Powell's Books Indispensable is a book subscription box by the iconic bookstore in Portland, Oregon.
Every 6-8 weeks, subscribers will receive another box of expertly curated new books with a focus on indie publishers. Note that this subscription raised its prices somewhat recently. Here's what they said:
Dear valued Indiespensable subscriber,
As the curators of Indiespensable, we place the highest importance on offering unique, collectible books along with additional value that exceeds the amount we charge per installment.
Since we launched the program in 2008, we have maintained our commitment to these high standards. Unfortunately, the cost of books, slipcases, and shipping has climbed significantly. We must regrettably recover some of those cost increases in order to continue providing the same value and quality you expect from the Indiespensable program.
Effective with Volume 66, Borne by Jeff VanderMeer, our new volume price will be $44.95.
Thank you for your continued commitment to Indiespensable. We hope to bring you many more wonderful volumes in the future.
Sincerely,
The Indiespensable team
My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About Powell's Indiespensable Book Subscription
The Subscription Box: Powell's Books Indiespensable
The Cost: $44.95 a shipment (every 6-8 weeks) + free US shipping
The Products: Thoughtfully curated new books, with an interest in indie authors, plus fun extras
Ships to: Shipping is free in the US and $12.00 per package outside the US.
Powell's Indiespensable Volume 71
There are two books in this month's box—a hardcover and a paperback—plus a special treat. Let's check it out:
I love how each installment of this box includes a little booklet introducing the book and the featured author. There's also always a short interview that gives some perspective on the author's approach.
Red Clocks by Leni Zumas - Estimated Value $19.72
This is a special edition of this month's book that comes with an autographed front page and a sleek cardboard sleeve. I listed the price I found for the regular hardcover book online above, but it's possible that the pricing for this specific version is different.
I was immediately drawn into the alternate future depicted in this novel. I love stories like Margaret Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale that explore women's issues through the lens of fiction. This book has a similar vibe—it specifically confronts abortion and in-vitro fertilization in a future where both are illegal. The book explores the impacts of that decision via the stories of several different women, each in their own moment in life and facing their own struggles. I can get confused and exhausted by news cycles that talk about these difficult subjects via soundbytes and policies, so it's refreshing and compelling to explore this nuanced subject through human voices, even if they are fictional.
Book Summary on Amazon:
A National Bestseller
A New York Times Editor's Choice
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
An Indie Next Pick
One of Wall Street Journal's Twelve Books to Read This Winter
An Esquire most anticipated book of 2018
An Elle Best Book of Winter
A Popsugar most anticipated book of Fall
A Ploughshares most anticipated book of Fall
A Nylon Best Book of the Month
One of Publishers Weekly's most anticipated titles of Fall 2017Five women. One question. What is a woman for?
In this ferociously imaginative novel, abortion is once again illegal in America, in-vitro fertilization is banned, and the Personhood Amendment grants rights of life, liberty, and property to every embryo. In a small Oregon fishing town, five very different women navigate these new barriers alongside age-old questions surrounding motherhood, identity, and freedom.
Ro, a single high-school teacher, is trying to have a baby on her own, while also writing a biography of Eivør, a little-known 19th-century female polar explorer. Susan is a frustrated mother of two, trapped in a crumbling marriage. Mattie is the adopted daughter of doting parents and one of Ro's best students, who finds herself pregnant with nowhere to turn. And Gin is the gifted, forest-dwelling herbalist, or "mender," who brings all their fates together when she's arrested and put on trial in a frenzied modern-day witch hunt.
RED CLOCKS is at once a riveting drama, whose mysteries unfold with magnetic energy, and a shattering novel of ideas. In the vein of Margaret Atwood and Eileen Myles, Leni Zumas fearlessly explores the contours of female experience, evoking THE HANDMAID'S TALE for a new millennium. This is a story of resilience, transformation, and hope in tumultuous-even frightening-times.
Read Rise Resist Bag - Retail Value $8.00
There's usually something extra in each volume of this subscription. Sometimes it's another book, sometimes it's a snack, sometimes both. This month, it's a bright neon tote bag from Powell's Read Rise Resist collection. I love me a tote bag, so I'm happy to add this super bold one to my collection!
The Verdict: I really loved this box! Powell's seems to match my tastes for compelling, somewhat challenging fiction. I liked the book, the crisp presentation, and the fun tote bag, too. The one thing I always say about this one is that it's an expensive subscription. You get a fantastic autographed book in an awesome sleeve, plus a bonus item, but it's definitely more expensive than just nabbing the book online. The one thing I'll say is that the small booklet about the author definitely adds value for me—it's the kind of context that I really enjoy.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. Sign up now to get the next available box!
Value Breakdown: This box cost $44.95, including free shipping. I estimated that the total value inside the box was about $27.72. Granted, that's using the price of the regular hardcover, rather than this special edition, autographed edition that I received. Nor does that take into account the interview.
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What do you think of Volume 71 from Powell’s Books Indiespensable box?
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