The £4 book challenge
What can you discover for the price of a coffee?
It’s July: welcome to peak summer season.
Everywhere I look, someone’s trying to sell me summer. Inboxes are full of final reductions and endless must-pack lists, even my coffee shop thinks I need a branded tote and a cold brew starter kit to go with my flat white.
(If merch is for you, then how about a book-ish themed cap instead?)
But while I can (and will) resist another tote bag destined for the cupboard, I can never resist a book. Especially when you can pick up something brilliant for less than the price of said coffee.
That’s the joy of our Pre-Loved bookstore: for £4 you can discover a story that might change your whole summer.
Why buy Pre-Loved?
Books shouldn’t sit unloved on shelves, and reading doesn’t need to be expensive.
When we launched the shop, it was because we wanted to make reading more circular, more joyful, and more accessible. A place where books can move between readers. A system that works for you, for authors, and for the planet.
So if your bookshelf is looking a little uninspired, or you just want a guilt free treat that’s cheaper than brunch, I’ve rounded up some of the most interesting titles currently waiting in the shop.
Here are the ones I’d be sad to see go…
Editor’s picks from the Pre-Loved store
Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley - A literary romcom, set in London, and set to be one of the bestselling stories of the summer. Adored this, and adored the author even more at her recent event in BookBar. Funny, flirty, real.
Audition by Katie Kitamura - One of the books I took away on a recent trip, so absorbing I devoured it on the flight. Featured in the New York Review of Books.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell - A beautiful children’s book that would appeal to old and young readers alike. Full of fun, wonder and adventure following mythical creatures on a secret island.
King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby - Named by The Times as one of the best thrillers of 2025. Once you start reading a Cosby, you’ll want to dive into everything.
Welcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca Segal - Named by our community as one of their top books of 2024, this is the feel-good part 1 of the highly acclaimed trilogy. It will transport you to a tropical paradise. Book 2 is out (and might hit this store soon 👀), with the remaining third coming soon.
Wellness by Nathan Hill - A fictional analysis on all things “wellness” - from placebos and art to algorithms and gentrification - through the lens of a couple over the course of their life. Super interesting read. Oprah declared it a book club pick.
And the prize nominated…
A Leopard Skin-Hat by Anne Serre - Featured in our Slow Down Book Club, a short, translated work that was shortlisted this year for the International Booker.
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout - Women’s Prize shortlisted and a brilliant, gorgeous read. I remain in awe of Strout’s character building.
On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle - Another International Booker shortlistee, where a woman wakes up to the same day, every day. Part 1 of 7.
There’s 40-odd books on the store right now, with titles from Dolly Alderton, Emma Straub, Pico Iyer, Emily Henry, Lucy Caldwell, Curtis Sittenfeld… and many more.
Go on… new hardcovers for £4? Don’t let these pass you by 😉
Need some help choosing? Join or gift our book subscriptions today. You can also become a founding member.
What our readers say
I devoured the first book in under a week and cannot wait for the next to arrive!
So great being introduced to new recommendations that I would not have otherwise found
The subscription has been fantastic. It’s helped me rediscover the joy in reading, as I’m picky and tend not to like bestseller lists. I would really recommend to anyone!
Love that I have a book, chosen for me and sent to me, ready for my forthcoming holiday without any time or effort on my part. First thing packed 🧳😎👏
They’re so thoughtfully matched to my taste and also push the boundaries of my current reading style
No time to scroll for book recs? That’s literally what we’re here for 👇
Say goodbye to bad recommendations and hello to a better reading experience 👇