I’ve been subscribing to Book of the Month for a little over a year now. Most likely you’ve heard of it, but should you join? Or is it just an overhyped subscription box? Read on for my honest thoughts!
What is Book of the Month?
Book of the Month is a monthly book subscription box. They have recently added a few subscription options to include their new audiobook selection; however, I’ll cover the basic option here. You pay a fee every month (currently $15.99) and in exchange, you get 1 credit. Every month you can use your credit to select one of their monthly picks. Once you’ve picked your book, you’ll get a cute little blue box sent to your doorstep containing your book and a fun bookmark.
Types of Books
I have noticed the following genres of books offered almost every month: mystery/thriller, romance, and contemporary fiction. The remaining books change from month to month.
Other Features
- When you sign up, you automatically have a “relationship status.” Each month you continue to subscribe puts you one step closer to “BFF” status, which unlocks quite a few perks.
- You can add on books to your order outside of their monthly selection. The higher your relationship status, the less expensive the add ons.
- All of their books are the exact same size and feature the BOTM icon.
- They offer bookish merch in their “blue box boutique.”
- You can see other members’ reviews of previous books, and you can leave book reviews for books you have read as well.
The Pros of BOTM
- You get brand new hardcover books for a price that is usually better than what you’d find in a bookstore.
- Some books release through BOTM prior to their publication date, so you get early access!
- They have done the research for you in finding books that they think readers will enjoy.
- The relationship status: the longer you are a subscribing member, the more benefits you’ll reap. Add-ons are less expensive, you get a cute book tote after 12 months, you get a free book credit during your birthday month, and you get to pick a BOTY finalist book for free!
- It’s fun 😀 who doesn’t love getting some book mail?
- If you don’t like any of the books for that month, you can skip that month and save your credit for next time.
- I love the bookmarks that they send. They are often pithy and fun, but I also don’t get upset if I lose one, or if my son runs off with it and damages it.
- You can earn credits when someone uses your referral code to sign up (aka a free book!).
The Downsides of BOTM
- If you have specific books in mind that you want to buy, then this might not be the service for you.
- Every book has the BOTM icon on the spine and the cover. This isn’t really a bad thing, but sometimes I wish it weren’t there.
- They only offer hardcover and audiobooks, so if you are a paperback reader this wouldn’t be for you.
- They are inconsistent about when they release their monthly picks. Sometimes it’s a few days before the end of the month, sometimes it’s not until the first day of the new month. Again, this is a small thing, but something that irritates me personally.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I have enjoyed being a BOTM member and plan to continue subscribing. Have I loved every book that I picked? No–but that’s just part of reading! It has helped me to find new authors that I have thoroughly enjoyed, and it’s a fun bookish treat that I look forward to every month. BOTM is especially great for people who don’t want to spend a lot of time keeping track of new releases. It is also perfect for those who have trouble making decisions — they have narrowed it down for you!