Buy, Sell & Discover Books Locally
See who has the book you want in your local area. Buy books directly from book lovers in your area. Sell your books to those in your community. Discover something new to read nearby.
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What is NearbyReads?
NearbyReads is a community-driven marketplace where people can buy, sell & discover books in their local area.
Why use NearbyReads?
You hear about a book from your reading group, a podcast, or a friend whose recommendations you trust. You want to read it now, but your options are limited: online retailers ship in 5-7 business days with excess packaging, used book sites often take even longer and have unpredictable inventory, libraries don't have it available or there's a long wait on it before you can get it, and big box retailers charge full price for books you'll read once.
Meanwhile, someone in your neighborhood finished that exact book last month. It's available, affordable, and three blocks away. You just need a way to connect.
NearbyReads connects you with people in your area who are selling the books you want. No shipping, no waiting, no environmental cost of cross-country delivery.
Same-Day Availability
Unlike online retailers that require days or weeks for delivery, local transactions happen on your timeline.
No Hidden Fees
We don't charge listing fees, transaction fees, or subscription costs. Sellers keep 100% of their sale price.
Environmental Responsibility
Local pickup eliminates the carbon footprint and packaging waste associated with shipping.
Community Connection
Direct person-to-person transactions support your local community and build genuine connections between readers.
Bringing Books to Everyone
Reading is for everyone. Time, location, income or status shouldn't stop anyone from being able to get the book they want.
Giving Books New Life
Books are everywhere and often sitting in warehouses, basements and landfills. NearbyReads give everyone an opportunity to make books and reading accessible to anyone.
For shopping on NearbyReads:
Get Immediate Access to Books
Search, connect, and pick up the same day. When you want to start reading, you can start reading.
Fair Pricing on Quality Books
Used books typically range from $5-15, significantly less than new retail prices. You get the same content at a fraction of the cost.
Support Your Local Community
Purchase directly from readers in your neighborhood. Your money stays local and supports real people, not corporate shareholders.
Reduce Environmental Impact
Local pickup eliminates shipping emissions and packaging waste. It's the most sustainable way to acquire books.
Build Reading Connections
Meet other readers in your area. Discover what your neighbors are reading. Connect with people who share your literary interests.
Optimize Your Living Space
Buy books locally, read them, then sell them back into the local marketplace. Maintain a rotating collection without accumulating clutter.
For sellers selling books on NearbyReads:
Convert Finished Books to Cash
Turn books you've read into money. Most titles sell for $5-15, and you keep 100% of the sale price.
Free Up Space
Clear your shelves without guilt. Books find new readers instead of sitting unused or ending up in donation bins.
Zero Platform Fees
List for free, sell for whatever price you choose, and keep every dollar. We don't take a percentage of your sales.
Extend Book Lifecycles
Give your books additional readers instead of letting them collect dust. Participate in a genuine circular economy.
Meet Local Readers
Connect with neighbors who appreciate the same books. Brief interactions that build community.
Simple, Flexible Selling
List on your schedule, coordinate pickups at your convenience, and manage your inventory however you prefer.
An opportunity to give books a second, third and fourth life
The current model for buying books is inefficient and wasteful, from publisher incentives to retail. New books are printed, shipped across the country in packaging materials, read once, and then sit unused on shelves or end up in landfills.
NearbyReads creates a different system:
Environmental Impact
Local transactions eliminate shipping emissions and packaging waste. Used books don't require new manufacturing resources.
Community Building
Direct person-to-person sales strengthen neighborhood connections and support local readers financially.
Lower Prices
Buyers access books at fair prices. Sellers generate income from finished books. No corporate intermediaries extract value.
Space Optimization
Books circulate through multiple readers instead of accumulating in individual homes. Especially valuable in urban areas with limited living
Faster Access
Same-day pickup means you can start reading immediately instead of waiting for delivery.
Empowering Ownership
In a digital world where true ownership can change on a whim, a physical book can't be taken away or modified once you have it.
Get paid for spreading the word
For those that know other people who love books, need to clear space out and want to see NearbyReads become a thriving community. For those poeple, learn more about our referral program and how you can earn for every friend that signs up.
Start using NearbyReads your way
For book lovers looking to check things out:
Search your area to see what's available. Create an account to message sellers and coordinate pickups. Start building your local reading network.
For readers with boxes and shelves of books looking to start selling:
List your finished books in minutes. Set your prices, respond to interested buyers, and convert your bookshelf into cash. We offer managed listing services if you prefer professional assistance.