`Subscribe!`
`Get your box of bookish goods!`
I like book box subscriptions. They´re a wonderfully fun addition in our corrupt and twisted little bookish world. The stuff you receive with these boxes… Wow. It´s book mail extraordinaire! And they bring us book lovers together.. in a way… in a way that´s unknown to me.
Jess @Fiction No Chaser published a wonderful post titled Why Are We Obsessed With Book Boxes? and in her post, she made some really great points regarding these subscription boxes. If you haven´t already I´d recommend checking her post out as it´s great food for thought. While I was reading Jess´s post I couldn´t help but think of the actual purpose of these boxes and what the included items do for us book folk ( aside from giving us temporary joy ).
Unfortunately, many of these book subscription boxes don´t have a lot of useful bookish items. At least not for me. I´m sorry to say that, despite all the bookish goodness being sent out in cute little colorful boxes, I find it hard to use 90% of a box´s content.
This doesn´t mean book boxes are totally worthless. I´m sure many book-lovers are 100% satisfied with their monthly subscriptions. I mean- what’s not to love about a possible book, fan art, bookmarks, tea samples, candles, postcards, fan bracelets, and whatnot?
From what I´ve gathered, most book boxes are little bundles of book swag and the highlight is a book. Possibly a book and a mug. The rest is just swag- Promotional pieces.
Possible book box content ( seen from various providers ) for 1 book box
- 2 bookmarks ( usually author/book tied = swag )
- 1 magnet ( swag )
- tea sample ( loose tea or bag tea )
- bath & body product ( ? )
- fan art ( in the form of a postcard or bookmark )
- jewelry ( swag or fan art )
- stickers ( swag )
- buttons ( swag )
- A book ( limited edition, hardcover, signed paperback )
- A candle
At first glance, this looks like a shitload of products. Things appear to be worth the $ 29.00 + shipping.
When I see these items above I think of their practicality. I have no use for the majority of these items because I know for sure they´ll land somewhere where no one will ever admire them. I appreciate fan art from a distance. Having it in my home, though- I´m not the type to display fan art. Same with book tied jewelry. I´d never wear it. Stickers and buttons? Meeh. Not for me.
I´d never be able to fully appreciate a book box (anymore). I´m clearly not the targetted audience. Although, I wouldn´t mind purchasing one or two boxes a year if there were items I could use.
- A mug. Not book tied but bookish. Seriously, this is something that will most definitely get used in my house.
- A book. I know-shocking. But sometimes book boxes don´t have books. Just book swag and other things I don´t need.
- A journal/notepad. Book people make notes, too. Why not throw in a cute journal?
- A reading log. Because, why not?
- Pens. This is something a person can never have enough of.
- Tote bags. Always a fav. They come in handy.
- Book sleeves. Now, that´s something a few could use. If not for a book then definitely to keep fragile objects from breaking.
- How about bookmarks that aren´t book-tied?
The reason why we´ll never see book boxes with these items is because they´d be extremely expensive. Another reason why this type of book box would never roll is that they´re too specified- Put together to satisfy my personal bookish needs.
So, here´s a different solution:
Why not offer a book box shop where readers can put together their own boxes? This could excite more people and engage a larger book-loving crowd.
Unless someone actually offers this type of book box to the masses I´m better off purchasing a book online and buying bookish items on sites that offer more than what´s in an overpriced box.
Willow Winters Online Shop is a great place for readers if they who to purchase bookish products.
`Let me drink my coffee and just read.` mug. & Book Lover Office Bundle
Or, if you need more selection you could always lose your literary heart over at The Literary Gift Company – The one place where you can find A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G your bookish hearts desires.
I think you´d have to be a real dedicated book box fan and a fan of whatever bookish goods in those boxes to be able to appreciate everything.
P.S.
The `Book Box` topic isn´t over yet! I´m sure you´ve noticed how I mentioned that book boxes are overpriced? Be sure to stick around for my upcoming post Are Book Boxes Worth Their Money? to find out if book boxes are overpriced or not.
What are your thoughts on Book Boxes? Are you subscribed to a book box company? Which boxes have you received? Would you order another box? Or, do you think this is bookish absurdity at its finest? Let me know in the comments below. ❤ I´d love to chat.
Thank you for reading this post. I truly appreciate it. Hope you enjoyed.
Have a wonderful day,
Much bookish love,