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The greatest struggle I’ve faced as a reader lately has been finding quality books to read. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut of mediocre reads and it’s a struggle to pick up another book. I turned to Book of the Month Club to help me get out of my latest reading rut.
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About Book Of The Month Club
If you’re an avid reader, you know the struggle of trying to find a new book or author to read! It’s especially challenging when you want to venture outside your favorite genre for a little variety.
If you’re look for new reads, early releases, or just want someone to make a short list for you to pick from, this will be your literary savior. They have been in business for nearly 100 years, so clearly they are doing something right!
Book of the Month Club works in collaboration with both renowned and up-and-coming book authors planning to release their new publications. In some cases, they offer early releases that aren’t available at major book retailers yet.
The website is simple and straightforward. The team announce their top picks each month and you can either select one or choose to skip if nothing appeals to you. You can even see this month’s picks before signing up to make sure there is something that piques your interest before signing up.
Example Books
Book of the Month Club offers a wide variety of books. I tend to read a lot of mystery and thrillers, so I’m trying to shake it up a little. So far, I’ve received:
- Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth – A compelling mystery/thriller that I finished in a day. Some publishing errors like misspelled words, but otherwise a good read.
- Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland – The description on this was misleading. It wasn’t a fantasy as much as it was a clumsy, juvenile romance with an ambitious fantasy plot in the background. I wish I had picked A Ministry of Time instead.
- A Talent for Murder – A new to me author with a history of writing decent mysteries, so it seemed like safe pick. I was glad I picked this one and I’d give it 4 stars.
- The Gods of the Woods – Still in my to-be read pile, but the reviews are good!
- All the Colors of the Dark – Still in my to-be read pile, but the reviews are good!
Pricing
For the first month, you pay $5 for your first book if you can find a good coupon code. The following months are $16.99 with free shipping.
It’s easy to skip a month, add past or extra books to your order, and shipping is free!
Pros & Cons of Book of the Month
What I Love
- Early releases of upcoming reads so you know you aren’t getting books you’ve already read
- In-depth book reviews, blog posts, and guides to help choose (content warnings, too!)
- Mix of new and established authors
- Option to purchase an extra book along with your shipment
- Extremely Giftable
The Less Desirable
- There is always a chance you won’t like a book you select. It’s happened to me, but at least I tried something new, right?
- I found some mistakes in the books. It’s a publisher issue, but it still irritates me.
- Some features, such as access to the Blue Box Boutique, aren’t available until after your 3rd month
Verdict
I love it! This is a subscription that I want to continue getting for the foreseeable future.
I love that I easily change my genre when I am in the mood for something different. Sometimes you need literature and sometimes you need brain candy, right?
As one of the oldest and most established book subscriptions, I know they will be around for a long time. You won’t be dealing with new business growing pains.
I haven’t had any problems other than finding some publisher errors in the books and shipping has been fast. A few of my friends also get this subscription and love it. It’s no-frills, but I don’t always want extras like tea, candles, etc coming with my books.
The option to add on more books for $11.99 each when you reach BFF status, which is after three months, makes this a no-brainer subscription for me. Where else are you going to get hardback books for that price?
If I’ve convinced you that you need this in your life (and you do), click here to sign up.
Alternatives
Here are a few other top book club options to choose from, if this one isn’t your cup of tea:
- Used Books Monthly – An eco-friendly-ish and affordable book box that sends you the desired numbers of gently used books each month. You can pick the genre(s), but the books you receive a total surprise.
- Once Upon a Book Club – If you’re craving an immersive book experience, this is the ideal box for you. Each book comes with extras that you open as you get to specific pages of the book.
- Reveal Book Box – For my romance lovers, this ultra-customizable box lets you pick how much you want to receive each month. You can pick from a single book to a mega pack with plenty of extra. I had no idea how many romance tropes there were until I signed up for this and had to pick what I wanted to read. They will have something at your price point and in your preferred romance genre.
- Agatha Christie Book Club – An affordable subscription for one of the best selling authors of all time. If you haven’t read her books, you’re in for a treat!
Not Into Commitment?
Past books that you make like:
Once Upon a Book Club has past boxes for sale in their shop.
If you have Amazon Prime, take advantage of the free e-book they offer each month.
