Novel gift subscriptions

[useitorlose]

As an option for an answer to the 'what do I buy my elderly mother who has limited mobility and no interests other than the Telegraph cryptic crossword for Christmas' question, I'm considering a monthly novel subscription box - is there such a thing? She likes the Jill Mansell/ rom com kind of genre and similar stories where main characters are in their mid life rather than 20s. I can't buy them and post them myself as I live overseas and she's in the UK.

There are only a couple I've seen recommendations for:

• Mr B's https://mrbsemporium.com/gifts/reading-subscriptions/
• Willoughby https://www.thewilloughbybookclub.co.uk/

I've not used either but have been told Mr B's is a fairly bespoke service so might hit your needs.

All that said - one of my DC lives abroad and I buy and send via Amazon in their local region. Would that answer your problem? You can pick the book each month and send it as a gift via Amazon UK?

Lots of options here and I can vouch for them being lovely. https://www.kenilworthbooks.co.uk/product-category/book-treat-boxes/

Yes - Blackwells do this. You may need to enquire at a store.

Persephone Books do this. They will send a book a month for six or twelve months.
There selection of books is wonderful, and the books themselves are things of beauty, with lovely end papers and matching bookmark.

I've had Mr Bs twice and loved it. Very bespoke questionnaire and if they sent you one you had already read they would swap it out. Could also ask to be emailed the title of the book before it was sent so if you didn't fancy it you could get it changed.

As a recipient did you find they sent new books which were right for you (ie that you hadn't found for yourself)?

I was recommended this as a gift option but by people who had bought it rather than received it and its not cheap compared to the regular prices of a typical new paperback. Did you find it good value for the good and new recommendations?

A book shop local to me does this. It's personalised, so you can give them info so that they can make good choices.

leebookshop.co.uk/book-subscription/

I've have a Mr B's subscription and before that Willoughby Book Club.

Although I liked Willoughby choices at first I felt they slightly ran out of ideas for me; they were quite samey and not books or authors I've heard of before or since. I mean, obviously they are meant to be books you've not heard of but they felt a bit "sink without trace".

Mr B's on the other hand have been excellent choices. Totally fitting my questionnaire requirements and adjusting things when I've asked them to do so. Newer books and classics, felt very bespoke. I think I'm on about my 4th year using them; availing myself of my discount for re subscribing. They are not cheap, but you are paying for someone making an effort and using their knowledge. I love getting my monthly surprise!

Sorry @C8H10N4O2 just saw this.

Yes I would say I hadn't even heard of a decent number of the books they sent despite having a long to be read list I keep on my phone! Lots of unusual choices which turned out to be perfect for me.

I’ve had a mr b subscription for a couple of years. First year all the books hit the spot but I’m enjoying the books less as we get to the end of year 2