Book Riot’s new Quarterly subscription box (mentioned here) recently appeared on my doorstop, and today I’m unpacking it for you. Imagine Birchbox for books: subscribers receive one book and other bookish goodies once a quarter. The cost is $50, and they promise they’ll send you goods worth more than your purchase price.
This quarter’s selection was Max Barry’s latest novel Lexicon. The book came with a handwritten note from the author.
I didn’t notice this until just now, but there are also handwritten post-it notes from the author tucked throughout the book, explaining his creative process, how the plot evolved, how the first draft compared, and details about character names and locations. These are really cool. (I promise to instagram one when I read it!)
Book Riot also promised to include some book fetish items in every shipment.
This box contained some old-fashioned paper goodness in the form of a small notebook from Obvious State, decorated with a swirly design and an e. e. cummings quote. The Make a Point pencils carry silly sayings like “do the write thing” and “noteworthy.” And the Book Lover’s calendar is packed full of recommendations–across all genres and topics–to swell my to-be-read list. (Today’s pick: The Lifeboat, by Charlotte Rogan.)
There were also a couple of “bonus items” in the box. The mock composition notebook contained an excerpt from Katie Heaney’s memoir Never Have I Ever: My Life (So Far) Without a Date, due out January 14. And I would have totally missed the Geek’s Guide to Dating poster–folded neatly in the bottom of the box–if my welcome letter hadn’t mentioned it!
I really enjoyed my first shipment and am looking forward to more.
The next Quarterly box ships in two months, but if you want yours I wouldn’t wait: the first box sold out weeks before the ship date. Sign up here to reserve your #BKR02 box.
(Quarterly gave me a complimentary box, but before they offered, I’d already signed up with my own cold hard cash. As always, all opinions are my own.)
22 comments
The subscription box sounds fun. But I am oh so intrigued by the book Lexicon. I had put it on my to read list!
I am DYING that this arrived the day after I left your house. It would have been so fun to explore the contents together! Love all the unique personal touches, like the author letter and post-it notes.
AGREED.
Anne, you are a Kindred spirit! We listen to the same book podcasts!
Fun! What are your favorite?
I am super jealous, I have not gotten mine yet!!
For what it’s worth, mine came on the 23rd. Hope yours arrives soon!
I like
Books on the Nightstand
Book Riot
Bookrageous
I enjoy BOTN the best.
The to-read pile doesn’t get any smaller.
Thanks for the tips!
Super cool! I may have to try this when I get some extra cash.
I’m glad you had a good experience with it – I signed up for a Gretchen Rubin curated box very early on when Quarterly launched, but I wasn’t very happy with what I was getting so I called and cancelled, and they didn’t get it cancelled for 2 more cycles! Luckily each time I called they reversed the charge and let me keep the box (so really, why am I complaining?) but it was just a hassle and kind of left me with a bad taste in my mouth.
I signed up for the Book Riot box to replace Gretchen Rubin’s when it ended. I was sad to see hers go but the first Book Riot one was awesome. I also didn’t notice the notes in Lexicon – what a fun surprise! The only thing that missed the mark for me was the poster – I have no idea what to do with it.
I didn’t realize Gretchen Rubin had one (well, used to anyway). I hadn’t heard of Quarterly until Book Riot came on board, and then was shocked to find out how many options there were!
The author notes are pretty fantastic. I love his comment about it like cooking dinner.
Wow! This sounds incredibly awesome. I just may have to treat myself… the author notes alone might be worth the price!
That is totally awesome and could get me into major trouble… I love that the author wrote notes throughout the book! How amazing is that….
How cool is that? I love the idea of the author putting notes in the book for you to read.
Oh, I’m so glad you posted this! I signed up too late for the first quarter, so I’m glad to get a peek at what was inside… can’t wait for my subscription to arrive next revolution. Thanks for keeping us informed of all things bookish around here!
Lexicon with the note from the author and notes throughout the book sounds like the purchase price would be fantastic. One can get that from Amazon.
My book-lover soul is totally geeking out over this, what a fabulous idea! Thanks for letting us all know about it and what you thought of it. =)