"Once Upon a Book Club" is a subscription box service run by Chick Lit Designs. Owner, Michelle Wolett, started the club because she wanted to make reading into an interactive experience. The club is certainly unique. They send a newly released women’s or historical fiction novel along with individually wrapped gifts marked with page numbers. As you get to that page in the book, you open the corresponding present. Each gift is something named in the story, so you feel like you’re a part of it.
I got a copy of the inaugural package. I’ll review what’s in it and give you a code worth 10 percent off your first box.
The items are shipped in a box that’s printed to look like a large hardcover novel. You’ll see it pictured above this article. Inside there was no additional buffer, but nothing they sent was breakable, so that was perfectly fine. Everything was wrapped except the book. The page numbers were clearly marked on each present.
The main item in the package was the historical novel, Lilac Girls. It’s a beautiful hardbound copy. The story takes place during the Holocaust of World War II and is narrated by three women in different parts of the world. It’s deeply moving – a great book club choice. I’ll be reviewing the book in a separate article.
With the book were two cards. One reminds you to open the gifts as you come to them in the pages, not all at once. The other card is something unique to this box. I haven’t seen it in any other book subscription boxes. It’s a list of book club questions with dates marked to go online and discuss them with other members of the service. I absolutely love this idea. It takes it from being individuals reading the same book to a real community.
The first item I unwrapped is a beautiful gold tone ring with clear and blue stones. It’s almost identical to a ring that circulates throughout the story. Well done. I personally don’t wear gold jewelry, but my best friend is eagerly taking this off my hands. It’s very pretty.
The next item in the box is more of an interactive piece than a gift. In the story, one of the main characters writes a secretly coded letter to her father with a toothpick from the concentration camp. She uses urine which he then irons to find the message.
Inside gift number two is a paper printed like a letter in the character’s native language. The envelope is addressed to her father and postmarked like it would have been in that time period. Very authentic. On the letter are instructions to iron it. When you do, you find letters that spell out, “Tell Everyone.” While the gift doesn’t have monetary value, it makes for a more interesting read.
Next in the box are a very nice pair of knit socks. In the book, a kind man leaves a pair of socks for a barefoot girl in the camp. These socks feel like a quality item and add to the story.
After the socks, I opened a present containing this headband. It has a wire built in so you can style your hair with ease. It’s based on a passage in the book that talks about how girls from different countries could be told apart in the camp by the way they fashioned themselves with headpieces or scarves. Once again, it draws you into the story with a piece you can use yourself.
Next in the package was a handsome handmade felted folder with a snap closure. Inside there was a picture that one character gave to another in the story. The folder is good quality and could be used to hold photographs, papers or coupons. There’s also a pen loop on the side.
On the final page of the book, we open the last present. It’s a pack of lilac seeds representing the girls in the book and the flowers they tended at the end. It’s a lovely thought. I love lilacs, but I rent, so I’m not sure what I’m going to do with mine yet. I’ll find a home for them somewhere, though.
Overall, this box was a lot of fun. It really encouraged me to read more so I could get to the gifts faster. I finished the almost 500-page book in four days between work, homework and family gatherings. While the items inside weren’t worth a lot of money, you do break about even and it’s more about the experience. I’m looking forward to the discussion days and I can’t wait to see what they send next month!
If you’d like to try the club for yourself, Michelle has generously offered our readers a coupon for their first box. Just use code CELEBRITYCAFE for 10 percent off. This is the perfect subscription for introverts who want to discuss books. Or for those just looking for a more interactive encounter. If you’re looking for fun, try "Once Upon a Book Club."