Best Stores to Buy Exclusive Editions of Young Adult Books

If you’ve found your way here, you’re a reader like me. You’ve probably gone a little starry-eyed over a special edition of a book you enjoy. Maybe it’s signed. Maybe it has a gorgeous cover. Whatever it was, it sucked you into the world of book hoarding collecting.

I’m here to round up some of the places that offer exclusive or special editions of Young Adult books. These are stores that offer an edition you can only purchase from them; not a ‘collector’s edition’ of a book available from multiple stores.

As always, please let me know if I’ve missed a store worth mentioning!

Barnes & Noble

Availability: ‘Larger’ or more popular titles are selected. In-store and online. The more popular, the more difficult it is to find the book.

What’s Special: Varies but past options have included: new jacket, Q&A with author, author letter, author note, fan art, bonus short stories, or deleted chapters.

Signed: Occasionally hand signed.

The Bookish Shop

Availability: Their subscription box, The Bookish Box, offers exclusive dust jackets in the box for the book of the month. Leftover stock is put up in shop. There are special print of dust jackets for popular series or titles. Follow shop’s Instagram for release information.

What’s Special: Exclusive artwork on reverse of dust jacket.

Signed: No, if you purchase just the dust jacket. If you buy the book + dust jacket offer or subscribe the monthly box, book plates are typically included.

Bookish Signs and More

Availability: Hand painted so fairly small batches available. Tend to be extremely popular releases. Follow Instagram page for details of releases. [beware there is a history of advertising one color of sprayed pages and receiving a different color]

What’s Special: Sprayed edges (choice of color) by shop.

Signed: Typically a book plate. Occasionally bundles (pins, signs, etc) are an option.

FairyLoot

Availability: Monthly subscribers & single box purchasers get first dibs. Leftover stock is put up in shop. This is a VERY limited number.

What’s Special: Varies monthly. Exclusive cover is a monthly option. Occasionally exclusive art is on the reverse of the dust jacket. Sprayed edges are a frequent popular option. When the theme of the box is announced, the features of the FairyLoot edition are also announced.

Signed: Yes.

Goldsboro Books

Availability: Limited edition. Anywhere from 100-650 copies available. Website will list exact number. Be aware that the books will be pricey.

What’s Special: Varies but past options have included: sprayed edges, signed & numbered.

Signed: Yes.

Illumicrate

Availability: Illumicrate offers a monthly subscription box. When the theme of the box is announced, the features of the Illumicrate edition are also announced. They have special edition boxes as well as virtual signings with books that are exclusive. Leftovers are available in shop.

What’s Special: Varies but past options have included: sprayed edges, exclusive endpaper, exclusive naked hardback, embossing, or stenciled edges. Check listings for details.

Signed: Yes or bookplate.

Indigo

Availability: Canadian shoppers, rejoice. In store appear to have best selection. International shoppers will have slim choices with many options out of stock online.

What’s Special: Varies but past options have included: fan art endpaper, author Q&A, maps, poster, bonus short story, or author note.

Signed: No.

LitJoy Crate

Availability: Monthly subscribers get first dibs. They do offer full crate, book only, or item only options. Leftover stock is put up in the shop.

What’s Special: Reversible dust jacket. Exclusive artwork is in the book. When the theme of the box is announced, the features of the LitJoy edition are also announced.

Signed: Yes.

Owlcrate

Availability: Monthly subscribers get first dibs. Leftover stock is put up in the shop.

Several times a year, Owlcrate also releases special edition boxes and special edition books separate from the monthly box.

What’s Special: Exclusive cover. Occasionally sprayed pages or foiled stamping. When the theme of the box is announced, the features of the Owlcrate edition are also announced.

Signed: Yes.

Target

Availability: Young adult titles don’t appear as often as they used to. You’ll likely find more Target exclusives online.

What’s Special: Varies but past options have included: posters, artwork inside book, letter from character, or epilogue.

Signed: No.

Waterstones

Availability: Popular Young Adult titles. Variety of paperback & hardback.

What’s Special: Varies but past options have included: deleted chapter, sprayed edges, special endpapers, Q&A with author, or bonus scenes.

Signed: Occasionally signed.

Did I Miss A Store? Let Me Know In The Comments

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