The Best of the Best in Book Clubs

There are several well known book clubs out there both online and off for those who enjoy reading on a regular basis. Most of them follow similar policies and practices regarding their modes of operation with slight variations to make each club unique.

While each of the book club memberships certainly have some great attributes that help draw in new members, it is sometimes a bit confusing to differentiate between each one enough to make a proper decision on which to join. You not only have to read through all the persuasive sales jargon being thrown at you from these membership clubs but you also have to be on the lookout for the ones that are scams. This can be overwhelming which is probably why many avid readers still haven't joined a single online book club yet, despite the good deals available within them.

It is definitely smart to be skeptical of scams. Always read the fine print. The only problem is that sometimes it is hard to recognize a trick offer even when it's right in front of you in words.

For example, the book clubs I've researched and signed up for in the past are not literally by definition scam offers because they are careful to keep all official transactions and policies within the requirements of the law. But what one could accurately call most of these book clubs that offer a subscription and great benefits for membership is a "scheme". That is, they are practicing a totally legal business but doing so very sneakily.

In other words, they usually end up surprising you with some kind of catch. Music clubs like BMG and Columbia House are infamous for these schemes. Book clubs aren't as well known for their practical scam membership offers but there are still plenty of them out there.

It's important to look around and compare alternatives when searching for book clubs to join and ask friends or users on related message boards for recommendations. Surely there are some really great membership book clubs that cater to each type of person and reader. I myself managed to discover a single book club membership opportunity that ranks far above any of the others I've seen in terms of its ability to benefit me and fulfill my personal needs. This club is straightforward about the contract you are getting into by joining, there are no surprise charges and their merchandise is inexpensive and diverse.

Have you heard of the Quality Paperback Book Club (QPB)? I cannot imagine any other book club either now in existence or to come in the future ever being able to top it, I love it so much. Their advertised enrollment package, the promotional offer you get upon first singing up, sounds almost too good to be true but it is completely legitimate as I've joined this club on three separate occasions throughout the past few years.

Currently the deal goes like this: Upon signing up you can get six books for $1 each and at the moment they've also thrown a free duffel bag in there for you. The only requirement in exchange for this offer is you must purchase two more books at regular price within a year. If you've done any research on clubs like this you will definitely agree that this is almost a steal of a deal QPB is offering.

On top of the 6 for $6 book promotion, Quality Paperback Book club (QPB) goes even further in dishing out the benefits by giving new members an easy opportunity to reduce their two book membership commitment to just one by purchasing an additional book for only $4.99 to be ordered and shipped with the introductory 6 books.

One book a year is nothing. Surely you'll be able to find one that interests you from the huge selection over an entire year's time. One feature of QPB that stands apart from the other clubs is that they do not regularly sell hard cover books. Instead, they stick solely to paperbacks.

Some might prefer hardback and this offer wouldn't work for them. I personally like paperbacks; they're easy to carry around, cheaper to ship and just more practical. Not to mention the fact that QPB carries all the latest books on the market in many genres at frequent sale prices. They are always offering 2 for 1 or other commonly enticing discounts.

But it gets better still. They don't just have the latest books available but they have the books for sale and ready to ship sometimes up to 6 months before they will be sold in stores in paperback version. These early release paperback books make up about a third of QPB's selection and are 45% off the publisher's price. The price is a hard one to beat.

One great feature of QPB.com and the way they do business is that when it comes to their own profits they have nothing to hide. Many people including myself often shy away from subscription memberships like this simply because with tax and shipping added on to each of your bills, the price always seems to make the offer less appealing. Many of us hear about such a 6 for 6 bucks offer and we ask "Well how much is shipping?" Or we inquire "How much are the regular book prices that I'll have to pay to fulfill my two book in a year purchase promise?"

These are absolutely smart questions and consumers should not refrain from asking them. The answers will often make or break your decision. Quality Paperback Books club goes the extra step and outlines in the membership agreement portion of the website exactly what you will be required to pay during your signup and membership year down to the penny.

If you are curious, this is pretty much all of it in a nutshell: Choose 6 books and you'll be charged six dollars with an additional $15.69 fee for shipping and handling. (They are so forthright and honest that this page even includes information on what exactly is covered under shipping and handling so you know everything your money is paying for.) They also go on to add that tax will be added as applicable and books that come in sets will incur an additional $1.99 for extra shipping and handling.

It's amazing. Shipping and handling costs are rarely explained. It is extremely rare to see a company of this type or any, for that matter spell out all your charges in the beginning before you sign up. Most places steer clear of quoting any numbers because they don't want to scare people away or maybe they don't want to lock themselves into a price they could potentially later raise. But QPB is right there and direct, loud and clear. The fact that they volunteer such details about their club, their expectations and the benefits to the members makes me very confident that they are an honest company with great customer service and great paperback books.

This is probably why I've been a member three times now. The only reason I ever discontinue my membership is because it gets too alluring to hold back on spending sprees sometimes. But QPB has shown me consistently that they are truly indeed a quality paperback book club, as their name implies.