Awesome Books is a UK-based online bookseller with a mission rooted in sustainability and making reading accessible. It started from a simple idea — rescuing books from being thrown away and giving them a second life through resale or donation. They stock millions of books (both used and new), spanning genres and subjects, and operate globally.
A key part of their impact ethos is this:
✨ Every time you buy a book, a book is donated.
So your purchase contributes to literacy and reduces waste, helping readers who might not otherwise have access to books.
They also partner with organisations like the National Literacy Trust to support reading campaigns and donate tens of thousands of books to communities with low literacy levels.
⭐ Reputation & Customer Reviews
Online reviews for Awesome Books vary quite a bit depending on the platform — which makes it important to look at the big picture:
👍 Positive Highlights
According to a large number (24,000+) of Trustpilot reviews, many customers love Awesome Books, giving it a high average score (around 4.7/5). Reviewers frequently mention:
Wide selection of books, including hard-to-find titles.
Affordable prices, especially for used books — often much cheaper than other retailers.
Good delivery experience, with tracked shipping and reasonable speed.
Books generally in good condition, even used copies.
Free shipping on many orders and global delivery.
Many reviewers also praise the ethos behind the brand — buying books sustainably and supporting literacy initiatives.
👎 Constructive (And Some Critical) Feedback
However, not all experiences are positive:
Some customers report condition issues — books arriving in rough shape or not as described.
A number of users cite delivery delays or missing tracking updates.
Customer service is sometimes slower to respond than expected, especially on complicated issues.
Smaller review sites and complaint forums show a minority of buyers have had negative experiences with refunds or communication delays.
This means that while many buyers are satisfied, others find the experience mixed — especially when it comes to used books or long-distance shipping.
📈 Impact & Mission
What really sets Awesome Books apart from a typical online bookseller is its social and environmental mission:
🌍 Sustainability
Instead of letting books go to landfill, Awesome Books:
✔ Resells used books
✔ Donates to literacy programmes
✔ Recycles books that cannot be resold
This circular approach helps reduce waste and encourages reading everywhere.
📖 Literacy Support
Initiatives with charities like the National Literacy Trust help bridge access gaps — especially for children in areas with low reading levels. Their campaigns aim to donate tens of thousands of books, reinforcing a positive social mission.
🛒 In Summary: What You Get (and What to Expect)
💡 Why Many Readers Love Awesome Books
Excellent prices on both second-hand and new books.
A huge catalogue — from fiction to academic titles.
A feel-good purchase: every order helps another reader.
Strong reviews overall on trusted platforms.
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind
Condition descriptions for used books can sometimes vary — check carefully before ordering.
Delivery times can vary by location, especially for international orders.
A small fraction of customers report issues with customer service or refunds.
📌 Final Verdict
Awesome Books isn’t just a bookstore — it’s a community-minded, sustainability-focused book outlet with a mission to place more books into people’s hands while reducing waste. Many customers have positive experiences, especially with the prices and selection, and the charitable filter behind every purchase gives it a unique edge among online book retailers.
However, it’s also important to balance that with real customer feedback: experiences can be mixed, especially for used books and service issues.
If you’re a passionate reader who values affordable books + social impact, Awesome Books is worth considering — just make sure you’re comfortable with the occasional variability in used book condition and delivery experience.
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Awesome Books was born from a love for books: to not see books thrown away when they can still be read and their stories shared. As a global retailer, we offer millions of books, both used and new, at great prices. You can choose to buy a new book or a second-hand one for even better value. Our online bookshop has a wide selection of books from different genres and authors, so you can easily find your new favourite read. We believe in the power of books to offer an escape, teach us new things, and inspire our imagination. When you buy a book from us, we donate a book to someone in need. Join us in our love for books and help spread the joy of reading to others.See more
