As An English Major, I Spend A Lot Of Money In Books, But Here's My Best Kept Secret — Goodwill
1.Goodwill is a goldmine of classic literature.
Want to know what high school and college students do with their required reading? They donate them! This means the book section at Goodwill is brimming with classic literature — perfect for any literary savant. As an English and creative writing major, I’ve certainly landed tons of great finds by authors such as Jane Austen, Shakespeare, Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and many more. Not only is this great for building my personal library, but I was able to use these for school, which saved me from the hefty prices seen at college bookstores.
Fair warning: don’t expect for these books to always be in mint condition. Many students tend to mark up their required readings. Yet, if you’re anything like me and enjoy the sacrilegious practice of writing in your books, you won’t mind the notes and highlights made by those before you.
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2.Many contemporary novels can be found there as well.
Those summer reads and New York Times Best Sellers you’ve been aiming to read can also usually be found at your local Goodwill! One common practice I’ve noticed amongst story lovers is there is a high turnover rate for contemporary novels. People are willing to donate books to make room for the next best thing. So, it is not uncommon to locate many award-winning contemporary novels in the bargain bin after people are through reading them.
And while you may not find the newest addition to Oprah’s bookclub list on the shelves just yet — you’ll have to be patient for those to come around — many "last season” contemporary novels can be located at Goodwill. Several I’ve spotted include The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, and Where the Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens.
3.You'll be introduced to new works and authors.
I will admit that the biggest downfall to shopping second-hand is that there is no guarantee in finding exactly what you’re looking for. And if you are fortunate enough to score that particular book you’ve been wanting, you run the risk of product wear and tear. Therefore, if you’re one for a sure thing then you may be better off shopping elsewhere. However, if you enjoy the pastime of perusing bookshelves and picking up a book solely because it piqued your interest, then Goodwill is the place for you! Several stories I’ve picked up this way include The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans, Why We Run: A Natural History by Bernd Henrich, and Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan.
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4.Shopping second-hand is good for your wallet.
It is no secret that buying pre-owned anything is likely to be less expensive than buying a brand new product. Purchasing pre-owned books is no different. Now, prices may vary depending on where you live; however, I’ve lived in several states and major cities and every Goodwill location that I’ve visited sells used books at a max price of $2.99 each. During my most recent book haul, I was able to get over a dozen books for under $40. Compare that to pre-owned books on Amazon and other online retailers; plus you won’t have to pay for those pesky shipping costs!
5.And buying pre-owned is also good for the community and the environment.
Along with the money you’ll be saving on books, shopping second-hand will still be making a positive impact. Goodwill is a non-for-profit organization that supports those in need with job training and placement. Therefore, with every book you purchase at Goodwill, a portion of that profit will be funded back to the community.
Also, the cost of a new book is far greater than the amount listed on the price tag. Millions of trees are cut down each year due to paper production, which negatively impacts the planet through deforestation and air pollution, amongst other things. Now, your decision to buy pre-owned books is not going to automatically improve the climate crisis, but it may just save a tree or two.
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Overall, when it comes to shopping for books the answer is simple, pre-owned is the way to go! Not only is it a smart financial decision, beneficial for both you and the world around you, but it’s also a great way to find beloved classics and discover new favorites. So, next time you’re in the mood for a good book stop by Goodwill — you may be surprised at what you can find.
