to ask for book subscription recommendations without tea/coffee

[FestiveFruitloop]

DH has asked me what I want for Christmas, I've had a couple of book subscriptions in the past (Books That Matter and Cohorted) and I fancy trying another, but I'm really hoping to find one that includes 'extras' that aren't tea or coffee, being as I don't drink either of them. (I leave them out for DH but he doesn't drink them either so it's a waste!)

Any good subscriptions out there that have other types of extras?

Mr Bs books emporium in Bath do a few subscriptions. Worth checking out.

How Novel does book subscriptions but the catch is you don’t know exactly what books will arrive - you choose based on a few words and a picture. The books I’ve had so far from them have been v good. But you might not like the “risk” factor!

Off topic but ILOVE selecting my next book. Takes me an age and I come across loads of others that also seem interesting

The Samaritans have the Feel Good Book Club which has various extras (I have had tea once with it but a selection of herbal)

The Willoughby Book Club:

www.thewilloughbybookclub.co.uk/

Another vote for Willoughby book club here. I’ve bought these for friends in the past and they’re so good at choosing, too!

bertsbooks.co.uk/

He chooses the books for you

Books that matter now do a 'book only' subscription option if that's a help.

I completely agree about the waste of these subscriptions, and they are the sole reason I don't subscribe to any, but equally in my opinion a book I've paid for that I don't actually want or already own (which was also often the case) is a waste as well so I've given up on book subscriptions for that reason. The best value for me at this time is in choosing for myself, albeit I know lots of people do like the surprise element.

Rare Birds books is similar in ethos to Books that matter, and I do subscribe to Nb. Magazine (a newly started literary mag) who also have a quarterly or monthly book club option. What I do really like about the Rare Birds subscription is that you get a synopsis of two book options each time and are able to choose which most appeals to you (and also avoid things you think you already have in so doing)

National book Tokens also do a subscription called Bookily, essentially an amount loaded to a card that you keep each month ( you set the amount and duration) which you can then spend in all the places you can spend a usual national book token (independents, waterstones etc). I think that would be my preference for a gift as its so nice to just pop in a bookshop when you're passing or when you fancy and get a book.

We subscribe to Galley Beggar Press here

www.galleybeggar.co.uk/

They are a tiny independent publisher in Norwich with some big hitting literary titles - if that's your thing?

I was given a year's subscription to the Willoughby book club and it was disappointing. They were all second or third novels by authors who'd had modest success with an earlier title. None of them were outstanding and it was easy to see why they hadn't sold well at retail.

I know a bit about publishing and and book-buying and it strikes me as a clever way for publishers to dispose of their stock of unsold middle-range writers. People buy a subscription as a gift and no one really cares whether the books are much good or not. For the recipient it's a freebie and if they don't like it they haven't paid for it. For the donor the money's been spent and they're not bothered.

storysmithbooks.com/product-category/subscription-gifts/ Storysmith does lovely subscriptions, although you get coffee once every three months

Some interesting suggestions here, thanks! Will check them out.