Join If: You're an avid reader or you get impatient waiting for books you’ve purchased online.

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Barnes & Noble Member program
This membership, which costs $25 a year, gives 10 percent off purchases in the store and online. It pays for itself if you buy about 12 full-price hardcover books a year. Go to www.barnesandnoble.com for more information.

Amazon.com’s Amazon Prime
This is good for frequent book buyers who don't want to wait long for their online purchases to be delivered. For $79 a year, members get free two-day shipping or overnight shipping for $4 an item. For this to be cost-effective, you need to buy more than eight books delivered second-day or at least seven books delivered overnight. Go to www.amazon.com or for more information.

Other book clubs
Try Booksonline.com (www.booksonline.com), which provides links to more than 40 book clubs, including Book-of-the-Month Club (which is co-owned by Time Inc., the parent company of Real Simple). Prices and membership details vary, but in general you get three to six books for a nominal fee (typically $1 to $2, plus shipping). You then are obligated to buy three to five more at regular prices over the next year or two. Featured selections are sent to you automatically unless you opt out or make another selection in advance. If you read a lot, one of these clubs could save you cash and introduce you to some new titles.