If you’re a seasoned reader like me, then you’ve probably looked for fun ways to get new books too. As I hopped into the world of Bookstagram a couple years ago, I soon discovered the magic of book subscription boxes.

Book subscription boxes are like any other monthly subscription you might have- like Netlfix or Hulu– except you get books in the mail (how exciting!). Some subscription boxes let you choose what book you receive, while others are completely a surprise. As subscription box popularity increases, many different book subscription companies have popped up over the years and a lot of them are very similar to each other, but all of them have their own individual perks and quirks and cater to a wide range of different types of readers.

For this article, I curated a list of five popular book subscription boxes that have a range of different purposes and pricing. I tried to pick subscription boxes that are as varying as possible so as to cater to a wide percentage of readers out there who might want to try a subscription box of their own. As you’ll see, some subscription boxes can come with lots of extra goodies, but let’s start with the simplest, and cheapest option first.

1) Used Books Monthly

Cost: Starting at $6.79/month

Perfect For: Someone on a budget and/or likes thrifted books

Used Books Monthly is a subscription service dedicated to finding new readers for used books. All you have to do is choose a subscription plan (1, 2, or 4 books/month), choose your favorite genres, and Used Books Monthly will send a book catered to your tastes every month.

If you like simplicity, but also want a surprise, then this book subscription box may be the best option for you. This book subscription box is very budget-friendly and perfect for people who like reading second-hand books. Thrifting books is also a great way to keep great stories by great authors in circulation forever.

2) Book of the Month

Cost: $15.99/month ($9.99 for first month)

Perfect For: Readers who like simplicity and the power of choice

The most popular book subscription box out there is definitely Book of the Month. Every month, Book of the Month offers you a selection of 5 books (now 7 starting February 2022!) to choose your book of the month from, usually ranging in different genres. Book of the Month also offers a selection of add-on books from previous months, so you can add up to 2 add-ons in your monthly box. You can pick your book on the first of each month and a few days later their signature blue box will end up at your door. If you don’t like any of the books in that month’s selection, you can simply skip that month, or choose a book from a previous month’s selection. It’s a simple, yet fun, way to get books each month, while not giving up your power to choose the books you pay for.

I used this subscription box this past year and it’s been a fun experience. Book of the Month also sometimes offers early releases and has a BFF membership you get accepted into once you’ve received 12 boxes. The app is great to read short previews or reviews of the book before you buy. It’s also easy to simply pause your membership to catch up on past books you haven’t been able to get to yet. I definitely recommend this box to any reader!

3) OwlCrate

Cost: $32.99/month

Perfect For: Children or YA readers

Now we’re stepping away from simplicity, and moving into subscription boxes that offer more than just books. OwlCrate offers two monthly boxes: the YA Box or the Middle-Grade Box. Each box includes a new, hardcover book signed by the author, a letter written by the author, a monthly magazine, and extra goodies such as pins, activity books, mugs, you name it! Each box has a monthly theme and the extra goodies you receive usually correlate with that month’s theme.

I think this box is a great way to get our youth engaged with reading and it would be the perfect gift to give on birthdays or holidays. OwlCrate also works with small business who create book merch for their boxes, so buying this box is also a great way to support small businesses.

4) Coffee & A Classic

Cost: Starting at $42.99/month

Perfect For: People who like classic literature… and mugs

This subscription box is exactly as it sounds! Coffee & A Classic offers two different subscription packages: the Essentials Box or the Premier Box. Each box comes with a classic novel, a drink of your choice (coffee, tea, or hot chocolate), and other bookish goodies. The Premier Box also includes a mug, a bookmark, and something to snack on. They offer their subscription boxes in three subgenres: Classic Literature, Children’s Classics, and Classic Nonfiction. Just simply choose your drink and genre of choice and Coffee & A Classic will curate a box in your tastes.

I think this box is a great gift for anyone because of the versatile beverages, and I personally think everyone can appreciate classic literature (if not for its content, then for its aesthetic purposes). This box is perfect for adult readers as a subscription, or even just a gift.

5) Once Upon a Book Club

Cost: $49.99

Perfect For: Readers who like reaching milestones and being rewarded for them

If you love advent calendars, then you’ll absolutely love this box! Once Upon a Book Club is a book subscription box that sends you a book and 3-5 gifts that are wrapped with a page number on them. You are not supposed to open the gifts until you reach the exact page number in the book. The gift usually corresponds to a quote on that page. For example, one of their gifts in their number November 2021 Adult Box is a plaid, burlap pillowcase which comes from the quote, “It’s covered with a pilly plaid comforter. She grabs a pillow, holds it to her face. ‘I keep coming in here and smelling his pillow. How long do you think it’ll keep smelling like him?’” This subscription offers two boxes: the YA Fiction Box and the Adult Fiction Box.

This subscription box is just an overall creative way of enjoying a book and is perfect for people who want an experience while reading . You can subscribe to this box monthly for $49.99 and receive a hint of the box’s theme before it’s shipped, or you can make a one-time purchase on a previous box for $55 already knowing what the book is.

Finding the Right Subscription For You

As you can see, the pricing on these boxes can be very high (some subscription boxes like Illumicrate offer special edition boxes with limited edition books and goodies that are perfect for book collectors!), but it all boils down to the kind of reading experience you want. It can be kind of risky spending a lot of money on a box only to end up with a book you might not enjoy, which is why I like subscriptions like Once Upon a Book Club and OwlCrate for offering previous boxes as well so you can enjoy a box without the suspense of wondering whether you’ll like what’s coming to you in the mail or not. What I also like about most of these boxes is you can make a one-time purchase on a box as a gift (to yourself or someone else) if you don’t want to make a monthly commitment.

Overall, I think the best valued subscription box is Book of the Month. You get a new, hardcover book for only $15.99 a month, early access to some books, and you can choose the book you want to receive, no surprises. But there are also so many great book subscriptions out there; you just have to find the right one for you. No matter what book subscription box you choose, you will still get a unique experience and a new book to read! Happy reading!