We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›
Samantha Schoech is a writer focusing on gifts. She spends her time finding things that combine quality, beauty, usefulness, and delight. Anniversary Gift Boxes
An earlier version of this article misstated OurShelves’ cancellation policies. All OurShelves subscriptions can be cancelled anytime, not just quarterly subscriptions. The article also misstated Book of the Month's month-to-month fee. It's $16.99, not $20.
Whether you’re looking to amp up your own reading or bestow the gift of literature, book subscriptions are an exciting and novel way to discover new titles and authors and keep them coming. And they’re especially essential for anyone who doesn’t have a good bookstore nearby.
I’m an avid reader, former book reviewer, author, and bookstore wife (my husband owns Green Apple Books in San Francisco). For this guide, I researched 18 book subscription services and tested 13. Seven favorites (many from independent bookstores) rose to the top: great general interest subscriptions for adults and kids, a pick for genre devotees, a classic club for readers who want to have some say in their selections, a children’s club devoted to teaching empathy, and more.
But in fact, ardent bibliophiles could happily read from any of the subscriptions on this list for a long, long time. And if you’re worried about accumulation, consider author and bookstore owner Louise Erdrich’s take: “The point of books is to have way too many but to always feel you never have enough.”
Brooklyn-based Books Are Magic sends a choice pick per month in one of four genres, including poetry, which is a rarity.
Price: hardcover subscriptions for $30 per month; paperback subscriptions for $20 per month; kids and teen subscriptions for $25 per month; $10 flat-rate shipping
Cancellation and satisfaction policy: skip, pause, or cancel any time; books cannot be returned
The near century-old original subscription service prompts members to choose from a curated list of six or seven popular new releases each month.
For people who would prefer an element of control—but don’t want to get overwhelmed with choice—Book of the Month offers readers a monthly selection of six or seven recently released hardcovers. The titles touch most every genre—romance, mystery, sci-fi, narrative nonfiction, literary and historical fiction—and lean a tad commercial. Recent titles include Elin Hilderbrand’s Swan Song and Kristin Hannah’s The Women. You’re not going to find any particularly dark or controversial titles on BOTM; don’t expect Miranda July’s National Book Award–nominated All Fours to show up on their list, for example.
It’s simple to skip a month or cancel anytime. Your chosen title arrives in a small branded box with no extras. The editions are branded with small logos on the covers and spines, and the paper is supposedly thinner, but we couldn’t tell the difference.
Price: month-to-month subscriptions for $16.99 per month, shipping included; prepaid subscriptions are $60 for three months, $100 for six months, and $200 for one year; subscribers can add up to two additional books per month for about $17 each
Cancellation and satisfaction policy: skip, pause, or cancel month-to-month subscriptions any time; if you don’t like a book, BOTM will issue a credit for an additional book of your choice and encourage you to pass the book you didn’t like onto another reader
A monthly subscription from this Delaware-based independent bookstore offers a hardcover or paperback book in one of four specific genres. They also offer a large-print option.
The Book Drop from Bethany Beach Books in Delaware caters to genre readers by offering four monthly subscriptions—historical fiction, thriller, romance, or fantasy. (There’s also a surprise option that sends a book from a different genre each month and an alternating subscription that combines two.) A new hardcover or paperback arrives in a recyclable paper Book Drop–branded envelope alongside bookmarks, reading guides, and often (but not always) a letter from the author. Recent selections have included The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride (historical fiction), Happy Place by Emily Henry (romance), and The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass (thriller). The Book Drop also offers three children’s subscriptions for ages 0 to 13 and is the only service we found with a separate large-print club.
Price: $26 per month, shipping included; prepaid subscriptions are $76 for three months or $150 per year
Cancellation and satisfaction policy: skip, pause, or cancel month-to-month subscriptions any time; prepaid subscriptions can be cancelled for a prorated refund, but individual books cannot be returned
This service selects used books based on the subscriber’s indicated preferences. Books are previously read, but in very good shape, and every month is a complete surprise.
For people who don’t have a good used bookstore nearby, Used Books Monthly is a lifesaver, as long as you’re open to surprises. First, subscribers choose to receive from one to four books, then complete a simple, two-minute questionnaire indicating preferred genres and highlighting a few favored authors and titles. Books are selected individually for each subscriber and arrive in a no-frills, branded envelope. I got a hardcover copy of Bright Shiny Morning by James Frey and a paperback of Summerlong by Dean Bakopoulos in excellent shape. The choices, both contemporary fiction, were books I probably wouldn’t have picked out on my own but was happy to try. If Used Books Monthly gets it wrong, email them to make adjustments for future shipments.
Price: one book for $5 per month up to four books for $17, plus shipping (we paid $5 for two books); three-, six-, or 12-month prepaid subscriptions are also available; prices vary
Cancellation and satisfaction policy: skip, pause, or cancel month-to-month subscriptions any time; individual books cannot be returned
Kids receive a festive three-book box with lots of handpicked goodies from a California children’s specialty store.
Price: three books for $30 per month, plus shipping; prepaid subscriptions are $89 for three months, $174 for six months, and $336 for one year
Cancellation and satisfaction policy: skip, pause, or cancel month-to-month subscriptions any time
This monthly children’s subscription focuses on equal representation, empathy, and understanding, offering age-specific and mixed ages options.
Price: one book for $10 per month plus shipping; prepaid subscriptions are available for three, six, and 12 months; prices range from $30 to $353 depending on the number of books
Cancellation and satisfaction policy: skip, pause, or cancel month-to-month subscriptions any time; no refunds for prepaid subscriptions; individual books cannot be returned or exchanged
The books in this quarterly offering feature characters who are racially and ethnically diverse, in the LGBTQ+ community, and have disabilities—people often underrepresented in children’s literature.
OurShelves boxes are delivered quarterly and emphasize groups underrepresented in children’s books. Choose to receive one or three books per box for kids 0 to 2, 2 to 5, 5 to 8, or of multiple ages. The mixed-age box we received included Baby Goes to Market, a counting board book set in an African market; Yaffa and Fatima Shalom, Salaam, a book about two best friends, one Jewish, one Muslim; and Mr. Watson’s Chickens, a funny, rhythmic story about a gay couple with 456 pet chickens.
Price: Three books per quarter is about $46 including shipping; five books per quarter runs from $65-$75 depending on the subscription. There is a discount of about $20 for prepaid yearly subscriptions.
Cancellation and satisfaction policy: skip, pause, or cancel subscriptions any time; individual books cannot be returned or refunded except in the case of damage
Fight censorship: Subscribe to the Banned Books Box, which sends a monthly box of recently blacklisted titles. Each themed box (ours were books banned in prisons) includes information about the ban (along with a QR code for further reading), plus related trinkets like pins, bookmarks, and stickers. Monthly prices vary from $19 (for one book with no extras) to $49 (two books with lots of other goodies), shipping included.
For aesthetically minded readers: Bookroo offers new and classic children’s books in uniform special editions with color-coordinated spines (so readers can get their shelf-wealth looking sharp). There are four age-specific options for kids from 0 to 12, and the two to three books arrive monthly in a snazzy branded box. Prices start at $20 per month plus shipping for one book.
We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See our gift guides here.
This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.
I discover, vet, and write about gifts of all kinds from my office in San Francisco. I am particularly drawn to all things shiny or bookish, but I try not to impose my taste more than is strictly necessary.
We’ve found dozens of well-priced, funny, lovely, and useful gifts to delight nearly anyone (even Harold in HR).
Since most bookworms acquire their own actual books, these gifts inspire, support, and enhance the joy of reading.
Watching my dad’s Storyworth book come together filled me with the joy that’s usually reserved for a parent witnessing their child take the stage for the first time.
Your mother-in-law provided you with a mate; she definitely deserves a gift for that.
Nail Polish Box Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).