Every year we ask you, our readers, to tell us your favorite subscription boxes. The results of the 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards are in! This list features our fellow subscription fanatics’ top choices for great reads!
From bestsellers to guilty pleasures, there’s a book subscription box for every genre and every reader. If you’re thinking of supporting your reading habit with a book subscription box, look no further than these recommendations from the My Subscription Addiction community!
To find the right monthly book club subscription for you, consider these tips: First, look for boxes on this list that ship books in your preferred genre! There are lots of options for new releases and YA and even romance, but it’s harder to find good subscriptions for non-fiction. (We’re listing the represented genres here so it’ll be easy to find a club for you.) Second, consider your personal reading speed. If you don’t always finish 1 or more books in a given month, be sure to look for subscriptions that allow you to skip if needed- or those that let you add-on books if you’re a voracious reader! Finally, decide if you want to keep the focus on the text or look for boxes that send extra goodies, too. If you love to read in the morning over a cup of coffee, you might even consider a coffee or tea subscription to really elevate your routine!
Here are the top reader-recommended monthly book subscriptions of 2021, spanning various genres and age ranges:
1. Book of the Month
Genres: Book of the Month has the widest selection of all the book clubs on this list, and includes new releases, fiction, young adult, non-fiction, and more.
The Cost: $14.99 per month. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! First book for $5 with code BOXEDUPCODE: BOXEDUP
What Our Readers Say:
“Your no fuss box. Just a great book choice for a great price.” – Nikkiaust17
“Couldn’t be happier with Book of the Month!” – Ellie
“From one of the original book subscription boxes that remains head and shoulders above the othes. I tried several but went back to the Book of the Month Club because of their offerings.” – Debra
About the Box: Book of the Month does it again! A recurring favorite among our community of readers, this monthly book subscription is fairly straightforward.
The BOTM team selects 5 new hardcover books for subscribers to choose from. You pick which title you’d like to receive on the first of the month, or you can let Book of the Month choose for you; if you’re not ready for a new title yet, you can choose to skip the month. Alternatively, if you’re tearing through books, you can add up to 2 additional books to your order for $9.99 each! You can browse each month’s selections before you sign up; they include new and early releases, Oprah’s book club selections, Young Adult picks, and more. You can browse from a huge library of selections to make your monthly choice, including thrillers and nonfiction, too.
Genres: Board books and picture books for children aged 0-7 years.
The Cost: Plans start $19.95 per month plus $4.95 shipping. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 30% off your first box!CODE: READING30
About the Box: Lillypost is a children’s book club for ages 0-7. Depending on your child’s age, you can choose to receive a selection of 4 board books, 3 picture books or a mixture each month, plus fun extras like stickers featuring their mascot Finley the Fox and details on their monthly coloring contest. For every box they ship, Lillypost also donates a book to a child in need.
3. OwlCrate
Genres: Young Adult (YA)
The Cost: $29.99 per month. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your order!CODE: OWLCRATEMSA10
What Our Readers Say:
“95% of the items in the OwlCrate box are actually things I currently use. If not, it is perfect to gift. I have not been disappointed by one box yet in over a year.” – Yolieville
“OwlCrate almost always give me a book I was wanting to read, or a book I never wanted to pick up but ended up loving. The extra goodies are more substantial and useful than other book boxes I’ve tried.” – Sofia
“You get some fun items along with the book.” – JodyE
About the Box: OwlCrate may be a YA book subscription, but adults love it, too! With your monthly membership you’ll receive a box featuring a new young adult title, accompanied by bookish items such as pins, accessories, small home goods, and other treats relevant to the theme. It’s a whole literary experience designed to surprise and delight!
Read our OwlCrate reviews and details to learn more. Ships worldwide.
4. Once Upon A Book Club
Genres: Varies; past books have included mystery, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and magical realism. They also offer a Young Adult box that features fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, mystery, and more.
The Cost: $49.99 per month, or $47.50 per month with longer subscription. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first box!CODE: ADDICTION10
What Our Readers Say:
“Once Upon A Book Club is amazing. The work and details gone into this box are outstanding. A true treat.” – Hallie
“Curated specifically toward the new release picked for the box, Once Upon a Book Club’s gifts are perfect for anyone from the avid reader to the newbie. Once Upon A Book Club has great customer service and an extensive array of social media platforms that are fun, engaging, and helpful for the customer.” – A
“Fantastic! I love how Once Upon A Book Club really brings the books to life!” – Wendy Waltrip
About the Box: If you think opening a literary subscription box each month is fun, just wait ’til you see what Once Upon A Book Club has in store! This sub sends a new book each month, paired with small gifts and surprises to coordinate with pages. Open each gift as you read and get ready to feel fully immersed in the story. This unique take on a monthly book club is great for readers young and old, and makes an exciting gift subscription, too!
Read our Once Upon a Book Club reviews and info to learn more! Ships to U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia.
5. Coffee & A Classic
Genres: Classic literature, classic non-fiction, and children’s classics
The Cost: Starts at $50.34 per month. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 20% off new month to month subscriptionsCODE: HOLIDAY21
About the Box: This subscription is just as cozy as it sounds! Coffee & A Classic sends a monthly pairing of a great book and something to drink, plus an on-theme extra or two. Note that coffee isn’t your only option—you can choose from single-serve tea or hot chocolate (with a “surprise me” option!), too. And you can also customize your book genre between Classic Literature, Classic Non-Fiction, or Children’s Classics. One last choice to make is between the Starter subscription ($38.98/month) or the Standard ($49.39/month)!
Read our Coffee & A Classic reviews and details to learn more. Ships worldwide.
6. Hunt A Killer
Genres: Murder Mystery
The Cost: Plans start at $30.00 per month + $3.95 shipping. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 25% off your first boxCODE: MSA25
What Our Readers Say:
“I love the concept of Hunt A Killer.” – Lola
About the Box: Hunt A Killer is not your typical book subscription box — it’s more like an escape room meets a murder mystery dinner party. Each month, you’ll receive a box of police files, autopsy descriptions, photos, audio files, and other evidence to help you solve an ongoing murder mystery. You’ll also gain access to their online community where you can play along with over 100,000 active members. Hunt a Killer is a fully immersive subscription experience. The only question now is are you up for it?
Read our Hunt A Killer reviews and details to learn more! Ships worldwide.
7. The Bookish Box
Genres: Young Adult or Adult options available; each send a number of different genres within romance, fantasy, mystery, and thriller.
The Cost: $12.00 per month for The Basic box or $30.00 per month for The Elite box. Subscribe here!
About the Box: Are you ready for a reading adventure? The Bookish Box subscription offers a plethora of options, inviting you to sign up for the precise literary experience you’re looking for. Offering many combinations of YA and adult books, The Basic box includes one book per month, while The Elite box offers one book plus 3 to 5 bookish novelty items, including shirts, stationery, skincare products, candles, and more. All extra accessories are centered around an exciting theme each month — that makes Bookish Box a unique and exciting treat for anyone who loves to read.
Check out our Bookish Box reviews and details to learn more. Ships worldwide.
8. Introverts Retreat
Genres: General fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, or young adult.
The Cost: $41 per month plus shipping. Save with a longer subscription. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 30% off your first box with a 3, 6, or 12-month subscriptionCODE: 30PERCENT
About the Box: Read, Relax & Recharge by Introverts Retreat is a monthly book subscription box that curates and combines literary favorites and self-care practices. Each box comes with a novel written by a female author along with a sweet snack, beverage, candle, bath salts, or soaps. You can pick a specific book to be delivered, or let Read, Relax & Recharge choose a novel for you from their wide variety of genres (general fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, or young adult are all available). This is the perfect subscription for anyone who values high-quality, self-care products — and hey, we think a good book is the perfect self-care accessory.
Read our Introverts Retreat reviews and details to learn more! Ships to U.S. for $9.49 and Canada and Canada for $17.99.
9. The Bookworm Box
Genres: Choose from Romance or Young Adult
The Cost: $6.99 per month for the Digital Box subscription (also available in YA), $23.99 for The Author Stalker Box, $33.99 for The Swag-tastic Box (also available in YA), and $43.99 for the It’s All About the Books Box. Save with longer subscriptions. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: 15% off first time subscribers CODE: BOOKWORMSFORACAUSE
About the Box: Not sure which YA or romance book to read next? Let The Bookworm Box decide for you! This book subscription box has various levels to choose from and offers a great collection of titles and bookish accessories. Each box includes a book autographed by the author (yes, each one), and higher subscription tiers also include fun book-related items such as an author letter, access to the e-book, and more. We also love that The Bookworm Box is a 501c3 non-profit and donates a portion of the proceeds from each box to charity.
Check out our Bookworm Box info to learn more. Ships to the U.S. for free, and for $14.99 to all other international destinations.
10. FairyLoot
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy
The Cost: Plans start at $33.90 per month. Subscribe here! Note: There is a wait list as of October 2021 that you will have to join before gaining access to this limited subscription.
About the Box: The FairyLoot box is a fantasy-themed YA book subscription based in the UK, intended for teens who love magical and mysterious literary worlds. Monthly boxes contain 5 to 6 exclusive, book-related surprises, in addition to a new YA novel. Teens will love reading along with the FairyLoot community!
Check out our FairyLoot reviews and details to learn more! Ships from the U.K. to most countries around the world for a variable cost. Shipping to the contiguous U.S. is $7.99, U.S. territories and military addresses for $18.99, and Canada for $16.99. for varying rates per country.
11. The Mental Wealth Box
Genres: Self-help and Journals
The Cost: $44.95 per month. Save with a longer subscription. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 20% off your first box with a 3 or 6 month subscription!CODE: SELFCARE20
About the Box: The Mental Wealth Box is a subscription box aimed at providing creative tools to help subscribers explore their mental health and practice self-care. Each box comes with 4 to 6 carefully curated items that provide knowledge, tools, and activities to better understand topics surrounding anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Select between the Anxiety Box or the Depression Box and receive books, journals, and other wellness products (such as healthy snacks and strengthening activities). Each themed box aims to improve self-care and understanding of oneself, while also extending kindness and serenity through various beauty products, essential oils, yoga techniques, journaling, and more.
Check out our “The Mental Wealth Box” reviews and details to learn more. Ships to the U.S. for $9.99.
12. My Thrill Club
Genres: Thriller, Horror, and Mystery.
The Cost: Plans start at $18.99 per month. Save with a longer subscription. Subscribe here!
About the Box: My Thrill Club is a monthly book subscription box that sends two hardcover novels you are certain to love. Select between thriller, horror, mystery, or a “surprise me” option, and dive right into a world of literature surrounding crime, espionage, and heaps of excitement.
Read our My Thrill Club reviews and details to learn more. Ships for free to the U.S.
13. The Book Drop
Genres: Options for children, middle grade, YA, and adult readers, with options in large print.
The Cost: Book plans range from $8.00 to $17.99, and the Jigsaw Puzzle of the Month for $24.00 (500 pieces) or $26.00 (1,000 pieces). Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! 5% off all new subscriptionsCODE: JOY5MSA
About the Box: The Book Drop is a book subscription box from independent bookstore Bethany Beach Books. They offer options for adults (including large print), young adults, middle grade readers, and children. With multiple subscriptions to choose between, some plans include tea, coffee, or bubbly, where others offer a monthly jigsaw puzzle. Each book comes with a note from the shop explaining why they’re eager to share the book with subscribers. Sign up to receive the genre group you’re most interested in, then wait for your lesser-known title to arrive in eco-friendly packaging.
Check out our The Book Drop reviews and details to learn more. Ships worldwide, except to Brazil, Colombia, & Peru.
14. Little Feminist Book Club
Genres: Options are available for kids aged 0-9. While there’s a focus on girls — as the name implies — we think any young reader will enjoy the content, and you don’t have to be a girl to be a feminist!
The Cost: $22.95 per month with $2.95 flat-rate shipping. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! 5% off all new subscriptionsCODE: JOY5MSA
ABOUT THE BOX: Little Feminist’s goal is to “diversify your bookshelf.” Per the service’s website, only 31% of children’s books feature a female character, while only 13% feature a person of color. This book subscription club highlights authors with engaging new perspectives, and each shipment includes hands-on activities to bring the book to life.
To that end, the curators spend about 6 months researching every selection. You’ll rarely find books that you’d see in stores — and the focus on body positivity, anti-racism, and inclusiveness is refreshing, to say the least. “I like knowing we have some quality and purposeful books on our shelves for years to come,” our reviewer wrote. The only drawback is the pricing: Little Feminist Book Club is relatively expensive at $26 per month, and the retail value of the books is often lower than the monthly rate. However, you’re paying for careful curation; given the company’s mission and the quality of their selections, we think they justify the price.
Check out our Little Feminist Book Club reviews and details to learn more. Ships worldwide, except to Brazil, Colombia, & Peru.
15. and the Story Begins
Genres: YA Fiction, Teen Fiction, Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Mystery/Thriller or let them surprise you.
The Cost: $17.95 per month. Save with a longer subscription. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 25% off your subscription!CODE: SPRING25
About the Box: and the Story Begins is a book subscription box that surprises readers with 2 hand-picked books from their favorite genre each month. You’ll get to discover new authors and exciting stories without the hassle of searching for books on your own. Each month and The Story Begins sends their curated picks in beautifully hand-wrapped packages, made from 100% recycled materials. This subscription is a perfect holiday, birthday, or anniversary gift for the book lover in your life.
Check out and the Story Begins reviews and details to learn more. Ships free to the U.S.
16. sachvui.co
Genres: YA, Sci-fi/Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Mystery/Thriller, Picture Books, Cookbooks and Military History
The Cost: Plans start at $9.99 per month. Save with a longer subscription. Subscribe here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! Save 25% off 3, 6, and 12-month subscriptionsCODE: SAVEMORE21
About the Box: sachvui.co is a subscription service for book lovers. There are eight different options: six monthly options are Teenage Dream (YA), Strange Worlds (science fiction/fantasy), Blind Date (paranormal romance), Thrill Seeker (mystery/thriller), Booking for Love (romance) and sachvui.co for Kids (picture books), there are also two quarterly options that ship every three months: Quarterly Cookbooks and Quarterly Military History. You’ll receive two hardcover books and a free gift each month. With this wide-ranging list of genres, this subscription truly offers something no matter what you love to read.
Check out our sachvui.co reviews and details to learn more. Ships to the U.S.
That’s it for the 2021 Subscription Box Award Winners in the Best Books category! Did your favorite literary subscription make the list?
