MyBookBox Book Subscription Box – August 2016

MyBookBox is a monthly book subscription box featuring specially selected books and a surprise gift perfect for book lovers like you!

Each month, MyBookBox curates a list of recommended books that spans several genres. When you sign up, you’ll choose two genres that fit your interests. Your monthly box will contain two books, one for each of your chosen genres. Wanna switch genres? Just contact MyBookBox.

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

The Subscription Box: MyBookBox

The Cost: $39.95 a month + shipping (which is free in the US). MyBookBox also offers discounted 3-month, and 6-month subscription plans.

The Products: Books from two genres you choose, plus a book-related gift.

Ships to: US (free), Canada ($19), Mexico ($26), and beyond ($28).

Check out more book subscription boxes in the Book Subscription Box Directory and make sure to add MyBookBox to your subscription list or wishlist!

This MyBookBox contains books from their Women’s Fiction and Young Adult genres. MyBookBox provides a list of all of this month’s chosen picks, too, if you’re curious!

J.K. Rowling Quote Sticky Notes Set - Value $2.00?

MyBookBox Black-Ink Pen - Value $1.00?

On the back of the book list, there’s a note from the MyBookBox team, explaining this month’s special gift, which is a little book-shaped set of sticky notes with a J.K. Rowling quote about reading on the cover. There’s also a green MyBookBox pen (the ink is black) to use with it.

I like when the gifts involved in book boxes are focused on reading (rather than just random odds and ends). The quote on this book reiterates the magic of reading, and the flags and sticky notes are helpful for keeping track of favorite passages, or even acting as a bookmark in a pinch.

Gemini by Sonya Mukherjee - $11.92 on Amazon (retail price: $17.99)

Speaking of bookmarks, MyBookBox included this bookmark, which also introduces the YA book in this month’s box: Gemini, by Sonya Mukherjee. This hardcover book explores the challenges of coming of age as a conjoined twin—how do you assert your independence when you’re literally a part of another person?

Here’s the book summary from Amazon:

In a powerful and daring debut novel, Sonya Mukherjee shares the story of sisters Clara and Hailey, conjoined twins who are learning what it means to be truly extraordinary.

Seventeen-year-old conjoined twins Clara and Hailey have lived in the same small town their entire lives--no one stares at them anymore. But there are cracks in their quiet existence and they're slowly becoming more apparent. Clara and Hailey are at a crossroads. Clara wants to stay close to home, avoid all attention, and study the night sky. Hailey wants to travel the world, learn from great artists, and dance with mysterious boys. As high school graduation approaches, each twin must untangle her dreams from her sister's and figure out what it means to be her own person.

Told in alternating perspectives, this unconventional coming-of-age tale shows how dreams can break your heart--but the love between sisters can mend it.

One unique aspect of this box is that both books are accompanied by a note from the author. I think this glimpse of the author’s perspective or intentions makes the whole experience more engaging. And the handwritten quality of this note in particular feels very special.

Can I See You Again? by Allison Morgan - $10.55 on Amazon (retail price: $15.00)

The next book in the box (a paperback this time) represents this month’s Women’s Fiction pick. Can I See You Again? by Allison Morgan is a romantic story about a matchmaker struggling to get her own love life in order.

Here’s the book summary from Amazon:

From the author of The Someday Jar comes a witty and warm novel about a matchmaker who’s an expert at matters of the heart—except when it comes to her own...

Matchmaker Bree Caxton has a 98% success rate, a book about to hit the stands, and an amazing boyfriend. Until, that is, he gets cold feet about their future and runs from their relationship.

Afraid no one will buy a book on love from a woman whose love life is a mess, Bree begs her one matchmaking failure, Nixon Voss, to pose as her boyfriend. But when they become a hit with readers, they must carry on their charade just a little longer. Fortunately, they’re both having fun...

But then Bree’s ex decides he wants her back and a newspaper presents a challenge that could expose the truth about her rocky love life. Now she must find the courage to embrace what is, or risk losing something much bigger than her reputation: her heart...

Here’s the little author note for Can I See You Again. This one is a bit more about the unlikely inspiration behind this novel, which was fun to learn.

Verdict: I love that you get two books in one MyBookBox and that they represent different genres (variety is the spice of life, after all!). Being able to choose two genres could come in handy if you’re looking for books for your whole family—you could pick a genre for yourself, then one for your child or partner, too. And the author notes were a thoughtful touch. The retail value and guesstimates of the items is about $36, which falls shy of the $39.95 cost of the box. I think if you’re looking for a way to discover new writers or explore different genres, this box is probably still worth it.

What do you think of this month’s MyBookBox? Would you be curious to read either of these books?