Just around a year ago, I arrived on Vanderbilt’s campus as a wide-eyed and overwhelmed first-year student without an inkling of what to expect from college-level classes. However, the one thing about which multiple sources – my parents, upperclassmen and the internet alike – assured me was that the first week would entail minimal work and consist mostly of course introductions and cringe-worthy icebreakers. However, I quickly discovered that this so-called “syllabus week” occurring in schools across the country was an immense myth at Vanderbilt.
Instead, my classmates and I were immediately welcomed with heaps of textbook readings for homework. Already flustered from trying to juggle moving in, developing a Google Calendar and being stranded without transportation, the last thing for which I had energy was scouring the internet for textbooks. While I was fortunate enough to have parents willing to step in and do some research for me, many of my friends defaulted to the convenient yet exorbitantly overpriced Vanderbilt Bookstore. This year, returning two semesters wiser, I decided to compile the following list of resources for acquiring textbooks in hopes of eradicating some of the pre-semester panic and confusion I was forced to weather as a first-year. While some students may use illegitimate means of acquiring textbooks such as via sites like Libgen and Z-Library, the following list gives you a comprehensive view of the top legal ways to find books you need.
AbeBooks
Condition: New and used
Price: $
Buy or rent: Buy only
If you are a person who studies by highlighting and physically annotating texts, AbeBooks is for you. It sells textbooks, novels and even sheet music at some of the cheapest prices on this list. The website is also extremely transparent about a book’s condition before you purchase it.
Amazon
Condition: New and used
Price: $$$
Buy or rent: Buy only
While Amazon may have done away with its effortless book rental service this past April, the mega-popular online retailer still boasts free two-day shipping with Amazon Prime. Thus, it is quite appealing to those in a pinch who need to get ahold of textbooks as soon as possible.
Biblio
Condition: New and used
Price: Varies based on vendor
Buy or rent: Buy only
Biblio is a fairly versatile website that streamlines the process of buying textbooks by fulfilling orders from a variety of retailers. This business model allows consumers to compare prices of used books from several different locations to ensure that they are neither being ripped off nor falling for a “too good to be true” price. Students should just be wary of the fact that the condition of the book is very volatile because what one company defines as “good” may be quite a bit worse than what another does.
BooksRun
Condition: New and used
Price: $$
Buy or rent: Both
BooksRun is unique in its ability for users to sell their old textbooks on top of operating as a traditional bookstore. The site also offers free shipping on most textbooks. However, compared to other websites, BooksRun has a more limited stock. However, they do offer free returns on textbook rentals and even have a loyalty program that could be quite beneficial for those who intend to buy several textbooks from the site.
Chegg
Condition: New and used
Price: $$
Buy or rent: Both
Chegg is a fan favorite among college students for acquiring textbooks and, in my opinion, is the most convenient by far. The company offers 100% free returns on all rental books. All you have to do is print off the shipping label they happily provide (and pay for!) and drop the package off at the nearest post office. Pro tip: If you save the signature bright-orange box your books arrive in, you won’t even have to purchase a new shipping container. Rental periods typically span a couple of weeks beyond the semester, so you can keep your books for finals season.
Vanderbilt Bookstore
Condition: New and used
Price: $$$$
Buy or rent: Both
If all else fails, and you either need to get a textbook the same day or require a unique access code that only comes from purchasing a brand-new book, then the Vanderbilt Bookstore can serve as an absolute last (and I mean LAST) resort. Keep in mind that if you are taking popular courses such as General Psychology or General Chemistry, you run the risk of discovering that your required materials are on backorder.
Something for everyone
As you can see, there are a myriad of sources at your disposal for finding those required class materials. Whether you’re a pre-med student or a future educator, you should be able to find a site off this guide that both sells your textbooks and aligns with your purchasing goals.
Editor’s note: The Hustler does not endorse illegal activities nor does this piece serve to suggest illegal activities
