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Textbooks sneak up on you. So do the kids' books nobody reaches for anymore, and that shelf of novels you meant to get to. They just sit there collecting dust.
I cleared a stack out recently and got real money back for it. Here's how I do it.
What's worth selling back
- Textbooks. These usually get the best offers, especially recent editions.
- Outgrown kids' books. Chapter books and series in good shape can still get a quote.
- The shelf you never read. Newer nonfiction, cookbooks, study guides and test prep.
If a book gets no offer, donate it to your library's book sale or a Little Free Library.
My 4-step routine
- Pull everything into one pile. One box, one afternoon.
- Find the ISBN. It's the 10 or 13 digits on the back barcode or the copyright page.
- Get a quote. I start with BooksRun. When I compared buyback sites for my own stack, it paid the highest on my books, and it's often among the top offers when you compare, so it's worth checking first. Type the ISBN, see the offer, print the free shipping label.
Check what your books are worth right here (type an ISBN, title or author):
- Drop the box off. Done.
The 6% bonus code
When I sold my books I found the code SELLBOOKS6, which adds 6% extra to a BooksRun buyback order. Enter it at checkout on the sell side (it's for selling books, not buying). Codes like this can change or expire, so make sure it shows on your order total before you ship.
Why sell sooner
Buyback prices drop when a new edition comes out. Sooner is definitely better.
Keep them sellable
- Sticky notes, not highlighter.
- Keep covers, access cards and CDs together.
- Store books flat and dry.
A little extra for the empty shelf
Once the shelf is cleared, it's a nice spot for something calm to look at. My Shenandoah Valley and nature prints are on Fine Art America. I talk more about learning and creativity over at Foster the Imagination.
A few more picks
If you'd like to keep learning without a full semester, International Open Academy has short online courses, and Preply matches you with a language tutor on your own schedule. If you'd rather listen than read, Audible's free trial is worth a look.
FAQ
Where do I find a book's ISBN?
On the back cover barcode or the copyright page.
Can I sell kids' books and regular books, not just textbooks?
Yes. Buyback sites quote by ISBN, so any book with one can get an offer. Textbooks usually get the most.
Is there a BooksRun promo code?
SELLBOOKS6 added 6% extra to a buyback order when I used the site. Check that it applies at checkout before you ship.
Some links in this post are affiliate or referral links (including BooksRun, International Open Academy, Preply and Audible), plus links to my own print shop. If you use them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.