Few things are more enjoyable than heading to the bookstore and filling your cart with fresh releases, timeless classics or a special new edition of your favorite book. But in recent years, many book lovers are opting to skip the store in favor of a newer trend where the books come to you! Enter book boxes. These boxes are subscriptions that send you new books (oftentimes the books are more niche so you'll discover titles beyond the bestseller lists) and on-theme merchandise or other bookish souvenirs. While book boxes have been around for some time, they're gaining popularity lately thanks to a plethora of new options, subscription plans and specialized themes or content.
So if you're interested in book boxes and want to learn more about the bookish trend, you're in the right place! Here, we tapped book pros and asked why book boxes are so beloved by readers, which boxes are superior, how to decide which one is best for you, how much they cost and more.
Keep scrolling to find out all the must-know information on book subscription boxes!
What are book boxes?
Book boxes or subscriptions typically arrive monthly to readers' doorsteps and include one book that's either curated with a pre-selected theme or a book the reader chose ahead of time. "Book subscription boxes bring the delight of bookstore 'blind dates' to your doorstep," shares book pro, Cassie Malmo, founder of Malmo Public Relations , a boutique book PR firm.
"Between the excitement and anticipation of receiving the monthly book that has been selected by the box and the various, often custom, swag items inside (like gourmet food or tea that's on-theme with your book) along with a letter from the author, it pairs both convenience and surprise and is something subscribers look forward to each month," says Malmo.
Some boxes offer more of a book club vibe where you pick a book from a set amount of options, while others are genre-specific and themed based on the month or time of year they're being delivered. Book boxes are also be a great gift for a bibliophile friend or family member. "They're a great option for people looking to get back into the joy of reading," Malmo notes. " Subscription boxes re-engage readers and get people back into reading again."
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Why are book boxes becoming even more popular right now?
When it comes to the recent wave of box boxes, Aimee, a bookstagrammer who goes by @theonewhereaimeereads , says there's something for every reader. "If you're a bookworm, there aren't many things more exhilarating than book mail — and these box boxes feed that. Every year for my birthday, my husband gifts me an annual book box subscription. That means I get one book each month for an entire year, so it is quite literally the gift that keeps on giving!"
Book boxes are also an easy yet unique way to discover new books and authors for your collection. "I think, as readers, we’re always looking for something new to keep us up to date with the newest books and trends, and I think book boxes do this," says Elisa G., another bookstagrammer whose username is @the.overflowing.bookshelf. "I’ve discovered some great new authors through book boxes. Plus, who doesn’t love getting little goodies with their books?"
Another reason book boxes are skyrocketing on social media? Fandoms. " For authors with big fandoms, the excitement and engagement with these custom elements from specific authors or series translates over to social media — all the Bookstagram and BookTok buzz can be quite high!" Right now #bookbox yields more than 310,000 posts on Instagram alone. And online fandoms behind bestselling romantasy authors like Rebecca Yarros, Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black are all very active on BookTok and Instagram.
How do you decide which book box to buy?
With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the best book box for you. Simply Google "book subscription boxes" to start the search of comparing and contrasting. You can always take a look at book box sites and see their boxes from previous months to get an idea of what might be included next.
"The great thing about subscription boxes is once you research and find the box that fits your taste, it can be a great way to discover new authors and also get books that you may have been considering yourself already," says Malmo. Hint: Type #bookbok into the search bar on Instagram to discover thousands of "unboxing" videos and pretty photos of different book box subscriptions that reveal what's inside.
Aimee adds that the "standard formula is a box with a book that is delivered at a set interval. It can be once a month, once every three months, etc." She goes on to note that independent bookstores might also offer book box subscriptions or you can go with more niche ones that relate to your specific interests and genres. Not sure if you're ready to commit to a monthly membership? Not to worry! Many book box subscription sites (including the ones listed below) all offer one-time shopping options on their sites.
The best book boxes to subscribe to
Whether you're only looking for books or you want a box with books and merch, snacks, goodies and more, we've got you covered. Here, we share a few of our favorite book boxes — that range in price from $15 to $50 — so you can find one that works best for you and your bookish interests!
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1. Aardvaark Book Club
If you're looking for hardcover new releases, Aardvark Book Club should be on your radar. They pick six books per month and readers can then select up to three choices. The subscription covers one book per month ($17.99 for U.S. customers) and any additional books are extra. This club offers an array of genres from contemporary fiction to thriller, romance and more. Bonus: You can skip a month whenever you want! Simply scroll down on Aardvark's site to click 'skip' if you don't want to purchase a box every month.
"My favorite genres to read are science fiction, fantasy and horror and Aardvark tends to offer a lot of options in these genres every month," says Aimee regarding the book box. "Also, I've found that Aardvark often introduces me to authors I wouldn't have otherwise discovered. The quality of their beautiful hardcover books is fantastic and their social media team is kind, fun, creative and regularly interacts with their members. They make you feel like a friend."
2. Once Upon a Book Club
When it comes to great books and great goodies, Once Upon a Book Club covers it all. You can get an adult, young adult or tween box that comes with a special edition copy of a book, plus three to five gifts (such as beach towels, beauty products, candles, home decor and more), author notes and beyond. This option is a bit more expensive ($49.99 per month), but provides a hand-picked, high-end collection of gifts and books.
What's unique about this book box? Subscribers will receive a newly released book along with 3 to 5 individually wrapped gifts. Each gift has a page number attached to it and is specifically designed around something that is mentioned in the book. "The gifts literally correlate to the chapters or lines in the book," shares Elisa. "For example, I got a book box from them once where the character was wearing a Mrs. Claus apron in one chapter and one of the gifts in the box was a Mrs Claus apron! I have gotten so many cool gifts and read so many books that I previously wouldn't have purchased or read if I hadn't been introduced to them from their box!"
3. Fairyloot
If fancy special editions with extra detail are your vibe, then you should look into Fairyloot . They create custom, world-specific book swag, and have some of the most stunning designed special editions," says Malmo. They mostly ship from the U.K., but have various book boxes to choose from including book only options for different genres and swag boxes that come with a book and more.
While Aimee isn't a subscriber, she has bought multiple books from their shop. "I was able to snag a breathtaking copy of one of my all-time favorite books this way: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin and I love this edition," she says.
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