volumes I have. I was disappointed, though, that both books I ordered were not shipped together. In fact, I have heard nothing regarding the second book in my order.

Thrift Books.com is indeed a treasure…

Thrift Books.com is indeed a treasure trove of used books for the discerning avid reader. I highly recommend this company for anyone who has specific and select titles to pur hase.

Received the book I ordered in perfect…

Received the book I ordered in perfect condition and in time for a family member’s upcoming 88th birthday. He will be thrilled with this book because he’s been wanting it for 4 years….now at a cost I could afford… Thank you, Donna Rybka

I am glad I tried ThriftBooks instead…

I am glad I tried ThriftBooks instead of Amazon.com. Books from ThriftBooks are cheaper on amazon.com but due to the recent customer service, I decided to spend a little more and buy Direct. I was not disappointed in the quality of the books or the time it took to arrive.

The catalogue is diverse & largely…

The catalogue is diverse & largely attainable; & the books come promptly & in the condition expected. And at reasonable prices. What more could one ask?

Recieved my books as expected

Recieved my books as expected, quickly. Books were in great shape as usual. The prices were excellent. Outstanding selection of topics and authors. I would and have recommend ThriftBooks to others.

Quick and Good Quality

Orders get filled quickly and out for shipment. Keep me notified about tracking and I get notified when it arrives. Books have always been good quality.

Such a reliable seller

I love how you can earn free items & the reasonable shipping rates with Thriftbooks. We watched the DVD, which arrived promptly, that I earned free. It played well & is a good addition to my collection.

My big issue is I spent a couple of…

My big issue is I spent a couple of extra dollars for a book marked "like new" and when I got the book it was anything but. There is writing and highlighting throughout the book, and the book itself isn't even in great shape.

Love ThriftBooks!

Love ThriftBooks!! Ordering is easy, prices are great. Shipping is good. Great variety of books. I always check ThriftBooks before I look anywhere else.

Condition as advertised.

Retail markup on textbooks should be a crime. Thanks for sites like this for finding cheap good quality education material.

Date of experience : July 01, 2024

Wonderful resource

I've ordered many books, and have only had one in subpar condition. The prices are fantastic, shipping is fast and accurate, and it is easy to earn free books. Many hard to find titles can be found here.

Date of experience : June 25, 2024

Love ordering from Thrift Books because…

Love ordering from Thrift Books because they have what I want at a great price, and the order comes pretty quick. Thank you for great customer service and specials, too!

Damage item. Very disappointed with one of the 5…

Very disappointed with one of the 5 books I ordered. It was beyond gently used! The total left corner of the Human Body book was ripped off down to the spiral. I contacted you about a replacement and I have heard no response. Very disappointed.

Good selection

Good selection. Easy to order.rapid response and shipping. Good quality for the condition of books.Will continue to order more books thru you in the future.

Use Thriftbooks to find hard to find titles

Was glad to find several books that I could not find locally. Shipping was very fast. Will definitely continue to use Thriftbooks in the future.

Happy to find my French textbook from…

Happy to find my French textbook from decades ago. Finding, ordering & delivery were seamless. Thanks Thrift Books!

This was my first time to buy or even…

This was my first time to buy or even try to find a book but it was very easy and I was very pleased to get the books that looked like new and a very reasonable price.

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Bookshop.org, thrift books.

ThriftBooks   Reviews

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Write a review

Reviews 4.7.

1,870,980 total

Most relevant

The book was delivered in perfect…

The book was delivered in perfect condition, which is very rare for THRIFTBOOKS, but that's why I'm giving it four stars. However, it was not a normal sized book. It's a coffee-table formatted book, and nowhere does it tell you that, so it's a bit disappointing. I use this service because of the pricing, but caveat emptor, "buyer beware." Most of these books are disasters in one way or another.

Date of experience : 03 July 2024

you have such a wide variety of books

you have such a wide variety of books; something for every interest group, and the prices are so good.! I use my e reader alot, but there is still something very satisfying about the tactile pleasure of holding a book!

Date of experience : 02 July 2024

Surprises - Good and Not-So

I was pleasantly surprised to open the package with the book and find that it did still have its dust jacket. The description indicated it did not and I did want the dust jacket so it would better fit with the other volumes I have. I was disappointed, though, that both books I ordered were not shipped together. In fact, I have heard nothing regarding the second book in my order.

Thrift Books.com is indeed a treasure…

Thrift Books.com is indeed a treasure trove of used books for the discerning avid reader. I highly recommend this company for anyone who has specific and select titles to pur hase.

Received the book I ordered in perfect…

Received the book I ordered in perfect condition and in time for a family member’s upcoming 88th birthday. He will be thrilled with this book because he’s been wanting it for 4 years….now at a cost I could afford… Thank you, Donna Rybka

I am glad I tried ThriftBooks instead…

I am glad I tried ThriftBooks instead of Amazon.com. Books from ThriftBooks are cheaper on amazon.com but due to the recent customer service, I decided to spend a little more and buy Direct. I was not disappointed in the quality of the books or the time it took to arrive.

The catalogue is diverse & largely…

The catalogue is diverse & largely attainable; & the books come promptly & in the condition expected. And at reasonable prices. What more could one ask?

Recieved my books as expected

Recieved my books as expected, quickly. Books were in great shape as usual. The prices were excellent. Outstanding selection of topics and authors. I would and have recommend ThriftBooks to others.

Quick and Good Quality

Orders get filled quickly and out for shipment. Keep me notified about tracking and I get notified when it arrives. Books have always been good quality.

Such a reliable seller

I love how you can earn free items & the reasonable shipping rates with Thriftbooks. We watched the DVD, which arrived promptly, that I earned free. It played well & is a good addition to my collection.

My big issue is I spent a couple of…

My big issue is I spent a couple of extra dollars for a book marked "like new" and when I got the book it was anything but. There is writing and highlighting throughout the book, and the book itself isn't even in great shape.

Love ThriftBooks!

Love ThriftBooks!! Ordering is easy, prices are great. Shipping is good. Great variety of books. I always check ThriftBooks before I look anywhere else.

Condition as advertised.

Retail markup on textbooks should be a crime. Thanks for sites like this for finding cheap good quality education material.

Date of experience : 01 July 2024

Wonderful resource

I've ordered many books, and have only had one in subpar condition. The prices are fantastic, shipping is fast and accurate, and it is easy to earn free books. Many hard to find titles can be found here.

Date of experience : 25 June 2024

Love ordering from Thrift Books because…

Love ordering from Thrift Books because they have what I want at a great price, and the order comes pretty quick. Thank you for great customer service and specials, too!

Damage item. Very disappointed with one of the 5…

Very disappointed with one of the 5 books I ordered. It was beyond gently used! The total left corner of the Human Body book was ripped off down to the spiral. I contacted you about a replacement and I have heard no response. Very disappointed.

Good selection

Good selection. Easy to order.rapid response and shipping. Good quality for the condition of books.Will continue to order more books thru you in the future.

Use Thriftbooks to find hard to find titles

Was glad to find several books that I could not find locally. Shipping was very fast. Will definitely continue to use Thriftbooks in the future.

Happy to find my French textbook from…

Happy to find my French textbook from decades ago. Finding, ordering & delivery were seamless. Thanks Thrift Books!

This was my first time to buy or even…

This was my first time to buy or even try to find a book but it was very easy and I was very pleased to get the books that looked like new and a very reasonable price.

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Bookshop.org, thrift books.

ThriftBooks   Reviews

In the Book Store category

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Company activity See all

Write a review

Reviews 4.7.

1,870,980 total

Most relevant

The book was delivered in perfect…

The book was delivered in perfect condition, which is very rare for THRIFTBOOKS, but that's why I'm giving it four stars. However, it was not a normal sized book. It's a coffee-table formatted book, and nowhere does it tell you that, so it's a bit disappointing. I use this service because of the pricing, but caveat emptor, "buyer beware." Most of these books are disasters in one way or another.

Date of experience : 03 July 2024

you have such a wide variety of books

you have such a wide variety of books; something for every interest group, and the prices are so good.! I use my e reader alot, but there is still something very satisfying about the tactile pleasure of holding a book!

Date of experience : 02 July 2024

Surprises - Good and Not-So

I was pleasantly surprised to open the package with the book and find that it did still have its dust jacket. The description indicated it did not and I did want the dust jacket so it would better fit with the other volumes I have. I was disappointed, though, that both books I ordered were not shipped together. In fact, I have heard nothing regarding the second book in my order.

Thrift Books.com is indeed a treasure…

Thrift Books.com is indeed a treasure trove of used books for the discerning avid reader. I highly recommend this company for anyone who has specific and select titles to pur hase.

Received the book I ordered in perfect…

Received the book I ordered in perfect condition and in time for a family member’s upcoming 88th birthday. He will be thrilled with this book because he’s been wanting it for 4 years….now at a cost I could afford… Thank you, Donna Rybka

I am glad I tried ThriftBooks instead…

I am glad I tried ThriftBooks instead of Amazon.com. Books from ThriftBooks are cheaper on amazon.com but due to the recent customer service, I decided to spend a little more and buy Direct. I was not disappointed in the quality of the books or the time it took to arrive.

The catalogue is diverse & largely…

The catalogue is diverse & largely attainable; & the books come promptly & in the condition expected. And at reasonable prices. What more could one ask?

Recieved my books as expected

Recieved my books as expected, quickly. Books were in great shape as usual. The prices were excellent. Outstanding selection of topics and authors. I would and have recommend ThriftBooks to others.

Quick and Good Quality

Orders get filled quickly and out for shipment. Keep me notified about tracking and I get notified when it arrives. Books have always been good quality.

Such a reliable seller

I love how you can earn free items & the reasonable shipping rates with Thriftbooks. We watched the DVD, which arrived promptly, that I earned free. It played well & is a good addition to my collection.

My big issue is I spent a couple of…

My big issue is I spent a couple of extra dollars for a book marked "like new" and when I got the book it was anything but. There is writing and highlighting throughout the book, and the book itself isn't even in great shape.

Love ThriftBooks!

Love ThriftBooks!! Ordering is easy, prices are great. Shipping is good. Great variety of books. I always check ThriftBooks before I look anywhere else.

Condition as advertised.

Retail markup on textbooks should be a crime. Thanks for sites like this for finding cheap good quality education material.

Date of experience : 01 July 2024

Wonderful resource

I've ordered many books, and have only had one in subpar condition. The prices are fantastic, shipping is fast and accurate, and it is easy to earn free books. Many hard to find titles can be found here.

Date of experience : 25 June 2024

Love ordering from Thrift Books because…

Love ordering from Thrift Books because they have what I want at a great price, and the order comes pretty quick. Thank you for great customer service and specials, too!

Damage item. Very disappointed with one of the 5…

Very disappointed with one of the 5 books I ordered. It was beyond gently used! The total left corner of the Human Body book was ripped off down to the spiral. I contacted you about a replacement and I have heard no response. Very disappointed.

Good selection

Good selection. Easy to order.rapid response and shipping. Good quality for the condition of books.Will continue to order more books thru you in the future.

Use Thriftbooks to find hard to find titles

Was glad to find several books that I could not find locally. Shipping was very fast. Will definitely continue to use Thriftbooks in the future.

Happy to find my French textbook from…

Happy to find my French textbook from decades ago. Finding, ordering & delivery were seamless. Thanks Thrift Books!

This was my first time to buy or even…

This was my first time to buy or even try to find a book but it was very easy and I was very pleased to get the books that looked like new and a very reasonable price.

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Bookshop.org, thrift books.

ThriftBooks   Reviews

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Write a review

Reviews 4.7.

1,870,980 total

Most relevant

Just One book arrived

One book arrived. In good condition. No sign (not update) on the other 2 yet to be delivered. Hopefully just running late due to holiday.

Date of experience : 03 July 2024

Disapointed…

I ordered very good paperback books but it was never indicated that much of the book contained yellow highlighter words. I was so disappointed for the very first time.

Date of experience : 24 June 2024

I seem to be able to find my hard to…

I seem to be able to find my hard to find books, both times. They were quickly processed & arrived on time. And in impressively good shape for vintage books. Delightful experiences. Thank you! B.H.

Date of experience : 02 July 2024

The books I received were in great…

The books I received were in great condition, they came quickly prices were good and free shipping is a plus. I wish you would have offered my free book at checkout so it would have shipped with my free shipping.

Quick arrival

Quick arrival, so glad I purchased this book, it’s loaded with great info for a new weaver. I’ve already found much information that is so helpful.

This book was just like it was rated

This book was just like it was rated, it was in great shape, and was just what i had been looking for a while with a large print its a must and a rare find.

Date of experience : 04 July 2024

I am usually looking for an older book 📚 and have been successful in finding what I want. I will continue to shop with ThriftBooks.

they refunded my money because they…

they refunded my money because they sent wrong isbn , but it was too much trouble to switch the picture to go wit the correct isbn number ??

Date of experience : 01 July 2024

Indulge without guilt

Great prices on hard-to-find songbooks and other great bargains. Items are always in excellent condition and ship quickly.

ThriftBooks is so easy to shop

ThriftBooks is so easy to shop. When I search, I get results for "adjacent" things that I might also want. I get to choose the condition, and everything comes so quickly, exactly as described. I am a ThriftBooks Fan!

Best of the best!

Ease of ordering, huge, ginormous selection, fabulous prices, and quick delivery! It doesn't get any better than this!!

I ordered 3 books the week of 6/30

I ordered 3 books the week of 6/20 received 2 .Today is 7/4. I am currently still waiting for the 3rd book to arrive, although I do not think it ever will. I usually have zero problems receiving my books. Oh well .

Date of experience : 20 June 2024

The cover on my book was markedly bent…

The cover on my book was markedly bent and there was underlining in the book. Disappointing for a very good book. My book order a few weeks ago was in great condition.

Better and cheaper than Amazon!.

The books were alot cheaper then I expected and got to me very fast, and I'm good condition. Better service then Amazon!

Outstanding delivery…

Product delivered in good condition ND delivery was quick. I would definitely order through them again.

Severe delivery delay

Items were ordered on June 3rd. Weren't even given to shipper until June 13th. Terrible service from this vendor. Will not order from them again.

The books ordered were in very good…

The books ordered were in very good condition, the delivery quick and on time, and the price is unbeatable. Very happy with the order.

I love thriftbooks they usually have…

I love thriftbooks they usually have the books I'm looking for at prices that I like, and they get to me in a timely manner.

happy with books but packaging arrived…

happy with books but packaging arrived ripped. I think you need to use something sturdier like Powell's does.

Great selection at great prices

The company always has a great selection at great prices. They ship in good packaging and are expedient.

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ThriftBooks has a rating of 2.3 stars from 363 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about ThriftBooks most frequently mention customer service, good condition, and dust jacket problems. ThriftBooks ranks 24th among Used Books sites.

• Service 140
• Shipping 143
• Quality 139

“Look like new.”

Send fast and book look like new. Prices are very good. Inside book bright color, like new. I will going to buy more book from the websites agian.

“Can I give a zero rating”

I ordered a new book called the Atlas of Car Design. It's a big coffee table book that cost over $100.00. It came severely damaged. The spine was broken and pages bent. I think most of the damage was due to terrible packing. It took me 2 phone calls and four emails to finally get a return label. They received the return 2 weeks ago and still have not refunded my money. So now it's time to contact the credit card company. I will never purchase from them again.

Reviews (363)

Reviews that mention popular keywords

• Follow M. R.

I order books on a regular basis from Thrift Books and am always pleased with the excellent shape they're in, even if only rated "good" condition. Books are shipped right away; I appreciate getting them so quickly. I bought a lot of used books from Amazon until I came across Thrift books and found they not only cost less than Amazon but show up in better condition. The last used book I bought from Amazon had mildew on every page. Gross! I received a refund but should never have been shipped a book in that condition. I don't have to worry about that with Thrift Books.

Products used: Books.

• Follow Melanie C.

I ordered two new books on November 30th. Everything seemed fine until I noticed the tracking information indicated a shipping partner. I've never seen this on domestic shipments before. One item is stuck in Illinois with no update, and the other item hasn't even shipped yet. The shipping partner is a company called One Stop Mail (OSM), a media mail/4th class mail service. 4th class mail is reserved for stuff like magazines and other media. While it's perfectly acceptable to mail books this way, 4th class mail is in no hurry to get delivered. Thriftbooks shows "standard shipping" on their website, which reasonably assumes first class mail, not 4th class media mail. Thriftbooks is deceiving people about their shipping methods. They simply say, "5-12" business days to cover themselves. If you're ok to wait two or more weeks for a book that might not even be delivered, then no worries! But if you're looking for timely shipment and delivery of Christmas gifts, shop elsewhere.

Products used: I never received the items.

• Follow Joal K.

I ordered a book on 12/13/2023 for Christmas. It is now 1/12/2024 and no book and no update from seller, just a bunch of spam adverts from them. I will not be using them ever again.

• Follow Teena M.

"Very good"= Ok for yourself, but if you plan on giving as a gift, you are better off buying New! IMO.

I hate hate hate when they send me some old library book with a plastic cover and a Dewey Decimal System tag on the binding. HUGE and bulky. Hate! And it happens so much that I'm not ordering from them again.

• Follow Kay R.

Wouldn't recommend. Wish I could vote no stars. They don't let you leave reviews unless you buy the book which is stupid. What that means is if you have already read a book, and know everything about it...you can't leave a review unless you buy it. Dumb.

About the business

ThriftBooks.com is one of the world's largest online new and used book retailers with more than 7 million books in stock at everyday low prices. Get free standard shipping on U.S. orders over $10. U.S. A: Standard Shipping - 4-14 business days - Fr...

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• Seattle, WA, United States
• Edit business info

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Everything You Should Know About Thriftbooks

Thriftbooks is my new go-to for discount books for both kids and adults. They have millions of titles, plus free shipping on orders over $15.

Have you heard of Thriftbooks.com ?

I first discovered it years ago when I put together this list of ways to build your home library on a budget , and since then I’ve been floored by what an amazing resource it is.

Why I Love Thiftbooks

As the name suggests, Thriftbooks primarily sells used books and you can get books for a smoking deal, usually in the $3-4 range per books.

(Although they also sell new books, audiobooks and rare editions).

And their selection is ENORMOUS.

Even better? Thriftbooks offers free standard shipping in the US on orders over $15, which is pretty incredible.

They also have a great program called ReadingRewards where you earn points for referring a friend or buying books or using the app .

For instance, in ReadingRewards, 500 points earns you a free book and you get 50 points for every new customer you refer (and they get 15% off their first order!). Or if you place your order through the app, they’ll give you a 100 point bonus.

And they’re always offering special promotions to earn bonus points, so keep an eye on your account.

Thriftbooks also has a pretty easy-to-navigate site, with lots of categorizations, curated book lists, and filters so you can sort by the condition of the book, the price, the format, the language, and more.

You can also create wish lists and even categorize those wishlists to keep track of books you want to buy (board books, for instance, or non-fiction books about education or whatever categories you want to track).

It’s seriously impressive.

If you, like me, have been looking for a new source for bargain books and a way to grow your home library without breaking the bank, I think you’ll love Thriftbooks as much as I do.

If you try Thriftbooks out, let me know what you think.

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

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Photos by Heather Mildenstein

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10 comments.

I love Thriftbooks! Recently started ordering from there and linking deals on my blog too!

Thriftbooks is the BEST! It’s my favorite place to buy used books. I’ve used them for years, but even more so now that the libraries have been closed. So grateful that there’s a place we can get reasonably-priced books!

I love Thriftbooks! I have been a loyal customer for several years now. Every time I get the email notification for a free book (from all of my book buying!), I get so excited!

I love Thriftbooks! It is my FIRST stop when I’m looking to purchase any book but ESPECIALLY childrens books. And if they dont have a book I’m looking for, I add it to my wishlist and get a happy email in a week or two saying its available!!

I tucked this post away and have been making a list of books I was going to order. I’m getting ready to place the order but it says the referral code is maxed out. Just curious if anyone else has run into this and if you perhaps have another code. If not, I understand! xo

Random question from earlier post about e Lockhart Frankie book. Am I confused or are there really two characters named Zada, frankie’s older sister and a member of the debate club? Not a very common name. Just find it weird an author would use same name for two different characters.

I bought 3 books and I haven’t ordered anything else yet, but I have had a 75 dollar charge come out of my account and im wondering if this is a club that takes money every month like a club type

anyone knows how to use the reward points? I have one reward point but when I put a book in the cart and click checkout, i don’t see that the reward point is used.

I love Thriftbooks! I’ve been buying from them for the past 3 years, so easy to expand our library with a fast reading first grader.

We love finding older DVD’s and TV series too. Their customer service is top notch!

I, too, am a loyal Thriftbooks customer, thanks to your recommendation a couple of years ago, Janssen! The savings and quality of the books just can’t be beat!

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Thrift Books Reviews | Objective Review of Thrift Books Online

Intro to Thrift Books Online

If you’re an avid reader, you may have already heard of Thrift Books Online. 

If you’re like a lot of people, you might be wary of purchasing your books from a lesser-known website that offers used books. Perhaps you’re afraid to take the plunge from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore.

Image Source:  Thrift Books

Will the books arrive in good condition? Is Thrift Books safe? What about Thrift Books free shipping? Is it really free? These may be some of the questions you have when it comes to Thrift Books Online.

The company has been around since 2003 ; needless to say, there are a multitude of professional and consumer Thrift Books reviews online. It may be confusing to look through all of the information and opinions.

If you’re considering ordering from Thrift Books, you’ve come to the right place. We hope to provide you with a thorough and concise Thrift Books review that will give you the facts you need to help you make a decision. 

See Also: Momondo Reviews | Is Momondo Legit and Reliable? (Cheap Flights)

What Is Thrift Books? Pros and Cons

Thrift Books Online is a website that allows a consumer to purchase new and used books at supposedly rock bottom prices. As referenced in the image at the beginning of this article, you’ll notice that the search bar on the top of each page on Thrift Books states that there is an extensive collection of books to search from, with multiple ways to find the book you’re looking for.

We will look at the different goals and values of the company shortly, but its main goal is to sell you used books for cheaper.

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It certainly seems that the company has set values when it comes to selling books. You’ll notice that the company promotes recycling and reselling of books, and environmentally responsible practices.

According to Thrift Books Online, the company has donated over “1 Million Books internationally, to combat illiteracy.” They also take books that were previously used by libraries and resell them to consumers to avoid filling landfills with wasted books. Lastly, any material that they cannot use are reportedly sent to recycling plants.

Another pro of Thrift Books Online seems to be the user-friendly interface when you view books to purchase. When you find the book you’re looking for on the site, you are able to see many options for buying your selected book.

Depending on the book and type, can choose from paperback, hardback, mass marketing paperback, or if available, a copy for school and library with binding meant for that purpose. In addition, you can see how many copies are available in case you are buying copies of a book en masse, as teachers do. In fact, the company provides a Thrift Books coupon code meant to give teachers discounts.

Finally, you may be able to find rare, out-of-print books from Thrift Books Online that you wouldn’t be able to find in a store or that would be hard to come by even at a large online retailer like Amazon or eBay.

Because Thrift Books receives shipments of books formerly used at libraries all over the country, it is possible that they will have what you’re looking for, even if you can’t find it anywhere else. Since the purpose of this company is primarily focused on reselling used books, it is likely the selection is much larger on Thrift Books than on any other website.

You may be wondering at this point how Thrift Books prices compare to major competitors in the online used book arena. You may also be curious to know what other users think of Thrift Books Online.

The cons of using Thrift Books could possibly be found in the prices that Thrift Books offers for the product, and also in consumers’ Thrift Books reviews, which will be discussed in more depth below.

Image Source: Thrift Books Review

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How Does Thrift Books Online Compare?

When it comes to price, it is important to compare Thrift Books to its major competitors. After all, Thrift Books claims on its About Us section of its website to provide “cheap, used books at the lowest prices anywhere.” 

Many might be inclined to turn to a trusted mega-retailer like Amazon to purchase books, or they might even look on eBay or eBay’s Half.com to find a copy for dirt cheap. Just how do the prices on Thrift Books Online compare?

The exact answer to that question is complicated at best. Not all used books are equal, since the exact edition or age of the book may be newer or older depending on the inventory at any retailer on any given day.

Since these websites are selling used books, each individual book differs in regards to any wear or damage the book has sustained over the years.

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More importantly, companies like Amazon, eBay, and Half.com allow members to sell their own items. If you’re looking for the lowest prices available for acceptable, readable books, then you may find lower prices by searching other providers.

However, if you are uncomfortable with making a purchase from a third party hosted through Amazon or eBay, you may want to purchase from Thrift Books to avoid dealing with someone you don’t know.

When it comes to price alone, a lower price is often found at a different provider. For example, if you search for the book, The Giver, by Lois Lowery on Thrift Books Online, you will find it (as of the time of this publication) priced at $3.59 for copies considered to be in “Good” condition. On Amazon, you can find the same book currently offered at $2.50 for a book also labeled to be in “Good” condition. Check over at Half.com , and you can find this book offered in “Like New” condition for $0.75!

Since it’s clear that lower prices can be found elsewhere, you might be wondering about the availability of Thrift Book coupon codes or deals. After all, this might make the difference as to the truly cheaper retailer, and any good consumer would want to know about offers available to save money.

Thrift Books coupon codes come in the form of a reader loyalty program that rewards members for shopping at Thrift Books. For every $50 spent, the company will email you a $5 Thrift Books coupon code that can be used on the next purchase. In addition, Thrift Books will also give members a 20% discount each time they refer the company to a friend, after the friend’s first purchase.

Lastly, if you scroll down to the very bottom of their home page , you will find a sign-up form for “Special Offers.” This seems to be a separate entity from the customer loyalty program and an additional opportunity for Thrift Book coupon codes.

Image Source:  Thrift Deals

Finally, Thrift Books Online offers particular selections as a part of their “Thrift Deals,” as shown in the above graphic. You can browse the specific titles that are offered as Thrift Deals and select from the list to purchase books for a lower price.

It may be possible to find Thrift Books coupon codes , like those shared on RetailMeNot.com (though that is certainly worth the try), but your best bet is to find lower prices and coupons through email, the loyalty program, and the Thrift Deals if you’re looking to save on Thrift Books Online.

Relevant link: DHgate Reviews – Is DHgate Legit? Safe? Real? (DHgate Review)

Thrift Books Free Shipping : Is It Really Free?

It depends. According to the Thrift Book free shipping policy , shipping is only free if you select standard shipping (4-14 business days), and if your order totals over $10. If you want to purchase only one book that costs less than $10, you will have to pay shipping for your order.

In addition, if you would like to expedite shipping or need 2-day shipping, you will pay a flat fee for each item , according to the site. Additionally, Thrift Books free shipping is not currently offered for international shipment outside of the U.S.

Overall, if you’re located in the U.S. and are purchasing at least a few books, Thrift Book’s free shipping really is free. It is worth mentioning that one common complaint among Thrift Books reviews is that books are shipped in thin envelopes that reportedly do not protect the book.

According to one blogger’s experience, her hardback books arrived dented because of the lack of packaging or packing. Only you can decide how important the appearance of the book is to you and your personal library.

Thrift Books Reviews: What Do Others Have to Say about Thrift Books Online?

You don’t have to look far to find Thrift Books reviews. On a popular online business site review website, Site Jabber , Thrift Books Online was given 3.5 stars, or a 65% positive rating based on 22 reviews. One common complaint among Thrift Books reviews is that the company sent them the wrong book. Another common complaint is the condition of the books did not match the condition as stated on the website.

If you check the Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, you’ll notice that Thrift Books Online gets a B- rating with the BBB for 34 complaints in the last 3 years. The most common reason for this rating seems to be the length of time that the company has taken to respond to complaints and for delivery issues. It is important to note that all complaints against the company are currently closed at the time of this publication.

Read More: Is AliExpress Reliable? And Can AliExpress be Trusted? (This Year’s Reviews)

Thrift Books Review: Conclusion

One last question that hasn’t yet been addressed: is Thrift Books safe? For a company that has been around for over a decade, Thrift Books Online certainly is a safe choice for purchasing books. Thrift Books sells its product directly to the consumer and does not utilize individuals to sell their own books through its site. Is Thrift Books safe? Absolutely.

Whether or not you decide to purchase books from Thrift Books Online depends on your individual needs and wants. If you are looking for a company with a philanthropic purpose that donates to charity and supports responsible environmental practices, you might feel confident giving your money to a company like Thrift Books.

If your love for reading leads you to purchase many books at once, Thrift Books Online might be the right choice for your budget. Thrift Books free shipping and Thrift Book coupon codes might help to widdle down prices to make them more competitive with other providers. However, if you are looking simply for the lowest prices on individual books, it is wise to shop around and compare current prices to find the best deals.

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Note: Firms and products, including the one(s) reviewed above, may be AdvisoryHQ's affiliates. Click to view AdvisoryHQ's advertiser disclosures .

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Is ThriftBooks a trustworthy seller?

As of right now Thriftbooks is having a large sale on many of their books. At first I was interested, but after reading some reviews it seems like their service is 50/50. It seems that many people either receive exactly what they ordered or they receive a book in very poor condition or not at all. I would love to take part in this sale but I would like some more opinions on ThriftBooks before I make any purchases

Edit: it seems like the people with negative reviews were way more vocal than those with good reviews. I will use ThriftBooks in the future!

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Reviews 4.7.

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Just One book arrived

One book arrived. In good condition. No sign (not update) on the other 2 yet to be delivered. Hopefully just running late due to holiday.

Date of experience : 03 July 2024

Disapointed…

I ordered very good paperback books but it was never indicated that much of the book contained yellow highlighter words. I was so disappointed for the very first time.

Date of experience : 24 June 2024

I seem to be able to find my hard to…

I seem to be able to find my hard to find books, both times. They were quickly processed & arrived on time. And in impressively good shape for vintage books. Delightful experiences. Thank you! B.H.

Date of experience : 02 July 2024

The books I received were in great…

The books I received were in great condition, they came quickly prices were good and free shipping is a plus. I wish you would have offered my free book at checkout so it would have shipped with my free shipping.

Quick arrival

Quick arrival, so glad I purchased this book, it’s loaded with great info for a new weaver. I’ve already found much information that is so helpful.

This book was just like it was rated

This book was just like it was rated, it was in great shape, and was just what i had been looking for a while with a large print its a must and a rare find.

Date of experience : 04 July 2024

I am usually looking for an older book 📚 and have been successful in finding what I want. I will continue to shop with ThriftBooks.

they refunded my money because they…

they refunded my money because they sent wrong isbn , but it was too much trouble to switch the picture to go wit the correct isbn number ??

Date of experience : 01 July 2024

Indulge without guilt

Great prices on hard-to-find songbooks and other great bargains. Items are always in excellent condition and ship quickly.

ThriftBooks is so easy to shop

ThriftBooks is so easy to shop. When I search, I get results for "adjacent" things that I might also want. I get to choose the condition, and everything comes so quickly, exactly as described. I am a ThriftBooks Fan!

Best of the best!

Ease of ordering, huge, ginormous selection, fabulous prices, and quick delivery! It doesn't get any better than this!!

I ordered 3 books the week of 6/30

I ordered 3 books the week of 6/20 received 2 .Today is 7/4. I am currently still waiting for the 3rd book to arrive, although I do not think it ever will. I usually have zero problems receiving my books. Oh well .

Date of experience : 20 June 2024

The cover on my book was markedly bent…

The cover on my book was markedly bent and there was underlining in the book. Disappointing for a very good book. My book order a few weeks ago was in great condition.

Better and cheaper than Amazon!.

The books were alot cheaper then I expected and got to me very fast, and I'm good condition. Better service then Amazon!

Outstanding delivery…

Product delivered in good condition ND delivery was quick. I would definitely order through them again.

Severe delivery delay

Items were ordered on June 3rd. Weren't even given to shipper until June 13th. Terrible service from this vendor. Will not order from them again.

The books ordered were in very good…

The books ordered were in very good condition, the delivery quick and on time, and the price is unbeatable. Very happy with the order.

I love thriftbooks they usually have…

I love thriftbooks they usually have the books I'm looking for at prices that I like, and they get to me in a timely manner.

happy with books but packaging arrived…

happy with books but packaging arrived ripped. I think you need to use something sturdier like Powell's does.

Great selection at great prices

The company always has a great selection at great prices. They ship in good packaging and are expedient.

Don't break the bank with your reading habit: Where to buy cheap books near you

Have you caught the reading bug from BookTok ? Looking to check out a viral series ? Getting into reading is all fun and games until you realize new releases can run you about $30 a hardcover. 

But you don’t have to ask for a raise to finance your reading habits – there are many online platforms dedicated to making reading an accessible and even free experience. Libraries are a go-to, but there are also options for those who want to own a physical copy to build up their bookshelf.

Where to buy cheap books

The art of low-cost book buying lies in the unexpected gems. You might find a book you’ve been dying to read with a cover that's a little worse for wear or a cheap read you’ve never heard of. Searching for inexpensive books can be a great way to expand your reading palate.

Get into the habit of checking out sale sections as well. Many bookstores have a discount table or sell used books for only a few dollars. 

Buy cheap books online

While you can find cheap, used books on Amazon or eBay, you may also have luck at e-commerce platforms that specialize in low-cost books. Check out one of these sites to make your next read a steal:

• ThriftBooks
• Better World Books
• Half Price Books
• Awesome Books
• Book Outlet

Swap books with another reader

Why not kill two birds with one stone? You can donate a book and get a new one with a trusty book swap, either through friends or at an online retailer like Paperback Swap or Book Mooch .

Check for local sales

Some libraries raise funds by selling second-hand books. Find the closest public library to you using this U.S. map created with data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and ask your librarian if they have a "for sale" table.

Independent bookstores may let you trade your old books for store credit that you can use to snag a new one. Thrift stores and consignment shops also typically sell used books.

Another place to scour is Facebook Marketplace. You never know who is doing a closet cleanout and wants to get rid of their old books for a few dollars. 

How to read books for free

You don’t have to shell out any money to become well-read – a library card is all you need to unlock a world of literature. Start by visiting your local library . You typically only need proof of address to apply for a library card.

Little Free Library’s take-a-book, leave-a-book model is also a great place for finding new free books. These outdoor pop-up hutches are all over the country. Check out Little Free Library’s map of registered libraries across the U.S. to find one near you.

You can also try e-reading. The Libby app lets readers borrow e-books, digital audiobooks and magazines with your library card.

Audiobooks are another low-cost way to access books and popular platforms like Audible , Libro.fm , B&N Audiobooks and Audiobooks.com let you listen at your leisure with a monthly subscription fee. Spotify recently unveiled a new audiobook program as well where eligible Spotify premium subscribers can enjoy 15 hours of monthly listening from over 200,000 audiobooks.

Where to donate books

You can donate books at many of the same locations where you purchase or borrow them, like libraries, donation centers, bookstores and community centers. If you’re doing some spring cleaning, check out USA TODAY’s comprehensive guide to donating and selling your books .

Cozy mysteries: Why comforting crime is your next favorite genre

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USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "How to play Solitaire" to "What is my love language?" to "Do dogs smile?" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you. 

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The Ultimate Guide to Placing a Thrift Books Order: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re an avid reader, you understand the joy of finding great books at affordable prices. Thrift Books is a popular online bookstore that offers a wide selection of used books at discounted rates. Placing an order with Thrift Books is not only convenient but also cost-effective. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about placing a Thrift Books order.

Creating an Account and Browsing the Catalog

To get started with your Thrift Books order, you will need to create an account on their website. The process is simple and only takes a few minutes. Once your account is set up, you can start browsing their extensive catalog.

Thrift Books has a user-friendly interface that allows you to search for books by title, author, or genre. They also have curated lists and recommendations based on your preferences. Whether you’re looking for fiction, non-fiction, or textbooks, Thrift Books has it all.

Selecting and Adding Items to Your Cart

Once you find a book that catches your interest, simply click on it to view more details such as the condition of the book and its price. Thrift Books provides detailed information about each book’s condition, ranging from “Like New” to “Acceptable.” This helps you make an informed decision before adding items to your cart.

Thrift Books also offers various formats such as hardcover, paperback, and even audiobooks in some cases. Choose the format that suits your preference and add the item to your cart. You can continue browsing and adding more items until you are satisfied with your selection.

Reviewing Your Order and Applying Coupons

Before proceeding to checkout, take a moment to review your order in the cart section. Double-check the quantity and condition of each item to ensure accuracy. At this stage, you can also apply any available coupons or discounts to your order.

Thrift Books frequently offers promotions and discounts, so it’s worth checking their website or subscribing to their newsletter for exclusive deals. Applying a coupon code can significantly reduce the total cost of your order, allowing you to save even more on already affordable books.

Placing Your Order and Tracking Shipment

Once you’re satisfied with your selection and have applied any applicable coupons, it’s time to place your order. Thrift Books offers secure payment options, including credit cards and PayPal, ensuring a smooth checkout process.

After placing your order, Thrift Books will provide you with an estimated delivery date. They have multiple shipping options available, including standard shipping and expedited delivery for those who can’t wait to dive into their new books. You can track the shipment status of your order through the “My Account” section on the website.

In conclusion, placing a Thrift Books order is a convenient and cost-effective way to expand your book collection. By following this ultimate guide, you now have all the information you need to create an account, browse their catalog, select items for your cart, apply coupons, place your order securely, and track its shipment. Happy reading.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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ThriftBooks® Launches BuyBack Program

SEATTLE, June 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ThriftBooks Global, LLC , the world’s largest online independent used bookseller, has announced the launch of its new BuyBack program. This initiative offers customers a convenient way to sell their books directly to ThriftBooks and earn some extra money or store credit from the books collecting dust on their bookshelves. ThriftBooks’ BuyBack program encourages sustainability, giving these books a second life.

ThriftBooks’ BuyBack program is designed to make it easy for book lovers to pass on their pre-owned reads. Through the BuyBack program, ThriftBooks accepts high-demand books based on ThriftBooks’ inventory needs, provided the books are in good condition. Books must be clean, free from water damage and missing pages, with the spine intact, though showing some wear is acceptable.

This program is open to both customers and non-customers of ThriftBooks, provided non-customers create a ThriftBooks account. Customers who have previously purchased books from ThriftBooks can log into their account and view their ‘SellBack Shelf’ in their account, which will show how much ThriftBooks is offering, based on popularity and demand, to buy those books previously purchased from ThriftBooks. Additionally, customers can enter ISBN numbers of books not purchased from ThriftBooks to find out how much ThriftBooks may pay for those books. Customers can cash out or turn their payment into store credit to use at ThriftBooks.com or on the ThriftBooks mobile app.

“BuyBack was the last piece of the puzzle we needed to help our customers fully participate in the circular economy,” said Ken Goldstein, chairman and CEO of ThriftBooks Global. “It takes a surprisingly complex set of algorithms to deliver an exceptional customer experience, and we’ve been studying the competitive landscape for years. We worked through the details over an extended beta period and now think our platform can respond to all the learning we’ve gained from our customers. We think ThriftBooks BuyBack will become the industry standard for recommerce and we look forward to continuing to improve this experience with ongoing customer feedback.”

To ensure a smooth buyback process, ThriftBooks offers a free Prepaid Shipping Label for shipping the books to ThriftBooks. Customers can find a link to this label on their ‘BuyBack Order Detail’ page within the ‘My Account’ section of the ThriftBooks website. Once ThriftBooks receives the box and confirms the contents, the customer will receive payment.

At the time of launch, books sent back to ThriftBooks via the BuyBack can only be shipped from the continental U.S., Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and AFO/FPO/DPO addresses. ThriftBooks does not buy Instructor Edition Textbooks, Examination Copies, Teacher’s Editions, Advanced Readers Copy (ARC), items that are sexually explicit and/or offensive, items marked “Not for resale,” or books without an ISBN. ThriftBooks reserves the right to refuse to purchase any books and to discontinue the BuyBack program at any time.

For more information on the ThriftBooks BuyBack program, please visit  https://www.thriftbooks.com/buyback/ .

To learn more about ThriftBooks or shop our assortment of used and new books, please visit  ThriftBooks.com , and to keep up with ThriftBooks latest updates, follow the company on Instagram at  @thriftbooks and  Facebook ,  X (formerly Twitter), and  TikTok .

About ThriftBooks ThriftBooks Global LLC is the world’s largest independent online seller of used books, having sold more than 250 million used books since its inception. Founded in Seattle in 2003, ThriftBooks operates multiple processing centers throughout the US that purchase, grade, and distribute used and rare/collectible books. ThriftBooks sells across a variety of online platforms, including ThriftBooks.com , Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Etsy, and others. ThriftBooks.com provides a best-in-class e-commerce shopping experience, as evidenced by its  2024 Best Online Shops recognition, its  Best Customer Service award six years in a row, and its 5-star  Trustpilot score with more than 1.7 million customer reviews. Customers who shop at ThriftBooks.com enjoy everyday low prices and can earn free books through the company’s much loved loyalty program,  ReadingRewards .

• E-Reader Reviews

Kobo’s great color e-readers are held back by lock-in

They’re more colorful than anything amazon offers and have built-in support for overdrive, but the ui feels more focused on selling books than reading them..

By Alex Cranz , deputy editor and co-host of The Vergecast. She oversaw consumer tech coverage at Gizmodo for five years. Her work has also appeared in the WSJ and Wired.

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The problem with most e-readers is they’re not really intended for reading books. They’re meant to sell you books. Amazon, which has the biggest market share in the US, is especially notable for doing this, but Barnes & Noble is guilty of the same thing. Kobo is perhaps the least offensive about this — it’s got Pocket and Overdrive integration! But oftentimes, when I found myself totally enamored with Kobo’s gorgeous new color e-readers, I’d suddenly get slapped with the reminder: this thing is here to sell me books.

Which is a shame because Kobo’s new Libra Colour and Clara Colour are the closest we’ve gotten to a perfect e-reader lately. Both the $219.99 Libra Colour and $149.99 Clara Colour are ridiculously light, but with a sturdiness that makes them feel comfortable and not flimsy. Both include Kaleido 3 displays, which means book covers are rendered in actual color. Both flip pages and navigate stores much quicker than the $249.99 Boox Page (the bigger, slower sibling of the Palma ) — impressive, given the fact that the Kaleido 3 display is a little slower than a more traditional monochromatic E Ink display found in the Page.

I did find myself liking the more expensive Libra because I prefer asymmetrical e-readers with dedicated buttons to ones that function more like traditional tablets. That it also has stylus support for note-taking is a plus. Yet, either one is a charming and enjoyable-to-use e-reader, and over the last couple of months, I repeatedly found myself reaching for the Libra over the Boox — which, until now, has been my primary e-reader. I just like the feel of reading on it more. Sure, Boox gives me every reading app available (it’s an E Ink Android tablet), but the Libra doesn’t have any of the weird little hiccups typical of Android on E Ink.

Kobo Libra Colour

The Libra Colour is one of the newest e-readers from Kobo and one of the first with color. With both Overdrive and Pocket support it give readers considerably more options that e-readers from bigger brands like Amazon.

Both Kobo e-readers also support highlighting text in color, and their touchscreens feel much snappier and more responsive than the Boox Page. Those highlight colors aren’t particularly vibrant, though. The Kaleido 3 display found in both gets you color, but the color is akin to what you see in a newspaper left in the sun for a few days. Plus, that color comes at the cost of both making the black-and-white reading experience a little less crisp. It’s still infinitely better than previous color E Ink technologies, which often gave the whole display a green cast .

My real issue with these devices isn’t the color displays. It’s the lock-in.

Kobo’s e-readers feel built more for buying books than reading them. They’re tied to the Kobo bookstore, which is powered by Rakuten, a Japanese retailer that is often called the “Japanese Amazon” or the “Japanese Barnes & Noble” when people want to quickly summarize the company. Rakuten is very good at moving books, and Kobo’s built-in bookstore is similar. It doesn’t have quite the same library as Amazon; Amazon has more self-published books and carries more niche content from boutique publishers. Yet, Kobo’s bookstore has a decent spread. If it’s a remotely popular book, you’ll find it on the Kobo.

Unlike other non-Android e-readers, Kobo e-readers also have a more traditional library built in via Overdrive. If you’ve got a library card from a library that works with Overdrive you can borrow ebooks. Unfortunately, this is when you start to run into Kobo’s bookselling business butting heads with its e-reader business. To borrow books, you either have to use your phone to find them on an app like Libby, or you have to use the Discover tab, then choose the Overdrive tab, and hope you can browse for the book you want. Or you have to search for the book on Kobo’s store, and when you find the book, you have to tap the More Options button next to the much larger Buy Now and Wishlist buttons and then actually tap the Borrow From Overdrive button to see if the book is borrowable from your library. It is miserable, and when I asked a generally very clever friend to try to borrow a book, she couldn’t even figure out how.

You also can’t have more than one library card active on the Kobo at a time. Instead, when you finish a book and want to read another one that’s tied to a different library card, you have to log out and log in with the other card. I had to switch repeatedly between my New York Public Library and Jersey City Public Library cards and was left deeply annoyed. I don’t have to do this when I use the Libby app on my Page or iPad.

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You run into the same issue using the built-in “experimental” web browser Kobo has. I can navigate to websites just fine, and if I want to try and read a book over the web, I can theoretically do that. No app necessary. Only the browser is painfully underdeveloped. It would be nice if I could scroll or paginate using the Libra’s built-in buttons as I can with the EinkBro browser on Android e-readers.

Getting ebooks from other stores onto the device is also a hassle. You have to plug the e-reader into your computer and drag and drop files (though Calibre, the ebook management app, does make it a scootch easier). But that problem isn’t unique to Kobo. Amazon and Barnes & Noble also insist you sideload books. But after years of the Boox ecosystem (and the iPad), it feels weird that these systems all insist you stick so closely to their bookstores. It’s a degree of lock-in that seems absurd, and with Kobo’s ecosystem, it feels more absurd because in so many other respects it really seems like the company is trying to do e-readers right.

The Kobo Libra Colour and Koko Clara Colour are fast and nearly perfect for getting out of your way when you just want to read a book. Their color displays aren’t as sharp as an iPad Mini’s LED one — or even a monochrome E Ink display — but the color gives a welcome zest to the experience that black and white cannot. The fact that they even offer things like a web browser and Overdrive and Pocket support is very welcome when compared to what Amazon is doing. But the lock-in, man. The lock-in might be the norm in the e-reader world, but it shouldn’t be.

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‘Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1’ Review: The Beauty, and the Bloodshed

In the first of a projected four-film cycle, Kevin Costner revisits the western genre and U.S. history in a big, busy drama.

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By Manohla Dargis

Midway through Kevin Costner’s big, busy, decentered western “Horizon: An American Saga — Chapter 1,” the actor Danny Huston delivers a brief speech. The year is 1863 — two years into the Civil War — and his character, a colonel in charge of a military fort in the southwest, is discoursing on a nearby settlement called Horizon. Apaches have recently burned the hamlet to the ground, killing scores of settlers. You simply need look at the land, the colonel says, to see why the newcomers will keep coming.

“You may recall that’s what drove us across the ocean to this country in the first place.”

Huston, an imposing presence with a rich, sepulchral voice that can suggest depths, delivers this nod at Manifest Destiny with arid sobriety. His words certainly sound meaningful yet this reference to American expansionism just hangs in the air, untethered from history or ideology. Given this nod as well as the film’s large scale, crowded cast, multiple story lines and nearly three-hour run time, it’s reasonable to assume that Costner will add context, commentary or, really, anything . Yet all that’s clear from “Chapter 1,” the lead-in for his splashily publicized four-film cycle , is that the land was vast and beautiful, and everyone wanted a piece.

“Chapter 1” is the first movie that Costner has directed since his 2003 western “Open Range,” an earnest period drama about free-grazing cattlemen facing down a wealthy rancher. What’s striking about that film, beyond how Costner draws from so many different genre touchstones — John Ford, Clint Eastwood and Sam Peckinpah, among others — is how he tries to honor old-fashioned westerns that he so clearly loves while also complicating the myth of the American West through his character, a violence-haunted gunfighter.

A version of that same man — tough, terse, good with a gun, not bad with the little ladies and now named Hayes Ellison — rides into “Chapter 1” about an hour in, handsomely framed against a bright blue sky. What takes him so long? Given how the movie plays like an extended prologue, I suspect that Costner timed his entrance for a four-part project rather than for a stand-alone film. That makes it tough to get a handle on precisely what he’s up to here, other than gesturing at history, re-engaging with an archetypically American genre and readying the foundation for an epic that will continue when “Chapter 2” opens in August.

Written by Costner and Jon Baird, “Chapter 1” features uneven lines of action that jump across the map, from the southwest to the Territory of Wyoming. In one section, bad men with good cheekbones, their dusters trimmed with animals skins à la Gladiatorial Rome, chase after a righteously violent woman (Jena Malone in a lively, credible turn). In time, they end up in one of those frontier towns with muddy streets and desperate characters, a sinkhole where Hayes rides in with some gold and exits with Marigold (Abbey Lee), a lady of the evening (and afternoon). In another section, Luke Wilson leads a wagon train peopled with tough Americans, Laplander goons and two British twits itching for some punishment.

The story line that revs up the action centers on the settlement, a riverfront hamlet on a ribbon of green that winds through the desert and has attracted the attention of a tribe of White Mountain Apache led by Tuayeseh (Gregory Cruz). Soon after the movie opens, the settlers are swinging their partners to fiddles like good John Ford folk; not long after, many are dead, cut down by Apaches. Among the survivors are the newly widowed, impeccably manicured Frances Kittredge (Sienna Miller) and her daughter, Elizabeth (Georgia MacPhail), who take refuge in the fort. There, they meet a first lieutenant, Trent Gephart (Sam Worthington), a thoughtful soul who refers to Native Americans as Indigenous.

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