Watch the video at Yahoo.com

We love books, especially those juicy, page-turning bestsellers. But in these recessionary times, the average cost of a hardback ($26!) has put a cramp in our reading style. Sure we frequent the public library when we can, but unfortunately we can’t ever seem to get our hands on the latest must-read due to long waiting lists. (Plus, the library doesn’t serve mocha lattes or let us browse in our pajamas at 2 a.m.)

Enter BookSwim, a Netflix-style service for readers that specializes in current hardcovers. The concept is simple. Sign up for a monthly subscription (ranging from $20-$40 depending on how many books you want to have checked out at one time). Then log on to the the BookSwim site and set up your reading list. BookSwim mails you the books you crave, along with a prepaid shipping mailer to send them back. Keep books as long as you like (there are no late fees) and Book Swim ships you more upon their return.
The site was founded by George Burke who used to spend hours reading the latest releases at his local bookstore café, then put them back on the shelf at the end of the night. He noticed others were doing the same thing and got inspired to create a community for readers like himself. Their motto: read more, pay less.

And if a must-read becomes a must-have, no problem. BookSwim’s “try before you buy” policy lets you pay for any book that you just don’t want to send back.

If you’re wondering where to sign up, drop by the BookSwim website and you can start building your reading list today.

Watch the CBS Early Show

Read the full article at WTNH.com

New Haven (WTNH) – Eric Ginsberg, rental industry expert and vice president of Bookswim.com, talked to us about the rise of the rental industry in the economic crisis…

…”You can go to the store and you can spend a lot of money, or you can use a lot of the great websites out there that let you rent the things rather than spend tons money,” said Ginsberg. “So people right now are looking to do two things in their lives: they’re looking to live within a budget, and they’re also looking to not give up their lifestyle. And they’ve really found that renting is a great way to do both things.”

Watch the full interview at WFSB.com

Watch the video and Read the full article at CBS2.com/kcal

Ever wish there was a Netflix, but for books? Well there is, and “Bookswim” is its name…

…There base plant lets you keep anywhere from 3 to 11 books for as long as you want, and you return the books with pre-paid postage.

Watch the interview at ABCNews.com

“Ownership has long been an American virtue, and a symbol of status. Well for many Americans, to own something carries a sense of pride and control. But now there is a growing trend of renting to satisfy the speedy need to own something in the moment, and then returning it when it’s no long wanted. There’s a word for people who do this, they’re called transumers…” Jackie Hyland, ABC News.

See full article and video at DailyGrommet.com

Borrow a Book

We love books, especially those juicy, page-turning bestsellers. But in these recessionary times, the average cost of a hardback ($26!) has put a cramp in our reading style. Sure we frequent the public library when we can, but unfortunately we can’t ever seem to get our hands on the latest must-read due to long waiting lists. (Plus, the library doesn’t serve mocha lattes or let us browse in our pajamas at 2 a.m.)

Enter BookSwim, a Netflix-style service for readers that specializes in current hardcovers. The concept is simple. Sign up for a monthly subscription (ranging from $20-$40 depending on how many books you want to have checked out at one time). Then log on to the the BookSwim site and set up your reading list. BookSwim mails you the books you crave, along with a prepaid shipping mailer to send them back. Keep books as long as you like (there are no late fees) and Book Swim ships you more upon their return.
The site was founded by George Burke who used to spend hours reading the latest releases at his local bookstore café, then put them back on the shelf at the end of the night. He noticed others were doing the same thing and got inspired to create a community for readers like himself. Their motto: read more, pay less.

And if a must-read becomes a must-have, no problem. BookSwim’s “try before you buy” policy lets you pay for any book that you just don’t want to send back.

— Monica

Read the full article at MarketWatch.com

Amazon.com has become one of the biggest players in the book business with its state-of-the-art distribution network and Kindle e-reader, but other business models are coming into focus. BookSwim is a young New Jersey company that allows customers to rent books online the same way Netflix rents out DVDs.

Read the full article at ABC15.com (ABC Affiliate – Phoenix, AZ)

If you’re an avid reader you know buying books can break your wallet. So why not rent them instead? There’s a website called bookswim.com and they rent paperback and hardcover books online….

….If you decide you’re all booked out you can cancel your service at any time but you’ll only have ten days to return your books before you are charged for them.

Read the article and watch the video at CBS 4

CORAL GABLES (CBS4) ― As consumers try to budget in these tough economic times, on-line retailers are growing in popularity, and now books are within reach of those with tight budgets thanks to a new website.

Eric Ginsberg of Bookswim.com, tells 4 Your Money Reporter Gwen Belton that traffic on the site is increasing daily. “Bookswim.com on-line is a book rental company kind of like Netflix but for books,” says Ginsberg.

He says memberships start as low as $9.95 a month and you keep the books as long as you want. Ginsberg says it’s a convenient and inexpensive alternative to dishing out close to $20 for that book you just ‘gotta’ have.

The local book store might also offer fun events for all ages that are usually free of charge. Mitch Kaplan, owner of local book retailer Books and Books says most of their author events are free.

“When they’re here, what we’re often able to provide them are author events that are often very free,” said Kaplan.
While it is not a substitute for your local library, where you can check out books for free, or for those die hard bookstore fans, Ginsberg says the site can provide you another option that can fit into many lifestyles.

Read the newscast and watch the video at KATV.com

Little Rock – Airdate: December 4th, 2008

Netflix has proven that movie rental services can work. Now the concept is being tried with books.

But as Seven-On-Your-Side’s Jason Pederson found out in tonight’s “Your Money” report, when it comes to saving money it is hard to beat the local library.

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In the first ten months of this year, the Central Arkansas Library system had already seen book circulation and visitors equal to all of 2007.

(Carrie Snodgrass/CALS Spokesperson) “It goes without saying that in tough economic times people are looking for stuff for free and the library offers a wide range of books, DVDs and CDs for free.”

Yes the books are free but are they available? If you want to read one of Barack Obama (web | news | bio) ’s current bestsellers…get in line. The Central Arkansas Library system has 13 copies of each and a waiting list for each. Another best seller…The Shack….has 76 people waiting to read it.

Holds and reserves have long frustrated regular library goers, so a new “Hot Pick” system has been developed.

It is all holds barred.

(Snodgrass) “As a Hot Pick book there is a book placed at each library that is non-holdable.”

If you don’t live close to a library or don’t like the limited hours, you might want to try Bookswim. It is a subscription service that follows the Netflix business model…no due dates, no late fees, free shipping both ways.

Bookswim charges a membership fee of $20 to $40 dollars a month depending on how many books get. The cheapest plan allows three…the most you can have at once is eleven.

We have not tested book swim so we don’t know if there is a delay getting the most popular books.

If you would like to learn more visit katv.com and look under “newslinks.”

The founders of Bookswim also point out that re-using books saves paper and Bookswim plants a tree for each gift card purchased.