Joining a Canadian Book Club vs. Buying Books Online

While online shopping can be cheaper and more convenient than buying books at a major retail store, there are even more benefits to joining a book club such as the Doubleday Book Club, one of the most popular general interest clubs.. These clubs have all of the standard perks you get by shopping online, but they also offer additional savings, choices, guidance and special offers.

The introductory offers touted by most book clubs let you get lots of books for one low price (as many as 6 books for as little as $1, in some cases), and the commitment is minimal. All you have to do is purchase 4 more books over the next 2 years, and you can cancel anytime. These clubs let you save even more than you would with the average online retailer, many of which have higher prices and charge more to ship you your books than clubs do.

Book club membership also allows you to access an easy-to-browse list of books on the subject or field you're interested in. Why spend time looking through titles you'd never consider reading? As a member of a children's book club, sort the available titles by your child's age group, look through the award-winners or peruse the "Boredom Busters." Joining a club ensures that you'll only be presented with books on the topic of your choosing, and often the books have been pre-selected to appeal to you and other readers like you.

Finally, club membership gets you access to special offers, additional discounts on the latest books and old favorites, news about authors and upcoming titles and a community where you can meet other like-minded readers and share your thoughts on what you're reading. For example, members of the Harlequin Blaze Book Club can hear about special literary compilations, talk to other readers and post comments in the club's discussion forum, find out what members are reading and get monthly emails on special offers, highlights and more. There are also book blogs, regularly scheduled online chats and book reviews to help you decide what to read next.

Buying individual books online is definitely a good way to save some cash, but book clubs combine the benefits and convenience of online shopping with added savings, extras and a virtual community of people who are passionate about the same things you are.