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Powell’s Books Indiespensable Subscription Review – Vol. 61

Andy
ByAndyNov 2, 2016 | 8 comments

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Powell's Indiespensable
4.8 overall rating
4 Ratings | 1 Reviews

Powell’s Books Indiespensable box is a subscription club delivering new books with special attention paid to independent publishers. It arrives every six to eight weeks and includes books and other surprises.

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My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

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The Subscription Box: Powell’s Books Indiespensable

The Cost: $39.95 a shipment (every 6 weeks)

The Products: Exclusive books and extras

Ships to: Worldwide

Check out all of our Powell’s Indiespensable reviews and all of our Book Subscription Box reviews!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

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Here I Am - Value for the hardcover book (not including the case) on Amazon $14.99 (retail price $28)

Here I Am by Jonathan Safran Foer is a beefy novel about a Jewish couple in the throes of divorce while also living in a dystopian world where an earthquake has flattened Israel. The story is funny, sad, and difficult to put down. 

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The packaging here is fantastic, and this is a specific Indiespensable edition, signed by the author. I’m really looking forward to finishing the story!

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Universal Harvester - Value $11.99 on Amazon (retail price $25)

Included as this month’s surprise item is an advance reader’s copy of Universal Harvester by John Darnielle, neatly packaged in an old VHS box.

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Darnielle is most well known for his time in The Mountain Goats, with whom he sings, plays guitar, and writes lyrics. He’s released 15 albums with the band and now has 3 novels under his belt. I have personally been looking forward to this book and was really excited to see this advance copy 4 months before it’s officially released!

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The book focuses on terror and suspense but in a very... relaxed way. Set in the late 90s, when VHS was still a thing, movies are being returned to a video rental shop with questionable footage spliced in during random scenes. The main protagonist is the young clerk who has to deal with the complaints and ends up trying to solve the mystery himself. It’s a great read, and fast, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Included in the box is a small book with an interview of Jonathan Safran Foer and some more details about the items included.

Verdict: Although the Amazon book values total $26.98, I think Powell’s Books Indiespensable is worth the $40 asking price, especially for this edition. The signed and limited edition hardcover is very cool and becomes an instant collector’s item, and the addition of the advance reader’s copy of a highly anticipated novel is icing on the cake.

What do you think of volume 61 from Powell’s Books Indiespensable?

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Powell's subscription club delivers the best new books, with special attention to independent publishers. Signed first editions. Inventive, original sets. Exclusive printings.... Every six weeks, another installment to read and admire.
Andy
Andy
Andy is a professional photographer and a vinyl record collector. He loves coffee, gin, craft beer, and playing disc golf. Getting mail is one of his favorite things and he buys a new record every week but tells his wife it's much less often.

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8 comments

Chris

OMG I need Universal Harvester by John Darnielle!
And I have to wait till February? 🙁
I loved Wolf. That book stuck in my head for weeks after I finished it.

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Miranda

Oooo I was hoping this was the most recent sub update for The Mothers, which I received just now in the mail :). I’m curious to what peeps feel about the 62 box!

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Paula

I received this last month and liked it. Indiespensable is one of my favorite subscriptions. My family owned a small video rental store in our small town for years, so the VHS cover on the book really made me smile. They always have interesting selections and I look forward to this subscription. I received Vol. 62 in the mail the day before yesterday so I am already started on that one!

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Jillian

The list is open right now too. I just signed up for volume 63! Yaaaaaay

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suzy

I’m so so jealous! I loved Wolf in White Van and I have been on pins and needles waiting for this to be released! You’ll have to let me know how it is since you get to read it so early!

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Andy

Same! I really enjoyed Wolf in White Van and was honestly astounded when I opened this up and saw the VHS box. The book is great, as I said it was a quick read, though Wolf was too. It’s hard to say much without giving story away, but if you liked Wolf in White Van, I think you’ll enjoy Universal Harvester too!

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suzy

oh, I just noticed that you read it already! Dumb me, I missed that part. 🙂 So you thought it was really good? I think the premise sounds so interesting.

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Andy

Yeah if the blurb on the back cover hooked you, I think you’ll enjoy the story.