Economic woes have beset even the Kremlin's book-subscription service.


Created in 1936 on the personal order of Stalin and known as the State Book Expedition, the service -- a Soviet-style book-of-the-month club -- has delivered reading material to Russian nomenklatura ever since.


It is part of a host of perks for the elite, including chauffeur-driven cars, treatment by Kremlin doctors and big dachas.


Now these book benefits are open to any ordinary mortal who can pay.


Every month each high-ranking official in the country receives from the service a list of several dozen books deemed most interesting -- from politics to fairytales -- with their prices and an order coupon.


A special courier service or an official's personal secretary then delivers the books.


The service still provides discounts for the nomenklatura, including privileged readers from ministers and directors to generals and editors-in-chief. But buffeted by the new market economy and inflation, the book service earns now only 5 kopeks on every ruble spent.


So, to make ends meet, it recently started to provide service for readers outside the bigwig circle, but for a more realistic price.


The charge for receiving the monthly book lists is 48,000 rubles (about $15) a year.


Book prices vary. Readers who want to subscribe should sign up by sending a letter to the service by Dec. 10.


For more information or to subscribe, contact the State Book Expedition, 4 Bolshiye Kamenshchiki, tel. 272-0339.