Happy Mail: Book Box Subscriptions pt3

Happy Mail
Book Box Subscription Reviews
part 1 (here) | part 2 (here)
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Once Upon A Book Club
(every month)
$34.99 (plus shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
- newly released book (adult or YA -you pick)
- 3-5 individually wrapped gifts - will have page numbers attached to them and are strategically designed around something that is mentioned in the book. Readers are not meant to open the gift until they have reached that particular page.

My two-bits:

Instead of a subscription I opted for a one-time gift box to review. I like the premise of the gifts matching things in the story.


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Chatterbox
(every month)
Free (if you win the giveaway)
from Keep Turning the Pages Goodreads group (here) | my boxes

Includes:
- newly released book
- 3-5 items related to the story

My two-bits:

Pretty good deal if you are a winner of this box.


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* Please note that subscription prices may have increased since this was posted.

Lovely Books and Things - 8.25.18

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update
Linking up with:
Stacking the Shelves (details)
Sunday Post (details)
Mailbox Monday (details)

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HAPPY THINGS:

1. Macadamia nuts sprinkled on fruit salad

2. Connecting with someone with a book as a conversation starter

3. Starting the day with reading an affirmation once-a-day from the Affirmators! deck of cards.

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Bought:

Death On Demand
by Paul Thomas
-Mystery, New Zealand
Amazon | Goodreads
SEPTEMBER pick for Books, Inc. Foreign Intrigue Book Club (here)


Author event:

Open Me
by Lisa Locascio
-YA, Romance
Amazon | Goodreads
Green Apple Books on the Park hosted a discussion between Lisa Locascio and Kate Folk about the newly released novel, Open Me. The premise of female interior exploration was touched upon in the fascinating talk.


Unboxing:

Once Upon A Book Club
August Book Box
details | instagram
Once Upon a Book Club is a unique, interactive online community that offers a monthly subscription service where readers will receive a monthly box in the mail containing a newly released book to read for the month, along with 3-5 individually wrapped gifts. The gifts will have page numbers attached to them and are strategically designed around something that is mentioned in the book. Readers are not meant to open the gift until they have reached that particular page.

We are a unique, interactive reading experience that allows our readers to 'become' the character(s), holding items they are holding and bringing the book itself to life. Our monthly read-a-longs and discussion questions included with every box allow readers to interact with other subscribers and discuss the book/gifts. It's all the wonder of a book club without leaving your living room!

August Adult Book Box includes:
theme: A Starry Night Murder!
-The Space Between by Dete Meserve
-packages with page numbers corresponding to the book - to be revealed later
-Quote card
-Flyer with readalong details
-Envelope of book related vendors

I love the whimsical presentation of this box subscription.

I plan to open the page boxes as I come upon the pages while reading the book to prevent any spoilers. The reveals will appear on my review post. This is a great incentive to move this book onto the top of the reading pile.

The Space Between
by Dete Meserve
-Mystery
Amazon | Goodreads
The truth isn’t what it seems in this stirring novel of suspense.

After presenting a major scientific breakthrough to a rapt audience across the country, renowned astronomer Sarah Mayfield returns home to a disturbing discovery. Her husband, Ben, a Los Angeles restaurateur, has disappeared, leaving behind an unexplained bank deposit of a million dollars, a loaded Glock in the nightstand, and a video security system that’s been wiped clean. The only answers their son, Zack, can offer are the last words his father said to him: keep the doors locked and set the alarm.

Sarah’s marriage was more troubled than anyone suspected, but now she is afraid that her husband’s recent past could be darker than she dares to admit. Suspecting that nothing about Ben’s vanishing is what it seems, Sarah must delve into the space between old memories, newfound fears, and misleading clues to piece together the mystery of her husband’s disappearance—and find what she hopes in her heart is the truth.

Updated: 11/14/18 the gifts revealed...

AND watched: on DVD

Thoroughbreds (2017)
Director/Writer: Cory Finley
Stars: Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin
-Comedy, Crime, Drama | imdb | my rating: 4
Two upper-class teenage girls in suburban Connecticut rekindle their unlikely friendship after years of growing apart. Together, they hatch a plan to solve both of their problems-no matter what the cost.

STRONG feeling of detachment vibe amongst wealth and privilege.


AND watched: in theatre

Three Identical Strangers (2018)
Director: Tim Wardle
Stars: Robert Shafran, Eddy Galland, David Kellman
-Documentary | imdb | my rating: 5
In 1980 New York, three young men who were all adopted meet each other and find out they're triplets who were separated at birth. Then they discover why.

WHOA. The discovery part of the film is lots of fun. But then, the story takes a turn. Whoa.

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Director: Jon M. Chu
Screenplay: Peter Chiarelli, Adele Lim
Based on book by: Kevin Kwan
Stars: Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding
Release date: August 15, 2018
-Comedy | imdb | my rating: 5
This contemporary romantic comedy, based on a global bestseller, follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu to Singapore to meet her boyfriend's family.

MADE me smile and laugh throughout most of the film. Follows the book pretty well. Great to see the Singapore sights.


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* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

Thanks for stopping by :-)

Happy Mail: Book Box Subscriptions pt 2

Happy Mail
Book Box Subscription Reviews
part 1 (here) | part 3 (here)
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Owlcrate
(every month)
$29.99 (plus shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
New hardcover Young Adult novel either signed or with a signed book plate
3-5 other bookish keepsakes related to the theme
Owlcrate custom made items
Owlcrate booklet - with details on the book

My two-bits:

So far, my favorite YA box as the themes have been fun and I like bookish item selections.


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Uppercase
(every month)
$29.99 (with shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
Signed first-editions of the best new YA books
High-quality, practical items (no trinkets or fandoms)
Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and video from the author
Interactive reading experience to connect and discuss the book

My two-bits:

While I also like this YA book box, my only concern is the packaging. The ones I received were in bubble envelope instead of a box. Because of this, a couple books received had damaged corners from travel.


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Deep Readers Club
(every month)
$35.25 (plus shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
A critically acclaimed literary novel
3-5 bookish goods that encompass an emotion
(usually a text print, candle and tea)

My two-bits:

Loved the emotion themes and the usual items included.

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* Please note that subscription prices may have increased since this was posted.

Happy Mail: Book Box Subscriptions

Happy Mail
Book Box Subscription Reviews
part 2 (here) | part 3 (here)

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Over the past few years I have tried book box subscriptions on and off. I have compiled them into mini review posts of which this is the first.

Each are special for their own reasons, but as with most things it comes down to the cost. Is it worth it?

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Indiespensable
from Powell's (every 6 weeks)
$44.95 (includes shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
Signed new first editions (independent authors, fiction)
A collectible booklet featuring the Powells.com interview and Indiespensable Q&A with author
A couple surprises

My two-bits:

This was the first book box subscription I tried. I started with one in 2014 and was intermittent with books received. It is nice subscription if you want signed editions with individual slipcase covers. The swag include things from Powell's as well as from local vendors.

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Book of the Month
(every month)
$14.99 (free shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
You pick one new book release out of 5 recommended for the month (fiction and non-fiction)
Optional book add-ons for $9.99 each
One bookish surprise

My two-bits:

The element of surprise is gone as you select which book(s) will appear in your box.

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Lit-Cube
(every month)
$25.99 (free shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
Themed new releases, older releases, and a variety of book formats
Literary-themed products

My two-bits:

Fun mix of old and new books selected. I found that I prefer new.

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Please note that subscription prices may have increased since this was posted.