Shopping for Books in Australia

The Price of Books in Australian shops

My experience of buying books in Australia has been one of seeing high prices all the time, in the retail Book shops. There is the odd occasion where a bargain is to be found, but not often enough to rely on it.

Buying Books by Mail Order

Serious book buyers tend to look online for the best prices, and that is what I always do. As one example; The hardback Twilight series was cheaper online than the paperback version in the discount shops.

For some time, the best prices came from the UK, but I have found recently that this may not be as common as it once was. Each book that I have looked at in the last few weeks has been cheaper in an Australian online store than the normal UK one that I am used to.

I recommend trying them yourselves, just in case.


• Australia: Fishpond.com.au
• UK: Bookdepository.co.uk
• USA: Bookdepository.com
A few other options in Australia:

• The Nile Book store
• Cook Books Australia
• Seek Books Australia
• Double Day Books
• QBD Books

Buying Second hand Books in Australia

Charities often hold massive Book sales, especially in my area, where you can pick up many second hand books from around $1 each. Well worth looking in your local papers for such events.

Some example prices in December 2010

Jamie's 30-minute Meals By Jamie Oliver

• $29.97 Free delivery Australia wide from Fishpond.com.au
• $35.68 Free delivery to Australia from Bookdepository

Why Can't Elephants Jump? by New Scientist

• $11.97 Free delivery Australia wide from Fishpond.com.au
• $13.41 Free delivery to Australia from Bookdepository