June 2024

As an avid reader and self-proclaimed collector of beautiful books, I’ve found myself on a rollercoaster ride of subscriptions, cancellations, and re-subscriptions over the years. My journey has taken me through the offerings of Bookish Box, Illumicrate, Fairyloot, and more recently, OwlCrate’s new quarterly model. Each box has its unique charms, challenges, and changes, reflecting the dynamic nature of this industry. In this post (which I intend on keeping updated) I’ll dive deep into my recent experiences, sharing insights on how these services have adapted (or not) to the changing demands of bibliophiles like myself. Whether you’re a seasoned subscriber or a curious newcomer, my hope is that this post will help keep you informed of the current landscape, examining everything from design quality and book selection to shipping woes and industry trends. Buckle up, fellow book lovers – we’re about to embark on a comprehensive tour of the book box world! Bookish Box In 2023, Bookish Box held a special place in my heart as my first-ever subscription service. Their commitment to featuring indie authors and discovering new, exciting books for both their subscription service and special editions was truly commendable. I was consistently impressed by their unique and beautifully designed editions, featuring custom-designed covers, stunning hardcover designs, and signed copies. Their community engagement was also noteworthy, with regular sneak peeks, responsiveness to requests, and participation in chats and reading challenges. However, Bookish Box’s ambition to do it all – multiple subscription offerings and frequent special edition releases – sometimes led to quality control issues. I encountered errors in some books, which was frustrating despite my love for the custom components. They later hired proofreaders, but this was after I had cancelled my subscription. Additionally, the company’s sometimes defensive responses to negative feedback and the occasionally mean-spirited community left a sour taste. Despite these issues, I still believed Bookish Box was a great option for those wanting to support indie authors and receive unique, beautifully designed editions. UPDATE (2024): I’ve recently resubscribed to Bookish Box, but this time to their Darkish Box, as these selections align more closely with my current reading preferences. However, my experience has been mixed: Shipping Delays: Despite signing up in February, I’m yet to receive my first order four months later. This ongoing issue with shipping and fulfillment is concerning. Change in Fulfillment: Bookish Box has recently changed fulfillment companies and claims to be on track to catch up by the end of July. While I’m skeptical given their track record, I’m cautiously optimistic about this potential turning point. Design Quality: I can’t comment on current design quality due to not receiving any boxes yet. However, their commitment to intricate designs (double-sided dust-jackets, redesigned covers, custom hardbacks, art endpapers, sprayed edges, all signed) remains a significant draw. Shipping Costs: They’ve introduced higher shipping fees, which has caused some controversy among subscribers. While I understand the need for sustainable pricing, it’s an additional cost to consider. Subscriber Perks: Their Member Day events and early access to special editions remain attractive features. These can be particularly useful for completing series collections. Focus on Indie Authors: This remains a key selling point for me, as I value supporting independent voices in the community. Discontinuation of YA Box: It’s worth noting that their YA Book Box is no longer available, reflecting a shift in their product offerings. Despite the ongoing shipping issues, I’m willing to give Bookish Box another chance due to the uniqueness of their designs and their support for indie authors. However, my patience is not infinite, and I’ll be closely monitoring their progress in resolving these longstanding issues. Illumicrate In 2023, Illumicrate stood out as a top-tier book subscription service. Their strong relationships with traditional publishers allowed them to consistently offer highly anticipated new releases from established authors. As a seasoned player in the subscription service market, Illumicrate had honed their skills in managing customer expectations. Even when faced with delays, their communication remained clear and accountable, setting them apart from competitors. While their editions may not have always had the fanciest bells and whistles, they consistently delivered high-quality books. These were often signed by the author and featured unique endpapers or sprayed/stenciled edges, making them coveted collector’s items. In addition to their Book Only subscription, Illumicrate offered the Afterlight bi-monthly service focusing on contemporary romances. Although there wasn’t a book-only option for Afterlight, the inclusion of 2-3 treats made it excellent value for money. One of Illumicrate’s standout features was their flexible skip policy. Subscribers could easily skip a month when the book didn’t appeal or when budgets were tight. This seamless process allowed for unlimited skips, contrasting favorably with Bookish Box’s limit of three skips per year. Illumicrate also excelled in handling special edition sales, offering active subscribers early access a week before the general public. This ensured that loyal customers had a fair chance at securing these sought-after editions. Overall, in 2023, Illumicrate proved to be a reliable and consistent subscription service, offering high-quality books and excellent customer service. UPDATE (2024): I’ve recently resubscribed to Illumicrate’s Afterlight subscription after a brief hiatus, and I’ve noticed several positive changes: Enhanced Book Designs: The book designs are now more intricate and elevated, making them even more collectible. Monthly Format: Afterlight has transitioned from bi-monthly to a monthly subscription, offering more frequent bookish delights. Book-Only Focus: They’ve removed the 2-3 treats, focusing solely on the books. As someone primarily interested in beautiful editions, this change aligns perfectly with my preferences. Diverse Book Selection: The book choices continue to offer a great mix of M/F romances and LGBTQ representation, catering to diverse reading tastes. Early Access Perk: As an Afterlight subscriber, I still benefit from early access to exclusive editions, though I haven’t taken advantage of this recently as their recent offerings haven’t appealed to me personally. Flexible Skip Option: The skip option remains generous, allowing up to 11 months of skips. I’ve already utilized this to skip the next three months as the selections