I’m really excited for today’s post as you know that I am a complete and utter bookworm. Discovering new titles can be tricky and there is nothing worse than being excited about a book only to have it be a disappointment… I went through a bit of a rough patch while I was home on Cape Cod. I read one book that I loved, but then ended up putting the next two down which was a bit of a bummer.
I get a lot of great recommendations from your comments (thank you!) but sometimes it’s nice to just be surprised with great new titles to read. Enter Book of the Month (as a part of my collaboration with Book of the Month, I was given three books, but I’ve also signed up with my own money… I am a bit obsessed with the service!).
They have one simple goal: making sure you love what you read. They go beyond the bestseller lists and big names to find hidden gems that you might not have found on our own. Here’s how it works. You sign up, and every month, they will suggest five new titles. It’s enough of a selection without being overwhelming; and it’s a mix between buzzy new releases and rising literary stars. From there, you pick and choose the ones you want to read (you can skip a month if you want – the important thing here is they will never automatically send you books, which is a huge pet-peeve of mine with a lot of subscription models).
Then, just sit back and wait. They’ll ship your brand-new hardcovers right to your doorstep and they’re only $10 per book (meaning that you’ll save money for coffee and pay less for books than you would anywhere else). And there’s always a guarantee, even after you’ve started reading: if you don’t like a book you try from them, they will replace it with another book of your choice!
I started Book of the Month this month and am loving it so far. The packaging itself was a fun treat – they included a cute canvas tote with my order, and I was sent three great titles. I’m currently reading Final Girls (started it on Sunday night and can not put it down!!) but am really excited to read the other two titles, Goodbye, Vitamin and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which are right up my alley. In addition to those I also ordered The Child by Fiona Barton as I’m already a big fan of her writing.
If you are a bookworm like me, you have to try this service. And honestly, is there anything better than getting new books in the mail? (The answer is no… at least for me!!)
photography by Trent Bailey // Created in partnership with Book of the Month.
Book of the Month sounds like a great subscription service – perfect for those who are always telling themselves to read, yet never get around to it. I myself, though, have to finish all the unread books in my drawers first – I’m such a book hoarder!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Haha I know, I hoard books too… but it still doesn’t stop me from ordering new ones!
I’m happy to hear you are liking BOTM! Unfortunately, I tried it over the winter, signed up in March and cancelled my subscription in June. For me, it became a challenge to select a book I liked. In 6 months, there were only 2 that I truly enjoyed, and am still trying to get through 2 that I haven’t read (TL;DR – not to mention, their website was a bit buggy most months and support was way too slow to even respond — I work in Customer Success for SaaS companies, and have lived in the early stage world of bug firefighting. The product should be the stand alone, but when the added service/support aren’t there, it can force your hand).
In the end, it became a pretty big expense that didn’t offer enough value for me (personal choice). I do hope you continue to have success with it! It’s a fantastic concept and you’re right, they add in some cute things — I got a miniature coloring book and luggage tag in 2 of my boxes.
Aw I’m so sorry to hear you had a bad experience!
I am loving it so far – I like that they have something in every category and that I can skip if I don’t really want to read any of their selections.
FWIW – the site hasn’t been buggy at all for me… so maybe they’ve resolved that. xo
Hi Melissa – We’re sorry to hear that! We do have some changes rolling out on Aug. 1 which should address your issues. Starting in August, new members will sign up for a membership that renews monthly. Here’s what you get with a membership to BOTM:
❃A book of your choice for $14.99 / month
❃Add extra books to your shipment for $9.99 each
❃Skip any month you want
❃Free shipping, always
We’re so sorry to hear that customer service did not respond quickly enough to your inquiries. Please feel free to email us at member.services@bookofthemonth.com and we’d be happy to give you a free extra book credit!
Best,
Jenny
I just finished reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and though it was an interesting story, it fell kinda flat for me. There’s so much hype surrounding that book but I found it far too melodramatic – almost like I was reading a soap opera (and I hate soap operas).
I wish this service was offered in Canada. The US and UK are so spoiled when it comes to having great book clubs and subscription services available. Enjoy!
Oooh thank you for sharing! I finished Final Girls (OBSESSED) and am just starting Goodbye, Vitamin. That will be next so we shall see. And hopefully BOTM will expand into Canada!!!
Wow definitely going to check this out! What a treat!
Yay! Hope you sign up – I’m a big fan 🙂
I’m also a member of the BOTM club. Love their option of bypassing a month if none of the books interest you!
http://www.tulipsandpersimmon.com
Same here!! Makes it a bit more manageable/less risky!!
I love BOTM! I just finished Final Girls last night and LOVED IT…probably one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read. I read Goodbye, Vitamin last week and also loved that…it’s so beautifully written. Hope you enjoy too!
YES! That is how I felt about it too… love love loved it, and it really stuck with me.
I started Goodbye, Vitamin last night and while it’s a bit slower I am enjoying that too!! xx
I have been a BOTM member for a year or so and I absolutely love it. I am like a kid in a candy store on the 1st of each month when it is time to pick my book.
Final Girls was my selection this month and I thought it was an awesome read.
So happy to hear that! I LOVED Final Girls!!! I read it in all of two days. Glad to hear you are a fan too!
Oh wow. I’ve heard of Book of the Month before, but this post definitely persuaded me to look further into a subscription. I think I’m going to do it!
Pink Champagne Problems
Aw good, so glad to hear it!! I think you’ll really love it!
Oh no! Super dangerous for me, I’m such a crazy bookworm. I’m tempted and these books all sound great!
Uh oh… you are going to LOVE this! xo
This sounds awesome! I am signing up now!
Yay! Hope you love as much as I do. Get Final Girls – I DEVOURED IT!!! xx
I’ve recently gotten much more into reading – it’s always a goal, but I always get too busy. I actually lead a book club at my job, so it’s a good way to read a book a month (at the least!)
I’m so glad to hear that!
To me, reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures… and the best way to unwind!!!
My friends have subscriptions to this! I will definitely join when I pare down my current book list.
–Roxanne
http://glassofglam.com
This sounds like something I would like. I read a lot on my iPad, mostly for convenience since I can just download a new book when I finish one, but I miss being able to share good books with friends. I’ll have to try this out!
I bet you will love it!!!
Just out of curiosity, what on earth do you do with all your books after you’ve read them? My shelves are overflowing and my friends are sick of my fobbing them off to them since they don’t read as much as I do. Suggestions?
I have a separate shelf for friends to pull from! Like with everything when I’m a blogger, I’m just SUPER organized with all my stuff (beauty products, clothing, books) as it all piles up if I’m not careful. I regularly have friends over and encourage them to raid my shelves/beauty bins, I put together care packages for out of town friends/family, and I give things to my cleaning lady and building manager.
What a great idea! PS = your apartment looks more and more amazing each time you post pics!
Awww, thanks Jenn! xoxo
This is awesome! I am an English teacher, so this is right up my alley. Side note: have you ever read A Man Called Ove?! Life changing! Your top is gorgeous. Who makes it?
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
OMG I LOVED A Man Called Ove. I reviewed it last summer. Still one of the best books I’ve read. My top is Gibson. It was only $45 and I have it in 3 colors. Now I want the hot pink (thanks a lot, wouldnt have seen it if you hadn’t asked! 😉 )
http://shopstyle.it/l/dwwq
What a cool idea! I’m a bookworm as well, and love getting surprises in the mail! I also just love perusing independent bookstores, they are so fun to do. A book I just read called “the Garden of Small Beginnings” was such a great and inspiring read. I think you’ll love it as well! It’s written by Abbi Waxman, and I finished it in 2 days! 🙂
Hope your week is going beautifully!
Lisa
http://www.theeverydayelevated.com
This is such a great idea especially for someone like me that wants to read a lot of books but never gets around to buying it. (I have a very long list and majority of it is from your book club) — haha! I have a few friends at work that I think might be interested in this service. I will definitely share with them. Jessika / beautybyjessika.com
Thanks Jessika! I love it… such a nice way to discover new reads! xo
I keep thinking about signing up for BOTM club…..but then I remember I’m not supposed to be buying anymore books. #nycsmallapartmentproblems
Ha – I know, they add up!!!!
love seeing more glimpses of your pretty home!
Thank you!! xx
I actually won a 3-month subscription to BOTM through Instagram. I am on vacation (in Cape Cod :)) this week and both my sister and I read Goodbye, Vitamin and were disappointed. It was SO short and felt tedious to get through. However, we both devoured The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in one day. So right now I am 50/50 as to whether I want to continue it. Looking forward to your review of the 3rd book to maybe swing me in one direction or the other!
Aw no!
I have been having a hard time getting into Goodbye, Vitamin but one of my friends (whose taste I really respect) loved it so I am pushing through. If you get another book from them, choose Final Days – it’s amazing!!!! I read it in like two days.
ALSO – BOTM has a guarantee where if you don’t like a book they will replace it. Maybe you should send it back and get Final Girls. Just saying… it was so, so good!!!
I love this idea!! I’m a huge bookworm too!
It’s such a fantastic service! Something to look forward to every month.
Yay! Definitely signing up.
Also The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is so far my favorite book of the summer. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
YAY! I can’t wait to read it!!