I am a book addict. Never content to just look at books, I have to have them, touch them, hold them, smell the paper, stare at the cover, and read them, of course. I regularly spend small fortunes at bookstores. Libraries hold a special danger for me, because the books SEEM free, but then there are late fees. (Although, I never think of them as late fees so much as “donations to the library.”)
It is for this reason that when I heard about BooksFree I was intrigued. Then I checked out the site, and I was psyched. This is a way to read all the paperbacks I want to buy, but force myself not to because I simply don’t have the space. A way to engage in my secret obsession for Nora Roberts without having to mask said obsession by buying a couple classics as well, in case the cashier makes a comment. A way to READ MORE BOOKS.
So, what’s BooksFree? Well, it’s sort of like NetFlix or Blockbuster Online, except that instead of DVD’s you get books, or audio books, for a monthly fee. Like the movie rental companies that pioneered this concept of rent-by-mail, there are no late fees, there is a way to buy and keep items that you really love, and you keep a queue of desired titles going all the time.
Prices range from $9.99/month to about $40, with all but the lowest tier allowing circulating rentals (meaning you have books coming and going all the time instead of having to return an entire order to receive the next. I’ve just signed up for it, so in about ten days, I’ll let you know what I’m reading.
Unless, of course, it’s by Nora Roberts.
Booksfree is an excellent place to rent paperback books and they have paved the way for the book rental market to really flourish. However, if someone is interested in renting hardcover books and paperback books BookSwim.com is definitely the place to go. Just wanted to give my 2 cents about BookSwim’s place in the book rental market.
-George Burke
It’s the first time I am hearing about them. Have to check them out. Thanks for the link.