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Books and Music
Finding Books
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Amazon |
Barnes & Noble |
Borders
These three are the superstores. In addition to their mega selection, they serve as pretty good guides to what is and isn't in print.
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Blackwell's
Need a British book? Blackwell is the most reputable bookseller in the UK.
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Abe Books |
Alibris |
Bibliofind
Out of print? These 3 sites allow you to search the stocks of hundreds of dealers simultaneously. 21 North Main has one big advantage; they bill you on a single invoice, no matter how many vendors your selections are shipped from. If you don't find it at one of these, you probably won't find it without the help of a search service.
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Strand Books
Strand Book Store has bargain books, rare books, and new books at discount prices.
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Powell's
"the largest used & new bookstore in the world"
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Peter Hennessey Bookseller
Need a search service? If you can't find it, Peter Hennessey will find it for you.
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allbooks4less |
Hamilton Book |
The Scholar's Bookshelf
Bargain books (cutouts, deletions, overstocks, etc.)
Finding Music
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Tower Records |
CDNow
Superstores offering music in all genres. Due to their successful chain of retail outlets, Tower Records will probably still be around when we're dead and gone. CDNow, like Amazon.com, may not survive the first great extinction of the dot.coms, which would be a pity because their site offers many convenient ways to personalize your shopping.
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H&B Recording Direct
H& B is a superstore specializing in Classical music.
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Naxos.com
Naxos is the world's largest and best Classical budget label. You'll need to actually order the CDs from one of the places listed above, but their site provides a convenient catalog to their excellent and extensive selection of very affordable Classical CDs.
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MDT Mail Order
MDT is the best British mail order house for Classical music. Some Classical CDs are released as much as 6 months earlier in Britain and Europe. If you can't wait for the American distributors to get stock, you can order it from MDT. They are a licensed exporter, so you won't have to pay VATs (value added taxes). They are very good at supplying Classical CDs from all over Europe.
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Berkshire Record Outlet
The Berkshire Record Outlet has a wonderful selection of Classical cutouts, overstocks and deletions at great prices. Always worth checking if you are looking for something that is out of print. Note that finding a particular out of print Classical CD in the US is often virtually impossible due to short print runs and the refusal of most second hand CD dealers to bother with the genre. Also note that titles deleted in the US may still be available in Britain or Europe (see MDT above).
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Elderly Instruments Recordings
Elderly have a great selection of roots music: Celtic, folk, singer-songwriter, bluegrass, old time, Cajun, Blues, International, etc.
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Musikfolk LTD
Musikfolk are an English supplier for folk & folk rock from the British Isles.
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Miles of music
Miles of Music has the best selection of alternative country and Americana.
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Countysales.com
For bluegrass & old time string band music, County Sales have no equal.
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Roots & Rhythm
Root & Rhythm carry Blues, Gospel, Doo Wop, Vintage Rock, Rockabilly, American & British folk, World, Jazz, Dance Bands, Country, Bluegrass, etc. Their prices aren't cheap, but they have many unusual imports. Where else will you find CDs by The Ikettes, Sister Rosetta Tharpe or Tex Baynes & The Hayseeds?
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Second Spin
Second Spin is the largest used CD dealer.
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Ladyslipper
Ladyslipper, in Durham, specialize in music by women. All genres, but they have a frighteningly big selection of feminist music.
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All Music
The All Music Guide is not a place to buy music, but it is a good place to find out about it.
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Gramophone
This site from Gramophone magazine lets you search their huge back file of Classical reviews.
Additional Resources
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DVD.com
DVD.com is probably the best source for DVDs. Note that Tower Records (above) is also a good source for videos and DVDs.
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J & R Music World/Computer World
Need a DVD player? Or a video camera, TV, 35mm, computer, food processor? J&R Music World is a good source. Scott's rule of thumb when shopping for audio/video equipment: 1st, consult "Consumer Guide" and "Sound & Vision" to decide what you want; 2nd, check J&R's price online, then compare to price at local Best Buy and Circuit City. Remember to factor in shipping for J&R and sales tax for local outlets.
Need Help?
If you can't find what you need:
The most important thing about the Reference Department --don't hesitate to ask for help -- that's why we're here! Call the reference desk, ext. 5475 or email your question to AskZak.
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