Podcst

AI Companies Are Buying and Destroying Used Books

The Journal.

The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios

September 8, 2026

Show Notes

Something strange has been happening in the world of used books. Sales are up, but booksellers were initially confused about who was behind the purchases. We talked to one bookseller who decided to solve this mystery herself. WSJ’s Melissa Korn explains why at least some of the books are being bought, and then destroyed, by AI companies. Jessica Mendoza hosts.

Further Listening:


- AI Loves Reddit, but Redditors Aren’t So Sure

- ReadersCan’t Get Enough of BookTok. Publishers Are Cashing In.

Sign up for WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI Companies Are Buying and Destroying Used Books — Podcst