Goldstone-books -
Because they process huge volumes of ex-library stock, charity shop donations, and publisher overstocks, you can find books that have gone out of print elsewhere. Need a specific older edition of a textbook or the 1990s paperback of a cult classic? Goldstone often has the odd copy.
Don’t be surprised to open your package and find a barcode sticker on the spine, a checkout pocket inside, and "Property of Lancashire Library" stamped on the title page. For readers who just want the story, this is fine. For gift-givers or shelf-prettifiers, it’s a disappointment. goldstone-books
Verdict: ★★★★☆ (4/5) Best for: Bargain hunters, series completists, and environmentally conscious readers who don’t mind "good enough" condition. Overview Goldstone Books (often found trading on Amazon, eBay, AbeBooks, and via its own website) is a family-run business based in Ammanford, South Wales. They position themselves as one of the UK’s largest recyclers of books, diverting millions of books from landfills each year. Their inventory is vast—ranging from pulpy thrillers and romance novels to out-of-print academic texts and collectible vintage hardbacks. The Good: Why Millions of Customers Use Them 1. Unbeatable Price Point This is Goldstone’s main draw. You will rarely pay more than £4–£6 for a paperback, and hardcovers often sit around £8–£10. For popular authors (e.g., James Patterson, Lee Child, Nora Roberts), prices frequently drop to under £3 including shipping. If you read 50+ books a year, switching to Goldstone can save you hundreds of pounds. Because they process huge volumes of ex-library stock,
Their business model is genuinely green. They claim to recycle or resell over 90% of the books they handle. For eco-conscious readers who avoid brand-new paper production, this is a significant plus. Don’t be surprised to open your package and
They respond to emails and return messages, but it’s transactional. If you receive the wrong book, they’ll refund or replace, but you pay return shipping unless the error was clearly theirs (e.g., wrong title). For a £2 book, many customers just eat the loss.