The Literary Life

From the staff of BookSwim.com

Month: October, 2008

Cynopsis Digital: “Website of the Day” by Wayne Karrfalt

Read the complete article at Entrepreneur.com

~ WEBSITE OF THE DAY ~

While the settlement of Google’s copyright infringement lawsuit may in fact pave the way for digital book distribution to finally take off, one start-up continues to bet on readers’ love affair with the printed word. Book Swim is a Netflix-style online book rental service enabling users to “pool” up and order books and keep them as long as they like for a flat monthly fee. The site’s most popular plan runs $19.98 for 3 rentals at a time, but a cheaper $15/2 book plan is also available. Why pay for books when the local library lends them for free? Well, some folks live miles from their local library or are too busy to make it during regular lending hours. The service is really a godsend for those who like to keep up with the latest bestsellers, which cost $25-$30 to buy and can take months to get from the library. Book Swim wouldn’t disclose how big its catalog is, but says it stocks the top 20,000 most popular titles on Amazon.com. The site is clearly tailored toward voracious readers; company spokesperson Eric Ginsberg cites national statistics that say while only 4% of the U.S. reads 3 or more titles a month, those who do pour through 20 titles a month on average. Any service that keeps people reading is a good one in our view. But it might not be a bad idea to have a digital distribution strategy in place when E-readers do take off. When devices like the Kindle improve and become cheaper, more and more of those power readers are likely to find them indispensable.

by bookswim on October 31, 2008
filed in Press & Media Clippings

Woman’s World: Cash in This Week

Look at the Original article as a pdf

Cash In This Week

For avid readers! BookSwim.com is a lending library stocked with everything from the hottest bestsellers to classics. No late fees and free shipping! Save 50% on your first month’s membership with promo code.

by bookswim on October 31, 2008
filed in Press & Media Clippings

Virginian-Pilot: “Site Seeing”

Read the full article reprint at HighBeam.com

www.bookswim.com

If you’re a book lover, going to the library obviously is the most affordable option. But if you don’t have time to go and have the money to spend, buying or renting may be better.

BookSwim offers a new option: a book-rental service, along the lines of Netflix . The idea, in concept, sounds great, but for many casual readers, it probably isn’t worth it.

The problem? The lowest-level subscription, called “Casual Reader,” is three books at a time. It’s advertised as being $9.95, but note that’s just for the first month. Then it goes up to $19.98 a month (shipping is included both ways, just like Netflix). If you’re buying three books every month ……

Read the full article reprint at HighBeam.com

No Comments by bookswim on October 27, 2008
filed in Newspaper (Print), Press & Media Clippings

Lowell Sun – Give the gift that saves cash for the recipient

Read the article at LowellSun.com.

With the holidays quickly approaching, retailers are scrambling to lure consumers despite a struggling economy. And while we can all benefit from scoring a good deal, why not consider how this year’s gift choices can make the recipients happy and save them money as well? Money-saving gifts may not be the most glamorous, but with a little extra thought, they can go the extra mile.

Here are a few examples:

* Book rental club membership: If the recipient is one of the four million Americans who read more than [three] books per month, a subscription to a book rental service can save upwards of $200 over list price each month. Plans work similar to Netflix, in which members choose titles online and return books at their leisure. Postage is paid both ways, so there’s nothing beyond the monthly fee, and as books are returned, the next selection is automatically mailed. Prices at BookSwim.com start at just $9.95/month, and allow renters to check out three books at a time. Gift subscriptions are available for a set duration or dollar value….For more information visit www.BookSwim.com…

by bookswim on October 27, 2008
filed in Press & Media Clippings

You like us! You really like us!!

Hello, fabulous BookSwimmers! It’s been nothing but busy here at the BookSwim office recently, and we’ve been delighted to see that your enthusiasm has been on par with our tremendous efforts. Here’s some of what you terrifically appreciative readers have been sending us lately:

Christina Allen: I just wanted to let everyone there know how much I have enjoyed this service. I love to read but I have to drive a hour into town in order to shop in a book store with any type of selection. This solves my problem. You have a incredible selection of books. Also when I first signed up you sent my books overnight so I would receive them before leaving on my trip. I appreciate that gesture more than you will ever know. Thanks again.

Karen Pancoast: We love BookSwim – it has saved us a huge amount of money. We used to go to Barnes and Noble and spend an average of $110 every month buying books. We would wait for our favorite authors to come out in paperback because it was less expensive. Now we pay our BookSwim fee which is about a quarter of what we used to spend AND we get to read all our favorite authors in hardcover as soon as they come out. BookSwim you are the best!

Diane Browne: I’ve sent two emails to BookSwim’s customer service. Each time I was answered promptly, things were resolved well and I felt that I was receiving personal attention. I love your service and when people ask me why I don’t just go to the library, I now have several more reasons to add to the ones I already give.

Cassandra Kawka-Vlahos: I am so excited to be a part of this organization! Not only does BookSwim have an unimaginable selection of books to read, but they also will do anything to exceed a customer’s needs. For a great price and the easiest way to read to your heart’s content, it’s an offer that cannot be refused!!!!

Frank Alfieri: As a high school student, I have a ton of books for school, but I also love to read. With my bookshelf overflowing and money running low, a friend introduced me to BookSwim. It’s amazing! My local library never has the books I want in stock, and BookSwim is so cheap, easy and convenient to use. I can read all I want and never have to worry about space again!

Melinda Owens: I am addicted to reading. I work full time, and have a family, so I know this sounds crazy, but reading is my outlet. I read a book a day. My husband, who is an accountant (so that says it all) freaks that I buy so many books ranging from $7.00 to $15. This is great. I recommend to everyone, I get my books and save money!!!!!!!

Read more testimonials and scroll to the bottom to post your own for the world to see!

by bookswim on October 27, 2008
filed in Company Blog

Sun-Journal: “This week’s site: Book Swim (bookswim.com)” by Kim Ossi

Read the full article reprint at HighBeam.com

If you’re a book-lover, going to the library obviously is the most affordable option. But if you don’t have time to go and have the money to spend, buying or renting could be a better deal.

Book Swim (bookswim.com) offers a new book-rental service, along the lines of Netflix, that may be worth a try. The idea, in concept, sounds great, but for the casual reader, based on their current plans, it probably isn’t worth it.

The problem? The lowest level subscription, called a “Casual Reader,” is three books at a time. They advertise this as being $9.95, but note that’s just for the first month. Then it goes up to $19.98 a month (shipping is included both ways, just like Netflix). If you’re buying …

Read the full article reprint at HighBeam.com

No Comments by bookswim on October 26, 2008
filed in Newspaper (Print), Press & Media Clippings

NJ.com – Online bookstore donates titles to Newark library

Read the article at NJ.com

BookSwim.com has donated 13,000 gently used books to the Newark Public Library. The library will be selling the donated books at an upcoming book drive to raise money for the organization.

BookSwim lets users choose from various titles — including new releases, bestsellers and classics — without purchasing them. BookSwim then ships the books to readers, who can keep them for as long as they like with no late fees.

After a book is returned, the next book is sent – with free shipping both ways. The site also offers digital gift cards starting at $9.95 per month. In addition to the book donation effort with the Newark Public Library, for every gift card sold, BookSwim, in partnership with Eco-Libris, will plant a tree to offset the environmental impact of producing paper for books.

For more information, call (877) BOOKSWIM or visit their website.

by bookswim on October 21, 2008
filed in Press & Media Clippings

In Economic Crisis, Book Renting is on the Rise

Contrary to the current economic downturn, renting books from BookSwim.com has not only been unimpeded, but has actually increased during these recently troubled times. Current subscriber growth has increased by 23% when compared to this same time last year. And contrary to the downward trend other subscription-based services have seen, BookSwim has also seen steadily rising subscriber rates following October’s Wall St. burst.

What could be causing this occurrence, in such stark contrast to the woeful reports of suffering brands pouring in each day? Although BookSwim.com’s service is often compared with other rent-by-mail subscription services, including industry giants, Netflix and Gamefly, movie and video game rentals are seen by many as luxury or leisure services. However, a recent article circulated by Reuters suggests, “Books seem to be resistant to economic cycles — an expression of the fact that they are not luxuries but indispensable to life.” (http://www.reuters.com/article/artsNews/idUSTRE49E78T20081015)

Many long-standing BookSwim members credit their easy and affordable access to such a myriad of books as a key element in keeping up with the latest information in business and technology, and even being prepared for job interviews. New members, as well, are excited at the ability to save time and money by selecting reading material online, rather than being bound to the confines of store-hours, especially during these exceptionally busy times.

Another reason book rental may survive and even thrive this economic deterioration is due to the educational nature of books. In a recent article, BizJournals.com points out the widely understood trend: “In a slow economy, workers may head back to school to develop a new skill set, upgrade existing skills or attend graduate school to become more of an asset in the workplace.” Unarguably, the more we read (as a culture and as individuals), the better informed and educated we become.

Many BookSwim users see their subscriptions as a way to obtain the reading materials needed to advance their careers and to help overcome potential financial hardships in the coming months and years, while also benefiting from the cost-saving of book rental.

“The average NY Times Bestseller list price is $22, but our very popular 3-At-A-Time plan allows subscribers to rent at least three books for $9.95 in their first month, alone. You can’t beat renting a book for about three bucks.” says BookSwim Co-Founder and Chairman, George Burke.

by bookswim on October 20, 2008
filed in Company Blog

BlissfullyDomestic.com: “Read books Netflix style with Book Swim”

Read article at Blissfully Domestic

I’ve been swimming!!! Well not so much in the water but I’ve been book-swimming. A good friend of mine who reads as much as I do recommended this site.

Every summer while on vacation from teaching I would use my gift cards from students to buy loads of books for summer reading. Now that I stay home full time I am trying to read more with my spare time. Though without those wonderful gift cards it can get expensive. Plus its not so convenient to head to the book store all the time.
Here’s the scoop…

Book Swim is like Net-flix, but for books.

They mail you five books of your choice at a time. You simply read at your leisure and send them back in a pre-posted package they send! I LOVE IT!! I tried it last month and have enjoyed reading all the latest in fiction and non-fiction.

For those of you who love to read, and don’t have time to go to the library every week, this is perfect!!! I just completed Silent In The Grave by Deanna Raybourn. I enjoyed it and am adding the second installment to my Book Swimm Pool. Now that I have these books so handy I have joined a book club with my gal pals. It doesn’t get more convenient than this!

~One Happy Wife

by bookswim on October 7, 2008
filed in Press & Media Clippings

Mass. Lowell Sun: “Give the gift that saves cash for the recipient” by Heather Hill

Read full article at Lowell Sun

…..Book rental club membership: If the recipient is one of the four million Americans who read more than five books per month, a subscription to a book rental service can save upwards of $200 over list price each month. Plans work similar to Netflix, in which members choose titles online and return books at their leisure. Postage is paid both ways, so there’s nothing beyond the monthly fee, and as books are returned, the next selection is automatically mailed. Prices at BookSwim.com start at just $9.95/month, and allow renters to check out three books at a time. Gift subscriptions are available for a set duration or dollar value. (And speaking of Netflix, the service for movie lovers also offers gift subscriptions starting at $16.99.) For more information visit www.bookswim.com and www.netflix.com.
…..

by bookswim on October 6, 2008
filed in Press & Media Clippings