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Book of the Month Subscription Review + Coupon – March 2016

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanMar 12, 2016 | 11 comments

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Book of the Month
4.1 overall rating
37 Ratings | 13 Reviews

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Book of the Month is a monthly book subscription box. Each month, 5 curators pick out their favorite new hardcover books, and you can choose which one you want to receive on the first of the month. You can also add up to 2 additional books for only $9.99 each.

And right now Book of the Month has a limited time deal - use coupon code PATCH15 to save $15 off a 3-month subscription - that brings the cost down to under $10 a book.

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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: Book of the Month

The Cost: $16.99 a month (less with 3 and 12 month subscriptions)

The Product: Subscribers get to pick from a selection of hardcover books each month.

Ships to: US Only

Check out all of my Book of the Month reviews!

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

For March, subscribers picked from the following 5 books:

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I decided to buy an additional two books for $9.99 as well.

My first selection:

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A Thousand Naked Strangers by Kevin Hazzard – Retail Value $25 (On Amazon for $15.62)

Book Summary from Amazon:

A former paramedic’s visceral, poignant, and mordantly funny account of a decade spent on Atlanta’s mean streets saving lives and connecting with the drama and occasional beauty that lies inside catastrophe.

In the aftermath of 9/11 Kevin Hazzard felt that something was missing from his life—his days were too safe, too routine. A failed salesman turned local reporter, he wanted to test himself, see how he might respond to pressure and danger. He signed up for emergency medical training and became, at age twenty-six, a newly minted EMT running calls in the worst sections of Atlanta. His life entered a different realm—one of blood, violence, and amazing grace.

Thoroughly intimidated at first and frequently terrified, he experienced on a nightly basis the adrenaline rush of walking into chaos. But in his downtime, Kevin reflected on how people’s facades drop away when catastrophe strikes. As his hours on the job piled up, he realized he was beginning to see into the truth of things. There is no pretense five beats into a chest compression, or in an alley next to a crack den, or on a dimly lit highway where cars have collided. Eventually, what had at first seemed impossible happened: Kevin acquired mastery. And in the process he was able to discern the professional differences between his freewheeling peers, what marked each—as he termed them—as “a tourist,” “true believer,” or “killer.”

Combining indelible scenes that remind us of life’s fragile beauty with laugh-out-loud moments that keep us smiling through the worst, A Thousand Naked Strangers is an absorbing read about one man’s journey of self-discovery—a trip that also teaches us about ourselves.

I always try to get some non-fiction in the mix so I have something read at night. (While I love a fictional can't-put-down book, those aren't always good at midnight!) This one might still fall into the can't-put-down category, though!

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Each book is selected by a judge, and each judge includes a brief letter on why they selected the book.
Now onto my two extra selections. (These were $9.99 each to add on).

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The Profiteers: Bechtel and the Men Who Built the World by Sally Denton – Retail Value $30 (On Amazon for $19.23)

Book Summary from Amazon:

From the bestselling coauthor of The Money and the Power (which the Los Angeles Times called “one of the most important nonfiction books published in a half century”)—the inside story of the Bechtel family and the empire they’ve controlled since the construction of the Hoover Dam.

The tale of the Bechtel family dynasty is a classic American business story. It begins with Warren A. “Dad” Bechtel, who led a consortium that constructed the Hoover Dam. From that auspicious start, the family and its eponymous company would go on to “build the world,” from the construction of airports in Hong Kong and Doha, to pipelines and tunnels in Alaska and Europe, to mining and energy operations around the globe.

I think this is the first time I've seen a book cover with the Book of the Month logo - have you received a book marked before?

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And each book this month also came with this temporary tattoo from guest judge Craig Ferguson:

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The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom – Retail Value $26 (On Amazon for $12.99)

Book Summary from Amazon:

Mitch Albom creates his most unforgettable fictional character—Frankie Presto, the greatest guitarist to ever walk the earth—in this magical novel about the bands we join in life and the power of talent to change our lives.

In his most stunning novel yet, the voice of Music narrates the tale of its most beloved disciple, young Frankie Presto, a war orphan raised by a blind music teacher in a small Spanish town. At nine years old, Frankie is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings.

But Frankie’s talent is touched by the gods, and his amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the 20th century, from classical to jazz to rock and roll, with his stunning talent affecting numerous stars along the way, including Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Wynton Marsalis and even KISS.

Frankie becomes a pop star himself. He makes records. He is adored. But his gift is also his burden, as he realizes, through his music, he can actually affect people’s futures—with one string turning blue whenever a life is altered.

At the height of his popularity, Frankie Presto vanishes. His legend grows. Only decades later, does he reappear—just before his spectacular death—to change one last life.

With its Forest Gump-like romp through the music world, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. A lifelong musician himself, Mitch Albom delivers a remarkable novel, infused with the message that “everyone joins a band in this life” and those connections change us all.

The great news about Book of the Month is you can skip any month you aren't interested in, and you can also buy books from previous months as add-ons for $9.99. After reading some MSA reader recommendations of this book in the comments of last's month's review - I had to buy it!

Thanks in advance to everyone who recommended it!

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 Verdict:  I'm very pleased with the value of my Book of the Month subscription. The prices are better than Amazon for new hardcover releases - I don't know how they do it! Plus I love the curated selection each month and getting to pick a book (or more than one) each month. It pushes me out of my reading comfort zone, and gets new books on my radar!

What do you think of the Book of the Month subscription? Which book (or books) did you pick this month?

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Book of the Month is a popular online subscription service for books that helps millennial women discover the best new reads. We announce a curated selection of between 5 - 7 new and early release hardcover books every month. Members choose one on the site, and we ship it to them in a bright blue... read more.

Liz Cadman
Liz Cadman
Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

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11 comments

Regan

I received a thousand naked strangers yesterday and have not been able to put it down so far! He writes really well and has a great sense of humor plus hello the crazy stories this guy has.

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Liz Cadman

That’s great to hear! I think I’ll start reading it tonight! 🙂

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Susan

Being a piping designer who works for one of Bechtels competitors – I think the book about the Bechtels would be very interesting. Plus the Hoover dam kind of fascinates me. I had no idea he was involved in that.

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Maribel:)

I’ve always been an avid book reader, but it’s hard to do with four little ones 🙂 However, the reviews for these books made it a must have subscription for me! Only picked the “Queen” and the “Moors,” but I really wanted all of them ?

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JoEtta Crawford

After reading your review last month I decided I had to sign up. What I like is the selections pull me out of my comfort zone and I find books I maybe never would have read. Just finished reading “The Sound of Gravel” and if you haven’t read it I highly recommend it. I added it with my choice from last month and am so glad I did. That woman’s story is amazing and it’s also a well-written book too. Chose “The Queen of the Night” and your pick “A Thousand Naked Strangers” this month because as a nurse I had to read that book. This to me is the most rewarding subscription I have and really you can’t beat the price for a hardback book. I don’t know how BOTM does it either.

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Utena

I also received my books from BOTM the other day and was so excited! I also chose A Thousand Naked Strangers with All Things Cease to Appear as my extra book. Currently, I’m in All Things Cease to Appear as I’ve been looking for a new thriller/ghost story/ creepy story to read. It’s beautifully written and establishes a dark, eerie “is someone/something there?” vibe. Am very much looking forward to seeing where or who the monsters are in this story. BOTM is my current favorite subscription and loving all of my books!

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starlet

I received my copy of The Profiteers today as well and it is the first time that I have seen the Book of the Month logo imprinted on the front of the dust jacket as well. This is my third month with BOM and I love it. I am an avid reader and their picks are really good and I would have to combine coupons and discounts in most places to get a new hardcover for this price. I can’t get new hardcovers this cheap at Costco or Barnes & Noble.

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Melissa

I chose Queen of the Night. It arrived today and also had the BOTM logo on the cover. It is smaller than standard hardcover. Interesting. I wonder if certain publishers are doing this for BOTM.

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Liz Cadman

Thanks for letting me know this is the first time you’ve seen the book of the month logo too – I was wondering if I had missed it all these months!

And glad to hear you love Book of the Month too! ?❤️

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Ragan

If you’re buying books to keep for yourself, the BotM logo doesn’t matter much. But “book club” editions are not going to have the same value as regular editions (especially if you are thinking about selling them later). They are usually printed using cheaper materials and may not be the same size as the standard edition. Authors may not get nearly the same royalty amount for them, either, as they would for new hardcovers (this is usually built into the publishing contract). It is how book clubs can offer items for cheap relative to bookstore prices.