Coffee and a Classic is a monthly book & beverage subscription box, curated by Ashlee Doherty. Ashlee’s mission is to create a complete escape each month for lovers of literature, providing a thought out and curated experience where readers can curl up with the book, a beverage, and other bookish items to retreat from everyday life.
There are two different subscription levels available:
- The STARTER BOX ($25/month + $12 shipping) provides you with a classic book, something to sip on, and 2 bookish items each month.
- The STANDARD BOX ($38/month + 12 shipping) provides you with a classic book, something to sip (your choice of coffee, tea, hot chocolate) & snack on, a bookmark, a coffee mug, and 1-2 bookish items based on a theme. This book box is also packaged in a high-quality photo box.
With each level of subscription, you can select from three genres: Classic Literature, Children’s Classics, and Classic Nonfiction.
This review is for the Starter Classic Literature Box.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About This Box
The Subscription Box: Coffee and a Classic Starter Box
The Cost: $25.00 a month + $12 shipping. Save 5%-15% with longer pre-paid subscriptions
The Products: A classic book, something to sip on, and 2 bookish items
Ships to: the US only
Good to Know: Boxes ship between the 19th-23rd of each month. You can cancel your subscription at any time (recurring billing happens on the 1st of the month). Each month, a sneak peek is available and you can change genres if something catches your eye.
Coffee and a Classic Starter Classic Literature June 2018 Review
This month’s selection is Lord of the Flies, a 1954 novel by Nobel-Prize winning British author William Golding. The book focuses on a group of young boys stranded on an uninhabited island and their disastrous attempt to govern themselves.
Interesting Fact: Stephen King has cited Lord of the Flies as one of his favorite books. In a foreword to the 2011 edition of the novel, King wrote:
It was, so far as I can remember, the first book with hands – strong ones that reached out of the page and seized me by the throat. It said to me, ‘This is not just entertainment it’s life-or-death.’
Like most subscriptions, the first item you see when you open the box is an info card detailing the products inside. The contents listed include the book itself, a bag of coffee, 2 bookish items and a bookmark.
Lord of the Flies (Hardcover) by William Golding – Retail Value $25.00
The book itself was buried on the bottom, under all the other items. I dug for it – and wanted to review it first! Part of the reason that I was intrigued by reviewing this subscription was to build my collection of hard copy classics – and it’s always a treat to get a hardcover book. From Amazon:
At the dawn of the next world war, a plane crashes on an uncharted island, stranding a group of schoolboys. At first, with no adult supervision, their freedom is something to celebrate. This far from civilization they can do anything they want. Anything. But as order collapses, as strange howls echo in the night, as terror begins its reign, the hope of adventure seems as far removed from reality as the hope of being rescued.
So, I haven’t read this book since 11th grade English class and I think at the time, my view of this book was much different. I remember it being kind of sick, but re-reading it as an adult, with a son, gosh – it got me in the pit of my stomach. The primitive violence – it was scary – and definitely not a feel-good read! That said, it’s obviously a well written, thoughtful piece of literature that is as relevant now, as it was in the 1950s when it was written.
And, Harry liked it.
Toasted Coconut Coffee by Lion Coffee (Hawaii Coffee Company) 1.75 oz - Buy a 10 oz. bag for $8.45
I don’t typically drink flavored coffee, but when I do its coconut and I was pleased to get this as a little treat in my box this month. It’s nutty, fragrant, and tropical – perfect for digging into a book about a group of boys on a deserted island! This brew is a bold coffee, with a light coconut flavor. I thought it was delish but did add a little bit of sweetener to tailor it to my palate a bit.
Exclusive! Hand Screen Printed Tote Bag by Coffee and a Classic – Estimated Value $15.00 (based on a similar item)
This bag measures 15” wide and 16” tall, with 9.5” drop handles. It’s a neutral color with green handles. It features a black conch shell and the word “listen” stamped on the front as a nod to the book. The conch shell is a symbol of order on the boys newly created society – when you were holding it, you had the right to speak in the group.
This is a great bookish item, and I can always use another tote bag. I like the subtle message – I can carry it and feel smart, but not too nerdy!
Exclusive! Magnet Set Designed by Coffee and a Classic
This little Coffee and a Classic bag contained three Lord of the Flies inspired magnets. The first says “Sucks to your ass-mar!”, the second says “Maybe there is a beast…maybe it’s only us”, and the third says “The greatest ideas are the simplest.” These are fairly thin, flexible magnetics that probably wouldn’t hold much up, but they would be a cute addition to an English teachers file cabinet. I probably won’t display them in my home – as this isn’t one of my favorite books, and I think these quotes are a bit dark. I prefer a more inspiring message!
Exclusive! Hawaiian Koa Wood Bookmark by Coffee and a Classic
Last month my box was missing the bookmark so I was excited to see it included this month. This is a very thin, beautiful wooden bookmark with the quote “The thing is fear can’t hurt you any more than a dream” stamped on it along with a pig’s head on a stick and some boys dancing around a fire. I always like receiving a bookmark with a book as it’s super handy for obvious reasons!
Verdict: It’s hard to quantify the value of this Coffee and a Classic box, because of the exclusive items. Overall, I liked the cohesive theme and bookish items – but although I agree that this is a classic, it’s not one of my favorite reads.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. Your first box will be the July selection. From Coffee and a Classic:
Your box will ship between the 3rd Thursday or 4th Monday of every month. Please order by the 15th of the month to get the current box.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $25.00 + $12.00 shipping, which means that each of the 5 items in the box has an average cost of $7.40.
Check out all of our Coffee and a Classic reviews and the Book Subscription Box List!
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What do you think of the May 2018 Coffee and a Classic?
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