Perhaps you’ve heard of book reading subscriptions, book boxes or book subscriptions and you think they sound cool. But are book subscriptions good value for money?
There are various kinds of book boxes, from young adult book boxes, adult book boxes and genre specific boxes such as romance or mystery.
Today I’ll be reviewing the Once Upon a Book Club book box and assessing it’s value for money. To help you make informed decision about whether you’d like to try this book box for yourself.
In this post I will be sharing a discount code for my readers.
What is Once Upon a Book Club?
Book subscriptions or book boxes are services you can sign up for and pay to receive a book that has been selected on your behalf on a regular basis. In this post I’ll be using the terms ‘book box’ and ‘book subscription’ interchangeably.
Once Upon a Book Club is an online interactive book subscription service that sends readers a newly released book as well as 3-5 gifts.
These gifts are where this subscription box differs from most others. The gifts are individually wrapped and have a number on the packaging that corresponds to a page number within the title sent in the book box.
The gifts relate to the story in some way, and you are prompted to open them upon reaching the related page number. You’re not supposed to open the gifts until you reach the page number that corresponds!
This makes the reading experience unique and brings the story to life by allowing you to hold an object that is within the book you’re reading. In this way you can really ‘become’ the character.
What is in a book box?
Typically in a book subscription box there is the title you have ordered, as well as several gift items. Book only book subscription services do exist.
Once Upon a Book Club offers YA book subscriptions and adult book subscriptions. The books included in the adult boxes are new releases (published in the last three months) in the genres of:
- Women’s fiction
- Magical realism
- Mystery & Thriller
- Romance
- Contemporary Fiction
- Historical Fiction
Once Upon a Book Club box is curated by women, typically for women, so many of the titles are books written by women and the gifts are targeted for females.
The YA book subscription box by Once Upon a Book Club includes a newly released title (published in the last three months). The books included in the YA book subscription box are selected from several genres, including:
- Contemporary Fiction
- Historical fiction
- Fantasy
- Sci-fi
- Magical Realism
- Mystery & Thriller
The gifts within both the adult book subscription box and the young adult book subscription box are high quality. Gifts included are a mix of useful items and story specific items.
Story specific items mean that whilst the gift doesn’t have a big dollar value, it adds to the reading experience and is significant to the story. These may be a letter, postcard or photograph for example.
Useful items are high quality items that can be used and enjoyed by readers well after finishing the last page of the story. I have received handbags, scarves and household items.
How much does Once Upon a Book Club cost?
Once Upon a Book Club costs $34.99 per month USD plus shipping. Shipping within the USA cost $10USD, shipping to Canada: $20USD. The rest of the world cost $36.50USD.
This does mean this book subscription box is on the higher end price wise. Especially if you live outside the USA.
You can purchase a once off box, or three monthly, six monthly or ongoing subscript
Is Once Upon a Book Club good value?
I received my subscription for Once Upon a Book Club as a birthday gift from my husband. We live outside the USA so it was a bigger expense for us. I was unsure if the cost would be worth it, as each month works out to around $90.
I was however, really amazed by this subscription box. The books have all been wonderful, and something I may not have necessarily picked up on my own otherwise.
The reading experience is unlike anything I’ve had before. Opening and discovering each gift immerses you deeply within the book. I want to keep reading on to open the next gift, so I fly through reading each book.
The gift items have been very high-quality and thoughtful. This is what I think sealed my appreciation for this box. This isn’t just a junky box filled with bits of paper or fan items you won’t use longterm.
I’ve used the bags included in the boxes on a number of occasions, and had a lot of compliments. My favourite scarf came from the January 2020 subscription box. These items are lovely in and of themselves, but they also remind me of the story as I use them, and that makes them special.
I would say that the high price point has been worth it for this subscription box. The usefulness in particular of the gifts included, as well as the top-notch quality books included has made this one of my favourite subscription services.
Another wonderful thing about this book subscription is the way it has connected me with fellow readers and authors. Upon joining you are invited to join a facebook group filled with fellow subscribers, and can watch and interact with author Q&A sessions.
Is Once Upon a Book Club right for you?
I would recommend Once Upon a Book Club if you’re looking for a book subscription service that offers a lot of useful products, and a unique reading experience.
However, I am aware that this is a more pricey book subscription service, so it may not be something that is right for you. That’s okay too! There are plenty of other book subscription services out there.
One of my favourites that I have subscribed to in the past is Relove Print, who offer monthly personally selected second hand books for you to enjoy. I had the chance last year to interview the Relove Print team, check them out for an affordable and unique book subscription service.
More Info and Discount Codes
If you’d like to learn more about Once Upon a Book Club head to the Once Upon a Book Club website.
To receive 10% off your first months subscription of Once Upon a Book Club readers of stephhuddleston.com can use the code: STEPHHUDDLESTON10
If you’re interested in checking out Relove Print head to the Relove Print website.
If you’d like 15% off your first month with Relove Print use the code: Stephwriting.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’ve been looking for a ya book subscription with a difference, or other book reading subscription services, Once Upon a Book Club is worth checking out.
Whilst the price may make this service one you need to consider carefully, you can rest assured that this is a box that is well worth it in my opinion.
Thank you for reading today’s post! If you enjoyed, please do subscribe using the yellow button below. If you’ve got a favourite book subscription service, tell me about it in the comments on this post.
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Steph Huddleston 