BookSwim for Book Lovers

January 9, 2009

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your participation.
The winner is comment #32: Sarah S.
Congratulations!

Do you love to read but do not love having to buy your books only to read them once? Are your shelves and nightstands falling over with stacks and stacks of books? Well, BookSwim has a solution.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

BookSwim is the first online book rental library service lending you paperbacks, hardcovers and now college textbooks Netflix®-style directly to your house, without the need to purchase! We stock all the latest bestsellers, new releases, and classics with free shipping both ways! Read your books as long as you want — no late fees! Even choose to purchase and keep the books you love!

MY REVIEW

I checked out their website and think they have a great thing going here. I’m a big Netflix fan and I love the idea of incorporating this system into the literary world. There are so many times I’ve bought a book on someone’s recommendation or a review I’ve read only to find that it just wasn’t for me. You can sell the book on Amazon.com or eBay but you probably won’t get the same price that you paid.

With BookSwim, you can make a list of books from their never-ending inventory and have them sent to you for free! Take your time reading them and when you’re done, just send them back. However, if you come across one that you absolutely love and must add to your library, you always have the option to buy.

They also offer gift cards for the book lover in your life. And better yet, for every gift card sold, BookSwim, in association with Eco-Libris, will plant a tree to offset the environmental impact of producing paper for books.

Memberships start at $9.95 per month and you may cancel at any time. No contracts. No commitments.

Reading just got a whole lot easier and affordable!

WIN IT!

BookSwim has generously donated a 3-month, 3 books per month membership to one lucky winner (value $60). To enter:

  • Stop by BookSwim before midnight, Jan 17th and check out their library of books.
  • Then come back and mention in comments which book would be first on your list. That’s it!
  • A random winner will be selected and notified on Jan 18th.
  • The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.

This giveaway is open to US addresses. Good luck!



 

207 Comments on “BookSwim for Book Lovers”

1

Debbie said:

This sounds wonderful! The book that caught my eye, was “The First 30 Days” Your Guide to Any Change.
Thanks so much!
Debbie

This sounds like a good deal. I’d get “The Host” since I’m still on the long waiting list at our public library.

[BTW, what is the object of Animal Crossing? I heard it's a good game, but I never looked into it.]

3

susan varney said:

the first 30 days is my choice

4

Dina said:

I’d like to read Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time - seems like a fascinating book.

5

Dina said:

I am a subscriber.

6

Shannon said:

I am soooooo all over this!! I was thinking about getting a subscription now I’ll wait and see if I win it!
I have the three bonus ones.

My first book would be………
Once Again to Zelda: The Stories Behind Literature’s Most Intriguing Dedications

Mary Shelley dedicated Frankenstein to her father, her greatest champion. Charlotte Brönte dedicated Jane Eyre to William Makepeace Thackeray for his enthusiastic review of the book’s first edition. Dostoyevsky dedicated The Brothers Karamazov to his typist-turned-lover Anna Grigoyevna. And, as this collection’s title indicates, F. Scott Fitzgerald dedicated his masterpiece The Great Gatsby to his wife Zelda.

Often overlooked, a novel’s dedication can say much about an author and his or her relationship to the person for whom the book was consecrated. Once Again to Zelda explores the dedications in fifty iconic books that are an intrinsic part of both literary and pop culture, shedding light on the author’s psyche, as well as the social and historic context in which the book was first published.

7

Jaque said:

Foreign Body by Robin Cook, or maybe something by Koontz, King, Grisham…..so many to choose from! Great concept, Net Flix for readers! :-)

8

Alexia said:

I love books so much, it’s hard to pick what would be first! I’m really in a Jodi Picoult kick right now though so It *might* be Harvesting the Heart :) But who knows! LOL

This is a really great idea - looks like they need to get some more Christian authors in there though…

9

Margo said:

What a great idea! First on my list would be Acedia and Me by Kathleen Norris

10

Margo said:

I subscribed!… for that I’ll give you my second choice on my reading list: Bitter is the New Black

11

Lisa said:

I’d get Dave Ramsey’s Total Money makeover. I think it’s time I read it.

12

Lisa said:

And, I’m subscribed!

13

leloni said:

I have been waiting to read How to Cook Everything…

14

LuAnn said:

“The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome” - we have this issue in my family.

15

LuAnn said:

Oops…and I already have your button in my sidebar! :)

16

Renee said:

I love books and have unofficially signed up to do the 100+ books challenge. I have to read at least 100 this year. I’m already about finished with #5.

my book of choice is The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel
By Diane Setterfield

It’s supposed to be spooky!

17

Melissa said:

The Digital Photography by Scott Kirby
I would love to improve my photography skills!

What a great service! We too are big fans of NetFlix!!

18

Kerrie said:

Wow this is really nice! I do BookMooch and Paperback Swap, but this seems awesome too because there is no obligation to keep the book…you can just send it back, you don’t have to worry about giving it away to someone else or getting stuck with it if you don’t like it! And they have new books, which are sometimes hard to find on other lists (and there are a LOT on my wishlists!). My first choice would probably be The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - that seems to be a favorite for everyone this year, and I really want to read it!! =)

19

Kerrie said:

And I’m a subscriber!!

20

Karen E said:

Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich. Such a funny series!

21

Karen E said:

Subscriber

You know I think I would get Twlight. I have not read any of these books and everyone seems to love them. My sister really enjoyed them so I figure I should get on ith reading them. So, the first book I would pick is the first book Twilight.

A Beverly Lewis book about the amish!

I am a subscriber.

25

Jennifer said:

Fantastic Giveaway! I would choose to read first, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.

26

Jennifer said:

I am a subscriber. :)

27

andrea v said:

I’ve always wanted to read baby laughs from Jenny McCarthy

28

andrea v said:

I’m also a subscriber

29

Shelley K said:

This is just SO cool. I think its great!! My first book would be Real Murders (Aurora Teagarden Mystery Series Book #1) by Charlaine Harris. I am finishing up the Sookie Stackhouse Series so I am wondering how her other books are….I am a VORACIOUS reader. Right now, I get most of my books from the library but you know how long a wait for really GOOD books can be…so this would just be AWESOME.

Thanks for a great review and an even sweeter giveaway.

30

Shelley K said:

Subscriber :)

31

Sarah S said:

I would read Three Cups of Tea first!

32

Sarah S said:

Subscriber

33

Elaina said:

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
By Michael Pollan has been on my wishlist for ages. I’m excited about this website. It’s a great concept.

34

Elaina said:

I’m a subscriber.

35

Barbara said:

What an awesome idea. I would get “dream a Little Dream” by susan Phillips.

What a great idea. I love to read too and I love the netflix format. I will definitely have to check it out!

37

Beth said:

I would totally request to read the 20 and Counting book about the Duggars…they are from around where I live and I’d love to get a peek into their life!

38

Beth said:

I’m a subscriber!

39

Roseann K. said:

How to Cook Everything!

40

Janet F said:

Wish You Well By David Baldacci would be first on my list.

Thank you!

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

41

Janet F said:

Subscribed.

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

42

Susan Smith said:

Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover.

43

desi said:

What a great concept.
My first would be: Slumdog Millionaire!

44

AmandaK said:

I would get Already Dead: A Novel by Charlie Hutson first! He’s one of my favorite authors!

orchestratenoise0726[at]yahoo[dot]com

45

Andrew Gordon said:

I’d get the Walking Dead graphic novel.

46

Kari said:

This site looks and sounds fantastic. I love the idea. I would probably choose as my first rental the Stephanie Meyers book titled ‘The Host’. Thanks so much for the chance to win.

47

MaryBeth I said:

Made in the U.S.A. by Billie Letts

48

MaryBeth I said:

I am a subscriber

49

MaryBeth I said:

I have your button

50

Kari said:

Thanks again for the chance to win. I just posted about your giveaway on my blog.

http://alas3lads.blogspot.com/2009/01/online-book-rental-service-giveaway.html

51

Kari said:

Your button is on my blog sidebar. Thanks for the giveaway offer.

52

judy brittle said:

The Devil’s Labyrinth by John Saul. One of my favorite horror authors. Thank you so much!

53

judy brittle said:

I’m a subscriber.

First Year Teacher’s Survival Guide: Ready-To-Use Strategies, Tools & Activities for Meeting the Challenges of Each School Day (J-B Ed:Survival Guides). i’ve actually checked out bookswim and it seems like a great bookclub

55

Charlotte Winters said:

I’ve been wanted to read The Appeal by John Grisham for along time. I just noticed today that it came out in paperback. I was itching to my it but didnt. Hope I win this cool prize. Sounds like Netflix for books!

56

Terri L said:

The Seance by Heather Graham

57

chris swan said:

Whats age go to do with it Robin McGraw.

58

Vicki said:

First on my list would be~

90 Minutes in Heaven:
A True Story of Death & Life

59

Vicki said:

Subscribed to you feed!

60

Kacy said:

Would absolutely love to win this prize.

My first book would have to be ‘The Host’. Waiting list is long at the library and cannot justify buying the hardcover.

61

Vicki said:

Already have your button on my sidebar!

62

Jennifer G said:

My first choice would be Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell

63

Vicki said:

Posted about this giveaway on my BLOG.

Thanks for hosting a great giveaway!

64

Leann said:

Quicksand by Iris Johanssen

65

Pamela Brint said:

I would first get the New Moon of the Twilight series.

66

shannon Baas said:

Arctic drift by Clive Cussler.

67

Casey said:

I would check out “What’s Age Got to do With it?” by Robin McGraw.

68

Casey said:

I subscribe to your blog.

69

Lisa in California said:

What a fantastic idea! I usually buy books on Half.com and then resell them when I’m done. I love the idea of “renting” them like this. The first book I would pick would be Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich. Her books make me laugh out loud and this is one I seem to have missed reading.

70

christopher h said:

i dunno, maybe Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor By Matthew Stover

71

Harli said:

I’d like to read “About The Story of Sushi: An Unlikely Saga of Raw Fish and Rice.”
I like the manga too. :)

72

Harli said:

I’m an e-mail subscriber.

73

Francine Anchondo said:

My first book would be twilight. Thanks for the giveaway.

74

Francine Anchondo said:

I am a subscriber :).

75

Shae said:

My first book would be The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp!

76

Shae said:

Your button is on my sidebar

77

Shae said:

I’m a subscriber

78

nicole belletiere said:

The Host: A Novel
By Stephenie Meyer

would be my first choice

79

James Jenkins said:

wow

80

Elizabeth said:

I would love to win this! After reading the description and reviews (Stephen King loved it!), I would first rent The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel.

81

Elizabeth said:

I subscribe to your email feed.

82

Professor said:

Мог бы долго с вами спорить на эту тему :)

83

Elizabeth said:

I have your button on my sidebar of MomReviews.

84

Karen said:

I would probably choose “Kiss the Girls” because I have been reading the Alex Cross series by James Patterson.

85

Karen said:

I subscribed!

86

Mary Ward said:

I am a huge reader and always buy my books but in this economy, this would be the way to go. I’m torn between Chasing Harry Winston and Sweet Love.

87

Anikka said:

I would read Twilight after hearing so much about it!

88

Anikka said:

I am a subscriber

89

oona b said:

I would like to read “The Host” by Stephanie Meyer. Now that I’ve read all the Twilight books, I need something new!

Thanks! foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com

90

oona b said:

I am a subscriber with Bloglines!

Thanks! foxsquirrelrabbit at gmail dot com

I would start with The Pillars of the Earth and then check out the Twilight series. Very cool site!

92

Barbara said:

I am a subscriber

93

Stacey said:

In my efforts to get healthier this year I think I would go with Foot Matters by Mark Bittman.

94

Stacey said:

I’m a subscriber

95

Stacey said:

And I have your button on my blog

96

Kristen M. said:

My first choice would be Meg Cabot’s newest Princess Diary installment (just released). I’d love to try this out - I’m notorious for paying late fees at my library.

97

Dee said:

wow! This is something I can totally see myself joining! Why didn’t I think of it?

98

Janet F said:

Button is on my sidebar:
http://luckygiveaways.blogspot.com/

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

99

Cathie said:

Asking me to choose “one” book is like asking a child in the middle of a candy store what she wants first lol…….I love to read anything and everything! I finally narrowed it down to 4 and of those 4 I guess the very first one would be………
‘The Journal of Helene Berr’

100

Cathie said:

I am a subscriber

101

Ruby said:

I would love to win…wow, it would be great! I would get “The Instruction: Living the Life Your Soul Intended” first.

102

Lindsay said:

I’ve been really wanting to read “American Wife” I’m glad its on the list

103

sandra kao said:

i might try Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance By Barack Obama, since he’s going to be president and all….

104

Jane said:

What a great idea, I already belong to netfix, this is better, I would pick Oprah’s book The Pillars of the Earth .

105

Ren said:

This sounds like such a great idea! I would add the Twilight Series first.

106

Ren said:

I subscribe through google reader

107

BlapherMJ said:

I love this! My first choice would have to be How to Cook Everything. I’m always looking at new cookbooks, recipes, etc. Thanks!

108

Molly K said:

my first book would be Irresistible Forces by Brenda Jackson. I love a good romance book. Thanks for the contest!

109

sarah said:

the first harry potter! i’ve never read them!

110

Evelyn said:

I really want to read New Moon

111

Linda F said:

Scarpetta by Patricia Cornwell

112

Ash said:

Hes just not that into you would defintly be my first book

113

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel would definitely be my first pick.

114

Terra Heck said:

I’d first want to read The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

115

Karen Gonyea said:

The Host by Stephanie Meyer.

116

bucbratt said:

Probably Shopaholic & Baby. What a great idea!

117

Jennifer said:

First on my list would be:

If You Give A Cat A Cupcake

118

Jennifer said:

I am a subscriber:

hermindwanders at gmail dot com

119

Jennifer said:

Your button is in my sidebar:

http://www.roscoethekitten.blogspot.com

120

Melinda said:

what a brilliant idea!

id love to read The Longing (The Courtship of Nellie Fisher, Book 3) By Beverly, Lewis

121

Marie said:

I’d choose Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1) for my first book.

122

Ginny said:

I want Double Cross by Patterson!

123

Ginny said:

subscribed

124

Jennifer Short said:

I’d choose Dewey: The small town library cat who touched the world.

125

Laureli Becker said:

I’ve been wanting to read The Almost Moon
by Alice Sebold. Thank you.

126

Rebecca C said:

The Host: A Novel
By Stephenie Meyer

127

Rebecca C said:

I have your button on my blog: Here

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

128

Rebecca C said:

I am a subscriber!

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com
legacyofbrutalitysa{AT}gmail.com

129

Rebecca C said:

I blogged about this giveaway: Here

mommyhoodisthankless{AT}gmail.com

130

Lisa C. said:

My first book would be “How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight?” by Jane Yolen, looks like a fun book my son would enjoy!

131

Lisa C. said:

I’m a subscriber.

132

Jennifer Hedden said:

he first 30 days

133

Niki Moyer said:

Probably Thirteenth Tale: A Novel

134

Karin said:

I’m a history buff, so I’d get Gertrude Bell - Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations.

135

Karla S. said:

I’d start with The Green Mile by Stephen. this is a great idea, Thanks!

136

Karla S. said:

i’m a subscriber!

137

I’d order the 3rd book in the Twilight series as I just bought the 2nd one. Thanks!!

138

subscriber

Twilight would top my list.

[...] Books: Membership to BookSwim [...]

141

Erin Daly said:

What a great giveaway! The first book on my list would be “Water for Elephants”. I have heard great things about this book from all my friends.

142

hetal g said:

my 5 yr old is just starting to read, so I would get this Rent: Fancy Nancy: Poison Ivy Expert (I Can Read Book 1).thanks
herry123_us@live.com

143

Erma said:

I’d get “The Host”. Thanks for the chance to win.

144

susan said:

the first 30 days, looks great.. thanks for the chance to win.

145

Terry said:

I like to read ‘Dewey” before the movie comes out. I love kitties.

146

djgroz said:

Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything.This sounds good. Thanks for contest!

147

Tricia said:

This is an excellent site - thank you so much for introducing it!

My first book would be - Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office. By Jen Lancaster-

148

Shelly said:

I would choose Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.

149

Shelly said:

I am a subscriber

150

Marion B said:

I would probably get a Babysitters Club book for my daughter.

151

Angie P said:

Never Tell a Lie: A Novel of Suspense
By Hallie Ephron

This one sounds interesting.

152

Carla said:

I have subscriber VIA reader

153

Carla said:

I have added your button to my blog side bar

154

Carla said:

The first book I would purchase is the coldest winter ever by sistah souljah

155

leah said:

I’d pick ‘On the Night You Were Born’ by Nancy Tillman

156

Brenda S. said:

Foreign Body by Robin Cook, thanks!

157

Carolsue said:

The one that I think looks good is Voluntary Madness: My Year Lost and Found in the Loony Bin

158

Kristi G said:

I would like to read bitter is the new black.

And what a great idea for a book store. How come I didn’t think of lending books like blockbuster or netflix do with movies?

159

Rosanne said:

Freakanomics or the Twilight series

160

Rosanne said:

I’m a subscriber

161

The new Stephenie Meyer novel: The Host. I’ve been ultra curious about this club….I love my NetFlix and I know BookSwim is considered the NetFlix for book lovers. Hmmm. Thanks for the chance to win!

162

I subscribe to your RSS feed via Bloglines.

163

dianad said:

Love to read. I’d choose 1. Three Cups of Tea, 2.The Abstinence Teacher and 3. The Senator’s Wife. Thanks for having the wonderful giveaway.

164

Kerry said:

I would choose Iris Johansen “Quicksand”. Thanks for the great giveaway!

165

Candie L said:

The Appeal by John Grisham

166

Courtney said:

The first book I would choose would be The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

167

bridget said:

I would pick White Teeth by Zadie Smith. It has been on my list for a while and I can never get it at the library.

168

Kim said:

I’d get this first: The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

169

Kim said:

I subscribe too :)

170

foreign body by robin cook - i just took it out of the library - hate having to take books back to the library!!!

171

i subscribe

172

I really like to read.

173

Veronica Garrett said:

Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

174

Peggy Gorman said:

I enjoy reading books ,Wings
By Danielle Steel because all her books and stories are heart touching.
Forever . . .
By Judy Blume She is another I enjoy reading and I would love to read the book What’s Age Got to Do with It?: Living Your Healthiest and Happiest Life
By Robin McGraw,looks great!
Count me into this awesome giveaway

175

Peggy Gorman said:

I subscribe

176

Louise Brouillette said:

Home by Marilynn Robinson

177

I’d love to read The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls.

178

I have your button

179

I subscribe!

180

Max said:

Bitter is the New Black

181

Amy said:

I would love to read The Host: A Novel by Stephenie Meyer!

182

Heather said:

I’d like to read the Janet Evanovich’s Plum Lucky.

183

Esther said:

Double Cross (Alex Cross Novels)
By James Patterson

184

Heather C said:

Fearless Fourteen would be first on my list. I love the Stephanie Plum series!

185

Kimberly Miller said:

I’d start with “Style A to Z” by Rachel Zoe because Bad Fashion is a Crime : )

186

Eloise said:

I would love this, I love to read and this sounds like such a great service. Number one on my list would be The Choice by Nicholas Sparks, I love his inspirational style of writing. Thanks so much for such a fantastic giveaway!

furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net

187

Eloise said:

I am also a subscriber, thanks again!

furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net

188

Elizabeth Ray said:

I’ve heard so much about the “Twilight” series of books, I’d have to say that Twilight needs to be first on my list.

189

Lisa A. said:

The first book on my list would be “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.” I’ve had it on hold at my local library for yonks, but I don’t seem to be moving up the list.

190

Tammy said:

I would like to read Magic Hour.

191

Tammy said:

Your button is in my sidebar

192

Caitlin H. said:

Wow! This is awesome. I would like to read The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook: Great-Tasting Recipes That Keep You Lean! Thanks :D

caitlinhyla (AT) gmail (DOT) com

193

Emmy T said:

I would get The Other Boleyn Girl, because I have it on loan from the library, but I will need more than 2 weeks to finish it. I really want to win this!!!

194

Leah said:

The Everything Kids’ Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series) looks magical! : )))

Thanks so much for this fabulous give~away! : )))

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

195

Leah said:

I also subscribe! : )))

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

196

Alli said:

What a great idea! I would choose Eat, Pray, Love Thanks!

197

I am intrigued by Book Swim and thought the selection of books was excellent. The book I would like to read first is The Almost Moon.
Jennie

198

Helen said:

Top Chef The Cookbook because it isn’t at my library.

[...] giveaways this week! You could win a three-month, 3 books per month membership to BookSwim (enter by midnight on January 17th), a copy of the book Princess Emily and the Secret Library by Mary [...]

200

Cheryl said:

First on my list would be Gonzo: The Life of Hunter S. Thompson.

201

Lily Kwan said:

The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals would be first on my list.

202

Lily Kwan said:

I subscribed to your feed.

203

Betty Rose said:

Persuasion
By Jane Austen

204

Betty Rose said:

Subscriber

205

kathemc said:

Beginner’s Greek: A Novel
By James Collins

206

Lisanne said:

My first book would be “Elizabeth and Mary” by Jane Dunn. Thanks!

207

Kailani said:

Sarah

Congratulations! You are the winner of the BookSwim giveaway at An Island Life. Please contact me within 3 days to claim your prize.

Thank you for your participation.

Aloha
Kailani

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