Like you, I read whenever I can in my free time, on the MRT, or while waiting. I usually read my books once - there are simply too many good books out there with too little time. Sometimes, I re-read them years later if I had forgotten about the story. Yet, there were also times when I could not finish a book as the plot did not struck a chord.
My bookshelves at home are lined with books that I have accumulated over the years. Even though I have a National Library Board (NLB) membership, which allows me to borrow six books for three weeks (free renewal to 6 weeks), some of the books, especially the newest and popular bestsellers, may not be available. Therefore, the only way for me to get the books that I want to read is to buy the books through bookshops or online purchase via Amazon.
My bookshelves at home are lined with books that I have accumulated over the years. Even though I have a National Library Board (NLB) membership, which allows me to borrow six books for three weeks (free renewal to 6 weeks), some of the books, especially the newest and popular bestsellers, may not be available. Therefore, the only way for me to get the books that I want to read is to buy the books through bookshops or online purchase via Amazon.
Some months ago, I came across an article which wrote about the topic "Things you should buy second hand". The author listed books as one of the items we should buy second hand, for reasons such as people tend to read them only once, they take up storage space in the house etc. More importantly, books are hardy stuff. You can throw them around, sit on them or even spill water on them. They would not complain and would still be good to read.
Besides the brick and mortar shops such as Sans Bookshop and the occasional finds in flea markets, there appears to be an increasingly vibrant online second hand books store presence in Singapore. By that, I do not mean Ebay, as I personally find that it is difficult to sell books using that portal. Firstly, unless the books are priced really attractively, the time for auction (7 days) typically runs out before anyone bids on the item. Secondly, Ebay is HUGE. The variety of goods on offer is mind boggling, not to mention that it is on a global scale. Therefore, one could list the items there for weeks with nary a reply, and it's quite a hassel to keep relisting the item.
I found the following websites useful both for selling books and for buying second hand books.
1. Secondhandbooks.com.sg (http://www.secondhandbooks.com.sg/)
This portal is the best in terms of the sites I have tried so far.
From the seller's point of view, it allows you to open your own "bookshop". You can set the rules, like how you want to price the items... whether meet up is preferred or orders by post only... bank transfer, paypal or cash on delivery... Secondly, there's an avenue for the buyer to rate the seller, and for the seller to rate the buyer. Both ratings are available for public view. So, in that sense, there is greater transparency and I can trade my books with a greater ease of mind. Thirdly, the books you post are listed there indefintely. This means that you can post your books once, and it will be there on display until someone buys it.
From the buyer's point of view, the books on offer cost much less than what I would have to pay for a new book. For example, Sophie Kinesella's books can go for $3 - $5, when a new book usually costs $12 - $15. Furthermore, most sellers provide a picture of the book on the site. You can post them questions or negotiate for a better price too. That way, you are able to gauge the condition of the book or get a better deal before buying. Once you have finished reading the book, you can re-sell the book, which essentially means that there is little or no cost involved. There is also an option to keep track of the newly posted books by keyword (author or title keyword). Once a book having the keyword is listed for sale, the website auto sends you an email to let you know that an item fulfilling the criteria has been posted.
Did I mention signing up as a member is free?
Yes, I have an account there. In fact I am one of the top 100 sellers on the website. So far, the people I have made deals with are pleasant. The website is only about books, thereby making it a more dedicated portal with a more cozy community.
2. Bookfishing (http://bookfishing.com.sg/)
This is another local website you can use to buy/trade books. It appears to be more of a textbook place at the moment. I have bought a book from a seller through the website. The condition of the book I bought was excellent - like new. The seller was willing to let go of it at less than half the retail price, as he has two copies of the book.
Registration as a member on this site is free!
3. Usedbooks (http://www.usedbook.sg/)
This is one other local website which I came across recently. I have not had the chance to buy any books using the website yet. Registration as a member on this site is free too!
Have fun reading!
Besides the brick and mortar shops such as Sans Bookshop and the occasional finds in flea markets, there appears to be an increasingly vibrant online second hand books store presence in Singapore. By that, I do not mean Ebay, as I personally find that it is difficult to sell books using that portal. Firstly, unless the books are priced really attractively, the time for auction (7 days) typically runs out before anyone bids on the item. Secondly, Ebay is HUGE. The variety of goods on offer is mind boggling, not to mention that it is on a global scale. Therefore, one could list the items there for weeks with nary a reply, and it's quite a hassel to keep relisting the item.
I found the following websites useful both for selling books and for buying second hand books.
1. Secondhandbooks.com.sg (http://www.secondhandbooks.com.sg/)
This portal is the best in terms of the sites I have tried so far.
From the seller's point of view, it allows you to open your own "bookshop". You can set the rules, like how you want to price the items... whether meet up is preferred or orders by post only... bank transfer, paypal or cash on delivery... Secondly, there's an avenue for the buyer to rate the seller, and for the seller to rate the buyer. Both ratings are available for public view. So, in that sense, there is greater transparency and I can trade my books with a greater ease of mind. Thirdly, the books you post are listed there indefintely. This means that you can post your books once, and it will be there on display until someone buys it.
From the buyer's point of view, the books on offer cost much less than what I would have to pay for a new book. For example, Sophie Kinesella's books can go for $3 - $5, when a new book usually costs $12 - $15. Furthermore, most sellers provide a picture of the book on the site. You can post them questions or negotiate for a better price too. That way, you are able to gauge the condition of the book or get a better deal before buying. Once you have finished reading the book, you can re-sell the book, which essentially means that there is little or no cost involved. There is also an option to keep track of the newly posted books by keyword (author or title keyword). Once a book having the keyword is listed for sale, the website auto sends you an email to let you know that an item fulfilling the criteria has been posted.
Did I mention signing up as a member is free?
Yes, I have an account there. In fact I am one of the top 100 sellers on the website. So far, the people I have made deals with are pleasant. The website is only about books, thereby making it a more dedicated portal with a more cozy community.
2. Bookfishing (http://bookfishing.com.sg/)
This is another local website you can use to buy/trade books. It appears to be more of a textbook place at the moment. I have bought a book from a seller through the website. The condition of the book I bought was excellent - like new. The seller was willing to let go of it at less than half the retail price, as he has two copies of the book.
Registration as a member on this site is free!
3. Usedbooks (http://www.usedbook.sg/)
This is one other local website which I came across recently. I have not had the chance to buy any books using the website yet. Registration as a member on this site is free too!
Have fun reading!
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