Unlikely but...

[kenshinbebop]

Does anyone know if there is a service like Netflix or Gamefly for books? I'd love such a thing. The local library really isn't all that satisfactory, and 12-30 dollars for a new book almost every week takes it's toll.

If not, or even if there is, could you also suggest some good places that sell used books or wholesale books online?

THanks.

[Old Ape Face]

Amazon would be my first guess.

but I wouldn't doubt there are retail websites that sell books via the internet.

[Jia]

The publisher's website.

Google.

[Vaikyuko]

Unsure what precisely it does, but it sounds like Amazon's Kindle (or Kindle 2) might be what you're looking for?

My understanding was you pay a flat fee of whatever the device costs and then get access to x amount of books or something which can be accessed anywhere with a wireless connection, I think. I could be totally wrong though, since I'm not interested at all in it and thus have done zero actual research. -_-;

[Tom Servo]

As far as I know there isn't an online library service that'll send you books through the post for you to return after so many days - however, there are online libraries (usually centred around one particular subject) where you pay a registration fee to access their online collection, then there are sites like Project Gutenberg and others which have thousands of books that have gone pass their copyright for you to browse for free.

My primary use of libraries has been to obtain paper copies of manuscripts, which is all done through the post.

[The Million Dollar Prons]

There is an online service in which you can download audiobooks and listen to them for a limited rental time. It was in conjuction with the public library in my county

[xia]

Ah nice. I didnt know about Project Gutenberg. Most awesome.

[kenshinbebop]

For those that care, here's what I came up with after a bit of a search:
http://www.abebooks.com/help/Welcome-to-AbeBooks/new-buyer-information.html
http://www.booksfree.com/
http://product.half.ebay.com/The-Catcher-in-the-Rye_W0QQtgZinfoQQprZ104070
http://www.buy.com/

[TalaRain]

Just a leap not sure if this is even what you are asking but have you looked into Fanfiction?? There is a ton on the net and a lot of it is BAD but sift threw it enough and you find really good stuff.

FanFiction.net is a huge directory for a start if you are interested.

[goddessofanime]

swaptree.com

[TalaRain]

Also...

Half Price Books. Not too bad even for hard cover. Some times you can get hard cover books for under $7.