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Before other options for buying books became available, book clubs may have made sense. There were draconian rules involved, like mailing back postcards if you did not want a book for the month. If you were lax like me, you would automatically be mailed books. Then, at some point, the book clubs switched to an active acknowledgment system. A member would have to order a book to receive it. What is the raison d'etre for such clubs today? I suppose if a reader is too busy to read the New York Times Book Review or New York Review of Books, then a book club would make sense. No use missing a good book due to life getting in the way. (Of course, the book club would have to be selective in its offerings). Ebook clubs are probably different from the P-book clubs. Given a choice, I prefer hard cover books over soft covers and ebooks. Unless an ebook is free or cheap, I don't feel it has intrinsic value. Understandably, it is a major convenience for the traveler, and offers advantages for those with sight problems. The instant gratification of downloading such a book might be a strong factor for others. Searching a book electronically is a major advantage for the researcher.
I just ordered $600 in hardcover books from Amazon. Free, but slow shipping. No regrets. I plan to keep the books for a long time, and pass them on to my children.
When I have time, I will look into book clubs again. Times have changed, and there are probably plenty of choices in format and price. But, I won't be using Oprah.
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