Powell’s Books Indiespensable Subscription Review – Vol. 51
Powell’s Books Indiespensable is a book subscription box that ships every 6 weeks. So many readers recommended this box that I had to sign up!
FYI – this subscription is currently sold out, but they open it up every month or so.
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
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 my Powell’s Indiespensable reviews!
The box comes with a little booklet that details the items in the box, why they were chosen, and includes additional exclusives, like an interview with author Cecilia Ekbäck:
Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekbäck – Value ? (Retail Value of hardcover is $26)
This book comes with an custom slipcase made just for subscribers. And it is signed:
Here is the synopsis from Amazon:
Swedish Lapland, 1717. Maija, her husband Paavo and her daughters Frederika and Dorotea arrive from their native Finland, hoping to forget the traumas of their past and put down new roots in this harsh but beautiful land. Above them looms Blackåsen, a mountain whose foreboding presence looms over the valley and whose dark history seems to haunt the lives of those who live in its shadow.
While herding the family’s goats on the mountain, Frederika happens upon the mutilated body of one of their neighbors, Eriksson. The death is dismissed as a wolf attack, but Maija feels certain that the wounds could only have been inflicted by another man. Compelled to investigate despite her neighbors’ strange disinterest in the death and the fate of Eriksson’s widow, Maija is drawn into the dark history of tragedies and betrayals that have taken place on Blackåsen. Young Frederika finds herself pulled towards the mountain as well, feeling something none of the adults around her seem to notice.
As the seasons change, and the “wolf winter,” the harshest winter in memory, descends upon the settlers, Paavo travels to find work, and Maija finds herself struggling for her family’s survival in this land of winter-long darkness. As the snow gathers, the settlers’ secrets are increasingly laid bare. Scarce resources and the never-ending darkness force them to come together, but Maija, not knowing who to trust and who may betray her, is determined to find the answers for herself. Soon, Maija discovers the true cost of survival under the mountain, and what it will take to make it to spring.
Smellbound Journal – Value $5
In the letter Powell’s mentioned they included this notebook in case you find yourself snowed in and find the inspiration to write a novel of your own.
Blackbird Food Co. Classic Strong Man Granola – Value $10
We’ve received this granola once before in a Fancy Food box, and my husband loves it. (Plus I like that they include food from local Portland businesses!)
Verdict: This is one of those boxes that isn’t easy to put a retail value on, but I definitely feel like I got my money’s worth in this box. Plus getting a signed hardcover book with custom slipcase just makes this box feel special! And I’m excited to start reading Wolf Winter.
What do you think of the latest volume from Powell’s Indiespensable?
Written by Liz Cadman
As a total book junkie i’ve been trying to subscribe to this for ages but no luck – I keep missing it 🙁 Happy reading to those of you who are subscribed. Let us know what the latest box is like 🙂
volume 52 is up for sign up, mailing April 8. Just grabbed a subscription to this one and thought I would share 🙂
The April box is already sold out! Can’t believe it sold out in 3 days
If anyone knows when subscriptions will become available again, I would be very grateful if you would post it here. Thanks!
Have you heard of Uppercase? They send a YA book every month. I’d love to see what you think of it. http://www.uppercasebox.com/
I actually just signed up for that subscription a few weeks ago! 🙂 Hopefully my first book will arrive soon.
Hey just wondering if everyone has received theirs I tried to track mine but it just stopped and I have no idea what happened 🙁 I emailed them I can’t wait to get my hands in this does anyone know if their shipping takes a while
I was so devastated when I saw an email from Powell’s Indiespensable stating that I would start my subscription with Volume 73, but then received another email (an e Receipt) stating that they had already shipped my box! I guess it must’ve been a typo? (I know, it’s the weirdest thing ever) but anyways, I’m so thrilled to be receiving my first box soon!!! <3
And by the way thank you Liz as you were the first person I heard talking about this subscription! <3
In early 2015, I read that Japanese tidying book that everyone has been reading and it changed my views about subscription boxes. I went from receiving about, gulp, 15/month and now I’m down to only 2- this one and Sudsy Box. I really tried to think about which boxes always delight me and more importantly, which ones do I always use, and those were really the only two. I should thank Nina Garcia for pushing me in this direction. The only thing I use from that box is that mug. And it’s only a matter of time before I break it by accident. I love this box with my whole heart.
I just bought that tidying book,lol. I love thus box and have been on the Fence about cancelling Book riot which is why I subscribed. After reading your comment, I will have to think long and hard!
I’m glad that Liz and the newer subscribers to Indiespensables are enjoying the monthly boxes. It is definitely in the top 3 of all my subscriptions.
Powell’s invests a great deal of time choosing the perfect book and interviewing the author. In the past they have selected many award winning books (way before they’ve even won literary awards) and just the opposite, books by first time published authors. I used to be so picky when it came to buying books. However, after more than a year with Indiespensables, I have been thrilled with all of their selections. Plus, I think it says a lot for Powell’s ability to choose books that appeal to (almost) every reader.
For those who haven’t been unable to subscribe, keep trying. It might be a good idea to check back after they begin their mailings because there are always subscribers who don’t renew for one reason or another.
Can you tell how I really feel about this subscription? HA! I’m really just a simple book nerd. 😉
I was so excited to receive my first box from Indiespensable and I am not disappointed. I think that their presentation is beautiful. I love that Powelss’s includes a little booklet with the authour interview. I think the little ‘extras’ are fun. I can’t wait to get reading!
Are any of you active on GoodReads? Maybe we should set up a group there where we can review books that we have received in subscription boxes?!?!
Jane – I love that idea! I’m not too familiar with GoodReads, but let me know what I can do to get a subscription box book club going! 🙂
I’m active on GoodReads! I’d looooove a little book club group, and would totally participate.
Jane,
What a great idea. Count me in too!
KS
I think that would be so fun!
Agreed! I’m not active as I would love to, but count me in! I think its a great idea!
Yes, I love this idea! Has it been done?
Just opened my box and was so happy with how beautiful the slipcase and book are! I also of course am excited to read the book itself, but I love how beautiful these look on my shelf. Totally worth the cost of subscription, and that’s coming from someone who goes to the library every weekend because I don’t like spending money on books because I just read too much to make it worth it (and also I’m broke. Haha). But this is worth the splurge, especially with the fun extras. I’m excited about the granola but I’m a little disappointed I can’t find nutrition info anywhere… Makes me nervous to eat, since I know granola is one of those tricky foods that SEEMS healthy but is often sky high in calories. 😉
I’ve been wanting to get this subscription but every time their website says it’s sold out & due to the popularity, no subscriptions are available at this time. I’ll keep checking in hopes that they re-open to new subscriber. Powell’s is one of my favorite bookstores and a must stop each time I’m in Portland.
This was my first Indiespensable box and I loved it! I love historical fiction so this book is right up my alley. The granola is amazing!!
Mine is on the way! Can’t wait to get it!
Hi Liz, do you know if you have to resubscribe each time, or is it automatically renewed each time?
It automatically charges you each shipment – no need to re-order 🙂
Thank you!