renting books

Do any of you subscribe to a book renting service (like netflix, only for books)? If so, which one?

Yes. It’s called the public library.

They also have DVDs and CDs.

One of my girlfriends started using bookswim a few months ago and so far really likes the service and says good things about it.

And video games! (look down)

And it’s free, for cryin’ out loud! Plus, with interlibrary loan, there probably isn’t a book in existence you can’t get somehow.

Why would you pay for renting books?

I use the library too, but I use it LIKE Netflix. My local branch is pretty small, but it’s part of an extensive city library system. I go to someplace like B&N and write down any book/author that looks interesting. Then, I go home and go to the online city wide library catalog. I look up the books and put them on “hold.” When my book comes in, I go to the local branch to pick it up. There’s usually at least one book waiting for me everytime I go to the branch.

The only downside - sometimes there is a loooong wait for new books (I’m still waiting for the new Michael Pollan) and my local branch has some crazy sometimes inconvenient hours. On the positive, it’s free!