AbeBooks has two main types of searches: Quick and Advanced. The Advanced search offers numerous fields to help specify your search.
Additionally, you can further refine your search through the search results page.
If you are interested in purchasing from a specific bookseller, you can also search for books through this means.
Quick-Search
Our Quick Search facility, located on AbeBooks.co.uk, allows you to search for books by simply entering the author, title, keyword, and/or the ISBN.
Tip By ticking the UK First box, as displayed above, the search results will show the books available from our UK based booksellers first. If you are based in the UK this will help to give you the shortest delivery times available.
Advanced Search
AbeBooks offers an Advanced Search feature which helps specify the criteria for the book you are searching for, by allowing you to enter more detailed information. Please note that entering too much search information at any one time may return fewer or no results. It is therefore recommended that you build your search slowly, adding or changing the criteria as you go.
To use the Advanced Search
1. Click [Advanced Search] in the red banner at the top of the AbeBooks.co.uk page
2. Enter the search criteria you want to use and click [Find Book]
3. To do a second search with different criteria, click [More Search Options]
Tip: By adding extra criteria such as the Publisher or a price range, this will help to narrow your search to help you find the book you are looking for as quickly as possible
You can narrow your results by refining the following:
Using the Refinements:
You are able to refine the attributes you are looking for by using the options on the right hand side of the Advanced Search screen.
Utilising Boolean Searching
Boolean Searching allows you to narrow down your search by using special terms between your keywords.
To use this you must first enable the Boolean Search function. This helps you to find what you want in a quicker and easier way. To use this in your search, first make sure that Boolean Searching is turned on and then use your required terms in the keyword field. Please see below for examples:
Boolean Term |
Why? |
Example |
AND |
To make sure a keyword is included |
Query: I am looking for a book about cats and painting. |
AND NOT (ANDNOT, NOT) |
To make sure a keyword is not included |
Query: I'm looking for books by the author King, but not Stephen King. |
OR |
To give alternative keywords |
Query: I am looking for books about war. |
You can also view our searching tips by clicking [More Search Options].
Limiting the Results
You can limit the results and reduce both postage and delivery times by searching for the book from a specific bookseller in your country. To do so you can simply select the bookseller country.
You can also select the number of listings per page in the results.
Filtering the Results Page
You can also filter your searches from the results page by selecting different [Features] from the liston the left side of the screen. Here you can select the attributes of the books which are listed in the search results.
The search results are defaulted to show the lowest total price (book price plus shipping), however, you can choose from a number of options such as Title, Author A-Z, or list the highest rated booksellers first.
Searching for a book from a specific bookseller
There are several ways you can search for a bookseller:
Click [Booksellers] in the red banner at the top of the page
a. If you know the bookshop's name, simply click the letter that their name begins with.
Or
b. In the Name field type a portion of or the full bookshop's name and click [Search].
Or
c. Select a Country from the drop-down menu and, if desired, further refine your search by selecting a Location from the drop-down list and click [Search].
Once you have found a bookseller whose inventory you would like to search, click [Search their Books] or [Browse their Books].
If the list of books in a category is large, you can narrow the search results by using search refinements, as mentioned previously.
Potential Search Terms Errors
The Bookstore Search will accept hyphens, -, or a pipe delimiters, |, between search terms. However, if either is used with no following term, you will receive an error message.
For example:
Bob Smith - Books is an acceptable search query
Bob Smith - will return an error message
Bob Smith | Books is an acceptable search query
Bob Smith |will return an error message
AbeBooks Search Tips
When searching on AbeBooks you may find International Editions. These books are printed outside of the USA and are referred to as "International Editions" or "Low price editions". The content is the same as the normal editions; however, the quality of the book may be lower. If you would like more information about a particular book, you can contact the bookseller from the search results by clicking Ask Bookseller a Question.
View the AbeBooks Glossary for other terms used to describe books.
Foreign language titles
If you are searching for a book written in a foreign language it is advisable that you try to find out what the book is called in that particular language. A good place to start would be the Wikipedia page for the author, if one exists. You can enter the language in the keyword field when searching AbeBooks for the book. Additionally, you can narrow your search by searching the inventories of booksellers located in the country in which the language is spoken.
Print on Demand
Print on demand books are supplied by some booksellers listed on AbeBooks. These are indicated by the following symbol:
Please also note that this information should be included in the book's description.
Related questions:
How can I get more information about a book?
I was not able to find a book. How can I add a Want?
How can I pay and what payment methods do you accept?
Boolean Term |
Why? |
Example |
AND |
To make sure a keyword is included |
Query: I am looking for a book about cats and painting. |
AND NOT (ANDNOT, NOT) |
To make sure a keyword is not included |
Query: I'm looking for books by the author King, but not Stephen King. |
OR |
To give alternative keywords |
Query: I am looking for books about war. |
A list of popular categories and features are displayed in the Browse section of the homepage. You can also click [Browse] in the red banner at the top of the homepage to view a list of Subjects and Features.
To find books on a common topic:
1. Click [Browse] in the red banner or [Browse All Subjects] in the Browse Column
2. Click a category heading to show a list of topics, and then click a topic to show a list of books
3. Click a category topic to show a list of books
Note:
* If the list of books in a category is large, you can narrow the search results by sorting or refining the search.
Related questions:
How can I get more information about a book?
I was not able to find a book. How can I add a Want?
AbeBooks provides an online marketplace for booksellers and book buyers and the means for them to interact with each other. We do not actually own books ourselves. We therefore encourage buyers and sellers to communicate with each other.
If you have specific questions about a book that is listed online you will need to contact the bookseller directly.
To contact a bookseller simply:
1. Click on the [Ask Bookseller a Question] link in the search results
2. Enter your inquiry and click [Send Question]
You will be sent an email confirmation of your inquiry. AbeBooks will also retain a copy.
To obtain additional information about a bookseller:
1. Click the [Bookseller & Payment Information] link in the search results
2. On the right of the screen you are also presented with links to:
• Search this specific seller’s inventory
• Browse the seller’s inventory
• Ask the bookseller a question
• View the Bookseller’s homepage
Please note that some booksellers may not be able to provide additional information other than what is already displayed online. AbeBooks would therefore like to explain that we guarantee the condition of every item as it is described on our website. You are eligible for a refund within 30 days if dissatisfied due to a bookseller error or if your order fails to arrive.
Learn more about our Returns policy.
Related questions:
I was not able to find a book. How can I add a Want?
How can I pay and what payment methods do you accept?
How can I contact the bookseller about an order already placed?
On AbeBooks, our Bookseller Ratings are not calculated from positive and negative feedback left by buyers. Instead, our Bookseller Ratings are calculated by the fulfillment rate of the bookseller’s orders. This helps you decide which bookseller you would like to order from.
The Bookseller Rating is visible next to each book offer in the search results and appears as star rating from 1 to 5. The number of stars given is based on the percentage of orders that the bookseller fulfills. Fulfilled orders are those that are not cancelled and not returned to the bookseller.
If you click on the stars next to a book offer you will see the Ratings History for that bookseller.
To view further information about the bookseller click on [Bookseller & Payment Information] then click on [Ratings History].
Unfortunately, our system does not allow for individual feedback to be left for a seller. However, you are welcome to contact the bookseller directly to leave feedback.
If you encounter an issue, you may Contact Us and we will be happy to help!
To contact a bookseller to leave feedback:
1. Click [View My Orders] under My Orders on your Members Menu
2. Find the book in question and then click [Contact Bookseller]
3. On the Book Inquiry page:
• Ensure your email address in the From text box is correct
• Enter the subject of your inquiry
• Type your question to the bookseller
4. Complete the form and click on the "Send" button. An email is sent to the bookseller on your behalf, and a copy is saved in your AbeBooks account.
AbeBooks gives you the opportunity to add a free "Want" when you are unable find an item you are searching for. You can also add a Want to the AbeBooks system if you do a search, but find that the results do not meet your requirements. There is no limited period for the storage of a Want and you can store up to 500 Wants in your AbeBooks.co.uk account.
To add a want from the Search:
1. Complete a search for the book you are looking for:
2. Click [Create a Want] in the column on the right hand side of the page:
3. Type the details of your Want in the appropriate fields and click [Add Want]
To add a want from your account:
1. [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.co.uk account
2. Click [List and Maintain My Wants]
3. Then click [Add new Wants to your want inventory]
4. Enter your search criteria and click [Add Want]
Overview of the Wants system
Every day we compare your Wants against the new books that were added to the database by our member booksellers. If a match is found, we email you directly to let you know that the book is now available online*. The message will contain a link to the online book accompanied with the book details, as well as the seller's name and terms of sale.
If you would prefer to view recent matches online as opposed to via email notification, you can do so in your Abebooks.co.uk account:
1. [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.co.uk account
2. Click [My Recently Matched Wants]
* If you would like to only view your Want matches through your account as opposed to receiving the email notifications, simply contact our Customer Service.
To update a Want from your account:
1. [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.co.uk account
2. Click [List and Maintain My Wants]
3. Then locate the Want and click [Update this Want]
4. Make the desires changes
5. Click the [Update Want] button
Note: If you would like to exclude certain book types or booksellers from your Want matches, you can use the Boolean operators to achieve this. Please note that this will only work if the bookseller or books you would like to exclude have consistent terms in the book descriptions.
Boolean operators allow you to search the bookseller's listings for a phrase common to all or most of their book listings. If the phrase is also common to other booksellers or books, those books will be excluded from matching as well, so it is best to use a more specific phrase and one that is not used commonly. For example, using "brand new" as the term to filter will likely prevent many books from being matched to your Wants. Additionally, you must first add at least one positive attribute before the keywords you wish to exclude.
To use this in your Want, ensure that Boolean Searching is turned "On" and use the terms in any field of your Want. For examples see below:
Boolean Term |
Why? |
Example |
AND |
To make sure a keyword is included |
Query: I am looking for a book about cats and painting. |
AND NOT (ANDNOT, NOT) |
To make sure a keyword is not included |
Query: I'm looking for books by the author King, but not Stephen King. |
OR |
To give alternative keywords |
Query: I am looking for books about war. |
In the event that a Want match item has already been sold by the time you click on the link contained in the email notification, a“Want match not found”will be displayed. If you decide to purchase a Want match item please follow the instruction below to delete the Want.
To delete a Want from your account:
1. [Sign On] to your AbeBooks.co.uk account
2. Click [List and Maintain My Wants]
3. Then locate the Want and click [Delete this Want]
Watch our video tutorial:
Related questions:
How can I get more information about a book?
How can I pay and what payment methods do you accept?
Our glossary was designed to help our visitors understand the book-related terms they may be unfamiliar with. Have fun!
Our Glossary is broken up into two main sections. The first deals with Book Sizes, Book Condition and Common Abbreviations. The second section is our General Glossary which lists all other relevant book terms.
The following definitions reflect an idealised standard: any one particular bookseller may in fact have slightly different definitions of the terms below. These definitions are therefore offered as a general guide, rather than a definitive statement.
Book Sizes |
4to - A book that is up to 12" tall. See Quarto. 8vo - A book that is up to 9 ¾" tall. See Octavo. 12mo - A book that is up to 7 ¾" tall. See Duodecimo. 16mo - A book that is up to 6 ¾" tall. See Sextodecimo. 24mo - A book that is up to 5 ¾" tall. 32mo - A book that is up to 5" tall. 48mo - A book that is up to 4" tall. 64mo - A book that is up to 3" tall. Folio - A book that is up to 15" tall. Elephant Folio - A book that is up to 23" tall. Atlas Folio - A book that is up to 25" tall. Double Elephant Folio - A book that is up to 50" tall. |
Book Condition |
Condition of a book is usually in the form of VG/VG, Fine/Good, VG/--, etc. The first part is the condition of the book; the second is the condition of the dust jacket. If a "/--" is present, it usually means that the dust jacket is not present.
As New - To be used only when the book is in the same immaculate condition to which it was published. There can be no defects, no missing pages, no library stamps, etc., and the dust jacket (if it was issued with one) must be perfect, without any tears.
Fine (F or FN) - Approaches the condition of As New, but without being crisp. For the use of the term Fine, there must also be no defects, etc., and if the jacket has a small tear, or other defect, or looks worn, this should be noted.
Very Good (VG) - Describes a book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or paper. Any defects must be noted.
Good (G) - Describes the average used worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Any defects must be noted.
Fair - Worn book that has complete text pages (including those with maps or plates) but may lack endpapers, half-title, etc. (which must be noted). Binding, jacket (if any), etc., may also be worn. All defects must be noted.
Poor - Describes a book that is sufficiently worn, to the point that its only merit is as a Reading Copy because it does have the complete text, which must be legible. Any missing maps or plates should still be noted. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.
These terms may be arbitrary, but whatever terms are employed, they may be useless or misleading unless both buyer and seller agree on what they mean in actually describing the book. |
Common Abbreviations |
4to - Quarto 8vo - Octavo 12mo- Duodecimo 16mo - Sextodecimo ads, advts, adverts - Advertisements placed in the binding of the book aeg - All Edges Gilt al - Autographed Letter als - Autographed Letter, Signed ams - Autographed Manuscript, Signed -ana - A suffix denoting a collection of sayings, anecdotes, or other material regarding a person or subject. For example: Americana, Hemingwayana, etc ARC - Advanced Reading Copy bc, bce - Book Club, Book Club Edition bd - Bound bdg - Binding bds - Boards bomc - Book of the Month Club. See Book Club b/w - Black and white; usually describes illustrations, photographs, etc cl- Cloth cwo - Check or cash (payment) with order. dec, decor – Decorated. Often refers to binding dj - Dust Jacket dw - Dust Wrapper ed - Edited, Edition, Editor ep - End Papers ex - Example F - Fine, as in Book Condition F, FF, fol - Folio ffep - The end paper that is not attached to the inside front cover. See End Papers G - Good, as in Book Condition ge - Gilt Edges gt - Gilt Edges hvtb - Hors Texte, versos blank I - Index. Ill, Ills, Illus. - Illustrated insc - Inscribed l, ll - Leaf lp - Large-paper edition Ltd - Limited Edition ms, mss - Manuscript nd - No Date nf - Near Fine, as in Book Condition No, Nos, # - Number np - No Place op - Out-of-Print orig - Original; as in original binding pb, ppr - Paperback pbo - Paperback Original pc - Price-clipped. pl, pls - Plates pos - Prior owner signature Prefs - Preface pub - Publisher or published rem - Remainder |
General Glossary |
A Advanced Reading Copy - A copy for reviewers and/or booksellers, usually bound in paper wraps and usually with either the finished cover art or possibly trial cover art. Generally, this copy is at it will appear in the stores and differs from the Uncorrected Proof. B Backstrip - The covering of the book's spine. Breaker - A person who breaks up books to sell the plates individually or the book itself when the covers are so bad that it either has to be rebound or broken up. C Cancel - A tipped-in (i.e., pasted in) page to replace a page removed after a book has been bound. D Damp stained - A light stain on the cover or on the leaves of a book caused by moisture such as a piece of food or perspiration. Generally not as severe as water stains. E Edges - The outer surfaces of the leaves of a book.
Fading - The colour of some book covers fades or becomes less intense when exposed to light. See also Darkening. G Galleys - Sometimes called "galley proofs" or "loose galleys" to distinguish them from bound galleys. Long sheets of paper bearing the first trial impression of the type. H Half Binding - A book in which the spine and corners are bound in a different material (frequently leather) than the rest of the covers. I Illum - Referring to polychrome illustrations. It usually means an illuminated manuscript. J Jacket - The printed or unprinted cover, usually paper, placed around the bound book. Sometimes called Dust Jacket (dj), Dust Wrapper (dw), dust cover or book jacket. K Laid In - A letter or other sheet(s) inserted but not glued into a book. M Made-up Copy - A copy of a book whose parts have been assembled from one or more defective copies. N No Date - No date of publication mentioned within the book. O Obverse - The right-hand page of a book, more commonly called the Recto. P Page - One side of a leaf. The front side of a leaf is called the recto or obverse and the back side of the leaf is called the verso or the reverse.
Q Quarter Binding - A book whose spine is covered in a different and generally fancier material than the covers. R Raised Band - The raised areas on the spine concealing a cord which is attached to the covers. In earlier leather books cords were really used. In some modern books the raised bands are purely decorative and conceal no underlying cord. S Self-Wraps - Wrappers which have vestigial flaps that imitate a dust jacket. Series - A group of volumes with a common theme issued in succession by a single publisher. T Tail - The lower margin of a leaf, cover or endpaper. Sometimes referred to as the bottom. U Uncut- The pages of the completed book have not been shaved down to a uniform surface. V Variant - A book that differs in one or more features from others of the same impression, but a positive sequence has not been established. W Waterstain - Stain on a book cover or leaves from water or other liquids. May cause discoloration and perhaps actual shrinking. X Y Yapped - Refers to the edges of the cover of a book bound in paper or another soft material. These yapped edges are not flush with the pages but extend beyond the edges of the book and are fragile by nature. |
Purchasing multiple books from one bookseller can help you to save postage as most booksellers have reduced postage on additional items.
Most booksellers offer this automatically.
From your shopping basket you can search for more books from the same bookseller by clicking the [Browse Books] or [Search Books] links above the book's title in your shopping basket.
In the search results you can view the additional book shipping rates by simply selecting [Rates & Speeds].
You can also search and browse the inventory of just one bookseller at a time. You can choose a bookseller whose name you already know, or search for one by their location:
1. From any AbeBooks page, click [Booksellers] in the red banner
2. Search or browse for a bookstore by name or location
3. Click the [Browse their books] or [Search their books] link next to a bookstore's name to view just their inventory
If you have any further questions regarding the books or about shipping rates you can contact the bookseller directly:
For more information on searching please click here.