Best places to buy books – and what students are reading now
Why you should make time to read.
This may seem obvious, but there are several benefits to reading books. And not just your university journals and textbooks either.
Beyond brain function and increasing your vocabulary, reading can be the perfect way to spend an afternoon if you want some down time. Or before you go to sleep instead of browsing away on your phone.
You don’t have to get through a whole book to feel like you’ve achieved something, if you only have time for a chapter or two, that’s perfect. When you study with a textbook, you normally take a break to absorb what you’ve read, and the same applies to reading for fun.
Too busy? You can listen to audiobooks on the way to class, or have them playing in the background as you study. Getting into the habit of reading and listening to things being read will help you improve your focus and concentration.
Best places to find good books.
Building an impressive library can be expensive, unless you know where to go for the best deals…
Amazon – This one is obvious, as you can buy almost anything from Amazon. You have more variety with shopping on Amazon unlike browsing the local bookstore – hardback, paperback, kindle and audiobook. Amazon are also fast with deliveries, and you can choose an option that works best for you. Most of the time their used books have little damage, and who doesn’t love a vintage book?
Book Depository – Another online book seller based in the UK – they have a large catalogue of books and ship all over the world. Be prepared to spend a large chunk of time just browsing all they have to offer.
Wordery – This online bookshop offers a huge selection of titles for lower prices than amazon and offers worldwide free shipping.
Local independent bookstores – supporting your local bookstores means supporting your local communities. Browsing these hidden gems, you can occasionally find limited and collectors editions at great prices. Some even deliver right to you.
University or local library – Why buy books when you can check them out of your local library for free? Your university library will also have a variety of books, fiction and non-fiction to choose from and if you can’t find what you’re looking for you can ask them to order it in.
Having just experienced a global pandemic, why would you want to read about one in a book? Well, this one has a great story of survival with interesting characters and worldbuilding.
Our marketing executive Lisa went out and bought this book last weekend and, while an opinion is too early to decide on at this point, this novel has a New York Times bestselling author behind it. Plus not to judge a book, but the cover is quite lovely.
#HostEnvironmentalPledge.
Getting serious about the environment we live in.
To become more ‘environmentally friendly’, Host is launching the #HostEnvironmentalPledge campaign to encourage responsible behaviour and drive sustainability across our sites throughout the UK and Ireland.
It’s a simple campaign! For every percent we reduce our overall utilities (electric, water and gas) consumption by we donate to one of our nominated charities.
If you're already at or heading to Durham University and searching for the perfect place to live in September 2025, you might be wondering: Should I go for a shared house, or is student accommodation the better option? Well, let us save you some time—The Village at The Viaduct is hands down one of the best student living options in Durham.
Finding the perfect student accommodation for your next year at uni isn’t just about having a place to sleep - it’s about where you’ll be living, socialising, and making the most of your student experience. If you’re at Bournemouth University or Arts University Bournemouth and looking for somewhere to live from September 2025, 17a Christchurch Road is the perfect spot. Here’s why you should ditch the stress of a shared house and move into Host instead.
The Lunar New Year is a time of joy, renewal, and cultural celebration. Among the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, the Snake occupies a special place, symbolising wisdom, elegance, and intuition. The Year of the Snake offers a chance to embrace these qualities and reflect on their significance in our lives. Here's a deep dive into what this year represents and how to celebrate it.