Wider ReadingBetaCurators of vintage academic textbooksCurators of vintage academic textbooksBeta

Where to find the best vintage academic textbooks

Reading planner

Add the books you own, choose one to read, and we’ll work out how many pages a day gets you to the end by your date.

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Ancient wisdom for modern mindsBrowse our shelves

Browse by subject

See more: Books everyone’s talking about

Compare copies of any book from booksellers across the internet in one search, from first editions and older printings to everyday reading copies.

Coming soon: save your searches and get an alert when a price drops.

For one of our recommended books, click the book, then All prices, or Prices next to the edition you want.

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Please use the exact book title and author for accurate results.

For when the ‘essential reading’ isn’t enough

See more: For when the ‘essential reading’ isn’t enough

Essential reading

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The classics

See more: The classics

Hidden gems

See more: Hidden gems

How it works

  • Curated discovery

    Textbooks chosen by hand for each subject, from first steps to mastery.

  • Price comparison

    Search several second-hand bookshops and marketplaces at once and see the cheapest copies.

  • Wishlist

    Keep the books you want and see when a copy is at its lowest price in months.

  • Basket

    Plan a shop across sites: choose the copy you want of each book and see the total by shop.

  • Reading planner

    Set a finish date or a number of pages a day, and keep a steady pace with a streak.

  • Library and stats

    Catalogue your shelves and see them by subject, decade and author, and what they're worth.

  • More features coming soon

    Accounts across devices, price alerts and recommendations from your own reading.

Questions

What is Wider Reading?

A guide to the great academic textbooks, old and new: reading lists chosen by hand for each subject, second-hand prices compared across shops, and tools to plan your reading and keep track of your books.

Do I need an account?

No. Browse as much as you like. The first time you save a book, a private guest account is made on this device, so your library and wishlist are kept. Accounts that work across devices are coming.

Where do the prices come from?

We search several second-hand bookshops and marketplaces and show the cheapest copies we find, with postage where the shop gives it. Prices are the last ones seen, so check the copy on the shop's page before you buy.

How are the books chosen?

Each one is picked for its quality and lasting value, with a note on why it's worth reading and which edition to look for. Reading paths show what to read first.

Do you sell books?

No. We link you to the shops, and you buy directly from them.

Is it free?

Yes, everything on the site is free to use.