The Bookish Box is a book-inspired subscription box from Appraising Pages, which is now called The Bookish Shop.
Originally, The Bookish Box was a subscription box filled with bookish objects only – no actual books involved. Recently, though, they have added several subscription varieties to choose from, including ones that do have a book inside.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
This review is of the Bookish Goodies & YA Book Box
About The Bookish Box Subscription Box for Book Lovers
The Subscription Box: The Bookish Box Goodies & YA Book Box
The Cost: $28.99 + shipping
The Products: Every month you’ll receive themed goodies and a young adult newly released book.
Other available Bookish Box options:
- Shirt and Book Box
- YA - $28.99
- Adult - $28.00
- Book Only
- YA - $17.99
- Simply Shirt Bag
- Various sizes - $18.00
- Book, Shirt, and Goodies Bag
- YA - $43.00
- Adult - $43.00
- Book and Goodies Bag
- YA - $28.99
- Adult - $29.99
- Shirt and Goodies Bag
- Women's Fitted - $29.99
- Unisex - $29.99
- Plus Size - $32.00
Ships To: the US for $7.50 to GA and Worldwide for an additional cost.
The Bookish Box “Dare to Defy” Review
Included in the box is a booklet that highlights this month's "Dare to Defy” theme featuring a book and bookish goodies inspired by characters who dared to defy the odds and achieve the unimaginable!
Listed are all six goodies included in this month’s box, the young adult and adult book selections for the month, and the t-shirt for the month. The items you receive will depend on which The Bookish Box option you choose. The Bookish Box also invites subscribers to join them live on Instagram on Fridays where they have live unboxings, giveaways, and games.
Next, we get a sneak peek at April’s “I Ship It” themed box. In The Bookish Box news, the team is working on some fun custom book covers and exclusive one-time boxes. Listed are the books that inspired this month’s “Dare to Defy” theme. Also, check out the theme-inspired The Bookish Box playlist on Spotify.
Finally, The Bookish Box looks the stars to provide this month’s horoscope and invites you to participate in The Bookish Box photo challenge.
To Best The Boys by Mary Weber - Retail Value $17.99 (found here for $12.32)
This was an excellent selection for this month's "Dare to Defy" theme. Rhen, the main character in To Best The Boys, dared to defy the numerous obstacles she faced while dealing with gender inequality and classism. This book has a strong, intelligent and educated female lead, fantasy, romance, and excitement. It’s a quick and fun read, although it felt like forever before Rhen actually entered the labyrinth!
Book Summary:
Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port have received a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. The poorer residents look to see if their names are on the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink and parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.
In the province of Caldon, where women train in wifely duties and men pursue collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands—through the annual all-male scholarship competition.
With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone is ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the deadly maze.
Strange the Dreamer Sticker designed by Diana Dworak – Listed Retail Value $4.00
A sticker that matches the month’s theme and booklet cover art is included in each month’s box. This sticker with artwork by Diana Dwork is inspired by Laini Taylor’s series Strange the Dreamer. The Bookish team is inspired by Taylor's daring characters, rich writing, and world building.
Deathly Hallows Pin Banner – Listed Retail Value $10.00
I love this banner! I’ve been thinking of ways to display my pins and this is the perfect solution. Inspired by Deathly Hallows and the legend of the Peverell Brothers from The Tales of Beedle the Bard, this banner is simplistic in design yet big on function.
The Boy Who Lived Necklace – Listed Retail Value $8
There is no better example of defying the odds than Harry Potter and his gang of misfits. This Harry Potter-inspired necklace is super cute, dainty and understated. I only wish it were a little longer.
Strange The Dreamer Pillowcase by Ink & Wonder – Listed Retail Value $18.00
“It was impossible, of course, but when did that ever stop any dreamer from dreaming?” is a quote from Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. This 16"x16" pillow cover designed by Ink & Wonder is both beautiful and frightening! The cute butterflies with skull faces and the dainty flowers basking in sunlight against a deep blue starry nights sky create a jarring juxtaposition.
Priory of the Orange Tree Inspired Bookish Box Collectible Pin by Dust and Pages – Listed Retail Value $10.00
This Priory of the Orange Tree inspired pin designed by Dust and Pages reads “You have been away from the tree for far too long”. Like other The Bookish Box collectible pins, it is well designed and sturdy. I can’t wait to add it to my Deathly Hallows pin banner. This is the 8th pin from a series of 14.
Special Edition Horoscope Bookmark by Gabriella Bujdoso – Listed Retail Value $7.00
This Aries bookmark designed by Gabriella Bujdoso is inspired by Jude, the self-reliant heroine from the Cruel Prince who defied the odds! It is the third bookmark in a series of twelve.
The Verdict: To Best the Boys was an awesome choice for this month's box and a good read. I loved all the goodies included especially the Deathly Hallows pin banner (which I'm super excited about) and the pillowcase (which I'm slightly afraid of). The pillowcase is one of the more expensive and well-made items I've seen in recent boxes. Everyone knows how much I love a good theme! The Bookish Box continues to knock it out the park with creative themes that are carried throughout the book selections, the various Bookish Box goodies, and even the Spotify playlist.
This box costs $36.49 with shipping and has a listed retail value of $74.99. I loved the selection and quality of the goodies in this month’s box a little bit more than last month’s box. Also, the retail value is still quite a bit more than the price of the box itself making it a good value for a newly released book and unique book inspired goodies.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, sign-up now to receive April’s “I Ship It” themed box.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $36.49 after shipping, which means that each of the 7 items in the box has an average cost of $5.21.
Check out all of our The Bookish Box reviews and the best book subscription boxes of 2019!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
What do you think of the March 2019 “Dare to Defy” Bookish Box?
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