Print'Tis the season to be reading. With school starting just around the corner students are getting ready to shed the summer lazies and get back to academic business. Resolve to start this year with a dedication to leisure reading. Exercise your mind, expand your vocabulary, and savor creative language with a renewed interest in literature.
According to Maryanne Wolfe author of "Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain," "when you read you have more time to think. Reading gives you a unique pause button for comprehension and insight. By and large, with oral language _ when you watch a film or listen to a tape _ you don't press pause." Take a pause. Read a book for less with these insider book tips.
Online Book Rentals
Thank you, Netflix, for pioneering the inexpensive media rental frenzy. With your blazing trail, you squashed Blockbuster late fees and introduced a new, less hectic way to enjoy entertainment. Book lovers who can't seem to break the Barnes & Noble spending sprees will delight to know that book rental online is just as simple with many options from which to choose.
BooksFree.com
If you read 2-3 books per month like I do, Books Free offers a monthly plan for just $13.99. Plans start as little as $10.99 per month. A used bookseller may seem like a more reasonable alternative, but just try to find a new release from a discount resale bookshop and you'll see the value here. Very similar to Netflix, users create an online list of preferred titles and Books Free ships them to you throughout the month with no extra charge. They offer the largest selection of online print and audio rentals available.
BookSwim.com
Book Swim offers plans that allow users to take out multiple books at a time. The $19.95 basic monthly fee still permits readers to check out as many books as they choose. You aren't locked into a contract and have a read-to-own option. Through Book Swim's college textbook service, students can save up to 60 percent on books ordered online.
Online and Bricks and Mortar Used Booksellers
There's no doubt that online prices for used books are cheaper than what you might find at the local resale store. But never underestimate shipping. That extra chunk can send your checkout total far beyond what you could find locally. We've only included the online shops that offer promotions for shipping to help narrow the search. Always look to purchase several qualifying free shipping items at once to save.
Alibris.com
Because of the sheer number of sellers on this site, you'll have a good chance of success in finding any title or author in good, used condition. Check out FreeShipping.org for current coupon codes during August _ it's a hot month for book sales as students gear up to start school. You also have the option to sell your media at Alibris.
Amazon.com
Amazon continues to be a leader in online book sales (among everything else) _ if it's published, you can find it at Amazon. Look for free Super Saver Shipping items to get complimentary delivery on orders of $25 or more. Most mainstream titles will qualify, watch out for shipping charges on obscure titles.
Half Price Books
This Dallas-based used bookseller will always be my first stop for book browsing. Rather than comb the sterile, unused titles at Border's, each Half Price Books location is a treasure trove of new and used finds. If you're looking for something specific, definitely call ahead; but for building your personal library, filling the board bookshelf, or scoring the next summer read, it's worth a monthly trip. All paperbacks are half price (this includes books published in the 60s and 70s) and most hard covers are at least 50 percent off or more. I don't recommend selling your books as the most you'll make is 40 percent of the marked-for-sale price.
Discount Book Clubs
Doubleday Book Club offers an introductory offer of 4 books for $.99 plus a free Dan Brown title and guarantees no automatic shipments. As a member you'll save up to 50 percent off all titles with no obligation to buy. The book club route is great for folks who aren't as selective in titles and authors and want to get savings on new books. Check out Scholastic's book clubs offered to area teachers to buy titles at 60 percent _ a great option for your child's library.
Library
More than once I've racked up a $20+ late charge on checked out books, so it appears I'm not responsible enough to call the library a free service. Depending on funding in your area the local library has a wealth of new audio, video, and print titles. Inquire about getting on a list for the new releases to avoid bugging the librarian once a week. Keep in mind that many titles stay in circulation for several years or decades _ review the publication dates from technology books, and all non-fiction in general, before checking out.
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(For more savings tips, check out FreeShippping.org's "Go Frugal" blog at http://www.freeshipping.org/blog/ )
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(c) 2009, www.freeshipping.org
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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