How reassuring to come across this article in The Guardian book blog about watching other people shopping on The Book Depository.
After ordering a book for one of the boys the other afternoon, I did my usual and took a peek at other people shopping. I do it partly for the thrill of watching my order pop up and partly because it’s interesting to see what interests other people.
Rob just thought it was sad and boring to be interested in those things.
At my other book group this afternoon one of the women told us about an online bookshop called The Book Depository. It’s a UK company but posts books worldwide – at no extra cost. Vic (in the other group) says they usually ship within a couple of days. The prices came up for me in AUD – if they don’t for you perhaps try googling “book depository australia.” – just looked again – there is a currency selector in the top right hand corner of the page.
I checked against Dymocks, Angus & Robertson and Amazon Aus (fishpond.com.au). Here are the comparative prices for some of the books on our list :
The Wailing Wind by Tony Hillerman ~ $8.26 (Book Depository) cf. $14.95 (A&R), $16.97 (Amazon)
Mans Search for Meaning by Viktor E Frankl ~ $6.94 (BD) cf. $16.95 (Dymocks), $14.95 (A&R), $13.70 (Amazon)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ~ $9.82 (BD) cf. $11.95 (D), $14.95 (A&R), $19.97 (Amazon) – I must say here though, I got one of the Penguin Classics copies from the Turning Page for $9.99.
Into the Wild by John Krakauer ~ $14.74 (BD) cf. $29.95 (D), $22.95 (A&R), $19.97 (Amazon)
I’ve just placed an order for 4 books to start with at a total of just $AU 52.45. It’ll be interesting to see how long they will take.
