Does anyone use a book subscription service? And recommendations?

[NeverTwerkNaked]

I like the idea of getting a book each month that I might not have come across, ideally with some extra treats as well as I am terrible at spending money on myself and like the idea of some random treats.

So far both Reposed and The Feel Good book club look like they might fit the bill. Does anyone have any experience of either?

I like fairly literary books, not necessarily too heavyweight though as I read a huge amount for work. And I prefer reasonably uplifting books. I have PTSD so don't really like scary things.

Would love to hear from people who have tried these or other subscriptions!

[NeverTwerkNaked]

A gentle bump on the off chance any one has suggestions!

[Wildernesstips]

My sister did a 3 month subscription for me to Willoughby Books and I received three books that I really enjoyed (2 from authors I had previously read, but new titles). I loved the way they were packaged too.

[NeverTwerkNaked]

Oh thank you I will look them up

[sallyjuliet]

I love this one www.shelterbox.org/book-club/ I’ve had several interesting books from them so far. Ones I’ve loved but wouldn’t necessarily have thought to buy. And part of your subscription money goes to charity too :)

[Coffeeoverload]

I have reposed and would recommend

[NeverTwerkNaked]

@Coffeeoverload are the books generally uplifting rather than, say, scary or unsettling? I still don't hope brilliantly with really dark themes. I like the look of the little treats you get with the Reposed box.

The shelter box looks good too, am now tempted by them both!

[Coffeeoverload]

I’ve only had 3 so far and just read one. It was pretty surreal but there was a theme of terminal cancer and death. More surreal than disturbing though. Not finished because it got a bit bizarre and lost patience. Other one about the writer of Il Gattopardo. Could be dry, not looked yet. Just got my third which again is about death. So possibly not the subscription you’re looking for!! Just nice to get unexpected things through the post really!!

[NeverTwerkNaked]

It's hard, I think most interesting books have difficult themes.

I have decided for now to try the feel good book club and reposed , which j know is indulgent but I went many years not spending anything on myself! If the reposed books are a bit heavier and darker at least the feel good books can be a lighter counterbalance (that's my justification anyway )

[sallyjuliet]

The ShelterBox books have been uplifting so far. They send out an email listing 3 books and subscribers get to vote on which one they would prefer. Everyone receives the same book-the one with the most votes :)

[NeverTwerkNaked]

Oh the voting idea is good. I am tempted by shelter box too!

[tldr]

I had reposed. The books ranged from good to meh but the treats were nearly always teabags and odd flavoured chocolate. I decided not to renew.

However, my local bookshop does book subs without the extras and I might try that.

[IwishIwasyoda]

Hey OP have you heard of persephone books? They reprint older 'neglected' books (fiction and non-fiction) mainly by women writers and there are some feel good classics in their catalogue ' Miss Pettigrew lives for a day', 'Miss Buncle's Book' to name but two. I like the fact they transport me off to a different time and place with the language and the settings.

I am tempted to ask for a subscription for my birthday ... you get a book a month, but you get to chose which book you want, and they also do box sets. I have asked for the first book of short stories for Christmas

Anyway link is here persephonebooks.co.uk

[NeverTwerkNaked]

Oh thank you, that sounds lovely! I will take a look

[IwishIwasyoda]

'Miss pettigrew lives for a day' got me through the bleakest bit of self-isolation with a 6 year old. It's completely silly but very charming

[tobee]

I also have & recommend a Willoughby Book Club subscription.

[Whenasuitcasejustwontdo]

I had a terrible experience with reposed as they weren't reliable with sending out boxes and their customer service is awful. Have a look at trust pilot reviews before signing up.
I have bought Willoughby as gifts and recipients have loved them so I could be swayed to sign up with them!

[tobee]

I think Willoughby Book Club has a Black Friday sale coming up @NeverTwerkNaked and @Whenasuitcasejustwontdo

[Sometimesonly]

I was going to say Persephone books too. Would be a lovely treat to get one of their books once a month.

[RubaiyatOfAnyone]

One word of warning - i got my mum a 6-month Persephone subscription (for which i chose the books) and i only just managed to find 6 feel-good ones. The rest all appeared to be harrowing tales of loss and despair (i paraphrase but only slightly).

[60sPony]

Daunt Book do an excellent tailored book subscription service - you can email in or talk to an advisor about preferences etc - might work well for you if you have quite specific parameters around what you’d like

[Sometimesonly]

The rest all appeared to be harrowing tales of loss and despair I think you are exaggerating a little bit there!

[WoodbytheRiver]

Just googled reposed and their faq about what happens If you’ve read the book before is off putting. “ Oh no! It might happen. Hopefully it won’t. If it does? Books make great gifts! And it’s always interesting to reread a book too.”
No returns either.

[NeverTwerkNaked]

I've just had my first box from reposed and it was exactly what I was hoping for. A book I will really enjoy and some lovely little treats. I guess I am prepared to take the risk that occasionally it is a book I have already read, although after years of being too tired to read I expect this won't happen too much!

I will be annoyed if the boxes don't show up but this one was very prompt


Will update again when j get the next box and also the "feel good" box.

I never really remember to buy stuff for myself as we have 4 children so I like the idea of a book suprise plus a few random bits!

[NeverTwerkNaked]

The book seems right up my street, interesting but not pretentious modern literary fiction.

I think the feel good book club ones will be a bit "lighter" and that might be a good balance

[tobee]

I'm glad you've enjoyed your parcel from reposed op.

Just to say with Willoughby Books (sorry to bang on) if you get a book you already have or have read before, you just email them and they send you another for free. And you get to keep the other one. This has happened to me 3 or 4 times, no questions asked.