Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find your answer? Email info@riverbirchbooks.com.

Ordering

What do you sell? Real, used hardcover books sorted by spine color for decorating shelves, coffee tables and mantels. Each color palette comes as a five-book shelf stack, 1 foot of books, or 2 feet of books.

Are these real books or fake book boxes? They're real hardcover books you can open and read. Real spines have depth and slight variation that faux books don't.

Can I choose specific titles? No. Books are chosen for color, so titles vary from lot to lot. If you need particular titles, decorative lots aren't the right fit.

How do I pay? Checkout is handled securely by Stripe. You can pay with a major credit or debit card.

Do you have a discount code? New customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off a first order. Only one promotion code can be used per order.

Can I order for my business or several properties? Yes. Stagers, designers and rental hosts often order several feet at once. See our trade page or email info@riverbirchbooks.com.

Shipping

How much is shipping? Free on every order to the continental U.S. and D.C., with no minimum.

Where do you ship? To the continental U.S. and Washington, D.C.

Do you ship to Alaska, Hawaii, territories, military or international addresses? No. We can't ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories, APO/FPO/DPO addresses, or outside the United States.

Will I get tracking? Yes. We email a tracking number when your order ships.

Can I send books as a gift? Yes. Enter the recipient's continental U.S. or D.C. address as the shipping address at checkout.

When should I order for the holidays? We suggest ordering by early December. USPS recommends sending Ground Advantage by December 17, 2026 for expected delivery before December 25 in the contiguous U.S. We can't promise delivery dates.

Returns

What's your return policy? You can return your order within 90 days of delivery. There's no restocking fee, and you pay return shipping.

What will I get back? The price of the books plus the sales tax you paid, refunded to your original payment method. Shipping was free, so there's no shipping charge to refund.

How do I start a return? Email info@riverbirchbooks.com with your order number. We'll send the return address and instructions.

Choosing colors

How are the books sorted? By spine color, since that's what shows on a shelf. Front and back covers may be a different color.

Will every book be the exact same shade? No. Each palette includes a range of related shades, such as ivory, cream and oatmeal in Dunes. That variation looks natural and collected.

Which color should I choose? Pick colors already in your room. If you're unsure, cream (Dunes) and tan (Driftwood) suit almost any space. Our books by color guide has full palettes.

What's best for home staging? Neutrals: mostly cream with some tan, plus an optional navy or charcoal accent. See books for staging.

What's best for a beach house? Navy and cream. The Sandbridge lot comes pre-mixed, or try Sea Glass aqua for a breezier look.

Can I mix colors? Yes, and most shelves look best with two or three. A good starting ratio is about 60% main color, 30% supporting color and 10% accent.

What condition are the books in? Good used condition: clean and intact, with light shelf wear possible.

Sizing

What does "1 foot" of books mean? Enough books to fill about 12 inches of shelf, standing upright side by side. That's about 10-12 books, depending on thickness.

How many books are in each size? A shelf stack is 5 books, 1 foot is about 10-12 books, and 2 feet is about 20-24 books. Counts are approximate because books vary in thickness.

How many feet do I need for my bookcase? Multiply a shelf's inside width in inches by the number of shelves, multiply by about 0.6 for a styled look, and divide by 12. A styled 5-shelf, 30-inch bookcase takes about 8 feet. See how to measure shelves for books by the foot.

What's a shelf stack for? Coffee tables, mantels, consoles and nightstands, or as a horizontal stack on a shelf to hold a candle or small plant.

Will the books fit my shelves? Measure your shelf height before you buy. Books need to stand upright with a little room to spare. On shorter shelves, stack them flat instead.