Improve Your Home Library (Without Leaving Your Home)

    Since the pandemic began, my trips to Sendai have disappeared from my calendar, replaced by online lessons and lots of time at home. One thing I used to enjoy in Sendai was visiting Maruzen and picking up some English language books from time to time. The selection wasn't always perfect but I sometimes found books I had never seen before and occasionally even recommended some of them to friends. Reading is such a great escape especially in long-term pandemic times but how to get access to those new reads without going to a big city bookshop?

    Since Maruzen is off the table for me, I have spent a little more time acquiring books I want from the internet and have found two great sources with reasonable shipping to Japan and fantastic selection.

    If there's a new English language book coming out from an author you like and you don't want to wait for one random seller to acquire it and jack up the price on some sites, you may want to check out Book Depository. Shipping is included in the ticket price of the books and they accept Paypal as well as most major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro and American Express. I use Book Depository for any books I have been waiting for that are new releases or that I really want a brand new copy of. Shipping is faster than I expected and I use them frequently.



In the mood for out-of-print kids books from Scholastic circa 1990? Thrift books is for you. A friend for these for my kid. As you can see, they were a big hit.

    The second site I recommend, and one that I use even more often, is Thriftbooks. If you're into used books and eclectic finds, this is a great resource for you. The site collects data from a number of second-hand book stores all over the world and coordinates them with worldwide customers and shipping options. Every item also includes a statement of condition, so you know if something is "Like New" or barely "Acceptable" before putting your money into it. Like anything second-hand, many things will be in less-than-perfect condition, but if you're in the market for second-hand books, this probably doesn't bother you that much.

    On the site and app, you can set up a wishlist and receive an email any time anything you've been waiting for appears in their massive international database. If you're collecting out-of-print graphic novels, for instance, this can really come in handy.

    There are two drawbacks to Thriftbooks as a Japan-based user. One is the fact that copies labelled New (not Like New but New as in brand New) cannot be sold to us here though they can be bought in the states. I'm not entirely sure why that is but I assume it has something to do with worldwide distribution rights. Anything second-hand does not have the same problem.

    The other drawback is shipping time. Partially due to CoVid but even before CoVid the shipping times were a bit random. Usually when I buy something on Thriftbooks, I've forgotten what it was by the time it shows up on my doorstep. These days, I see that as a bonus, like getting a thoughtful book present from my past self.

    If you're in the market for some new English language reads, I hope you check out these sites and find something new to escape into.