Does anyone know of any online services like Netflix but for books? Yes, yes, I know all about the public library but the convenience of having an entire inter-library loan type service where you can browse online and have the books delivered straight to your door and just drop them in the mail when you're done with them without the hassles of having to deal with a brick and mortar library is something I'm willing to pay a reasonable monthly subscription for.
The problem is that, unlike DVDs and games and such, reading a book puts a good bit of wear on it. It would be very difficult to keep the books in good shape, especially through the mail, and especially if you want paperbacks. I suppose they could always send hardback, but that might cost more shipping. Still, I am with you on the idea. I would love to use such a service.
Cheapass bastards.
Love,
A Writer
:)
I have not only one, but THREE different library cards.
Take that!
Derek, that site seems to be exactly what I'm looking for. I'll sign up and give them a shot, see what they're like. Thanks!
Don't US libraries have an inter-library loan system? We've got a great one here in Ontario. If my local library doesn't have a book that I want, I just email the request to the head librarian and presto! the book shows up within about two weeks. Absolutely free and almost as fast as Amazon.
And how is dealing with a brick-and-mortar library a "hassle"? Not trying to be a jerk, but I don't understand how anyone who likes to read would consider visiting a library to be an annoyance.
Yes, libraries here have inter-library loans. Yes, they do work. Yes, it can sometimes take several weeks for the book to come through.
As for the 'hassles' of public libraries, start with often congested traffic and limited parking only to find that the book you were really looking for is at another branch or has already been signed out, work your way through waiting in line on your lunch break while the old lady with hearing problems ahead of you spends 10 minutes with the librarian, take a quick detour through sign out periods and late fees and the convenience of not having to deal with any of that becomes apparent.
How does that differ from dealing with any modern day teeneage retail clerk or retail in general??
:D
They still have this nifty thing called the library. Sure, you have to drive there and browse around for your own books, but it's nice to get out the house every once in awhile. Isn't it?
And, even better, it's FREE!
Baen has a free library for ebooks (not what you're asking for I know) if you have a pocketpc or a palm.
The 1632 series is interesting if you like alt. history and/or the 30 years war.
Got a link?Originally Posted by Moore
I just got a Palm and I'm lovin' the e-books. Viva color display!
Does your library let you move books to your branch via Internet? Here in Berkeley I can do everything but pick up the books online.
www.webscription.net
They've got some free books too.
I find the Mobipocket Reader for the Palm to be a zillion times better than the Microsoft Reader for the PocketPCs.
http://www.baen.com/library/Got a link?
I just got a Palm and I'm lovin' the e-books. Viva color display!
Does your library let you move books to your branch via Internet? Here in Berkeley I can do everything but pick up the books online.
They generally give you the first one or two books in a series, free, which sucks you in and makes you buy the rest of whatever series, and likely the spinoffs.
1632/33 is great, it can get dry and historical sometimes but it just snowballs into an intersting universe in the middle of 1633, and there are loads of short stories available and multiple sequels on the way. The naval war thats coming will be awesome (30 years war with funky WV coal miner IRONCLADS)
Beware the UMWA!
I'm happy for those of you who are entirely satisfied with your public libraries. I'm not. Hence the original question. Simple as that.
FYI, mobipocket is also available for ppcs. (and yeah, it IS better than ms reader)
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