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, and your ideal reading experience. Then Read Dog sends a monthly book that fits your preferences. (Plus some other treats to enjoy!) According to the founders, their most popular genres are fantasy, young adult, thriller, children's, nonfiction, and contemporary literature. The company takes books and the relationship we have with them seriously, so look forward to thoughtfully chosen stories picked just for you.
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: U.S. for free, Canada for $8.00, and the rest of the world for $15.00
Check out all of our Read Dog reviews and the Books Subscription Box Directory!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
This month's box is centered around Christmastime. The people behind this box seem to really value their subscribers, and they express that in this holiday note.
As usual, this box comes with a few fun promotional odds and ends, such as this paper bookmark, which features a great Murakami quote.
On the back, there's a snapshot of a Read Dog box.
Read Dog always includes a sticker of their (adorable!) logo, but this month, the puppy is wearing a Santa hat!
There are also some holiday odds and ends, like a candy cane, a peppermint, and two cinnamon sticks. Mine arrived a little broken, but no worries! I like breaking up my candy canes and eating them in bits, anyway.
Reindeer Food
I think Read Dog may have produced this little item? It's a tiny bag of oats and glitter, which the card instructs, should be sprinkled on the lawn on Christmas Eve to lure the reindeer.
This is a cute idea if you have kiddos around, but for me, it felt a little juvenile. I'm also not super comfortable with the idea of sprinkling glitter on my yard—I know it's the tiniest amount, but it feels like littering in a weird way. I wish it was just oats! Maybe if you put the mixture on a plate outside the door, so you could clean it up in the morning?
Fox Print Card
Foxes are some of my favorite animals, so I like this little illustration. It's printed on simple postcard-weight paper and isn't packaged in a sleeve or anything.
Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Mix, 1.5 oz. - Value $0.60
I'm a big fan of cocoa (well, all things chocolate, really), so I was stoked to see this packet in the box! Usually, Read Dog includes tea in their boxes, but 'tis the season for something sweet.
The flavor of this cocoa is richer than you'd get with typical grocery store hot cocoa packets. I had mine in warm milk rather than water since it makes it a bit thicker. According to the package, you could also add it to coffee to make a mocha, which is a great idea!
Holiday Finger Puppets
There are two finger puppets in the box—one reindeer and one polar bear. I thought at first that they were pencil toppers, but I think the opening is a bit too big for that purpose.
They're made of soft, squishy plastic. They also sit up nicely on their own, so if you're not in the mood for a puppet show, you could just use these to ornament your mantle or holiday table.
As cute as these toys are, they don't add as much value as I'd like. Again, they skew a little young. Based on the note that came with the box, I think the Read Dog folks are looking to help you reminisce about holidays past.
Here's this guy from the bottom.
The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian - Value $13.46 on Amazon (retail price $14.99)
Finally, the book! This month, we have a story about a gal who falls into a quirky, supernatural situation when she finds she's brought a gargoyle along to her new home. The writing and story are light and playful—I've had a few legit giggles so far!
Book Summary on Amazon:
Unpacking her belongings in her new hometown of Portland, Oregon, herbalist and reformed alchemist Zoe Faust can’t help but notice she’s picked up a stowaway. Dorian Robert-Houdin is a living, breathing three-and-half-foot gargoyle―not to mention a master of French cuisine―and he needs Zoe’s expertise to decipher a centuries-old text. Zoe, who’s trying to put her old life behind her, isn’t so sure she wants to reopen her alchemical past . . . until the dead man on her porch leaves her no choice.
Verdict: This month's Read Dog box wasn't the strongest box I've ever received, though I liked the Christmas sentiment. I'd worry that the Christmas items might be a bit alienating if that's not a holiday you celebrate, too. The bigger issue for me is that, apart from the book, the items in the box are a little underwhelming. There's about an $18.00 difference between the cost of the box and the $31.99 cost of the book, which means the cocoa, candies, print card, and puppets have to make up that difference. I'm not convinced they do, despite being very cute and festive.
What do you think of this month's Read Dog box?
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