Best book subscription - present for a friends 60th birthday? What would be lovely for her to receive each month?

[HelenHywater]

So I'm looking at getting a book subscription for my friend and feeling slightly overwhelmed by the choice. I'm down to Mr B's Book Emporium, Bookishly, TeaTime Book Club, I'm not sure about Willoughby Book club

If you get a subscription do you love receiving it? She reads a lot so it would be better if she can tailor her own subscription . I think a book and chocolate might be nice - if it's really well presented.

I love Slightly Foxed as well - it's such a nice antidote to social media and the relentlessness of the modern digital world (even though I read my subscription on my ipad!)

I've always fancied the Heywood Hill subscription to add that to the mix - that is one that they do an interview to gauge interests.

I got a friend a tea time bookshop subscription one year and she really liked it. Each package came with a book mark, tea and biscuits. I went for the second hand option so I could then afford a longer subscription for my budget.

I also really rate the Fox Lane Books subscription - have had one bought for me a couple of years ago and I enjoyed it so much I’ve since bought one for several friends and family. There’s a questionnaire so they can pick a book you’ll genuinely like and they include small chocs/sweets/tea etc as well.

I had a Mr B’s that was substituted for a book spa - covid got in the way and they offered the swap. I did really like it, got books I wouldn’t have chosen otherwise and enjoyed reading them all. The nice wrapping only got reinstated for the last couple of books though so it felt less of a treat for the earlier ones. But tbh it’s terrible value. Nearly £17 per paperback with the 3 month subscription and over £14 for the 11 month one - IMO it’s a lot for postage, packing and having someone choose.

Another vote for Persephone Books - beautiful editions of books by female writers, with a bookmark to match the endpapers.

I'd forgotten about this. I'm going to look at reactivating my subscription, I loved it!

Daunt Books does a great subscription. You can email through any preferences and they will switch the book they choose if you don’t like/have already read.

I think I looked at Daunt- its quite expensive.

Persephone is the one I'd choose. You can opt to have them send the recipient a catalogue to choose which books they want to receive, so there's no danger of you choosing books they don't want to read. Their books are beautiful too. But cheese is also nice, and I also like someone's suggestion upthread of an online pass to the Hay Festival.

Thanks for this, I had never heard of it and have just paid for a year subscription. Looks exactly my thing.

Someone kindly bought me a book subscription and I hated nearly all the books they sent. It was a nice idea but I’m an avid reader and the books were not my taste or style at all. So proceed with caution!

one where you receive a catalogue and can choose your book will probably be more likely to hit the mark.