A book club is a commercial (usually mail order) enterprise through which selected books are sold directly to the public at a price significantly below the recommended retail price in return for a commitment to buy a particular number of books over an agreed period of time.
There are two basic types of book clubs: commitment book clubs and continuity book clubs.
Commitment book clubs feature attractive introductory offers containing several books for a symbolic price (for example 6 books for 99¢ or 4 books for 1$ each) in exchange for a commitment to buy a few more books at the regular club price within a certain timeframe; usually this means 2-4 books within a year or two. The club price incorporates a considerable discount, which can be anywhere from 30-80%, in some cases even more.
Commitment book clubs send their members a printed catalog every 3-4 weeks, along with a card which includes the title of the Featured Selection — a book chosen by the club’s editors as a must-read of the moment. Members are not bound to buy the Selection though; they can opt for a different book (or several books) instead, or decline the offer altogether, either by sending the card back or responding on the club’s official web site.
Once the obligation is fulfilled, the membership can be canceled at any time. Typical representatives of commitment book clubs are Doubleday Book Club, The Literary Guild, Book-of-the-Month Club etc.
Continuity book clubs are subscription based operations in which members receive a pre-selected book or several books each month — usually from a specific genre or a part of a series — until the membership expires or is canceled. To prospective members a certain number of free books are often offered at the beginning to sweeten the deal or entice them to join.
Typical representatives of continuity book clubs are Harlequin (romance), Highlights (children’s and educational) and Scholastic (children’s and educational).
In choosing a suitable book club you should heed your preferences. Being a member of a commitment book club is, to an extent, like shopping at an online retailer. The selection is similar: you can choose from a wide range of latest bestsellers from all genres and among all the popular authors such as John Grisham, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, Stephen King etc. You do receive recommended reads on a regular basis, but can decline them and make your own choices. Compared to online retailers, there is an annoyance of dealing with monthly selections, but in return you save more money.
Continuity book clubs don’t let you choose books yourself; instead, you will be shipped a themed book or several books each month, in tune with the specific club’s offering. For example, if you’re into romance books you can opt to receive romantic suspense books, historical romances, medical romances etc. These types of clubs work best for avid readers who enjoy books from a particular genre, and for people who lack the time or desire to shop for new titles on a regular basis. The shipments will often be composed of books that are not available elsewhere, so exclusivity is also part of the appeal.
Often, prospective book club members regard introductory offers such as 6 books for 99¢ with a suspicious eye; they just seem too good to be true. To an extent, they are: when shipping and handling costs are added, the deal loses some of its splendor. Nevertheless, getting five or six or seven hardcover bestsellers for $3 or $4 apiece is still a bargain that even the largest online book retailers can’t come close to matching, so the question poses itself: how can book clubs afford to do it?
Several reasons. First, book clubs market the goods directly to you, the customer; by avoiding the middle man they are able to save a considerable amount. Furthermore, they cut their own deals with publishers, in order to pay smaller royalties etc. Finally, book clubs often print their own editions at at their own facilities, which lowers the production costs further.
These book club editions are identical to regular editions in terms of content and artwork: same words, same covers. However, they can be altered in size or printed on less expensive paper to achieve additional savings. They may also have a “book club edition” mark on the inside flap. Such editions are generally considered to have a lower resale value. If this represents a concern for you, note that all book clubs offer some sort of guarantee on their products and services. Continuity book clubs will usually send you a couple of free books to evaluate and decide whether or not you want to continue the relationship. Commitment book clubs will ship you the entire introductory offer (up to 8 books, which you can opt to pay for later) and give you 20 days to decide whether you want to keep them. In other words, you are not required to spend a single cent before you have a chance to check the merchandise and make sure it’s up to your standards.
About the Author
The author owns and maintains a web site dedicated to leading US book clubs.
More info on some of the most popular clubs can be found here:
The crash of a Dallas-bound jet wasn’t just a tragedy to TV reporter Avery Daniels; it was an act of fate that handed her a golden opportunity to further her career. Mistaken for a glamorous, selfish woman named Carole Rutledge, the badly injured Avery would find that plastic surgery had given her Carole’s face, the famous senatorial candidate Tate Rutledge for a husband, and a powerful Texas dyna…
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Have you ever found yourself needing ideas for romance at short notice? Do not worry, you are not alone. Many lovers find themselves in this situation. This is where you have to do something nice and romantic for your spouse at short notice. It may be their birthday or another special occasion. When you are shocked to discover that the big day has arrived and have nothing planned, you desperately need ideas for romance at short notice. Men are mainly known to be the main victims. This is because they will forget such things faster than women. In movies and novel scripts, men have also been depicted as creatures that are not as romantic as their ladies would want them to be. However, not all men suffer from this. Many will prioritize their duty to be romantic to their spouse especially on special occasions. This article is to give you ideas of what to do when you find yourself in a tight corner where your partner is full of anticipation and you have nothing planned.
First, you need to consider what the occasion is. If it is an anniversary, know the actual date. There are spouses who do not remember the actual dates of their special union. Prevention is always better than cure. When you enter into a relationship with a young girl or boy, you need to keep an account of all the major events that happen between you two. Record dates in a diary or note book. Do not be the kind of lover who will loose the diaries also. Keep them safely because you will need to keep reminding yourself. This way, you will avoid the above situation. However, when you are already in the situation, the ideas for romance at short notice are not limited at all. However, you need to be a bit creative. Romance at short notice does not have to be at an anniversary only; it can be when you wish to communicate something to your spouse. In many cases, you will be communicating your desire to be with them.
Romance at a short notice is not about the physical things that you have. Gifts and wonderful presents will never bring the pleasure of a reassuring spouse. This is not to say that they are not vital; they are paramount. However, when you are engaging romance at short notice, you do not have time to think. The best thing is to offer the treasures of the heart. Your sweet words can be better than honey only when executed in the right manner. The right manner to do it is; honestly. Do not lie or do it for the sake of clearing your name. Humans have the power to communicate romance without much effort. When you love your spouse, you will be better placed to please them in this regard. Poems are written for posterity and they are mainly said. Say deep words that are thoughtful and touching to your partner. Let your eyes communicate the love, concern, joy and affirmation. You will realize that true romance is what you say and do sincerely to your partner.
About the Author
Francis K. Githinji Is An Online Dating Expert. His Latest Project Free Online Dating Service Shows How The Power Of Online Dating Can Be Harnessed Internationally and With Great Success, Or You Could Post Your Valued Comments On His Blog At Dating And Relationships Magazine
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