I remember hearing a quote that went something like, “In 5 years you will be the same person you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet.”
I have found there to be a lot of truth to that statement. Almost all of the significant improvements in my life came as a result of reading books. Looking back at the last 10 years of my life it is pretty clear that the greatest seasons of growth came during the seasons when I was reading a lot. And I have to admit, I have been out of the habit for the last couple years, but am working on getting back into it. Which is why my ears perked up when I heard about Bookswim.
Netflix for books
I recently found out about a book rental service (basically Netflix for books) called Bookswim that allows you to rent a batch of books via the postal service and return them when you are finished.
They offer a variety of packages depending on how much reading you and your family will do each month. The cheapest plan is about $14/month which offers one book rental per month.
They also offer packages of 3,5,7, & 11 books that they send out at the same time (books of your choosing) at $23.95, $29.95, $35.95, & $59.95/month respectively. And just like Netflix you get to ship your books back for free.
Is it worth it?
The question is, is it worth it? It is quite a bit more expensive than Netflix – probably because the average length of rental is a lot longer and the shipping costs are a lot higher, but it still definitely is a much better deal than buying all the books new.
Since most of the books I read are older classics, I can often purchase them used from Amazon
Are you a reader? What do you think? Would it be worth it for you?
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I gotta agree with you about buying on Amazon, most books can be purchased at 50% off the regular price buying used. $14 bucks a month seems a little steep, especially since you only get one per month, and it takes me a good month to go through a book. Sometimes longer. Then again, I read more computer science books than anything.
There are a few services out there where you swap books with people. I can’t think of any off the top of my head, but basically you agree to send someone a book you have that they want, and someone will send you a book they have that you want. Some of those are free you just need to pay for your own shipping.
For what it’s worth I have a kindle and love it. I never get rid of books really so it saves me a ton of space.
I used to use Paperbackswap to get free books (well, it cost me postage) it’s like a book exchange program of sorts. You mail your books to others who want them and earn credits that you use to request books from other people.
A little over a year ago I bought a Kindle and get my books that way. I rarely pay for books, there are so many available for free download if you watch for them.
Umm…. Isn’t this what your local library is for? Unlimited books per month for free sounds better than paying. Just my opinion.
Braden, for many people yes – but just like most libraries have tons of DVDs to borrow for free, Netflix still does quite well because some people are willing to pay for the convenience of having it sent to the door -
We have a great local place that allows us to rent multiple books at a time and keep them for about three weeks. Then if we want them longer, we can extend the rental. Oh, and the price is right too! It’s called “The Library” and we love it!
I think I would rather stick to my library and use the extra money to buy some of my favorite books. But this might be useful if your library system is seriously lacking.
I currently use paperbackswap and I love it. It’s saved me a ton of money and allowed me to experiment with my book reading selections. It’s a ton cheaper than buying new books all the time and just as convenient as Netflix. I like the idea of this service, but it seems too expensive. You’re basically paying the same amount as a new book without being able to keep it when you’re done, so you can’t swap it, re-read it later, or loan it to a friend.
like the others commented, isn’t that what a local library is for? libraries excell at books. not all libraries excell at dvd’s or other mediums. and netflix streams to my tv, computer ect. also netflix started up when alot of libraries didn’t have a huge dvd collection or there were long waiting lists or … maybe if the book place would download books to my kindle i would consider it, but since the library is so convenient for books, i can’t see switching over soon.
Doesn’t make financial sense. $14/month to RENT a book? Pass
Hopefully the folks at Bookswim will take notice of this post and realize that most people think the service is not worth the price!
I heartily endorse Paperback Swap. In the year and a half that I’ve been using it, I’ve not only saved tons of money on some two dozen books, but I’ve also been able to swap out books that I no longer read, thus clearing space on my (massively overcrowded) bookshelf for new titles. I use the library to look at books that I’m interested in but unfamiliar with, then I use PBS to obtain the ones I decide I want to keep. All it costs is the postage (usually $2.00-$2.50 per book) to send out, or you can also purchase credits for around $3.00 each.
Of course, I’ve also gotten some great stuff at Goodwill for fifty cents apiece as well.
I’ll give a +1 to Paperbackswap.com.
When I saw the post title I was excited, but when I saw the price it became not worth it. Let’s even just say you want to get the new releases every month. With not much effort, you can get a new release from a bookstore for under $15. I wouldn’t consider myself an *avid* reader, but I’m always reading something, and I wouldn’t even consider paying $15 to do this.
On Amazon, if you’re patient enough, you can get new books for under $10. Try selling books on Amazon, and you’ll realize how little even new titles go for!
-j
Bob – Here is my philosophy on books.
I only Buy books which I want to use in building my personal library. These are usually books which enhance my walk with and service to God, hone my life philosophy, and assist in my personal development (faith, health, skills & abilities, etc.). I usually mark and make notes in these books which you cannot do if you borrow them.
The first major source in successfully acquiring books is from discount and 2nd hand books stores. It is amazing what a regular and diligent search can turn up. Plus once you get to know the owners of these types of stores, you can give them your search preferences and have them alert you.
Amazon is usually the 2nd way I buy, but try not to unless I get enough to offset the shipping cost.
Almost everything else I get from the library (occasional fiction – i.e. I’m a big fan of Louis L’Amour, but my tendency is to read fiction once so I don’t buy). I also get books from the library to check them out before I buy, because I have found many titles to be misleading as to depth of content.
I very seldom buy brand new books from full price bookstores unless it meets an immediate need (almost nothing is THAT immediate) and/or someone has given me a gift card.
Another way I have found to permanently acquire many books (free) is via e-book services. Many of these will allow you to download and save (pdf is a good format) up to 5 books/month without enhance service which requires membership fee. This is a good source for hard to get or out of print books. It also allows you to preview books before buying a printed copy.
Thanks for the post.
One more thing about libraries – even though we may live in small towns with limited libraries, bigger cities are usually not that far away and no library will refuse you membership no matter where you live, even if you work in another state from your home address. I have memberships at at least 5 libraries in 3 different states! So, when you make that trip to the “big city” make the library one of your stops. Most check outs are a minimum of 2 weeks for new books and a month for older ones. It’s a good way to save tons of money.
I can’t see myself using this service either. I buy used books, use the local library (both for print and digital books), borrow and lend books with friends and read free classics on my e-reader. My apartment building also has a “take one, leave one” book shelf in the laundry room, so I’m never wanting for reading material.
I do buy books new, but with all the discounts and coupons I think I could probably make $14 dollars a month stretch much farther than a single book, even if it did arrive at my door.
Not available outside the U.S.! Definitely won’t be using this service then!
Hi Bob,
That quote sounded familiar to me to…I’m reading a book now that quoted it! Charlie “Tremedous” Jones said it…we must read a lot of books about money, eh?!
Libraries are a great option and as said, you can get memberships in other towns/cities. Around here, that comes at a cost of about $50 per year, per library, and getting to some of them in the winter would be tough! I would not want to pay $250 year (membership at 5 libraries). Like others, it takes me about a month to read a book, so I’d be paying $21 a month to read one book! However, being a former children’s librarian, I also HIGHLY recomend checking out books from the local library first!
I also receive Amazon and B&N cards for gifts, that is a great help!
I think Bookswim has pretty high prices, yet shipping does cost, so I understand it. But, it’s still pretty steep. I think once they figure out the shipping cost and reduce the price, they may be on to something!
Cheryl
@ Cheryl – If I had to pay that much for a library membership, I would do it either! So far, no library has ever charged for a library card, but with the economy the way it is, I can see that happening! Thanks for the heads up!
I believe it is a very good “idea” because it is conveniant. I have netflix, so I know that it is so much better than having to go to the redbox or blockbusters with the late fees.
But, I browsed through what books they had, and they did not even have books for Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, Tom Hopkins, which are very popular in the business section. Therefore, that is what turned me off.
You are overlooking a very good resource, your local library. They may not have the absolute latest, but they will try to locate a copy for you. The best part is a library card is free. I always check with my library before I purchase anything.
I think it is kind of high for my budget but when you consider three newley published books at B&N or Boarders could cost you more than that for one book it is a deal. If I read new books all the time I just might like this. I will be sharing it with the reading group Bookoholics, on Eons. There are some there who may try it.
Everyone is saying how expensive it is. But if a book is recently released and you live in a metropolitan area then you are put on a HUGE waiting list at the library. Not to mention a lot of the books in the library are torn up. I pay $30 a month for 5 books out at a time. Now I read quickly; often times reading 3-4 books in a week. But even people who are not avid readers should be able to at least double up on their book shipment each month with bookswim. Add to the fact that if they dont have a book you can request it and once 4 other people request it they automatically purchase it and add it to your queue. So think about it… even if I bought 10 books at a used price it would still exceed $30 a month. For people who are not avid readers and only read a book or two a month then the library works great for them. But lets be honest; those same people who read only two books a month rarely if ever visit a library.
The way it was described in the blog, it sounded like you only got x books per month. The unlimited plans JD describes (more like Netflix) make a lot more sense– especially for someone reading a book a day.
But I have to disagree with JD’s statement that people who read 1-2 books a month rarely if ever go to the library. Many people who have full-time jobs, are involved in community service, and have kids, don’t have time to read more than 2 books a month. But we still enjoy going to the library– especially with our kids!
I considered getting this last year but was upset with myself for not reading as much as I was. Now that I have a Kindle, I don’t need it
I’m a BookSwim subscriber and saw this linked from their site, so am probably a little biased (although I don’t work for them or receive anything from them). BookSwim obviously isn’t for everyone, but here’s why it works so well for me.
I travel a lot for work, and read primarily when I travel. Before BookSwim, I was going to airport bookstores and Amazon, and buying an average of 2-3 books a month. That cost anywhere from $25-50, and then I had the book taking up space in my apartment when I was done. Many of them were paperbacks that weren’t exactly high-quality adds to my book collection.
Now I have BookSwim, and can read 10-15 books a month through them (I’m on the 5-book plan). I have the same cost as before, but I can read so many more books, and I don’t have them sitting around my place when I’m done (although you can pay to keep it if you want, and I’ve done that once for something that it would be helpful to own and refer to later). I’m not mad at myself for spending money to read a book that isn’t very good — I just get another one next time.
Why not a library? I still go to the library, but in the past, I was racking up big fines when I traveled and was away around the due date. Plus, due to budget cuts, my local library has cut back considerably its purchases of new books. I use the hold system online, but for a book that came out in the last year, it could take months to get it, if it’s even available at all. With BookSwim, you can guarantee one book per shipment that you will receive, even if it came out last week (occasionally it’s not available even when guaranteed, but they will offer you the chance to either delay your shipment until it’s available or move on to the next book in your queue).
Why not the Kindle or another e-reader? Well, aside from liking actual books, and spending a lot of time on planes where the use of electronic devices is restricted (and based upon my experience with my cell phone, I’d forget to charge it and have dead batteries all too often), you still have to pay $10 per book. This month, I’ve read 30 books (I was traveling for most of the month) and still have a few days left to go (I have 3 BookSwim shipments and around 15 library books out at a time right now). You can do the math…and correct me if I’m wrong, but there’s no way to convert a e-reader purchase to a book if you decide it should be added to your bookshelf.
So BookSwim might work for you if: 1) you read a lot; 2) you like reading actual books; 3) you like reading the latest hardcovers; 4) you have space and/or environmental concerns over having too many books; 5) you have trouble getting the books you want to read from the library, or are spending money on library fines. That’s why it works for me.
That last person nailed it, I think. I think BookSwim is perfect for me because –
(1) I have limited space and have grown tired of moving bookcases full of books. (2) I have a book wish list on Amazon that is miles long and I want to catch up on it. (3) I read some gay/lesbian literature and my suburban library just doesn’t have it (or even if they did, I would get a lot of weird looks at the checkout desk.) (4) I sometimes love a library book so much that I keep it (which is just stupid I know, but its happened like three or four times!) BookSwim lets you buy a book if you really like it. (5) I don’t like reading books on screen, I do that enough with the internet. (6) My library doesn’t have long hours every night, and, by the end of my 10-hour workday I really don’t want to deal with people or standing in line, I could use that time much better. Plus, I work six days a week.
So I’m overjoyed that BookSwim exists.
Is there a smoking/non-smoking policy or way to select books that do not go to smoking homes when you subscribe to this program? It sounds GREAT! Smoking allergies would make it REALLY not worth it though, if there isn’t a way to make sure that the books haven’t been in smoking homes before they arrive.
(If someone wants to smoke, and or doesn’t mind the smell, I’m not trying to keep them OUT of the program, just trying to see if it’s for ME, or if I would spend more on migraine meds. from the headaches the smell would cause if *I* got a book that had been read by someone while they were smoking. Ya know?
Thanks!
i used bookswim for a few months because my local library was too far away. i had to cancel because the price jumped way up and they were constantly messing up my orders. it got to where the customer service rep and i were on a first name basis. i was getting tired of the slow service and shipping mistakes so i switched to booksfree.com. they only carry paperbacks and audiobooks but are much cheaper. for $32 a month i am on nine out at a time. i read an average of 20 books a month. they have only made a mistake once in over a year of service by sending a wrong book. usually the books are in good shape but every once in awhile a smoky or sticky one arrives. many of the books are new or almost new. the biggest advantage is i read a lot of series books and i can get them in order. i would recommend booksfree.com wholeheartedly.
Thanks, Lynn! I’ll give that a try!