| ead the fine print. Major book clubs such as the | | | | this done. You may have to purchase one book |
| Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild and the | | | | within a year, or four books within two years. |
| Book-of-the-Month Club (now Smart Reader | | | | Typically these books are $10 to $20 each. |
| Rewards) typically offer introductory deals for new | | | | (5) Every three weeks or month, depending, you will |
| members such as five books for $1. The shipping | | | | receive a paper catalog in the mail, along with a card |
| charges, however, may total $15 or more. | | | | that shows your "featured selection." If you would |
| That’s still a good deal, but you should be | | | | like to receive the book, you can do nothing. If you |
| aware that you are paying more than $1 for your | | | | don't want the book, you must return the card |
| books. | | | | before the due date with that indicated, to prevent |
| (2) If you see a magazine or newspaper ad for a | | | | the club from shipping the book (if you ever receive |
| club, visit its online site to join. You will typically find a | | | | a book you don't want, most clubs are good about |
| much larger selection of titles than what fits on one | | | | letting you return it). Many clubs now offer an online |
| or two printed pages. You also can search by title or | | | | option that lets you log-in to your account and |
| author. Many larger clubs will carry the entire backlist | | | | decline or accept a selection there. |
| of popular authors such as Danielle Steel, John | | | | (6) There are more than 150 discount book clubs |
| Grisham, James Patterson and Stephen King but only | | | | available with online options, covering everything from |
| offer one or two titles in their print ads. | | | | bestsellers to audio books to children's books to |
| (3) Book club editions are slightly different than the | | | | every type of fiction and non-fiction. The largest |
| books you buy in a store. The words are the same, | | | | clubs are Doubleday, Crossings Christian Book Club |
| and they’re all there, but the paper may be | | | | and the Literary Guild, each of which has more than a |
| thinner, or the physical size of the book slightly | | | | million members. All of the largest discount book clubs |
| smaller. The book clubs print their own editions, which | | | | are owned by a company called Bookspan, which is a |
| is one way they keep prices down. | | | | joint venture between Bertelsmann and Time |
| (4) When you join a club, you will be obligated to | | | | Warner. But there are dozens of smaller clubs as well |
| purchase additional books in nearly every case. | | | | that offer paperbacks, gift books, used books, rental |
| Typically the club will give you a year or two to get | | | | books and other services. |