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.