Read Dog is a monthly book subscription box that sends something to read along with other goodies in each box.
You can get or gift a Read Dog subscription. When you sign up, you'll tell the company a little about yourself, like your age, favorite genres—there's even a field to describe your ideal reading experience. Then Read Dog will send a monthly book and surprises that fit your preferences. The company is still small enough that they can be thoughtful about choosing the perfect book for individual subscribers. According to the founders, their most popular genres are fantasy, young adult, thriller, children's, nonfiction, and contemporary literature.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
The Subscription Box: Read Dog
The Cost: $31.99 per monthly box (less if you sign up for multiple months up front)
The Products: One book per month and small gifts, too.
Ships to: US for free, Canada for $8.00, and the rest of the world for $15.00
Check out the Books Subscription Box Directory and make sure to add Read Dog to your subscription list or wishlist!
The info card for the August 2016 Read Dog box includes a sincere note from the creators of Read Dog, who are officially setting off on their subscription box adventure. Do books help you feel grounded? I find that reading often helps me shake a stressy mind.
The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro - Value $18.49 on Amazon (retail price $26.95)
I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but this velvety hardcover is so magical. Ishiguro is probably best known for the book Never Let Me Go, which inspired the movie of the same name. This novel is historical fiction of a sort, rather than sci-fi, but it still feels just as hauntingly fantastical.
Book Summary on Amazon:
From the author of Never Let Me Go and the Booker Prize-winning The Remains of the Day
The Romans have long since departed and Britain is steadily declining into ruin. But, at least, the wars that once ravaged the country have ceased. Axl and Beatrice, a couple of elderly Britons, decide that now is the time, finally, for them to set off across this troubled land of mist and rain to find the son they have not seen for years, the son they can scarcely remember. They know they will face many hazards—some strange and otherworldly—but they cannot foresee how their journey will reveal to them the dark and forgotten corners of their love for each other. Nor can they foresee that they will be joined on their journey by a Saxon warrior, his orphan charge, and a knight—each of them, like Axl and Beatrice, lost in some way to his own past, but drawn inexorably toward the comfort, and the burden, of the fullness of a life’s memories.Sometimes savage, sometimes mysterious, always intensely moving, Kazuo Ishiguro’s first novel in a decade tells a luminous story about the act of forgetting and the power of memory, a resonant tale of love, vengeance, and war.
Good Earth Tea Bag in Sweetly Twisted - Value $0.33
Good Earth Tea Bag in Sweet & Spicy - Value $0.33
One of the Read Dog founders mentions her love of tea on the site, so it makes sense these two bags would appear inside the box. And wow, what unique flavors! Both are uniquely aromatic blends of citrus and almost floral notes. What a totally different spin on typical tea.
Vitamin Ballpen - Value $0.12
Oh, hello there, little pen! This smiling pen retracts into a tiny pill shape for simple storage. It's not the highest quality pen I've ever held (the expandable segments aren't super heavy plastic, and they rattle a little bit as I write...) but the cuteness factor makes up for it.
Reusable Tote Bag - Value $0.41 (based on similar items)
Never Judge a Book by Its Movie Pin - Value $1.50
The tote bag, which I think is made of some kind of vinyl or rayon, is very useful, but pretty basic. There's no graphic or anything—just a big bright blue bag. The little button does give it a little character, though. It's a cute saying, and relevant given the book-to-movie past of this month's author.
Oh, wait! There's more!
When I was reading the book, this little bonus surprise fell out from between the pages! It's a bookmark featuring a Vonnegut quote and a cool Read Dog sticker. What a nice reward for digging into a good book!
Verdict: I was pleasantly surprised by Read Dog! This new subscription box wasn't the most extravagant book box I've seen, but the simple surprises and intriguing read made it a fun treat to receive. The cost of the box was a bit more than the value of this month's items (which totaled $21.18), but if you're looking for a fun way to get new book recommendations, this is a convenient and fun way to do so.
What's your first impression of Read Dog? Do you have a favorite genre you'd sign up for?
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