When students order used course books online to cut expenses, it is easy to feel unsure about the condition their purchases might arrive in. With syllabus week over, The Daily Texan compiled a list of used bookstores around Austin that students searching for good-quality course books can turn to. 

Half Price Books (11-minute drive from campus)

This national chain, which started in a Dallas laundromat in 1972, offers a large variety of high-quality used books, comics and other media. Priced affordably, the store also offers shipping books from one of their other locations if unavailable at a buyer’s local store. Each store has an online directory so shoppers can know ahead of time if the books they need are in stock. The closest store to campus at 5555 N Lamar Blvd is one of multiple Austin locations open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

South Congress Books (11-minute drive from campus)

This picturesque bookstore offers used books while specializing in collectibles. A small Austin favorite, the store is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sundays. The store is offering 15% off purchases this week on Friday through Sunday for their Labor Day weekend sale at 3703 Kerbey Lane. Its website recommends calling ahead of time when interested in a book featured on its website, as sometimes books need to be brought from its warehouse for purchase.

Recycled Reads Bookstore (12-minute drive from campus)

Since 2009, this bookstore has filtered through old Austin Public Library books and materials, selling them to the public for cheap. Located at 5335 Burnet Rd., the bookstore runs Tuesday through Saturday each week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for Thursdays, when it’s open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The store advertises 5,000 square feet of space, with most materials sold for no more than $2.

Time Being Books (14-minute drive from campus)

Specializing in unique used and new books, this store offers a wide variety of books worth looking through for course references. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, the shop is now at 705 Gunter St. 

Reverie Books (19-minute drive from campus)

Reverie Books is an independent used and new bookstore that was established in 2021. Although an independent store, some of its selection can be purchased on its website with 5% off buyers’ next order after their subscription. At 5330 Menchaca Rd., the store runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and hosts social events each month advertised on its Instagram and website.