Where Can I Buy 'Consider The Lobster And Other Essays'?

I found 'Consider the Lobster and Other Essays' at my local bookstore last month, tucked between other David Foster Wallace works. Big chains like Barnes & Noble usually carry it in their essay collections section, but I’ve also spotted it at indie shops specializing in literary nonfiction. Online, Amazon has both new and used copies—sometimes for under $10 if you don’t mind slight wear. For digital readers, Kindle and Apple Books offer instant downloads. Libraries often have it too; mine had a waitlist, so I just placed a hold online. Pro tip: Check Bookshop.org to support small stores while ordering conveniently.

As someone who collects Wallace’s works, I’ve tracked down this book everywhere. Physical copies are widely available: major retailers like Target and Walmart stock it online, though in-store availability varies. Independent bookstores are goldmines—I once found a signed edition at Powell’s in Portland. For international buyers, Book Depository ships globally without fees, though delivery takes longer.

Digital options go beyond Kindle. Kobo and Google Play Books have it, and Scribd includes it in their subscription. Audiobook lovers can grab it on Audible, narrated by Wallace himself, which adds a haunting layer to his essays. Secondhand markets like AbeBooks or ThriftBooks often list hardcovers under $15. If you’re patient, eBay auctions sometimes drop prices to $5.

For those who prefer borrowing, Libby connects to library systems worldwide. I’ve recommended this to friends abroad who accessed it through their local libraries’ digital partnerships. The book’s popularity keeps it in circulation, so persistence pays off.

Hunting for 'Consider the Lobster and Other Essays' led me down a rabbit hole of options. Brick-and-mortar shops are hit-or-miss, but Harvard Book Store in Cambridge had three copies last I checked. Online, eBay sellers offer collector’s editions—I snagged one with marginalia from a lit professor. Subscription services like Everand (formerly Scribd) include it in their catalog, perfect for binge-readers.

For a twist, try used-book apps like PangoBooks where enthusiasts sell their copies cheap. I got mine with sticky notes intact, which felt like a bonus commentary track. Libraries remain the stealth MVP; interlibrary loans can fetch obscure editions if your branch doesn’t have it. Wallace fans should also peek at local university bookstores—they often stock niche essays.