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within 21 days, but the actual shipping time depends on the seller's efficiency. These policies make Amazon a great, quick resource, but not necessarily the most reliable one. VERDICT: If you're only interested in new books, your only stop. If you prefer used, buy carefully but fairly confidently.

COURSE SMART (www.coursesmart.com)
Run by a group of major textbooks makers, this new site experiments with the future of textbooks: online, rental access. Instead of purchasing a hardcopy of the text, students can download or view the text online. There are a number of options: renting the "eTextbook" (which you can then only view online) for about 50% off the retail price, downloading the entire textbook for about 75% of the retail price or purchasing chapter by chapter. For Science books supplements (like answer keys or workbooks), this might provide students with a convenient option. However, the booklist is weak (focusing mostly on hard sciences) and they currently (Fall, 2007) have only one literature textbook; their writing handbook selection is more comprehensive, but barely. VERDICT: Consider your familiarity with computers and how much you will need the book in class before buying.

PROJECT GUTENBERG (http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki /Main_Page)
For literary texts that are not in the public domain, this is a great resource to download and/or view a free copy online. The selection is solid, but obviously does not include books published in the last 75 years. Also, if you do print a copy out, you might not save as much money; many literary texts can be found in very affordable paperback editions. If you enjoy marking your text up or don't want to lug the 5lb 6 oz Riverside Shakespeare around with you this can be a solid option. However, if you're reading a play or poem, there are often no line numbers, making it hard to keep up in class or cite. For novels, this might prove a hinderance in citing for a professor. VERDICT: Great for short poems, but check with your Professor for anything over a few stanzas.

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