Category: Literary Gifts

Review: September’s ‘Books that Matter’ subscription box

Regular readers of this blog will know that I have been a subscriber to the Books that Matter feminist book box for a few months.

Although I do generally like the books (more hits than misses so far), I was weighing up whether to continue with the subscription at £20 a month (including postage) as a lot of the things included were posters and leaflets that I didn’t really have much use for.

Has this month’s box changed my mind…?

My Review

This is a great box from Books that Matter!

Despite the usual gripes about the packaging (the outer box always looks squashed and a bit worse for wear), the contents were beautifully packed and put together.

The theme this month is ‘Strong Female Lead’ as a collaboration with Penguin Books whose distinctive design elements are evident throughout the box contents.

This month, the box contained:

  • ‘The Bastard of Istanbul’ by Elif Shafak
  • A wax melt from The Good Aura Company
  • Three pencils with slogans on (Strong Female Lead, Writer of My Own Story and I was not made to be subtle)
  • A Bird and Blend ‘fruit salad’ tea bag
  • A little Penguin book/leaflet containing an essay by Elif Shafak on sisterhood, family and strength
  • Two Penguin bookmarks
  • Three @cocoroses.uk art/slogan cards
  • A Books that Matter booklet about the box contents and contributors

Firstly, I’m really pleased with the book – I saw Elif Shafak interviewed at the Hay Festival a few years ago and have meant to investigate her work for quite a while. This book, about an extended Turkish family, looks excellent and I love the ‘bonus’ book containing an essay by the same writer.

The wax melt smells a bit sweet for my personal taste, but my daughter loves it so it has found a happy home.

I love the pencils – they look so smart and sassy!

I’ll absolutely use the tea bag, bookmarks and have already enjoyed a flick through the Books that Matter booklet. The art cards are pretty and – while I can’t immediately think what to do with them – appreciated.

Overall, this is a fabulous month for Books that Matter and I’ll definitely stick with my subscription.

Books That Matter – August Subscription Box Review

*SPOILER ALERT* Do not read if you are awaiting your own subscription box for this month!

This is my 4th month with ‘Books That Matter‘, the feminist subscription box that delivers a book and other treats to your door for the princely sum of £20 a month (including postage).

I’ll admit that I was sceptical about whether I’d get books I actually wanted to read (especially as I buy so many books) but 3/4 have been hits so far.

The Box

August’s box arrived, as they all do, having been well squashed by the postal service – the boxes are a bit flimsy, but the contents are usually just fine. As usual, everything is beautifully packed and opening the boxes is becoming a monthly treat.

Each of the monthly boxes is themed and this month is ‘Women of the World: Celebrating Women in Translation Month’ – a fab theme, I think, as I definitely am trying to read more from outside of my home nation, the UK.

August’s contents are:

  • The book ‘The Adventures of China Iron’ by Gabriela Cabezon Camara (translated by Fiona Mackintosh and Iona Macintyre)
  • A sew-on woven patch, branded Betty Ratbag, plus a postcard of the same design
  • A Woman of the World cookie (by M and H Cake)
  • A tube containing a ‘Put Her on the Map’ mini-poster
  • A sticker and bookmark of this month’s theme
  • Two booklets – one about the box contents and the other about pioneering women from around the world
The contents of the box (except poster)

My Thoughts

I’m really pleased with this month’s book choice. I’d not heard of the book or the writer before, but it looks absolutely brilliant. Reading the opening pages has definitely made me want to read more and it is on an area of the world (Argentina) that I know very little about – another excellent reason to read on.

I love the design of the patch and postcard, but I’m really not sure what use I have for it. Maybe if I was younger and more rebellious, it would be perfect – as it is, I’m a 40 year old mum and teacher who can’t really wear patches with naked women on! I can only think it would be too distracting for my pupils and my own kids…

Let’s face it, cookies are always welcome!

As for the rest of the box, I can only say it is very papery… the items are well-designed and the booklets interesting. I can definitely always find a home for a bookmark and sticker, although I will struggle to know what to do with the booklets once I’ve glanced through them and the poster isn’t something I’d want to put up. All very interesting, but probably not items I’d want to keep longer term.

The mini-poster

The Verdict

A fabulous themed box with a great book choice. Worth the subscription fee although, for me, not all the items quite hit the spot. I’ll definitely keep subscribing next month!