I love monthly subscription boxes, especially those related to books. It's like Christmas every month. A box--or boxes--arrive at my door and I don't know what's inside, but I know that whatever it is, it's going to be good. In these boxes I receive everything from physical books--many of which are editions exclusive to the subscription service--to bookish candles to fan-made art prints.
So, what are subscription boxes? Quite simply, they are services to which you can subscribe for different amounts of time, usually month-to-month, three months, or a full year. The type of box varies. Some services cater to the young adult market, others offer books for adults, some offer both young adult and adult market books and in multiple genres. Others target specific genres such as science fiction, horror, fantasy, mystery, thrillers, etc. Regardless of your reading pleasure, there is probably a bookish subscription box for you.
Most boxes will include items centered around a monthly theme. However, not all boxes include an actual book. Recently, I was curious about the items that are often included in book-related boxes, so I created a poll through SurveyMonkey and ran it through my Instagram account for the entire month of September. I asked other subscribers what they most liked to find inside the boxes. The answers were a little surprising, but also not surprising at all:
The Number One answer with 90% of the votes was "Newly Released Books." This makes sense. If you're subscribing to a service for books, then you expect to find a new book to read. Many services, such as
OwlCrate and
FairyLoot, often include signed books or books with slightly redesigned covers that are exclusive to that box. These become highly collectable items among readers of particular genres or followers of center authors.
The second spot was a tie at 70% between "Pins and Buttons" and "Fandom Candles." If you aren't familiar with fandom candles, all you really need to know is that they are candles themed around individual characters from books, television, or movies, specific genres, book series, mythical lands from books, television, or movies, and other things related to all of these. One of my favorite candle shops,
Whiskey Diamond Candle Company, has
the best smelling Sherlock Holmes-related candle I have ever found. Hand-poured in an amber apothecary jar and scented like leather, bourbon, and tobacco, you can truly believe you're standing in 221B Baker Street. Some candle companies offer their own monthly subscriptions, such as
Flick the Wick. Pins and Buttons are often included as part of larger boxes. There are some companies on Etsy that are specializing in the creation of enamel pins centered around different fandoms.
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Sherlock Holmes candle
Whiskey Diamond Candle Co. |
Third place was another tie at 60% between "Stickers" and "Book Sleeves." Stickers are self-explanatory. Whether you use them on your vehicle, computer or laptop, or just collect them in a protective binder, stickers are definitely a perennial favorite among fans. It's not uncommon to see authors giving them away at signings or to find stacks of them on the "freebie" tables at conventions. Stickers are a great way for fandom creators like authors to advertise as well as great way for fans to recognize other fans. Book Sleeves are something I discovered only a few months ago, and now I wonder where they have been my entire life. These are padded, soft-sided envelope-like sleeves designed to hold books from mass market paperback up to the thickest hardcovers. Offered in a variety of styles, colors, patterns, and materials, there really is no end to how many of these you can own. I have over a dozen book sleeves in different sizes--including one for my Kindle Paperwhite--and styles. Some have pockets for pencils and notepads, and others do not. The purpose of the sleeves is to keep your book, e-reader, cell phone, tablet, etc., safe from dings and scratches. How many times have you tossed a paperback into a purse or backpack only to find the cover folded or torn when you retrieved it? Sleeves help to prevent such damage.
With 50% of the votes, fourth place was a major tie between "Tote bags," "T-Shirts," "Jewelry," "Unique Bookmarks," and "Home Goods." This last category includes items like pillow cases, tea towels, canvas banners for displaying pins and buttons, small book lights, etc. Personally, I love to find tote bags and unique bookmarks in my subscription boxes. I have quite a collection of both, but I still love them. The tote bags serve multiple purposes, and I don't mean just to carry books. They make great reusable, environmentally friendly shopping bags, and most are completely washable. Bookmarks are awesome. I love them not only for their intended use but also as art. Find some similarly sized bookmarks that fit a fandom theme, add a nice frame, and--viola!--unique wall art. T-shirts are great, too, but I'm often disappointed in the sizing options. Being someone of larger size, it's often difficult to get excited about shirts that are only available in sizes S-XL. There are some companies who expand their sizes to 2XL, but very few stretch beyond 3XL at the largest. I have similar issues the jewelry. Most rings don't fit, even if they are adjustable, and necklaces become chokers unless they feature really long chains. Home Goods are fun because I love showing my fandoms throughout my house. Pillow cases are great because those can easily be changed out so there's alway something new or different.
The final categories, ranging from 40% to 20%, were "Collectible Figures (like Funko Pops)," "Artwork such as postcards, mini-prints, etc.," "Bath Items (soaps, salts, bath bombs, etc.)," "Notepads," "Pens and Pencils," "Socks," and "Edible Items (coffee, tea, candy, mixes, etc.)."
So, what are some of my favorite subscription boxes? I've already named two, OwlCrate and FairyLoot, but I'll go into greater detail as to why I like them. However, let me tell you about the first subscription box I ever tried.
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Example of Nerdy Post hand-lettered art
from Sherlock-themed box |
Nerdy Post--started by my close friend Alexis Lampley--is based in Gulfport, Mississippi, and features amazing artwork created by talented individuals. Nerdy Post doesn't include books in its boxes, but it also isn't limited to only books and book-related fandoms. Alexis is a self-described nerd and Nerdy Post reflects the things she and many other nerds and geeks love. In prior boxes, Alexis has created themes for author Sarah J. Maas (
Throne of Glass; A Court of Thrones and Roses), British television series
Sherlock (starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman), movie franchise
Star Wars, and October's theme,
Dragons!
Aside from being the creation of one of my best friends, I love Nerdy Post for its variations. Each month is different. Will it be television shows? Will it be books? Will it be movies? Or will is be a combination of all of these? Regardless of the theme, I'm guaranteed to find amazing fan art in each box. Another benefit of Nerdy Post's variations is that I've discovered so many amazing artists. Alexis designs many of the items herself, but she also incorporates the work of other artists, and I love that. Many of the artists Alexis showcases have their own shops, either through Etsy or another similar site, and I've since ordered prints and other items from those artists. So, subscription boxes aren't just about the book you may receive, they're about discovering other people who enjoy the same fandoms as you.
Nerdy Post offers different levels to their subscription to fit anyone's budget: Nerdy Post Lite, Nerdy Post, Ultimate Nerdy Post, Nerdy Tees, Nerdy Combo, and Ultimate Nerdy Combo. (I get the Ultimate Nerdy Combo.) The lowest level includes a variety of hand-lettered designs on items such as bookmarks, posters, stickers, lapel pins, drink coasters, candles, and postcards. Nerdy Tees are just that: t-shirts featuring a hand-lettered design based on a theme. The Ultimate Nerdy Combo includes everything from the bookmarks to candles to the t-shirts. The price for each box ranges from around $10 US to $38 US plus shipping, and subscribers have the option to skip a month if they wish.
OwlCrate is a family-own and run subscription service based in Portland, Oregon, and caters to lovers of young adult fiction. Launched in February 2015, OwlCrate offers newly released books--often with custom covers--that are either directly signed by the author or via autographed book plates. Other items included in boxes can range from bookmarks, candles, pillow cases, and stickers to enamel pins, socks, and book sleeves. OwlCrate also offers OwlCrate, Jr., which is a subscription box for middle-grade and younger.
One aspect of OwlCrate I like the most is the author's note included with each book. The note is usually a single page, handwritten by the author, telling the story behind the book's publication or the inspiration behind some aspect of the book. It's like a behind-the-scenes peek into the author's thought process, and it's always fun.
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The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Editions (l-r): OwlCrate exclusive, standard,
Barnes & Noble exclusive |
The custom covers created for OwlCrate become collector's items for serious fans of different authors. For example, at the time of its publication, Holly Black's
The Cruel Prince had two version available: the standard white and gold cover as well as the black and gold cover that was limited to a Barnes & Noble edition that featured a bonus short story. Many Holly Black's fans sought out both of these editions. However, OwlCrate feature
The Cruel Prince in one of its monthly boxes and the book was not only signed by Holly but featured a completely redesigned cover. Since these were limited to a single month for a single subscription service, the OwlCrate covers have become rare collectibles for fans to the point I've seen a few editions for sale on internet auction sites fetching prices well beyond the standard cover price.
OwlCrate, like Nerdy Post, offers different levels of commitment to their service. Month-to-month subscribers pay $29.99 plus shipping, but enjoy the benefit of being able to skip a month if they want. Other levels include 3-month and 6-month plans, and although these subscribers are not able to skip a month, they do enjoy discounted pricing.
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Grace and Fury
standard cover |
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Grace and Fury
FairyLoot exclusive
cover |
The final subscription box I'm going to cover here is FairyLoot, which is based in the U.K., and caters to the young adult fiction market. Unlike OwlCrate, FairyLoot focuses exclusively on the young adult and young adult crossover fantasy genre; however, like OwlCrate, FairyLoot often includes special exclusive editions for the books featured in their boxes. Whether it's a redesigned cover or special color-sprayed pages, many of these editions are either directly autographed by the authors or feature signed book plates. Included with each book is a letter from the author, and a special code to find your "reading buddy" online so you can share the reading experience with someone! (Spoilers: I don't often read the included book during the month in which I receive it so I always feel sorry for whomever has been partnered with me for a book.)
Each box is themed and aside from a great book items included can be anything from socks, enamel pins, pencils, or bookmarks to tote bags, coffee mugs, lip balms, candles, and specially blended teas. I'm always amazed and pleased with the variety of items included in each box, and all the items work so well to encompass the month's theme that I can picture anything else being included.
Like other services, FairyLoot has different levels of subscription from month-to-month, 3-month, and 6-month plans. Prices range from £26 (monthly) to £156.00 (6-month) plus shipping. Past boxes are also available via their website if you want to try out a box before committing to a new subscription.
So, are bookish subscription boxes worth the cost? I believe they are as long as you find the service that appeals to your bookish tastes. In addition to being fun, bookish boxes can open you to authors, artists, and fandoms you may not have considered. While the two services that include books I've mentioned here target the young adult market, there are plenty of services that offer adult market books in every genre and to fit nearly every budget. If you aren't sure if you want to fully commit to a monthly subscription, try out past boxes or the one-time purchase feature many services offer. It's a great way to see what is offered and if the items and services appeal to you.
Give them a try. If you don't like one service, don't despair. Try another. Or several. And remember, you can cancel at any time. So go forth and find your new fandom!
Review: Let me just say this first: I adore Holly Black's writing. She has a penchant for creating engaging characters inhabiting vibrant worlds, and her plots are always complex with unexpected twists. Sadly, much of this was missing from this novella.
