Book Box Club July Subscription Box

July 24, 2020July 24, 2020 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Book Box Club is a book subscription service where you can choose from different packages: Book box club subscription, purely books and Tales by Mail.

I received the original book box club subscription box where you receive a gift wrapped, new YA novel, access to the online book club and a selection of themed goodies. Purely Books is the monthly subscription where you receive the featured book and access to the online book club. Tales by Mail is the bi-monthly book subscription and podcast for ages 8-12 year olds)

The theme for July was Magical Talents.

The featured book this month was Splinters of Scarlet by Emily Bain Murphy. This novel is a historical fantasy novel set in 19th century Denmark where magic is a deadly gift. When Marit’s best friend Eve is adopted by a famous dancer, Marit draws upon her powers to get a job with the wealthy family in order to watch over her. But Marit has a secret motivation: her father died while working in the family’s mine, and she has reason to believe he was murdered. She begins t investigate her fathers death but as she goes further to the truth more danger arises. Magic may be the only thing that can save her – if it doesn’t kill her first.

After receiving this book, I was first drawn to the book cover and illustration as it I quite simplistic in its elements yet detailed. I read this synopsis and to me it sounds like its going to be a good book and I can’t wait to read it. Let me know in the comments if you have read this book!

Alongside this featured book you received some themed goodies. These were a Splinters of Scarlet adjustable ring by Lisa Angel, a magic bottle water flask with artwork by Girl and Type as well as a Joanna magnetic bookmark by TJ Lubrando. You also received golden alethiometer lip balm by Mad about Nature and Magical Studies Notebooks by Book Box club.

All these goodies are related to the theme and are of great quality. The are all curated and chosen for the box and regularly use small businesses and artwork from small artists which I think is great. An ideal way to promote small businesses!

You also receive an invite to the online book clubhouse to take part in a discussion alongside the author of the featured book. This is a unique feature and one I think is great. You get the chance to read and maybe discover an author then have the opportunity to meet the author, ask your questions and make new friends with the exclusive invite to the book box clubhouse!

I really love this subscription box and would highly recommend. I have written previous blog posts on the subscription box if your curious to what was in some of the previous boxes. The link to the book box club website is: https://www.bookboxclub.com

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment, like and share this post)

Book Box Club – January

January 23, 2019January 23, 2019 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

THEME: Storytellers

This months theme was Storytellers. I was really excited to receive this box as I was intrigued to see what would be included in this months box.

Included this months box was a bunch of bookish goodies to enjoy. There is a Bronte Notebook by Literary Emporium to note down all your great stories and ideas. It a great little pocket sized book perfect for carrying with you on all your adventures. A magnetic storytelling kit by Book Box Club so you can write to your hearts content. Writers tips postcards are also included so you can send advice from famous storytellers all around the world. A patch that says ‘Born to Write’ is featured which was created by Wild Sally on Red bubble.

A great writers pencil case by Laura Crow from Not on the High Street is included also which has a great illustration on the perfect sized pouch. Alongside, all these goodies are a couple extras. A sample of ‘Outside’ by Sarah Anne Juckes alongside an extra postcard.

The featured book this month is ‘Monsters’ by Sharon Dogar. That follows the story of Mary, the daughter of a revolutionary author destined to write her own masterpiece. But before she can become the famed author of Frankenstein she will be swept away by scandalous storytellers and philandering philosophers.

I am excited to read this book as it would have never been something I would have generally considered yet I can’t wait to start reading.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have ever read this book or are subscribed to a bookish subscription box.)

Book Box Club Unboxing

September 19, 2018September 19, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Month: September

Theme: Into the Wild

This month saw another release of the subscription box ‘ Book Box Club’ but this wasn’t any old box as it was the 2 year anniversary of the company. This meant that there was an extra goodie within for those who bought the box.

Upon opening the box you are presented with the leaflet stating the theme and what’s included alongside the envelope with the date of the exclusive book club meeting.

These leaflets are always beautifully illustrated and this months was no exception. It was fitting with the themes as it features simplistic trees along side a bear and a fox.

Within the box there is an abundance of bookish goodies including a campers picnic bag by http://www.sassandbelle.co.uk so you can take your snacks on your adventures with you. There is also an into the woods scarf by Book Box Club which features quotes from the featured book. There is also a massage bar by Naked Sister to relax yourself after your exciting adventures alongside a Caveswater Candle. On top of all those goodies there is also a little pad to keep your plans together.

A lost boys notebook designed by Georgine Makes is also included in the box so you can journal and plan all your exciting adventures alongside sample chapters from Neal and Jarrod Shustermans book ‘Dry’.

As this was the two year anniversary of the company we were treated to a bonus book. The bonus book is ‘Damsel’ by Elana K. Arnold which isn’t due to be released until November. This book features a handsome prince, a distressed damsel and a fierce dragon with excitement throughout.

The featured book this month is ‘The Other Side of Lost’ by Jessi Kirby which is a story about when you take the time to remove yourself from technology and take an adventure. It follows a social media star who swaps her technology dependant life for a solo hike into the woods.

Yet again I highly recommend this subscription box and hope that you would enjoy Kate and Libby work as much as I do.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if your are subscribed to book box club or have ever read the featured book)

Book Box Club: August

August 22, 2018August 22, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Augusts installment of the book box club has been released and I am excited to share its content with you. I love this idea as I have previously stated and I would really like to recommend this box.

This months box had the theme of Tech Tribes which I was really excited to see what this box contained.

Upon opening the box you are presented with the months leaflet sharing all the information on what is within the box.

This box had multiple bookish goodies that were related to the theme. It contained a BB8 magnetic bookmark by Rachel Norline Art on Etsy so you can keep your page in a fun way. It also had a pair of robot sock by Joe Cool to keep you cosy while you read. There is also a great Lunar Chronicles coaster to keep your new Invent the Future Mug on. The mug features artwork by Alicia Jo with the coaster by the box company, Book Box Club. There is also an Ada Lovelace sticker by Victorian Store.

A Jinx Necklace also by Book Box Club so you can keep your own Baku cat with you at all times. This is a great addition as it links to the features book.

Alongside these goodies and the features book there are also two bookmarks in order to keep your page. One with the book artwork and a special bookmark from C.K Robertson. An extract from Are we all Lemmings & Snowflakes by Holly Bourne is found within the box as well as an exclusive 4 chapter sampler of Colour Me In by Lydia Ruffles.

The featured book in this months box is Jinxed by Amy McCulloch. This book is based upon engineer Lacey Chu and her discovery of Jinx, a high-spec, high-maintenance robot cat Baku which helps her dreams seem possible once again. Bakus are state of the art robotic animals that function as a smartphone whilst being the perfect pet.

Again, I would highly recommend this service and I hope you enjoyed this months Book Box Club unboxing !

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free if you are subscribed to Book Box Club or have ever read the featured book ‘Jinxed’ )

Book Box Club

August 1, 2018August 1, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ 2 Comments

Book Box Club is a subscription service where a box is sent to you monthly which contains a book and other goodies related to the chosen theme. It is run by Libby Harris and Kate Morris-Double who are friends who both live everything book related. I stumbled upon this whilst on social media and loved the idea. I immediately purchased my first box which happened to have the theme of Witchcraft. I really liked all the items I received which is also a bonus!

When I first opened the box I saw the leaflet with all the information about the items that were in the box. It tells you all about what you received and the theme the box was based upon.

Some of the goodies that were in the box are above. First thing I noticed upon opening the box was the potion bottle filled with bath salts with mystic scents of mint and jasmine. This item was created by Midsummer Child who has a shop on Etsy where you can but this product. The next item I noticed was the Luna Lovegood Candle by Madame Fiction who also has an Etsy shop under that name. It is an exclusive plum and rhubarb candle inspired by the whimsical witch Luna Lovegood. On top of this you also received Hocus Pocus earrings by Fairy Fountain Gifts (Also on Etsy) which are little earrings featuring a broom riding witch. You also received A Spell for Wildflowers so you can grow your own little garden. I loved all these items and especially liked how they are all by individual and small companies.

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However, my favourite item that I received (excluding the book) was the Portable Magic Book Pouch by Tea Cake Art to keep your books save whilst you take them around with you. It features a Stephen King quote on the back ‘Books are uniquely portable magic’ with a spell bounding illustration on the front.

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The book that was included in this months box was The Lost Witch by Melvin Burgess which features a story in which an impending war and vicious witch hunt will take Bea away from her innocent summer and cast her into the dark and dangerous world of Hocus Pocus. As her powers grow and enemies closing in she questions if she can’t trust herself who can she trust. I am really looking forward to reading this book and the fact it is something I wouldn’t necessarily be drawn to myself is another reason why I think this subscription box is a great idea. It takes you out of your reading comfort zone and allows you to explore other authors and themes. It also comes with a signed insert from the author. It also features an exclusive invite to an online book club with the author.

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This subscription service is a great idea as you get to receive a new book every month without the hassle of looking around for one yourself. It also takes you out of your comfort zone which is always exciting. The box is available to purchase on https://www.bookboxclub.com/ and if you order before the 6th of every month you will receive your box by the end of the month. Next months box theme is Tech Tribes.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment your opinion on this subscription box or have other recommendations)

(PPS this post in not sponsored)

My top book related gift ideas

May 2, 2018May 2, 2018 ~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

A book from a genre the person wouldn’t normally read.

I think that receiving a book that isn’t typically within the genre of books you read is a great thing as it broadens your horizons and allows you to explore new genres and stories. It forces you to look outside your comfort zone and experience new plots and characters.

A ‘guide to writing’ gift set

As a Christmas present from my sister I received a ‘writers toolbox’ as a gift. Inside it had a multitude of things such as first sentence ideas and plot twist ideas which help to inspire you whilst writing. I think it is a great gift as it gets your mind working and allows you to use your imagination to the fullest.

guide to writing.jpg — source: http://www.pinterest.com

Personalised book

When I was younger I received a personalised book from my auntie. I have always loved the book but when I first received it I thought it was so magical. It was the story of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ but with myself incorporated into the story. I was Belle’s friend and helped her throughout the story. It also featured people from my family in the story also. I think that receiving a personalised book, especially when you are younger, is an incredibly special experience as it makes you feel like you are a part of something. It makes you feel important and helpful as you are a main part of the storyline. As you get older it may be a slightly different effect but it is still a great experience. This is a great gift idea as it brings whole new meaning to being involved and engaged in the story.

Book subscription

A book subscription is also a great gift as there is hundreds of different boxes you can choose for and be able to find the one that most suits the person you are buying the gift box. It also enables you to give the person an opportunity to explore new books and authors that they wouldn’t usually choose. It also adds a bit of fun and excitement to the gift as you don’t know what you are going to receive.

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A print of their favourite quote

A print or painting of the persons favourite quote is also a nice gift as it is special to that person and unique to them. It shows you have thought about what the person would like and why. If you receive one you can look at it and be inspired by it daily. It can set your day off well.

original_personalised-lyric-or-quote-print — Source: http://www.notonthehighstreet.com

Personalised bookmark

A personalised bookmark is also a great gift. If it is personalised with all the things the person loves its exciting every time they open their books and see it. It can also often relax people as they recognise things similar and that they know.

Source: http://www.notonthehighstreet.com

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment your gift ideas)