Website Review: www.booksfree.com

June 2, 9:15 PMInternet and Technology ExaminerAndrew Weiner

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By now you've heard of Netflix, and you know how it works: rent movies for as long as you want, no late fees, one flat rate. You may have also heard of the spin-off for books online, usually referred to as Netflix for books. There are actually three major book-rental sites online: paperspine.com, bookswim.com, and booksfree.com. After a bit of research, I chose to sign up for booksfree.com.

Booksfree.com had the best selection for the best price, for what I was looking for. However, if you are looking to rent books online, compare each of these, because their plans differ from each other.

First, why rent books online? Why not the library? For me it has nothing to do with late fees. I read too many books to worry about late fees, and how worrisome are late ten cent late fees at the library anyhow? My problem was selection. I live in a small town, which means my library is small. It tries to supplement the selection with companion-libraries in neighboring cities, offering to deliver the requested book to your local library. However, I have found that this doesn't work. The request gets lost, or the book is never delivered, regardless, customer service is not high on the priority list. The second problem with my library is the loss of books. I would find a book listed in the catalogue, only to not be able to find it on the shelf. Three different times the librarians couldn't find the books in question, leaving me frustrated with my poorly run library and its irresponsible patrons.

Booksfree.com works very much like Netflix. You sign up for a monthly fee, based on the number of books you want to rent and keep at a time. Then you make a list of books you would like sent to you, which is called your queue. Then, the books are mailed to you in rotation, with no additional shipping or handling fees.

Booksfree.com provides several different reading plans. 2 at-a-time (you have to send both back, leaving you at times with no books), 2 at-a-time, keep one (allowing you to always have one book), 4 at-a-time, 6 at-a-time, 9,12,and 15 at-a-time. Ranging from 9.99/month to 47.99/month. They also have CD and MP3 audiobook memberships, and combinations of books and audiobook plans. Regardless of how many books you choose, there is no limit to how long you keep the books, and thus no late fees. Beyond the number of books you can keep at a time, there is no limit to how many books you receive in a month. It all depends on how fast you return your books.