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Now, more than ever, I’m turning to reading for comfort. Books are my escape during these crazy times. And if you are stuck at home, it’s a great time to try to read more. Yes, I have five kids and a deployed husband…and I’m telling you this is a good time to read more. Even if it’s five more minutes a day, reading can be so good for your mental health.
If you’ve been following me for any amount of time, or if you’ve ever spoken to me…you know that I LOVE LOVE LOOOVVEEEEE Book of the Month Club. Like, I’d literally shout it from the rooftops or stand on my soapbox to tell you how great I think it is.
I love the company, I love the people behind the company (they sent me a box of books when J deployed), and I believe that it’s the most helpful form of self care available to a book lover.
I’ve been an ambassador for a while BUT I was a subscriber almost from the beginning. It is worth every penny.
What is Book of the Month Club?
A monthly book subscription club. You pay a monthly fee for a book (or books) delivered to your door. The books are new (or new-ish) release hardcovers.
How does it work?
BOTM chooses 5 books every month. These books will be different genres. Literary fiction, Contemporary Romance, Thriller, Historical Fiction, ETC.
You choose one (or more) at the beginning of the month (the books usually go up a few days before the end of the previous month, actually). I’m waiting on an official answer from my friend as to when the books go up. It seems like it varies. I always just check a couple of days before the first of the month.
Once you get your 12th box, you get BFF Reader Rewards!
- a book tote
- a free add-on for your birthday
- a free book of the year book (you choose from the 5 finalists)
How much does it cost?
Your first month’s book is just $9.99. After that, it’s $14.99/month. Sometimes I have coupons to share. Read until the end of this post for codes and deals.
What are add-ons?
Extra books you can add to your box. You can add up to two. You can select past BOTM selections too.
Why would I do this over just buying my own books?
First of all, I implicitly trust the people who choose these books. My friend Siobhan is an editor at BOTM and she is a rock star with incredible taste. You wouldn’t even believe how many ARCs she reads in order to give you guys selections you’ll love.
Second of all, it’s way cheaper than buying these books on your own. And many times books are offered that aren’t even released yet!
Third- BOTM helps me read outside the box. I have read SO MANY books I never would have found or chosen on my own. And although all of them weren’t five star reads, all of them enriched my heart in some way. And I’m grateful for that, because I kind of only choose one kind of book if left entirely to my own devices. HA!
Often BOTM pairs up with Oprah, Read with Jenna, Reese’s Book Club etc. So you can grab their choices through BOTM. Win, win!
Last, and certainly not least…this service brings me incredible JOY. Seeing the blue box on my doorstep makes my heart go pitter patter. 15 dollars a month for self care, joy and happiness? Yes, please. I move every two years. I don’t have roots. But books? Books are my heart and my therapy and my friend. Books are my home. Book of the Month makes me happy. End of story. It’s that simple. I never once regretted signing up when I was a subscriber. And here I am, years later, still finding pure joy when I see that box.
What if I already have a sub? How can I take advantage of the deals?
I personally think that this subscription would make you the best gift giver ever. Buy a sub for a child (YA sub, y’all!) or a partner or a parent. You will be making that person happy year round.
What if I don’t like any of the choices?
Choose a book or choose to skip. If you hit the “skip button” you won’t be charged and you will not receive a credit. If you just don’t choose a book and don’t take action, you will be charged and a credit will be added to your account.
Thanks to a friend (and current subscriber) for clarifying this a little more for me. You are actually charged first, before the book choices release. So, if you choose to skip a month, you do have a book credit – but it’s forwarded to the next month (and the next until you use it). You are then not charged again until you use your credit. I misunderstood this the first time I skipped, so just wanted to share my experience. I also LOVE this feature.
How long do I have to make my choice?
I got the answer to this one straight from a contact at the company:
So basically we recommend that members order their books by the 6th in order to receive their books with enough time to read them that month.
But we keep the selection period open until the 21st, especially so that new members who join after the 6th can still order that month’s books before the 21st.
What do you do with the books when you are done?
I always keep 5 star reads. I give the others away. I donate to libraries (many won’t take BOTM books but it doesn’t hurt to try), shelters, and little free libraries. I give to friends (giving books is my love language). My FAVORITE thing to do is donate boxes of books to USO lounges at airports!
(Limited offer) CLICK HERE to get your first month for 5 BUCKS!
Get your first book for $9.99 using code TAKECARE
Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you find this post helpful. If you have any more questions, please ask in the comments and I’ll answer there and add to the post as well.
Have a beautiful week!
xoxo,
Stephanie
I love this – and I also LOVE BOTM. Thank you for introducing me to it last year! I just rearranged my bookshelf so that all my BOTM books stand together. It makes me almost silly happy.
One little clarification though:” Choose a book or choose to skip. If you hit the “skip button” you won’t be charged and you will not receive a credit. If you just don’t choose a book and don’t take action, you will be charged and a credit will be added to your account.”
You are actually charged first, before the book choices release. So, if you choose to skip a month, you do have a book credit – but it’s forwarded to the next month (and the next until you use it). You are then not charged again until you use your credit. I misunderstood this the first time I skipped, so just wanted to share my experience. I also LOVE this feature.
Thank you for being such an ambassador of reading! You have enriched my life through sharing your loves. I appreciate it so much!
Hey friend. I’m going off what my friend who is an editor at BOTM told me. I’ll ask for clarification. Thanks!!!
You bet! Maybe everyone is charged at a different time. But for example, I was charged for my December book on 11/24. That’s how you have a book credit for picking the Dec book. If I don’t like the picks, then I skip. But I’m not refunded the Dec fee. That credit rolls forward. I am not charged on 12/24 for my January pick because I have the credit for skipping December. If I skip January too, that credit goes towards the February book, and I am again not charged on 1/24. It’s in the timing…
I feel the same way about books. My father asked me back in high school why I spent most of my money on books when I already went to the library and I told him that certain authors had books I wanted to own (I still have a ton of Christopher Pike books I kept from my early teens). I also told him that at least he knew that my money was going to good things.
I spent 3 years in Korea and going to the local book store was such a highlight for me because just being there was like being home. It was a great place to go when I needed something uplifting.
If I was in the US, I might seriously consider joining BOTM. For now I will just continue browsing the library shelves, secondhand stores and Chapters (where I am headed today as there are some great deals on books I want to get my girls for Christmas!).
happy reading!!!