Book Subscriptions Gift Guide // Bookmas Day 3

I couldn’t do a Bookmas gift guide without talking subscriptions! For this post, I picked four different book subscriptions and explained why I think they’d make great gifts.

I do want to note that some of these book subscription services are so popular that they actually have a waitlist. You might be wondering: why include them in a gift guide? Well, firstly, you never know—they may open up more spots. Secondly, I think it’s a great idea to add your name to the list. It could be perfect for next Christmas, another gifting occasion, or just because it’s Tuesday.

Illumicrate

Illumicrate is a popular subscription box—and one that often has a waitlist. Over the years, they’ve expanded to cater to fans of romance, fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, offering incredible books in each genre. Some subscriptions are monthly, while others, like the Evernight Horror Box, are quarterly.

Each book is a new release and often features unique cover art, sprayed edges, and custom elements such as foiling and exclusive endpaper artwork. Additionally, Illumicrate offers a box option that includes exclusive merchandise alongside the book.

For this gift guide, I want to highlight the Afterlight Romance book subscription in particular. If you’re a romance reader, there are always so many new releases, no matter the time of year. Having the option to buy not only a gorgeous book but one selected by other romance reader fans is incredibly helpful. I’ve seen many reviews where readers mentioned loving the book that month—often saying they either wouldn’t have thought to pick it up or didn’t even know it was being released!

Link to website: https://www.illumicrate.com/

FairyLoot

Another monthly subscription box with a waitlist, FairyLoot is just as popular in the UK as Illumicrate. Featuring Young Adult (YA) and Adult fantasy books, this option is perfect for those looking to embark on adventures in other worlds.

Carefully curated each month, the books come with special cover designs and features such as sprayed edges, foiling, and exclusive artwork. The YA subscription also has an option to include exclusive merchandise.

I’ve had a couple of FairyLoot books over the year, and when I say they are stunning, “stunning” doesn’t even do them justice. In my opinion, this subscription box is the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys YA books or is just starting to explore that age range. What sets FairyLoot apart, though, is the ability to combine boxes. If you want to give more variety to the recipient, you can choose from different combinations of book boxes!

Link to website: https://fairyloot.com/

Book Of The Month (USA & Canada Only)

This is for my American and Canadian blog readers—and if you’re in the UK like me, you’ll definitely feel envious. Book of the Month is a US-based book subscription service known for being easy to use and flexible.

Each month, Book of the Month gives members a choice of 5-7 new releases or early editions of highly anticipated books. You have until the 6th of the month to log into your account and make your selection. There’s also the option to add up to two more books to your order from their store at an additional cost. Another great feature is the ability to skip a month! If none of the selections appeal to you, you can skip the month, and your credit will roll over to the next month.

I also really love the flexibility of choice. Some subscribers may already have other book boxes, and if a book featured in Book of the Month’s lineup overlaps, you can simply pick something else—no duplicates! Another great perk is that you can use your credits to buy audiobooks instead, all through the Book of the Month app. Plus, there’s an option to purchase extra credits if needed.

When I say I want this subscription, I mean I need it. It’s so frustrating that Book of the Month doesn’t offer international shipping (yet?). Every month, I find myself browsing their website to see the latest selections because I know they’ll recommend great books. This subscription is exactly what I’d want in a book box, and if they ever expand to the UK, I’d not only want it gifted to me—I’d probably apply to work there too!

Link to website: https://www.bookofthemonth.com/

Bookishly

Bookishly is one of the cosiest, most charming book subscription services. They cater to readers with a variety of themed subscription boxes. For example, you could receive a box with extra goodies, such as a tea or coffee subscription, or you could choose a box that focuses solely on books, with themes like Jane Austen, James Bond, or Crime.

With a strong emphasis on enhancing the reading experience, Bookishly is perfect for those who love to indulge in literary-inspired goodies alongside their new reads.

What I really enjoy about Bookishly is its connection to classic literature. Not everyone is after the newest releases, and this is a great way to expand someone’s reading while keeping their favourite genres in mind. The poetry box is also a standout feature for the brand, as I don’t see many of those around.

Bookishly is very simple to use. You choose from a variety of subscription durations—monthly, every three months, four months, and so on. You can also opt for additional merchandise, like mugs, where you can pick a design. I really like how easy it is to build a personalised reading experience. It makes gifting a book subscription that much easier. It’s also great that you can purchase a subscription for a set number of months, meaning there’s a clear beginning and end. If you’d prefer a recurring subscription, Bookishly offers those on their Tea and Book Club webpage.

Link to website: https://www.bookishly.co.uk/
For recurring subscriptions: https://www.teaandbookclub.com/

And there are four choices of book subscriptions you could gift for Christmas. Which one would you want gifted?

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As always, thanks for reading…

Hannah Marie x