I love books.  I love new books–looking at the covers, reading the synapsis on the back, and diving into those first few chapters–luxurious.  I would rather read than watch TV, listen to music, or go to a movie.  No matter how stressed out I am, no matter how burdened by responsibilities, no matter how I feel, if I can just get an hour to read, I am like a new woman.

I love series books and stand-alones, and all different genres.  Last Saturday, I went to Barnes & Noble, and picked up a mystery paperback, a chicklit paperback, and the new hardcover book in Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen series, The Plum Pudding Murder.  When I got home, I felt buyer’s remorse because books are expensive!  And, I am not usually one to read and reread and reread.

Libraries don’t work for me because the one closest to me is twenty minutes away, only open three afternoons a week, and I am pretty sure I have more books than they do.  So, I spent last Sunday afternoon looking at book rental sites online.  After a little checking to see which sites had the best rental selection of books that I like to read, I signed up for Paperspine.  Now, I can “rent” three books at a time, for one monthly fee.  It’s Netflix for books, and I feel less guilty for reading a lot, and free to enjoy my hobby.  Another nice thing about Paperspine is that they also have a bookstore.  So, if there’s a book I really want to buy, I can–at about 40% less than bookstore prices.  The Hannah Swensen hardback I mentioned was $24 at Barnes and Noble, but only $14 on Paperspine.

I live in a rural area, so it took me four days to get my first round of books.  I thought that was pretty good, and boy oh boy, was it nice to come home from a long day at work and have packages of books waiting for me.  Less expense.  No guilt.  Now, I just need more time to read!