(1) If you see a magazine or newspaper ad for a discount book club, visit its online site to join. You will typically find a much larger selection of titles than what fits on one or two printed pages.

(2) Read the fine print (it's usually called "terms and conditions" or "membership agreement"). Discount clubs typically offer introductory deals such as five books for $1. The shipping charges, however, may total $15 or more. That's still a good deal, but you should be aware that you are paying more than $1 for your books.

(3) When you join a club, you will be obligated to purchase additional books in nearly every case. Typically the club will give you a year or two to get this done. You may have to purchase one book within a year, or four books within two years.

(4) Book club editions are slightly different than the books you buy in a store. The words are the same, and they're all there, but the paper may be less expensive, or the physical size of the book slightly smaller.

(5) Every three weeks or month, depending, you will receive a paper catalog in the mail, along with a card that shows your featured selection. If you would like to receive the book, you can do nothing. If you don't want the book, you must return the card before the due date with that indicated, to prevent the club from shipping the book. Many clubs now offer an online option that lets you log-in and decline or accept.

(6) There are more than 150 discount book clubs available with online options, covering everything from bestsellers to audio books to kid's books to every type of fiction and non-fiction. The largest clubs -- Doubleday Book Club, Crossings Christian Book Club and the Literary Guild -- each of which has more than 1 million members. But there are many smaller clubs that offer paperbacks, rental books and other services.