Hey guys, today I’m coming at you with another discussion post! as you guys pr0bably all know, bookish subscription boxes have become pretty popular over the last year or two. so today I thought I would discuss with you guys whether or not they are actually worth the fortune you have to pay to receive them.
Disclaimer: I have only ever received an Owlcrate box (which I paid for myself). I have never ordered any other type of subscription service. This blog post is not sponsored.
BOOK SUBSCRIPTION BOXES ARE REALLY COOL
I am not currently subscribed to any bookish sub boxes, mostly because I just couldn’t afford the shipping costs. However, that doesn’t detract from the fact that subscription boxes are cool. There’s a box for pretty much whatever thing you want. If you love Harry Potter, there are dozens of boxes for that, if you love dogs there are boxes with treats and toys for your dog (I am so tempted you guys).
I personally am not a massive fan of the boxes that come with a lot of trinkets, personally, because I feel like I just wouldn’t have any use for them as I also don’t do Bookstagram.
BUT ARE THEY WORTH IT?
So, we all know that book boxes (or, at least the idea of them) are cool but, are they worth what you pay for them? Technically, yes. From my standpoint and taking for example, where I live, yes it is a cheaper way to get bookish merchandise. BUT, are they actually worth it? Last year, when I heard Owlcrate was doing about book box with a comics theme I pounced on it. Yes, it took me weeks to get the money (roughly $60ish AUS) but, I managed to order the box.
The only problem? The box totally didn’t live up to the hype. The book wasn’t a comic like I was hoping and I doubt I will ever read it. I also will probably never use any of the trinkets except maybe the tiny candle that came in the box. I said this before, but trinkets really aren’t my thing.
I would honestly much prefer to get something like Book of The Month, just because I know there are no trinkets, it’s affordable and I know what book I’m getting. The only problem is… that BOTM doesn’t ship outside of the US.
So, for me, as an International reader and someone with limited funds, book boxes are not worth it for me. I’m not big on trinkets and I’m not fond of receiving a book I know nothing about and might never read. Honestly, the thing is, even though there are book subs boxes you can get within Australia, but because they are all so expensive I am just going to stick to getting my cheap-ass books from Bookdepository.
DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO ANY BOOKISH BOXES?
ARE YOU EVER TEMPTED TO GET A BOOK BOX?
FRIDGE ANTS 
allonsythornraxx 
I love book boxes especially when it came up with the theme I love, but I live in Indonesia so the shipping cost is unbelieveable it become not worth it. But maybe if the shipping cost is less expensive it’ll worth it because the box itself is actually not very pricey, and it contained a book and a lot of cute merchs.
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I know how you feel. I love the idea of book boxes but, because I live in Australia the shipping costs more than the actual box. I honestly doubt that the prices will ever be lowered purely because boxes like Owlcrate already do so well in the US so making the box cheaper really wouldn’t benefit the company. So, I think if we ever really feel the need to get a book box we’ll just have to deal with the price tag or try and find one as close in location as we can.
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It’s true! There are already so many local subscription box here. How about in Australia?
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I think there is one or two in Australia but they are all roughly $40ish anyway, and I don’t even know about the shipping so they are absolutely not worth it for me.
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I’ve never subscribed to any of these. They seem really expensive for what they are . I also think that a lot of the items in these type of boxes are poorly made. But it depends on how much you love a fandom I suppose. Personally these subscription boxes aren’t something that I would get involved in. x
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I totally understand. I just don’t think they’re worth it because you see all those Booktubers opening the boxes and they just never seem to use any of the widgets again or they just seemed completely underwhelmed by the book and unhaul it a couple of months again.
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I love the idea of the subscription boxes, but they’re just not me. They can be very expensive, and I know some of them don’t even tell you what book you’re getting, which really puts me off. They must be super popular though because owlcrate subscriptions are currently full!
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I agree, they’re a fantastic idea but, I just don’t think that they’re for everyone. Especially because many of them seem to include jewellery or candles which are certainly not for everyone. Exactly, it ‘s a cool idea for us to try and guess the book, but I found it really irritating when I tried Owlcrate last year and didn’t know what the book was. Exactly, it’s amazing for the company that they’re full but they’re just not for me!
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Book boxes are awesome, for those that can afford it. To me, they’re a little bit overpriced for what they are. I’d never wear some of the merchandise that comes in some boxes, and I have plenty of bookmarks and candles at home to justify the cost. Plus, like you said, there’s always the chance that what comes in the box doesn’t live up to the hype.
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I agree, they must be a really fun thing for those who can afford it. I completely agree, most people don’t seem to use all the widgets or the book wasn’t even on their tbr so it just doesn’t seem worth it. Exactly, there seems to be quite a bit of jewellery type stuff in these boxes and I know I would never wear that, in the same way, I would never use a beanie or a wall tapestry or cushion cover.
Exactly, the boxes can’t always live up to the same standard as each other or the hype!
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I bought two OwlCrate boxes and was given one Bookish Boyfriend Box (I think they don’t exist anymore, which is sad, because I liked it more than OwlCrate, honestly). I think the boxes can be fun, and if I had tons of disposable income, I’d probably be interested in purchasing more. But I am with you that I don’t necessarily like the surprise element (the book can be very hit or miss) and that they often include a bunch of stuff I’m never going to use. For instance, I see the April OwlCrate had coffee. …I don’t drink coffee. And I’m not a huge fan of all the paper “filler” stuff they put in. Like, what am I going to do with two prints and a random sticker?
In terms of objective price, though, I think most of them you do get a good value for your money (in that purchasing the items individually would be more than purchasing the box), but obviously it’s less of a good deal if you got a “good price” on items you don’t even want.
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I agree, if I had some extra income I might like to try some of the book boxes but, for me, it’s just not an option. I completely understand, I’m not big on coffee either and I know I would have no one to give it to. I also agree about the paper fillers, I have only ever gotten two Owlcrates like you, but my fillers have just stayed in a draw and I will probably just give them away at some point.
I do think you get value for money because in AUs to get a hardcover book it usually costs at least $30-$40 for just the book, which is half the cost of the box + shipping. But yes, if you don’t want half the items I don’t think it’s worth it.
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I totally agree with you: I bought two boxes in the past years, one was from The bookish Crate that no longer exists, but they was a little delusional for me. I haven’t read the books that were included. To me, an international reader, the problem along with the shipping cost is the fandom included. I love Harry Potter and other “major” fandom, but I’m not a fan of Shadowhunters or Twilight, for example. What can I do with the items from those fandoms?
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I have only ever received two boxes, one of which I knew the book and therefore got it on purpose, and the other I will never read the book and will probably unhaul soon. I know how you feel, half the fandoms I just don’t know or don’t care about so for me there isn’t much of a point to the widgets. Also, I’ve just thought of this, but what if you really love the boxes but the book you get is by a really controversial author or an author who’s books you don’t like? You can’t just get a refund or send it back so you’ve just wasted $40.
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Oh this is an interesting discussion! I never got any kind of bookish box, mostly because I am an international reader and these are way too expensive. Also, I’m just like you, not big on bookish trinkets and I’m never sure of the book that comes in… .I mean, what if it’s a book I am not interested in? Or what if some items just don’t interest me, at all, or are part of a fandom I know nothing about?! It would have felt like a waste for me if I ended up ordering the box, only to be disappointed afterwards…. so, I feel like these aren’t or me 🙂
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Thank you! Yes, I agree, as an international reader myself, I know that they’re just not worth the money you have to pay. Yes, the items are cheaper than they would be if you bought them individually + shipping but, if you don’t like half the items there’s no point. Exactly, I’m not great at guessing the books so especially, if I don’t like the books it would never be worth it for me.
Exactly, I know that these boxes just aren’t for me, and I’ve found that I don’t even really enjoy watching the unboxings on Booktube.
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If only there were a box filled with ALL of the things we are sure to like. I’d buy that one right away hahaha.
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Book boxes are really great but they are somewhat expensive. The positive is they have their own community and you can bond with other subscribers.
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I agree, the boxes look fantastic but in my eyes, they just don’t seem worth the money. I do think that is cool though, in terms of how you can bond with a community about the items and the book.
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There is a cat lady box that I am super tempted to get! But its even more expensive than most book boxes and I can’t afford more than one subscription!
I LOVE trinkets haha so I like book boxes! I used to get Lit-Cube and I really liked it at first but the quality dropped so I switched to Owl Crate! My first box should be here any day now.
The only reason I would subscribe to a book box is because of the trinkets. In general I am a mood reader and read whatever I want so for me the box isn’t about the book. If I were to spend the money on only books like BOTM I would rather just pick the books I want and not do subscriptions. But I want the bookish items 😀 so for me it is worth it, but for you it seems like it wouldn’t be.
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I know how you feel, I would love to get a cool box of treats for my dog, but the price plus the shipping just make it so it’s not worth it. I would rather just buy overpriced things at the pet store and save money.
Ahh, that’s great! They’re just personally not for me! I hope you enjoy your first box, let me know how you like it!
That’s a great point! I am also a mood reader but sometimes I am just not interested in a book and don’t want to read it. I know what you mean, I just like the idea of finding out about new books through the website or getting the BOTM stamp on the books.
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I’m not subscribed to any and I really don’t think they’re worth it…but that’s probably because I don’t buy anything books or merch haha. I just don’t see why you would spend money when you might not like what’s inside
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I agree they’re just not worth it! I don’t really buy book merch either, I find that the books are merch enough for me haha. That’s a great point, unless I was being sent the box for review I probably wouldn’t get a sub box again.
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I’d love to get a booksish box once in my life but I don’t think I’d get a subscription. I’m from Australia too and SHIPPING is ridiculous. Plus I don’t buy a lot of merch and when I watch unboxings, I never love absolutely everything from them.
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I think that book boxes are a great idea and I might try out another one at some point, not soon though. But, I don’t like the idea of subscribing. I agree, I’ve just stopped watching the unboxings because I rarely like any of the contents.
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Excellent Post! I have been asking myself this question for a while now. I’ve never had a subscription box, because they are very expensive, especially if you add in shipping to Germany. I might treat myself to one box sometime maybe, but even then I have a few issues. 1) It’s still pricey. 2) What if I have no interest in the book that is featured? and 3) What if I don’t care about the merch that is included?. I definitely feel like those boxed are very hyped up, but I’m not sure yet it they would be worth it for me.
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Thank you! I feel the same way about book boxes. I might treat myself to one, one day when I actually have the funds and I find one I like but until then, they are too expensive and just not a justifiable purchase for me as an international reader. I feel the same way, often I don’t care for the books or the merch when I see the unboxings so I doubt I will ever purchase another one myself.
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That’s exactly how I feel too, I will one day buy a box, but only if I really like the theme and have a good guess about what the book might be!
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I totally agree with you! I’d love a subscription to Book of the Month, but as an international reader, that’s not a possibility
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I think BOTM sounds amazing and I would totally be on board with it if they went intl. I think it’s a great way to find out about new books.
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I can imagine book boxes would definitely not be worth the high price, especially if you live internationally. I ordered one from the UK once, and I felt it was just too expensive. (And it didn’t really live up to my expectations!) I do personally like Owlcrate, alot. I think they do a pretty good job of having trinkets + things I can use, like scarves, mugs, or pillowcases.
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I think if you live internationally any kind of subscription box won’t be worth the money you pay for it. If you can find one in your country with a cheaper shipping price that might be cool though.
I do agree that Owlcrate definitely puts an effort in to add really cool trinkets like the mugs or pillowcases, which I don’t think many other boxes do.
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OHMYGOD YES. i love this post. i used to subscribe to owlcrate when i had the extra cash (so like. never) but then i realized it was a total waste of money for me?? i’d much rather buy a book i specifically want to read (or multiple!) than take a risk buying a mystery one + a bunch of junk that maybe will have a couple cool trinkets in it. the exception is that i’ll buy once upon a bookclub boxes every once in a while, if i know what the book is, because that sh*t is just so cool.
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Thank you! I totally feel you, if you like trinkets I think book boxes are a great idea, but they’re not for everyone! I would rather just buy it on Bookdepostiry (because I’m still a sucker for book mail) or maybe go crazy and actually buy a book in store for once???
I completely agree I think the trinkets (for me, at least) are pointless unless you are really attached to your bookstagram.I’ll admit, I did just look up Once Upon A Bookclub box and it looks really cool so I totally understand why you like it. It looks like a really cool way to experience and read a book.
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I have never bought a bookish box and I can’t really see myself doing it. I am also not a trinket person, and I don’t want to have a bunch of stuff sitting around that I may never use. There was one box I remember hearing about (I can’t remember the name) but that book got the author of their month’s book to add in sticky note annotations to the book, choose another book that they thought people who enjoyed their book would like for the box and choose a few of the trinkets that went in the box. I thought that made it really unique, and especially if the book was by an author I knew I loved I would be interested in that.
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I think that’s Pagehabit? I agree, that that particular book box does sound really interesting. I like the idea of the author writing down their thoughts so you can read them along with the book.
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I’ve never bought a box because I’m not a fan of surprises . I’d rather spend my money on something I know I would like! I’m always afraid I’ll get a box and not want the book or any of the other stuff, which tends to be tea and candles from what I can tell. I don’t drink much tea nor do I use candles. So it’s not a good deal for me to purchase a box.
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Haha, I feel the same. I’ve only ever received two Owlcrate boxes, but during those two months I obsessed over which books would be arriving, it really wasn’t healthy for me because I really don’t like surprises either. Haha, I totally get you – I think the boxes where you can pick the book are better or maybe just splurge and buy a book in store lol.
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