Book rentals?

grimo1re · 10-03-2009, 09:43 PM

Ok, maybe this is a silly question, but is there anywhere where you can rent books? See, Dymocks in Australia sells e-books for 20-30 aussie dollars. I find that too expensive.

The thing is, I tend to read books only once and then move on. I never used to buy many paper books either, there are very few books I'd like to own. I guess that's just the way I am. I've always been a big library customer, but currently my local library rather sucks. So, sort of like a video/DVD, I would absolutely love to be able to rent a book for a few bucks that allows me to read the book once. Should I love the book, I can then go and buy the book - but then I'd want it DRM free!

Are there others that would want such a service or do you want to own all the books you read? Or am I silly?

AnemicOak · 10-03-2009, 10:23 PM

You're not silly. While I tend to read many of my books again and again there are lots that I don't too. It would be great if someone offered something like what Overdrive offers to libraries in the US and UK (and maybe elsewhere) where you could pay a monthly or annual fee for access or if there was somewhere you could rent by the title. Don't know what it would take for it to happen though and it would surely be geo restricted just like book sales are right now so the books would have to be available electronically from publishers in your country.

grimo1re · 10-03-2009, 11:57 PM

Everything good is geo restricted

AnemicOak · 10-04-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grimo1re

Everything good is geo restricted

Sounds like a lot of publishers and some authors want to keep it that way too. We'll just have to hope if such a service ever starts up their restrictions will be easy to get around.

HarryT · 10-04-2009, 03:45 AM

Many countries have passed laws making it specifically illegal to rent software. I suspect that eBooks would fall foul of the same laws, being digital data.

theles92843 · 10-08-2009, 03:10 AM

Got the same question, but with a little twist

I just bought a PRS-300, hoping I could rent/borrow books. I am from California, but now live in Asia. I read mostly fiction novels -- crime, thrillers, mysteries, etc., during commute on public transport, and occasionally, some management books (tend to hurt my head). For the most part, I read a book only once (too little time, too many unread books out there!), so renting would seem to make more sense to me. The question is, what are the best e-libraries/websites that offer this? Getting a library card from some libraries in California is not a problem for me as I can ask my friend/relative to apply for one & mail over to me. However, I read somewhere in the forum that most Calif. libraries do not offer ebook. Any advice/pointer is much appreciated!

BeccaAnn · 10-08-2009, 03:16 AM

Quote:

The question is, what are the best e-libraries/websites that offer this? Getting a library card from some libraries in California is not a problem for me as I can ask my friend/relative to apply for one & mail over to me. However, I read somewhere in the forum that most Calif. libraries do not offer ebook. Any advice/pointer is much appreciated!

Since you have the PRS-300, go to the Sony store and at the bottom of the home page is the link to find libraries near you that does offer ebooks. You can search by zip code or state. You can even search the libraries' ebook selection before getting a library card.

10-03-2009, 09:43 PM	#1
grimo1re Geekette Posts: 435 Karma: 3335 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NSW, Australia Device: Sony Reader PRS500, PocketBook 360	Book rentals? Ok, maybe this is a silly question, but is there anywhere where you can rent books? See, Dymocks in Australia sells e-books for 20-30 aussie dollars. I find that too expensive. The thing is, I tend to read books only once and then move on. I never used to buy many paper books either, there are very few books I'd like to own. I guess that's just the way I am. I've always been a big library customer, but currently my local library rather sucks. So, sort of like a video/DVD, I would absolutely love to be able to rent a book for a few bucks that allows me to read the book once. Should I love the book, I can then go and buy the book - but then I'd want it DRM free! Are there others that would want such a service or do you want to own all the books you read? Or am I silly?

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10-03-2009, 10:23 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	You're not silly. While I tend to read many of my books again and again there are lots that I don't too. It would be great if someone offered something like what Overdrive offers to libraries in the US and UK (and maybe elsewhere) where you could pay a monthly or annual fee for access or if there was somewhere you could rent by the title. Don't know what it would take for it to happen though and it would surely be geo restricted just like book sales are right now so the books would have to be available electronically from publishers in your country.

10-03-2009, 11:57 PM	#3
grimo1re Geekette Posts: 435 Karma: 3335 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NSW, Australia Device: Sony Reader PRS500, PocketBook 360	Everything good is geo restricted

10-04-2009, 03:45 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Many countries have passed laws making it specifically illegal to rent software. I suspect that eBooks would fall foul of the same laws, being digital data.

10-08-2009, 03:10 AM	#6
theles92843 Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: prs-300	Got the same question, but with a little twist I just bought a PRS-300, hoping I could rent/borrow books. I am from California, but now live in Asia. I read mostly fiction novels -- crime, thrillers, mysteries, etc., during commute on public transport, and occasionally, some management books (tend to hurt my head). For the most part, I read a book only once (too little time, too many unread books out there!), so renting would seem to make more sense to me. The question is, what are the best e-libraries/websites that offer this? Getting a library card from some libraries in California is not a problem for me as I can ask my friend/relative to apply for one & mail over to me. However, I read somewhere in the forum that most Calif. libraries do not offer ebook. Any advice/pointer is much appreciated!

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