Jennifer Allen
Is it possible to own too many books? It doesn’t seem likely. If you love reading and discovering new authors, then here are the best subscription boxes for you.
Whatever your tastes, there’s something for you here. Some subscription boxes focus on inspiring, while others will grab the attention of the aspiring novelist, or the humble coffee lover. There’s room too for capturing the imagination of kids. Here’s our pick of the bunch when it comes to subscription boxes for avid readers.
Best For Variety: Bookcase.Club ($9.99 per month)
If you simply like a little bit of everything then you can’t go wrong with Bookcase.Club. Each month, you’re able to choose from a selection of themes. Once chosen, you’re then sent two handpicked novels of that type. Typical themes include young adult, mystery or thriller, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, and paranormal romance.
Books come in hardback format so they look pretty good in your bookcase too. It’s a fairly straight forward subscription service so don’t expect any bonuses, but it’s a great way of discovering new authors instead of having to make the effort yourself.
Best For Being Inspired: Enlightened Warrior Book Club ($35 per month)
Want to feel inspired by what you read? The Enlightened Warrior Book Club aims to entertain as well as encourage you to be the best person possible.
Each month, you’re sent a book of the month that can be either fiction or non-fiction, along with a variety of local handmade items, a gift to give someone important in your life, and two themed items that tie into the book. The handcrafted items are designed to create a calm and relaxing environment while you read, with the choice of books keen to inspire and motivate you. It’s all part of a self-care style sentiment that emits from the box the moment you open it. See it as a small escape from life each month.
Best Book Subscription For Men: Culture Carton ($16 per month to $45 per month)
Aimed squarely at male booklovers, Culture Carton offers both a book club and a lifestyle item club. For $16 per month, you can sign up to the book club and be sent a handpicked book each month. These comprise a mixture of classic and modern fiction so you’re constantly provided with interesting material to read.
Alternatively, for $45 a month, you can enjoy the book along with a selection of lifestyle items including things like journals, facial scrubs, socks, candies, earphones, watches, and much more. Think random items that you didn’t know you needed until it arrived. Whatever you go with, you’re guaranteed a high-quality book.
Best For Coffee Lovers: My Coffee and Book ($39 per month)
Everyone loves coffee, right? Combine your love of coffee with your love of reading via My Coffee and Book. For $39 per month, you can enjoy two new hardcover books and an eBook in your genre of choice, along with 12 ounces of gourmet coffee. Choices are extensive. You can choose from whole bean or ground coffee, with books available in every genre imaginable. There’s no chance of you being sent the wrong book here.
It’s another form of care package really. You’ll be surprised how quickly you find your routine switch to brewing a tasty cup of coffee to go alongside your new books. It’s good value for money too given how much you’re provided.
Best For Kids: Owl Post Books ($30 per month)
It’s good to instill a love of reading in your kids. It’s a fun hobby that can also teach them a lot about the world and other viewpoints. Owl Post Books is the best subscription box for kids who love to read. Available from birth up to the age of 12, kids are sent three brand new books each month, along with an interactive box, a fun toy, and a card too.
Aimed at sparking their imagination, the box and toy are themed around the books they’re sent, with plenty there to show off to kids that there’s so much more to reading than, well, reading. Think of it as a gift that keeps giving.
Best For The Aspiring Author: Scribbler ($30 per month)
Love to read but also desperately want to become an author yourself? Scribbler is everything you could need in a subscription box. Each month, you’re sent a new release novel to read, along with curated writerly gifts, and other tools for aspiring writers. That includes things like an inside look at the publishing process, an opportunity to chat with a publishing professional, and a guide from a bestselling author who knows how best to tackle certain areas.
Past boxes have included things like notepads, inspirational coasters, beanie hats, and even an example of a real rejection letter so you know what to expect. The path to becoming a successful author might not be easy, but this box makes it far more enjoyable.
Best For Used Books: Used Books Monthly ($10 per month)
A cheaper alternative for many, Used Books Monthly provides you with two pre-owned books each month. Each has been read before but the company promises that they’re still in good condition. We’re talking “gently-used” rather than overly thumbed through.
There are 24 categories to choosefromm, along with a “surprise me” option, and it’s possible to mix and match. That’s what makes this service feel better value than other book services. There’s also the possibility of receiving older books at times rather than being tied into the latest releases. If you’re worried about waste too, it’s a neat way of feeling like you’re reusing the earth’s resources rather than wasting anything. For $14.99 a month, you can also switch to the 4 book service if you read fast.
