subject: Book Clubs - Joining One [print this page] "Is there a way for you to save a lot of money on your favorite books or even have them free of charge? Join a book club. Here, you can order books of any genre, from biographies to science fiction to children's to romance to mystery to fantasy to self-help. You can even get bestsellers for less than what you'd pay in a shop. Those who love books will surely benefit from the savings and selection that is afforded by club memberships.
Here's how a club works: members are sent a book or even a set every month. The books sent to you can be your choice or the club's choice. If the clubs will choose, you have the option to return any of the titles that you don't want. Only those that you want are added to your library.
Depending on your individual interests, you could join specialized clubs or general interest clubs. General interest clubs stock traditional classics and contemporary best sellers. Specialty Fiction clubs (Romance, Mystery, Sci-Fi/Fantasy), Special Interest (Home, Cooking, & Crafts; Christian & Conservative; History & Military; Lifestyle; Ethnic; etc.), and audio clubs (iPod, Mp3, etc.) are some of the general interest clubs.
The club you will choose will give you massive discounts and savings and monthly shipments that are very convenient. However, you can only give your commitment to buying one book every six months so if you already buy this often then a club is the way to save money. Even if you yourself are not a voracious reader, you can use your membership to get books for loved ones during special occasions.
Majority of book clubs have agreements with publishers. This is why they can sell books at cheaper rates than its actual retail price. There are some that charge a fixed price regardless of which titles you choose. Most of them are brand new and in mint condition, hard bound, too.
You can also enjoy introductory deals that these clubs offer. They will send you a number of free or greatly discounted books just for agreeing to buy a certain number of books over the next few years.
Aside from the savings and the free books, book clubs regularly offer free gifts such as tote bags, fleece jackets, toys, DVDs, compasses, among others. Joining a book club, indeed, is not only cost effective; it is also fun. You even meet new friends and have the chance to interact with other members. There are forums exchange ideas about what they have read.
