10 Best Book Clubs of 2026

We've analyzed the best Book Clubs to help you find the right solution for your needs.

2026 Book Club Reviews

Which book club subscription Service is best?  If you are dying to read more books but hate the idea of venturing out of your favorite reading chair or researching which books you might like to read, then a book club subscription is just what you need. Whether you are a hopeless romantic who can't get enough love stories, a horror junkie who wants all the dark suspense, a fiction reader who likes quick easy reads, a wonderful but strange weirdo who likes the odd and off-kilter variety, or something in-between, there is a book club out there for you.

5.0

EXCELLENT

1

Best Option

  • 10 different box options, with choice of 2 or 4 books per month
  • Choose your own genres
  • Surprise books
  • $9 to $16 per book, depending on order frequency
  • Suggested by humans, chosen by algorithm
  • Rewards in every third box
  • Easy to cancel, pause, or skip

EXCELLENT

5.0

On the A Box of Stories website

A Box of Stories is a subscription book service based in the UK, with a mission to save highly rated yet undiscovered books from being destroyed or tossed, and thus lost forever. With lots of options and the promise of never getting the same book twice, your monthly shipment of 2-4 surprise books should be just what you are looking for, while giving you the satisfaction of reducing waste and giving highly-reviewed-yet-forgotten books a second chance. They also donate an unspecified percentage of their profits to charities working for literacy, which is a great added bonus.

Low prices for highly rated books

Prices from A Box of Stories are hard to beat. While the website doesn't specifically mention whether books are hardback, paperback, or a mix of both, we still think this is a great value. Prices for individual books vary a little based on what subscription you choose and how often you are getting shipments, but are typically between $10 and $15 per book. Shipping is free even though the company is based in the UK, and the price already covers the 10% tariff.

10 subscription box options, some customizable

There are so many options to choose from. A Box of Stories offers their readers a huge variety of customizable boxes. In fact, they have the biggest variety of any company we've reviewed, with 10 separate box options, including a "Build your Fiction" Box where you can choose exactly what combination of genres you'd like in your box. Other box options include fiction, crime/thriller, a mixed box, fantasy, sci-fi, light reads, historical fiction, kids, and young adult selections. A Box of Stories is the only book club we've seen that gives you the option to exclude certain genres you know you wouldn't enjoy. We love this feature. Each box is unique to you, so no one else gets exactly the same thing as anyone else, and they guarantee you won't get the same book twice.

Best Book Clubs

Gathered by humans, selected by algorithm

Each surprise mystery box is curated by a team of book experts, then an algorithm combs through all the titles, finding highly reviewed books that never got the chance to become popular to the masses. Using both humans and algorithms to find the best looked-over books seems to be a good combination, giving readers a customizable variety while keeping prices low.

Flexible policies and good customer service

It is simple and straightforward to change, cancel, or pause your subscription via their online portal, customer support chat, or a quick email to their team. If you don't like the books you got, they'll be happy to exchange your box for something else, although you have to pay for return shipping to the UK. However, if you get a book you've already read, there's no way to switch it for something else. They even give you the option to add other products to your shipment to help you save on shipping costs. Overall, we think their customer service does a great job of making customers happy and being flexible to inevitable changes.

Hard to beat prices and personalization

With their flexible subscriptions, variety of boxes, low prices and plethora of options, A Box of Stories tops our list for book club subscriptions. Their combination of using real people and algorithms to keep prices low and books personalized, as well as donating some of their profits to charities makes their business model hard to beat. That's why they come in with the highest rating in our reviews as our top choice for book clubs.

On the A Box of Stories website

4.5

GREAT

2

Great

  • Book club with lots of extras
  • Membership costs around $60 per month
  • 1 new-release book per month
  • Books chosen by staff, hints and titles each month + some content warnings
  • "Gifts" included with each box, to open on certain pages
  • Options for adults and kids
  • Variety of genres

GREAT

4.5

On the Once Upon a Book Club website

If you want to experience your book to the fullest, feeling like you are really standing there with the characters you are reading about, Once Upon a Book Club might be the right choice for you. This monthly book subscription service gives you a full immersive experience with a newly released novel. Creator and owner Michelle Wolett has really focused on creating a "magical" experience by providing readers with gift items in their box that they might see if they were physically there with the characters. With so many genres and options to choose from in this subscription, it's easy to find something you like.

A book box with all the extras

The idea of Once Upon a Book Club is to let each reader really experience the book in the fullest way possible. This is done by providing beautifully wrapped gifts in each box that go along with the story. They are to be opened on certain pages of the book, when most appropriate. Think of opening a candle when the character lights one in the book, or opening beautiful gloves just as the character walks into an icy winter wonderland. Besides the wrapped gifts, each box also includes a book-club kit (information, discussion points, recipes, activities), a signed book plate, a quote card, and a bookmark. This service also offers access to an exclusive Facebook group where you can chat and ask questions with others who are reading the same book.

A full experience - with a corresponding price tag

While most book clubs are probably a better price for the amount of books you are getting, few can compete with the amount and quality of items provided to give you a great experience with Once Upon a Book Club. You will pay around $60 for each box that includes one book and all the extras. If you like feeling spoiled, pampered, and just a little bit "extra", the price is definitely worth it. If you aren't ready to commit to a subscription, you can hand-pick a single book box for a one-time shipment, but it will be an extra $10. There are also options for smaller boxes that will run you only $30. All book boxes have free shipping.

Best Book Clubs

Lots of variety

Each month you receive a book box, you'll get a surprise novel, released within the past 60 days. The books are selected by the staff of Once Upon a Book Club, and can be from a wide range of genres including contemporary, thrillers, women's fiction, mystery, magical realism, romance, or suspense. Outside of the popular adult box, there are also options for young adults and tweens. Each month you can find hints about the contents of the upcoming book shipment, including the title and a brief synopsis. Another helpful feature is content warnings for certain books so you can make informed choices about what you or your children are reading. If this isn't enough variety for you, you can always opt to order a single-shipment box with whatever book you choose from past boxes, with all the extras still included, of course. Many of the "extra" items from past boxes are also available on their website, with items ranging from health and beauty items to phone cases and outdoor items.

Mostly-fair customer service

On the Once Upon a Book Club website, it appears quite simple to skip a month or two, cancel, or get help from the customer service team. They make sure you understand exactly what your subscription and financial commitment will entail before you subscribe, and seem happy to help solve problems when issues arise. However, there are no mediocre or negative reviews to be found. The Better Business Bureau revoked this company's accreditation and they currently have an "F" rating, mostly because of complaints about the company and their refusal to post anything besides a great review. Fortunately, customers online seem mostly happy with their boxes - though it would be nice to get a full picture of customer satisfaction from their website.

A great book club for those who want all the extras

Overall, Once Upon a Book Club is a very immersive and fun choice for those who want to fully enjoy books and get all the magical extras to go along with them. Customers love the experience it provides and choose that over a great deal. We wish customer service was as "extra" as the boxes themselves, but the variety of books, genres, and items available really makes this book subscription magical. All these features have earned Once Upon a Book Club a high rating in our review as well as with many returning customers.

On the Once Upon a Book Club website

4.0

VERY GOOD

3

Very Good

  • 1 or 2 books per month
  • 3 novelty items included (or an extra book)
  • 1, 3, 6, or 12 month subscription options
  • Book picks range from current bestsellers to hidden gems
  • Fast shipping
  • Choose your genre
  • Option to choose your own books
  • Single books $25 to $40

VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Books & More website

Books & More is a women-owned small business that started out as an extension of an independent bookstore located in the foothills of California. The owners, a mother/daughter team, love finding the perfect book recommendations for each customer. Their mission is to bring the essence of an independent bookstore directly to your home. Giving back is important to this company, and $1 from each box is donated to a local library needing renovation.

Simple ordering process

Ordering a subscription through Books & More is straightforward: pick how many books you want to receive each month (1 or 2), pick whether you want 3 novelty items or an extra book, and choose how long of a subscription you'd like (1, 3, 6, or 12 months). You will then choose which genres you're interested in (choose from nonfiction, historical fiction, mystery/suspense, romance, romantasy, or sci-fi/fantasy). Then just sit back and wait for your surprise shipment to arrive. Customers love how quickly they receive their boxes, and

Multiple websites make the experience a little confusing

The Books & More site is run through Cratejoy, a subscription marketplace, but they also have a dedicated site you can navigate to from the Cratejoy page where you can customize your book selections each month. On that website you're able to hand-pick your books from their monthly selections, add products to your upcoming shipment, and even choose which novelty items interest you, all by just adding the email address you ordered with. These are great features, but we wish it was a little more clear on how to navigate there from the Cratejoy site.

Best Book Clubs

Pricing is a little high

We love all the options for genres and number of books here, but we think the pricing could be better. A box with 1 book and 3 novelty items will cost you about $43, and a box with 2 books and 3 novelty items is $53. While some customers enjoy the extra gifts they receive in their boxes, others have not been impressed and have found them to be cheaply made, or even broken upon arrival. We do appreciate that you have the option to swap out the items for an extra book. Shipping for your subscription box will cost you an additional $7.99, but it's unclear whether this is a recurring charge, as it was noted that after the first box, you'll receive your books in a mailer envelope to reduce costs.

Fairly flexible policies

The Cratejoy website that hosts this subscription service had limited information, but after clicking through some included links on the page, we found that their dedicated website had much clearer information. There you can go to your account page, and make changes to your account, including skipping a month or pausing/canceling your subscription. We like that there is somewhere to go to resolve issues, with a team ready to help, but returns and exchanges are generally not accepted by Books & More, which is disappointing if you've already read the book you receive in your box.

Good service with high prices

Overall, Books & More gets a better-than-average rating in our review by giving a variety of options, decent customer service, surprise books and fun extras in each box. The company gives back to libraries in their local community, and they make customization a breeze if you so desire. What dinged this book club's rating a bit was its pricing: at $40 to $55 for just one or two books and a few small items, we think your money might be better spent elsewhere. You're getting a good service, but you'll pay well for what you get.

On the Books & More website

3.9

VERY GOOD

4

Very Good

  • First book for $5 and following books for $17.99
  • Free book for each referral
  • Discounts and freebies after 3 or more boxes
  • Choose 1-5 books from a small, hand-curated monthly selection
  • Always high-quality new releases from emerging authors
  • Always hardcover books, with an option for audiobooks
  • Female-focused
  • Readers Guarantee: if you don't like a book, just swap it out for a different one, no questions asked
  • Reading challenges and rewards when you have the app and review books
  • Easily pause membership or skip a month anytime (as long as you didn't sign up with a special promotion)
  • "A+" rating from the BBB

VERY GOOD

3.9

On the Book of the Month website

Tired of the same recommendations from the best-sellers list? Why not beat everyone to the punch and read the best sellers before they even make the list? Book of the Month has a long track record for choosing great fiction before it becomes popular to the masses. Their website touts their long-standing success by highlighting their offerings of great fiction books since 1926, with many of these books becoming "iconic works of American fiction". Each month, 5-7 books are hand-selected by their team and you can choose one main selection as well as add-ons.

Hand-curated by humans, specifically for you, for 100 years

The team at Book of the Month has worked hard to find out what their readers really want to read, while also highlighting great books from promising authors. No algorithms, just a dedicated team devoted to finding books in your sweet spot and maybe intriguing you with a few outliers. In fact, hand-picked new pieces have been their specialty for 100 years. While they have only been on the Better Business Bureau's radar since 2001, they've been finding literary gems in American literature since 1926. There have been some shifts in their business model over the years, but that has only been to refocus on what kind of books are appealing to their main demographic, which has admittedly been young to middle-aged women. So if you're a male looking for your next action-packed fantasy, it might be a little difficult to always find something you're interested in with this particular book club.

Well-priced hardbacks with occasional deals

All books from Book of the Month are hardback, and are always reasonably-priced at $17.99. But even with the good starting prices, you can still find deals here. When joining, there are often promo codes to get your first book for $5. And, if you refer a friend, you get a free book while they can get a book for just $5. Tell all your friends and end up with a big library of free books. If physical books aren't your thing, they also offer audiobooks as an option. But affordable hardbacks have always been Book of the Month's bread and butter, as they work hard to find books they can publish themselves to keep costs down and pass savings along to their customers.

Best Book Clubs

Choose what you want, when you want it with Book of the Month

When you use Book of the Month, you can buy books at (mostly) your own pace. Readers choose one main selection a month, but have the option to add on additional books for the same $17.99 per book price. As a new member you can order up to three per month, but that jumps to five after you've ordered a few times. You can even skip a month or pause membership when needed, as long as you haven't joined on a promotion with restrictions. Bonuses come after 3 or more boxes, and might include a freebie, a coupon for a free book, or priority service.

Not liking your book? Not a problem

We've all been there: you're finally reading a book you had lots of high hopes for, and you come away a little disappointed. But with Book of the Month, all you need to do is reach out to their team, and they'll replace it with something different in your next box, no questions asked. No need to pay for a book you don't love. Alternatively, if you look at the month's selections and you know you won't love any of them, you can skip the books that month and save your credits for next time.

Extra perks when you read, review, and stay social online

Who doesn't like to be rewarded? The BOTM Reading Challenges offer a way for readers to earn rewards for rating and reviewing the books they read. It's pretty simple: purchase and read books, then rate them in the app. Continue this pattern to accomplish specific reading goals like reading a certain number of debut authors, long books, or audiobooks. Earn badges for completing the goals, and even freebies when you complete more intensive goals. In the past, freebies have included things like cute hats, silly keychains, bookmarks, socks, funny notebooks, candles, and even a golden sledgehammer for "crushing" your goals.

Best Book Clubs

Great customer service with contact options

If you have any issues while using Book of the Month, customer service has a track record of being easy to reach and responsive. They give you lots of options for contact if you need to make changes to your subscription or account. Their app is easy to use and always available, but online chat, a phone call, or an email are all options as well. Their availability and willingness to help has earned them an "A+" rating with the Better Business Bureau, so you don't need to worry about them trying to swindle you. But definitely read the fine print before signing up to make sure you understand all the details before you hand over your credit card.

Well-priced books with some options

Customers love the low prices offered by this Book Club as well as the flexible options and the great customer service, which is why Book of the Month earned a solid rating in our review. But with competitors offering even more options to customize exactly what readers are looking for, it falls a little behind in that department. Overall, though, Book of the Month is still a great choice for readers who like this type of literary fiction.

On the Book of the Month website

3.8

VERY GOOD

5

Very Good

  • One surprise paperback (adult or kid fiction) per subscription period
  • Monthly or quarterly plans from $28.99
  • Large print and kids subscription options
  • Skip, pause, switch, or cancel subscription anytime via online portal
  • Owned and run by a women-operated independent bookstore in Delaware
  • In operation since 2015
  • Free shipping on subscriptions
  • Best of the best book picks by experienced book lovers

VERY GOOD

3.8

On the The Book Drop website

The Book Drop was created as a way for people across the country to have an independent bookstore experience. Amanda Hudson and her team at Bethany Beach Books in Delaware started the service in 2015 and continue to provide surprise books to kids, teens, and adults with one great book each month, delivered right to your door.

Experience and quality over price

If you love being surprised by new and unexpected fiction books, The Book Drop is a great business to support. Each month you'll get a new book box lovingly filled with a surprise book. The book each month is hand-picked and hand-packed by the literary experts at Bethany Beach Books, an independent bookstore in Delaware. You can choose from historical fiction, thrillers, romance, fantasy, or a combination of genres. Each single-book box costs $28.99, and large print books are also available in the subscription, though they are an extra $10 per box. Plans are also offered for children ages 0-13 with lots of variety, ranging in cost from $13.99 to $28.99 per book. While they don't claim to have the cheapest books you can find, they do offer an independent bookstore experience with fabulous, high-quality fictional literature, and even offer free shipping (If you're having the full bookstore experience, you shouldn't pay for shipping, right?)

Best Book Clubs

Surprise books - without any surprises to your bank account

The best part of this book club is the anticipation of the surprise book when you open your box. Luckily, the surprise of being locked into a subscription you can't get out of is never a "worst part" you need to worry about with The Book Drop. Skipping a month, pausing your subscription, switching your chosen genre, or even cancelling your entire subscription is simple and straightforward via their online portal. They aren't trying to trick you with gimmicks or promotions; this subscription service only wants to provide people across the country with the wonder and intrigue of an independent bookshop experience. However, keep in mind that because it is a subscription service, it will auto-renew unless you prepay (as you would a gift) on your first order.

Small-town bookstore experience, with pros and cons

While it's gratifying and often rewarding to support small businesses and shop local, you can't always get the streamlined efficiency and perks you would at a large-scale business. The staff at The Book Drop are happy to add other books to your box that you wish to purchase, but they can't switch out a book - even if you've already read or purchased it. Also, if your book comes damaged, they'll try to help but don't necessarily guarantee a replacement. The Book Drop works hard to make their customers happy and fix any issues you have, but it might take them a little longer (1-3 business days) to respond than it would a large company with a dedicated customer service team.

Packed with love and all the extras

On the The Book Drop website

3.5

GOOD

6

Good

  • Lots of options
  • Chosen by expert booksellers based on your preferences
  • One book each month
  • 4, 6, or 12 month subscription options
  • Individual book prices range from $20 to $45
  • Choose from adult, teen, children, or baby books
  • Large print option available
  • Owned and run by an independent bookshop in Madison, Connecticut

GOOD

3.5

On the Just the Right Book website

Just the Right Book is a book club subscription service that was started by Roxanne Coady from her Madison, CT bookstore to share her favorite books with her favorite people. She puts an emphasis on making sure each reader gets the genre, style, and format of book that interests them. Since each subscription is personalized to the reader, it's easy to get just what you like from this book club.

Lots of options

When you subscribe to Just the Right Book, you are given lots of options. The choices start with your age category, then whether you want hardcovers or paperbacks, then just how often you want to receive books. After you finish making your choices, you are then sent a reader's preference form which allows you to state specifically what kinds of books you are interested in. Mention a specific genre, certain length of books, or even decide that you'd like to read along with the owner of the store ("Roxanne's Reads"). All these things are taken into consideration each time the experienced staff at RJ Booksellers choose your next books, ensuring you get "just the right book".

Best Book Clubs

Happy customers, but difficult to cancel

One beautifully wrapped book is delivered to your door once a month, with options to subscribe for 4 months, 6 months, or 12 months. However, cancelling didn't seem simple or even possible from information given on the website, with the company stating that annual subscriptions can only be cancelled within the first month. Also, refunds are only possible if no books have been shipped, so make sure you can really commit to the subscription before handing over your credit card. That being said, Just the Right Book still has an "A+" rating with the Better Business Bureau, so most customers tend to be happy with their choice in this subscription service.

Pay for what you want

One great thing about Just the Right Book is not just the options, but that you only pay for the options you choose. While we think the prices could definitely be lower, compared to rival book subscription services on our list, we do appreciate that if you choose paperbacks, your price is lower than if you choose hardcover books. For an adult subscription, you'll pay $28.50 for a paperback, or $43.50 for hardcovers. The prices for this book club are a little higher even compared to others that are run by independent bookstores, but if supporting a small business and expert personalization is more important to you than getting the best deal, this price might be just right for you.

Pricing could be better, but the service is top notch

Overall, the service provided by Just the Right Book is impressive, with each book being chosen based on each reader's personal preferences. But, you end up really paying for that extra effort and personalization, with the cost being some of the highest in the industry. That is why it's hard to give Just the Right Book a higher overall rating. However, with many pleased customers, it seems that the price might be worth it if you really want to find just the right book for you each month.

On the Just the Right Book website

3.0

AVERAGE

7

Average

  • 4 genres to choose from
  • 1 new release per month
  • Memberships $20 to $30 per month
  • Always new releases
  • Books chosen by staff
  • Child subscription option

AVERAGE

3.0

On the Nowhere Bookshop website

Nowhere Bookshop is a subscription-based book club that is run by an independent bookstore in San Antonio, Texas by the same name. It is owned and run by author and blogger Jenny Lawson. Her unique, less traditional book picks appeal to readers looking for more diverse, quirky options. There are also more traditional genres to choose from, but the focus of this book club is really the strange and macabre book picks from the owner.

Four different subscription options

The Nowhere Book Club has a few different options for mainstream readers, but focuses mostly on its strange, weird, and less traditional literary offerings. There are 4 different genres to choose from: strange literary fiction (Fantastic Strangelings Book Club), romance (Happy Endings Book Club), horror (Nightmares from Nowhere Book Club), and children (Little Bitty Book Club). Each club ships you a newly released surprise book each month, and a few little extras. Monthly book titles are released online before shipment so you can always check to make sure it's something you're interested in. You can also request a switch if it's something you've already read, though it's not likely since all their books are new releases.

Small perks with each book box

Each month you receive a book, you also get a few included extras. In your first box you'll get a pin and a sticker, and in subsequent boxes you'll find a bookmark, 20% off coupons, and special gifts 4 times per year like notepads or stickers. Use the 20% off coupon for anything online or in their store, even signed copies of Jenny Lawson's own books. Each new subscriber is also invited to join private Facebook and Reddit groups to chat about the current book and interact with other readers.

Best Book Clubs

Pricing typical of an independent bookstore

Pricing starts at $20 for the paperbacks in romance subscriptions, $25 for the children's subscription (mostly hardbacks), and tops out at $28 for the hardcovers in the strange fiction and horror subscriptions. While this price definitely isn't the best you can find, it isn't anything outside of what you'd expect from an independent bookseller who has to pay for shipping charges. One downside to this service is the $10 enrollment fee added at the beginning of any new subscription, so make sure to consider if the extra charge is worth it before you decide.

Great service, even if it takes some time

Since Nowhere Bookshop is independently owned and operated, don't expect lightning-fast service like you would from larger stores with dedicated customer service teams. It may seem like they haven't quite joined the smartphone revolution since all their communication is strictly email, but there aren't really complaints to hear of. While their cheeky website doesn't show reviews, customers reviewing Nowhere Bookshop subscriptions on other sites still seem happy with the service and have good things to say about the books as well.

Pricey... but strange in the best way

On the Nowhere Bookshop website

2.9

AVERAGE

8

Average

  • $39.99 per box
  • Curated by women, for women
  • One box per month with 5-9 titles
  • Combination of print books and ebooks
  • Mostly romance

AVERAGE

2.9

On the Fresh Fiction Box website

Fresh Fiction Box is a book club subscription started by Gwen and Sara Reyes in 2004 as a place for readers to find their next great book. This hand-curated monthly box is a great way to get books in larger quantities compared to other subscription services. Romance books are their bread and butter, but you'll also find occasional outliers to mix things up.

A great value

At only $39.99 per box, Fresh Fiction Box offers lots of value considering the number of titles included in each shipment. In each box, you'll get 5-9 books, in a mix of print and ebook format (scan the provided QR code, then enter the redemption code). You can also get a $15 discount if you order 3 months at once. If you aren't ready to commit to a full subscription yet, you can order a single box for $49.99 to see if it's right for you.

Best Book Clubs

Romance-focused with some variety

When you open your Fresh Fiction Box, it will always be a surprise. While usually focused on all aspects of romance, you'll see a few outliers here and there like mystery, erotica, or paranormal selections. The curators often choose new authors and new releases, but you will occasionally get a bestseller if it fits the bill. Books also come in a variety of formats, including hardback, trade size books, or mass market. But no matter what you get, you'll always have a good variety of new reads within the romance category.

Customization not an option

The options available with Fresh Fiction Box leaves a lot to be desired. You can't choose or exchange books, and refunds of any kind are not offered. So if you've already read the book or it isn't interesting to you, you'll have to just eat the cost and give it to someone else. This no-options policy leaves Fresh Fiction Box trailing behind competitors in the same category. However, we do appreciate that customers are able to easily skip a month on their online account page, and can cancel their subscription as long as payment hasn't already gone through for the month.

Lots of books with fewer options

While you might get the best bang for your buck with Fresh Fiction Box, you really don't get much else. Giving customers no options for customization makes it hard for them to be competitive in a saturated market. We think this book club is best for readers looking for a higher quantity of romance books each month, without the need for much selection quality or a fantastic experience. That is why Fresh Fiction Box ranks lower than most competitor book clubs on our list.

On the Fresh Fiction Box website

2.5

FAIR

9

Fair

  • $19 to $28 per book
  • Chosen by staff
  • New releases for adults 18+
  • Books from many genres
  • Free shipping

FAIR

2.5

On the Fiction Book Club website

Fiction Book Club is a basic book subscription service run through Cratejoy, a subscription box marketplace. This book club offers one fiction title a month from a variety of genres with no customization. While it's not clear exactly who the team is, their mission is to expose readers to new authors, diverse voices, and tackle today's most relevant social issues. Boxes are hand-curated by this unknown team to find new and interesting fiction titles at reasonable prices.

Lots of surprises

Opening your Fiction Book Club box is truly a surprise every month, and with so many genres being picked from, you never know if it will be a dark thriller or a heartwarming romance. Books are selected from genres like mystery, thrillers, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, and more. While this makes for a great surprise, it isn't always what customers are looking for, so it's a little disappointing that there isn't any way to customize your subscription or narrow the genres. The titles chosen in past boxes have been books with good reviews, like "Dawn of the Firebird" and "Blood Slaves." But with their mission to "tackle today's relevant social issues", sometimes the book selections are on the edgy side. Some subscribers have mentioned the books being too slanted or political, especially when one teen customer received a book about gender choices as the monthly pick. Totally fine if that's your thing, though.

Best Book Clubs

Very reasonable pricing

Prices from Fiction Book Club are reasonable at $20 to $28 per book, and their website claims they might even be lower than big box stores. We didn't necessarily find this to be true, with prices typically being about $5 more expensive than the lowest online book sellers. But we still thought that this book club is well-priced, and worth it if you value the added service of someone picking out interesting new books for you and shipping them to your front door. You can also get a discount for ordering 3 months at once, but be careful of the auto-renewal at the end of that time.

Vague policies and contact information

While shipping is free for this box, policies on cancellations and refunds are less clear. Getting in touch with the seller through the Cratejoy website is the only way to change your subscription, and it's not obvious how quick their response time is or how helpful they are when issues arise. Subscriptions with Fiction Book Club always auto-renew unless you contact the seller and cancel, so be aware of this when your subscription ends if you don't plan to continue.

Not enough choice for most readers

Fiction Book Club has reasonable prices yet unpredictable book choices and policies. We wish there was a little more information on the website about this book club, as it is hard to make an educated decision with only a few reviews and no contact information. While this company received a low score compared to other book clubs, it might be a good choice for you if you aren't picky about your book choices and have had good experiences with platforms like Cratejoy in the past.

On the Fiction Book Club website

2.0

SUBPAR

10

Subpar

  • One paperback book per month
  • $19 per month
  • Books chosen by staff
  • 3 subscription options for adults + 2 options for children

SUBPAR

2.0

On the BookTIDE website

BookTIDE is a book subscription service that was started out of Booktowne, an independent bookstore in Manasquan, NJ. There isn't much information about the company, any specific mission, or why the book club was started, so it's hard to understand what benefits you get by choosing this book club over others. What we do know is you can get one hand-picked paperback delivered to you, each month. They will "deliver the experience of their tiny bookstore to your door."

5 subscription options

We like that with BookTIDE, you get a few options for the type of book you want to read. They offer 3 adult subscriptions: fiction paperback, mystery paperback, and experimental fiction paperback. There are also options for children: one for kids 8-12 (hardback), and one for kids 3-8. We appreciate the genre options, but wish there was a way to customize your choices a little more, which is not available with this book club. BookTIDE does make sure that each book is an often overlooked, hand-selected novel by their staff, so you can be assured that someone you trust has read and loved it before you.

Best Book Clubs

Fair pricing

BookTIDE offers one book a month for each of their subscriptions, at $19 per month. We think this is pretty reasonable, especially for the hardback option. While you can get books cheaper, this is a simple way to have books picked for you by booksellers, delivered to your door, all while supporting an independent bookshop.

Not much in the way of customer service

As far as customer service goes, we can't find much of anything. The BookTIDE website states that they are run by Booktowne in NJ, but doesn't give any contact information if issues arise. Phone numbers, email addresses, and online contact info are nowhere to be found on their site. In fact, there's not much there besides a little blurb about each subscription and a photo to fill the rest of the page. We do know that they don't accept returns or exchanges, as in that case they suggest you gift the book to someone who will enjoy it. The website for the actual bookshop has under 100 reviews (positive ones overall), but nothing is mentioned anywhere about the satisfaction of the book club customers.

More information is needed

Overall, since BookTIDE has so little information given on their website, it's hard to give them a good rating. Customer reviews, clear ways to contact the company, and examples of past titles are all great ways to get a feel for how much you'll like the service. Without any of those offered, you can't know whether this subscription will be a good fit for you. We didn't find any negative reviews, but we didn't find any positive ones either. So if you choose this book club, we think you're taking a bit more of a chance than you need to, since there are so many other book clubs out there with great track records and reviews. All of that leads to a bottom-of-the-list ranking for BookTIDE - but we're willing to leave the door open to a higher rating in the future if more information becomes available (hint hint, Booktowne).

On the BookTIDE website

Continued from above...

Which Book Club Subscription Service is Best?

If you are dying to read more books but hate the idea of venturing out of your favorite reading chair or researching which books you might like to read, then a book club subscription is just what you need. Whether you are a hopeless romantic who can't get enough love stories, a horror junkie who wants all the dark suspense, a fiction reader who likes quick easy reads, a wonderful but strange weirdo who likes the odd and off-kilter variety, or something in-between, there is a book club out there for you.

But not all book clubs will be a great fit. Some offer you mountains of options like delivery frequency, genre choice, number of books in each shipment, personally selected titles, or free exchanges. Each of these options may or may not be important to you, but not having one of them might mean that book club isn't quite right for you. The subscription you choose should be as flexible as your taste requires.

Customer service is crucial in any physical subscription service. While larger, more experienced companies tend to have better service, sometimes the small independently-run book clubs have staff who care more deeply about their customers. Whatever the size of the business you choose, having a customer service team readily available to help you will make your experience more streamlined and enjoyable. Life happens, and we appreciate companies who understand that occasionally we might need to pause, skip, or cancel our memberships.

A great customer service team will help resolve issues like damages, returns, or even exchanging a book you've already read for something new. Customer service seems to be the deciding factor between companies trying to make a quick buck off their readers and those who truly want to provide quality service and products to their customers.

Supporting authors and independent bookshops is a big deal in our opinion. When companies are focused on making money but don't support the authors their book clubs originate from, the system we all love and use breaks down. Even best-selling authors were once struggling writers, so we love to see book clubs giving new or obscure authors and books a chance.

With all the book clubs out there, making the right choice can be overwhelming. You'll want to find one that will fit your reading personality best. There are a few key things to consider as you are choosing a book subscription:

To make sure you can spend your time in a good book instead of researching online, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and rated the best book clubs available today. We ranked each subscription service based on price, options, shipping and returns, and customer service. Now, all you have to do is sign up, wait for your shipment, and start reading your new favorite book!

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Book Club FAQ

How often is it delivered?
These Book Club subscriptions are delivered once a month. They usually ship out on the first or middle of the month. Different services offer different variations on how many months are in the subscription.
What is in the package?
This varies widely based on the service. Some offer just one book, while others might offer two. Some of the boxes are even themed and include unique handpicked gifts to match the book chosen.
Can I choose what book it is?
Usually the different services will have the book picked out in advance. A few offer a choice between several books. The range of books varies greatly. Sometimes a panel chooses the book, and one service even has you work with a special book buyer to find the right book for you.
Are Book Clubs a good gift?
Book Clubs are a great gift! If you already love to read then it gives you new options to read, and if you aren't into reading yet, it gives you the perfect opportunity to start! Having a book picked out and delivered to you once a month will keep your bookshelf fresh.
Is it expensive?
Different options have different costs. Some are as low as $9.99 a month while others might be $50. The main price disparity is in the box contents. Boxes that are just books will be cheaper, while ones with goodies are going to cost more.
Is it a subscription or one time gift?
This is up to the service and you! Some services offer monthly subscriptions for a limited time, others offer month to month with the option to skip a month, and some offer one-time boxes. The only limit is your wallet!
What if I already have the book?
Luckily this isn't a common issue, most of the boxes try to send out new books or even special early releases, so the chance of you having it is slim. There are also options to choose a different book or skip that months delivery for some services. The subscriptions also announce what book they are sending before it sends so you can have some warning to not buy the book.
Is there variety?
There is a lot of variety! Some services offer themed subscriptions, so you can choose which genre of book to have sent each month. Some just offer several options every month to choose from, all different genres. Each service has its own way to keep it fresh, so make sure to find the best option for you!

Compare Any 2 Products

A Box of Stories
Once Upon a Book Club
Books & More
Book of the Month
The Book Drop
Just the Right Book
Nowhere Bookshop
Fresh Fiction Box
Fiction Book Club
BookTIDE
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See the Best Book Clubs in Your State

Why do people love to read?

While some people develop a love of reading early in childhood, others become increasingly interested in reading later in life. Regardless of whether you enjoy reading popular fiction, autobiographies, or other types of novels, one thing is certain. Reading offers a variety of benefits that you can fully enjoy each time you open up a new book. In fact, these are benefits that you can take full advantage of whether you are in the process of becoming an avid reader or updating your current library with new options. What can you expect when you sit down to read your next book?

The Relaxation of a Good Book

One of the top reasons why people have spent their free time immersed in the pages of a good book for centuries is relaxation. Whether you have been hard at work all day, you are traveling on a long trip or you are stressed for other reasons, sitting down to read a few pages or chapters is undeniably relaxing. The simple practice of reading involves sitting still and engaging in something beyond your immediate surroundings. By taking your mind off of the stressors that you are otherwise immersed in, you are given the chance to relax fully.

Many other pastimes actively engage you in physical activity for a relatively long period of time. Running, crafting and many other activities require a great deal of time spent doing the activity at one time. Reading, however, requires you to be alert, focused and still for any amount of time you have available. You can easily read a book in bed, on a hammock or anywhere else where you have a few free minutes to be still and to disengage from your current surroundings. There is no need to set aside an hour or two of your limited free time to read. Instead, you can read a few pages before bed, while dining alone at a restaurant or even as you sit in a waiting room.

The Ability to Learn New Things

Many people thoroughly enjoy reading on a regular basis because of the ability to learn new things. When you think about educational books, you may think about school textbooks, autobiographies and other non-fiction works. These types of books are rich with facts and can undoubtedly enlighten you in exciting ways. In fact, each time you open a good book, you may learn something new. This enables you to continue growing as a person even if you only have a few minutes each day to commit to the activity.

Keep in mind that non-fiction books are not your only source for education. For example, historical fiction books immerse you in an amazing story that is based on factual events. Whether the event is World War I, the founding of the American colonies or something else, you may be presented with actual historical facts. You can even learn new things by reading romance novels, fiction and more. For example, you can expand your vocabulary by reading regularly. Some books may teach you life lessons or even set the stage for a major paradigm shift. As a result, you may find that you become more worldly and well-rounded when you buy new books online from time to time.

The Entertainment of a Good Story

You can always immerse yourself in a good story by watching a movie, but you may discover that movies lack the rich detail that novels offer. Through a novel, the author can beautifully create an amazing scene that describes sights, sounds, and smells. The setting may be rounded off through a description of the weather, the main character's thoughts, or flashbacks and more. You can learn about backstories and side stories in the plot of a book more thoroughly than you could in a movie. In fact, if you read a book and later watch the movie version, you may find that the movie left out a lot of detail that really made the book so special and memorable. Keep in mind that most movies are between two to three hours long. With a book, the story is not over until the author has fully told it.

It may take you a week or two to get through a good book if you read daily. Throughout this period of time, you may find yourself waiting in anticipation to continue the story when you have time to read again. This anticipation can add to the excitement of the story. You may find your thoughts drifting back to the last few scenes that you read as you go about your day. As a result, reading offers a special entertainment experience that you cannot find on TV or in a movie theater.

An Escape From Reality

For many people, daily life is riddled with stressors. It is easy to dwell on those stressors when you are trying to relax at the end of a long day. After all, your mind will inevitably drift to the day's most critical events, activities and conversations. Even when you lay down to sleep, your mind may be racing as you think about what happened or what may happen tomorrow. When you read a good book, however, you are distracting your mind by immersing yourself in a new world. Your mind is no longer focused on your own life. More than that, after you put down the book, your mind will undoubtedly remain centered on what you have recently read.

In some cases, a book may be more intense and dramatic than a person's own life. By reading even a few pages of a book, you may regain a healthy perception of your own life and its issues. Reading may give you a fresh perspective of your own circumstances. This may even help you to find solutions for your own life. Regardless of the book that you have chosen to immerse yourself in, you will undoubtedly benefit from escaping from reality for even a few minutes each day.

An Expanded Worldview

It is easy to get stuck in a specific paradigm. After all, you experience your life in a way that nobody else experiences their lives. However, this can make it difficult for you to think outside of your box and see the bigger picture. When you read regularly, you will undoubtedly find yourself in new worlds and experiences that you otherwise may never have been able to enjoy. As a result, you are able to expand your worldview. By doing so, you may find that you are more empathetic and open-minded.

In addition to having your horizons broadened widely, reading can help you to experience new cultures, religions, and societies. Doing so can deepen your interest in others in real life. It can also open your eyes to the challenges and plights of other people. The paradigm shift that you enjoy by reading can expand with each new book.

There are millions of titles available for you to choose from across dozens of genres and sub-genres. This means that there are always new opportunities for you to learn, grow and be entertained by books. You can easily find great books by asking friends and family members for recommendations. In addition, you may find a suggestion list or even a best-seller list online. Some people find one author who they love, and they will read all of that author's books before moving on to another author. Regardless of the books that you are interested in, shopping for books online is both fast and easy.

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