Saturday, September 14th
2024 Book Club Reviews
The Book Drop
- Membership costs from $20 to $25 per month
- 1 book per month
- Staff chooses for you
- Options for kids and adults
- Historical fiction, romance, fantasy, and thriller
- 4.1-star rating
The Book Drop is a surprise monthly book subscription service powered by Bethany Beach Books, an independent bookstore in Bethany Beach, Delaware. The company's mission is to bring the independent bookstore experience to readers who may not have access to one locally. The initiative was started in 2015 by Amanda Zirn Hudson, manager and book-buyer at Bethany Beach Books. With The Book Drop, you'll get the joy of receiving one fantastic, hand-wrapped book delivered to your door each month.
9 boxes to choose from
If you're looking for a book club with tons of different subscription boxes, this one might take first place. There are nine different boxes to choose from, each with a different genre. Here's what you can expect:
- Adult Fiction
- Large Print
- Young Adult
- Middle Grade
- Early Readers
- Picture Books
- Board Books
- Jigsaw Puzzle
Some of the previous books offered by The Book Drop's clubs include:
- Unsinkable By Jenni L. Walsh (Historical)
- The Graveyard Shift By Maria Lewis (Thriller)
- Every Duke Has His Day by Suzanne Enoch (Romance)
Surprise selections each month
The main gist of The Book Drop is that each month is a total surprise, but you can personalize your package a little. Monthly book subscriptions for adults include genres (listed like drink names - Tea = Historical fiction, Coffee = Thriller, Bubbly = Romance, and Elixir = Fantasy). You can choose up to two different genres per subscription, so your shipments will include only those genres. One of the selections is "surprise” too, if you want to keep your options open. In each package, you'll find a book carefully wrapped in vibrant tissue paper, along with a personalized note detailing why they chose this particular book. You'll also receive an Indie Next List brochure, highlighting exciting new releases cherished by independent bookstores and booksellers (sent bimonthly for YA & Children's subscriptions).
Expensive for just one book
The pricing is pretty simple, but for only one book each month, it's a little pricey. A month-to-month subscription for an adult book club option is $25 per month. If you choose to prepay for three months the price goes down to $19.11 per month. However, if you choose a 6-month prepay the discount is minimal, going down to $24.99 per month rather than $25.
Great options for early readers
If you're looking specifically for a book club that prioritizes younger readers, The Book Drop might be a great place to browse. This subscription offers boxes that include YA novels, graphic novels, and even options for young readers (ages 8-14) and early readers (ages 6-7). So, if you're looking for a new way to get your child (or grandchild) excited about reading, The Book Drop's club is a good place to start. The kids' books are also a little cheaper. For example, a month-to-month graphic novel subscription is just $20.
A reputation for excellent books
Like many of the book clubs in our review, there isn't a lot of buzz for The Book Drop. But, what we found is pretty solid. On average The Book Drop earns a 4.1-star average rating. Readers praised The Book Drop's selections for having well-developed characters and deeply interesting narratives. However, there are some complaints about prices rising, and from what we can tell in older reviews, the adult box used to be around $16, which is a shame as that's much more reasonable for a one-book shipment.
Best option for kid readers
The Book Drop sits right around the middle of the pack for us. It's not doing anything spectacular price-wise, and while there are lots of boxes to choose from, many competitors also offer unique genre selections. The best feature of The Book Drop is its subscription options for young readers, which we highly recommend checking out if you have a youngster. However, for its adult selection, it earns a good rating. The book Drop is good, but not the best out there. For those, check out our top-rated book clubs instead.
More Book Club Reviews
Where Can You Find the Best Book Club?
If you're looking for a new way to enjoy reading, joining a book club subscription can be a fun and enriching experience. Whether you're an avid reader seeking to expand your literary horizons or someone looking to rediscover the joy of reading, participating in a book club offers numerous benefits.
But modern book clubs aren't the same as you might be thinking: a group picking one book to read and getting together in person to talk it over. Instead, virtual book clubs more closely resemble a wine club or something similar where you subscribe to a "club” to get new books sent to you each month.
Book Club FAQ
Continued from above...
Book clubs offer an extensive array of genres ranging from mysteries and sci-fi to historical dramas and fantasy epics. However, the abundance of options can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure of where to start. A book club helps solve that problem by providing you with curated selections delivered right to your doorstep. Such a service would not only save you time but also keeps up a steady supply of books perfectly suited to your interests. You can choose from a selection of award-winning titles from both renowned and emerging authors in your favorite genre, or branch out and try some new literary categories you've never read before.
With a book club subscription, you can bid farewell to the hassle of scouring bookstores or endlessly scrolling through online catalogs. Instead, each month brings a delightful surprise as you receive a handpicked selection of books directly to your home. At most book club subscriptions, you have the flexibility to customize your membership duration and even give a subscription to fellow book lovers, spreading the joy of reading far and wide.
In the fast-paced world we live in, finding moments of relaxation and enjoyment is essential for maintaining a healthy balance. Investing in a book club subscription not only provides endless hours of entertainment but also fosters a sense of anticipation and excitement as you eagerly await each month's new arrivals. So why not treat yourself or a loved one to the gift of literary exploration? It's a worthwhile investment in both leisure and personal enrichment, offering a fulfilling escape from the demands of everyday life.
Choosing the right book club is essential to a fulfilling and enjoyable reading experience. To help you navigate the variety of book clubs out there, here are some factors to consider:
- Book selection. Evaluate the types of books chosen by the club, including genres, themes, and authors. Look for clubs that follow your reading interests and preferences, so that you'll enjoy the selected books and actively engage in discussions.
- Customization. Can you add specific books to your order? Can you customize the shipping periods or pause your book club shipments if you travel? You want your book club subscription to fit your life, so make sure there are options to make the service feel like it's tailored for you.
- Price. All book aficionados know that their hobby can come with a bit of a price tag (especially if you're getting multiple books at a time or gunning for a hardcover, new-release copy of a novel). So, make sure that the price of the book club subscription makes sense with the value of books and quantity that you receive.
- Reputation. What are other readers saying about each book club? Are the novels worth the subscription? Are there enough perks to keep customers coming back? Seeing what reviewers say about your chosen book club can help you narrow your options.
To help you find the best book club for your reading journey, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top options on the market. We hope our recommendations will help you discover the perfect book club subscription to enrich your reading experience. So, set aside your worries for a moment, find a cozy spot, maybe even light a scented candle, and immerse yourself in a captivating novel. Before you know it, hours may slip away unnoticed as you become engrossed in the journey of your next book!
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