So I have been testing out a few different book subscription boxes over the past few months. I wanted to have a good idea about the items included, prices, shipping, packaging and my enjoyment before telling you about these boxes so I could give you my best opinion. As I am sure you know, subscription boxes really started picking up steam a year or two ago and when I originally wanted to receive a book subscription box each month the only one available was BookRiot that was way out of my price range at the time. Most subscription services sent you a monthly box in the interest of your choice, mine is obviously books, for a fee. They select the items that you receive and they are often a complete surprise. So anyway enough of my chatter let me share my boxes with you, I have subscribed to 3 different services over the past 3 -5 months but I am only going to show you the most recent boxes. (Just as a note: none of this sponsored, I paid for each of these subscription services from my own pocket. I was never contact by any of these services to post a review or promote anything, these are all my own opinions).
This was the first subscription I started receiving. There is a limited amount of boxes each month and it took me a couple of months on the email/waiting list to snag a subscription. The subscription is $39.99 for the box and I think $11.00 or so for shipping. The box includes at least 2 signed books and some book swag and bookworm box swag. All proceeds go to charity. The books are I believe donated as is the author's time for signatures. The Bookworm Box is organized by author Colleen Hoover
In my July box I received The Perfect Life by Erin Noelle and Unseen Messages by Pepper Winters both signed by the authors. The box also included a little preview book from Roman Crazy which was a great idea. There are also little cards and bookmarks from other authors. As far as the Bookworm Box goodies, there is a stress reliever book, pen, sticker and socks (the goodies vary each month but there is always a pen and some really unique items).
I like all the goodies you get in this box and I enjoy the fact that the books you receive are signed and especially that the proceeds are donated to a variety of charities (you receive a note telling you where the money is going). I am a little disappointed in the book selections though, they seem to really revolve around contemporary books, which I don't often read. I have only once received a book that I had heard of and was on my TBR/Wishlist and I have received 5 boxes I think. A few of the books do sound interesting but they are definitely not a priority for me to read. I have cancelled my subscription to the Bookworm box because of the selection of books and the high price. I do think you get a good value for your money if you enjoy the books being selected.
Previous Boxes I have received
The next service I decided to try out was Novel Tea Club, I happened to stumble and loved the idea of a book and a different tea each month. There was no waiting list at the time I signed up, I don't know if there is one now. The subscription is $27.50 USD (this is a Canadian subscription service) which I believe includes shipping cost. There are also almost always promo codes to find on their facebook or website (I had a limited time code for 10% off for life). Included in the box each month is a book, a tea (either loose leaf or bagged) and a few other goodies that often include a snack and/or some locally or small business made/produced items. You can also select the genre for your subscription, the options currently are Romance, YA and Fantasy/Sci-Fi. You can also change your selection throughout your subscription.
I subscribed to the Fantasy box and while most of the books are new to me, they all sound very intriguing. In my July box I received Once Again by Liz Braswell and Cameron Dokey, a pair of fairytale retellings, some Macha Macaroons, some bath fizzies, chapstick, a pair of magnetic bookmarks and 3 types of tea (a berry green tea, green rooibos and red rooibos). I do know that they are changing the format slightly come next month and there will be a theme (Night Owl).
I have really enjoyed this box every month, I have never been able to finish all the tea before a new box arrives. When they send loose tea there is usually a tea infuser and/or bags to fill included. The goodies are intriguing to try, there have been handmade marshmallows in the past, maybe not my favorite things to eat but still fun to try. I really love that you can select a genre of books, a few of the ones I have received have been on my TBR/Wishlist already. At only about $25 a month this has been a great box to enjoy.
Past boxes I have received
The Bookcase Club is my newest subscription box that I have tried out. It is more of a straight up book subscription. Each month you receive 2 books in your selected genre. The genre choices have a wide variety and include: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy/Sci-Fi, YA, Mystery/Thriller, Children's, Romance and even options for cookbooks and history books (these two are quarterly books). The cost is $9.99 a month and $5.00 shipping (if you pre-pay for several months or use promo codes it can be cheaper - I pre-paid for 6 months and had a 10 or 15% off code so it works out to be less than $8 a month).
I subscribed to the Romance Subscription and in my July box I received Read Bottom Up by Neel Shah & Skye Chatham and How to Tell Toledo from the Night Sky by Lydia Netzer. I haven't read either of these books but I really can't wait to read Read Bottom Up, it looks like a really unique format.
I really have enjoyed this subscription and you can't beat the price. I like how there is such a selection of genres to choose from and I believe you can change it. I haven't heard of most of the books I have received so far but so many of them have sounded fantastic and I am clearing out a lot of my TBR for this year so I can read these books. I am thinking if I can get another fantastic code like last time I might get Munchkin his own book subscription.
Past boxes I have received
Do you have a book subscription box you like? Have you received any of these before? Did you enjoy the books you have gotten?
