My Lit Box is a quarterly book subscription box committed to celebrating writers of color. Each quarter, you receive a newly released novel and 2-3 quality book-related items.
My Lit Box offers quarterly full box and book-only subscriptions. There are three subscription options: My Lit Box contains original adult fiction, Yay for YA Lit contains young adult literature, and Black Women Are Lit contains literature written by black women.
This is a review of the Black Women Are Lit Box.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About My Lit Box
The Subscription Box: My Lit Box
The Cost: $29.99 every 3 months for the adult fiction and black women lit boxes. $24.99 every 3 months for the YA lit boxes. Book-only subscriptions are $17.99 every 3 months for adult fiction and black women lit and $14.99 for YA lit boxes. Shipping is $6.99.
The Products: One adult literature, black women literature or young adult literature book written by a writer of color and 2-3 book-related items.
Ships To: the US
Good to know: Boxes are shipped the first week of March, June, September, and December and the order windows open the month before the box ships.
My Lit Box "Black Women Are Lit!" August 2018 Review
Included in the box is a postcard reminding subscribers to check their inbox for details on this month’s box. This is presumably in place of having an information card included in the box itself. I like this approach – save trees!
Praise Song for the Butterflies by Bernice L. McFadden - Retail Value $27.95 (found here for $13.37)
I was excited to dive into Bernice McFadden’s latest novel. She’s an award-winning author who is known for her vivid story-telling and rich character development. Positive reviews for this just-released novel are already pouring in!
Book summary from Amazon:
Abebe Tsikata lives a comfortable, happy life in West Africa as the privileged nine-year-old daughter of a government employee and stay-at-home mother. But when the Tsikatas idyllic lifestyle takes a turn for the worse, Abebe s father, following his mother s advice, places her in a religious shrine, hoping that the sacrifice of his daughter will serve as religious atonement for the crimes of his ancestors.
Unspeakable acts befall Abebe for the fifteen years she is enslaved within the shrine. When she is finally rescued, broken and battered, she must struggle to overcome her past, endure the revelation of family secrets, and learn to trust and love again.
In the tradition of Chris Cleave's The Other Hand, Praise Song for the Butterflies is a contemporary story that offers an educational, eye-opening account of the practice of ritual servitude in West Africa. Spanning decades and two continents, Praise Song for the Butterflies will break and heal your heart.
Kikkerland Keyring Safety Pin – Retail Value $9.54
The rose-gold colored, copper-plated keyring include in the box is stylish and functional. The safety pin can be added as-is to your key ring. It also opens so that keys can be strung on the pin or the pin can be easily attached to another item, like a purse strap. Safety pins are also a symbol of solidarity among women to protect those in danger because of their gender, race, sexuality, religion or other forms of discrimination.
"Found My Voice" Everyday Bravery Pin – Retail Value $10
Emily McDowell Studio is part of a group of women-owned companies that provides “illustrated greeting cards, stationery and gifts for the relationships we really have”. The Everyday Bravery Pins come in a variety of colors and inspiring declarations. This pin encourages women to declare that we’ve found our voice and to use that voice to speak up!
Met Each Other Miracle Foil Card – Retail Value $4.50
Also, from Emily McDowell Studio, the box includes a friendship card that reminds us that our close relationships are special and magical. The card is blank inside - perfect for writing a handwritten note to a loved one in pretty packaging. The gold foil lettering and the muted purple color is beautiful.
My Lit Box Buttons
As a bonus, this box also includes two My Lit Box buttons. One button has the box name and the other has the box logo.
Verdict: There is woman empowerment and self-love pouring out this box! I love it! Not only does My Lit Box include a newly released book by an acclaimed author and woman of color, it also contains thoughtfully curated women-focused items. I’m impressed!
This box costs $36.98 ($29.99 a quarter plus $6.99 shipping) and has retail a value of $51.99, not including the buttons. The value of this subscription is great considering the variety of newly released books offered and the thoughtful add-on items included in each box.
To Wrap Up:
Can I get this box if I sign up today?: No, the September My Lit Boxes are sold out. However, the order window for the December box opens in November.
Value Breakdown: At $36.98 for this box, here’s what you are paying approximately per item:
- Praise Song for the Butterflies: $19.88
- Kikkerland Keyring Safety Pin: $6.79
- "Found My Voice" Everyday Bravery Pin: $7.11
- Met Each Other Miracle Foil Card: $3.20
- My Lit Box Buttons: n/a
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What do you think of this quarter's My Lit Box box?
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