12 Indie Bookstore Subscription Boxes That Are Worth Checking Out

Whether you dig detective novels, cherish reading romance, or are fond of fantasy, these independent bookstores can deliver reads you'll love right to your door. Every. Single. Month.

Everybody loves a good subscription box, but what could be better than a package that arrives at your door every month or two full of fresh new reads that your friendly neighborhood bookshop owner selected by hand? There’s no better excuse to grab a cup of tea, take a minute, and cozy up in your favorite reading chair. Bonus: You’ll also be supporting small businesses.

1. Old Town Books

Old Town Books

About this box: Located in Alexandria, Virginia, this bookstore carries a little bit of everything for every kind of reader. And their "With Love, From Old Town” subscription box offers the same varied experience via novels, short story collections, or other surprising works. Every month, a first-edition hardcover will be delivered to your door, plus subscribers have the option to participate in an exclusive book club to discuss the new or buzzworthy works that made the cut. 

Cost: $195 for 6 months, $390 for 12 months

Frequency: Monthly

Shop here.

2. Fulton Street Books & Coffee

Instagram: @fultonstreet918

About this box: This cafe and bookstore in Tulsa, Oklahoma’s historic Greenwood District is more than Black-owned; it also celebrates and promotes authors or color. In fact, almost every title on the shelves — from history to fiction to children’s books — is by an author of color or from a marginalized community. And to aid in the shop’s mission to increase intergenerational literacy and celebrate diversity in children’s literature, Fulton Street offers a Little & Lit box complete with two new books each month for kids pre-K through 3rd grade.

Cost: $37.99 

Frequency: Monthly

Shop here.

3. The Ripped Bodice

Courtesy of The Ripped Bodice

About this box: As you might have guessed, The Ripped Bodice in LA specializes in romance. And that includes their subscription box, “Read, Romance, Repeat.” Yes, it’s a romance of the month club, and readers hungry for love stories that involve everything from steamy rendezvous to secret identities can get their fill in a surprising new box every month. Each will include two new romance novels, plus a fun gift like a candle or notebook, and the subscription can be purchased as a 6-month, 12-month, or recurring subscription.

Cost: $40 

Frequency: Monthly

Shop here.

4. Aaron’s Books

Aaron's Books

About this box: Aaron’s in Lititz, Pennsylvania offers three types of monthly subscription boxes that you can stop and start at any time: a Cozy Mystery Box that includes three new titles every month that fall into the cozy or mystery category, an Out of This World Book Box with two fantasy or sci-fi titles each month, and Pick of the List, which features two of the month’s top titles from the Indie Next independent bookseller recommendation list. No matter which you choose, you’re sure to discover some exciting new reads.

Cost: $40-$45

Frequency: Monthly

Shop here.

5. Nowhere Bookshop

Nowhere Books

About this box: This quirky bookstore in San Antonio offers all the magnificent misfits out there two subscription options: the Fantastic Strangelings Book Club featuring a wide variety of titles from comedic essays to thrillers to intriguing nonfiction, and the Happy Endings Book Club full of books with romantic happy endings. Both offer picks selected by the bookstore owner plus fun little gifts throughout the year. No, they’re not actually book clubs, so bookish introverts rejoice knowing you don’t have to interact with humans if you don’t want to (though there is a Facebook group where readers can discuss if they like).

Cost: $25 or $20 + $10 enrollment fee

Frequency: Monthly

Shop here.

6. The Regulator Bookshop

Instagram: @regulatorbookshop

About this box: While The Regulator Bookshop in Durham, North Carolina stocks the shelves with books for readers of all ages, their subscription box is just for kids. And they don’t limit it to one age group; on the contrary, you can pick from four different boxes: one for ages 0-2, 3-5, elementary school, and middle grade, so you’re guaranteed to get books on you favorite pint-sized reader’s level. Each box contains two recently published books, often featuring diverse stories and characters, delivered right to your door.

Cost: $25 to $40

Frequency: Monthly

Shop here.

7. Parnassus Books

Parnassus Books

About this box: Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee knows books, so you can trust that their subscription boxes will be carefully curated. The Signed First Editions Club includes one signed, first-edition hardback every month, usually literary fiction (though a nonfiction title may find its way in from time to time), and could be from established authors or rising stars. You can sign up as an ongoing member or prepay for up to a year. But that’s not all Parnassus offers! There’s also Parnassus Next, a subscription program for YA readers, and Spark Book Club, which features a new middle grade novel each month.

Cost: $22 to $55

Frequency: Bi-monthly

Shop here.

8. Elliot Bay Book Company

Instagram: @elliottbaybookco

About this box: Elliot Bay Book Company in Seattle, Washington doesn’t just offer one book subscription box, they offer four to suit readers of all stripes. The Maiden Voyage First Edition Program delivers debut novels from an undiscovered author every month. The Subtext Poetry Subscription brings you a hand-picked book of poetry with a note about why the title is notable. The Magnifying Glass True Crime Subscription includes, well, a true crime book. And the Panels Graphic Novel Subscription features a larger-than-life storytelling work of art.

Cost: $125 to $150 annually

Frequency: Bi-monthly

Shop here.

9. The Mysterious Bookshop

The Mysterious Bookshop

About this box: The self-proclaimed world’s oldest and greatest mystery fiction specialty store, the Mysterious Bookstore in New York City will deliver their special brand of suspense via nine (yes, nine) different subscription options that each focus on a mystery sub-genre: bestsellers, psychological suspense, new authors, hardboiled and noir, thriller and espionage, traditional and historical, British crime, American mystery classics, even unclassifiable mystery. Some books are delivered before they hit bookstore shelves, while others are signed by the author.

Cost: $54 to $99 for a three month subscription

Frequency: Monthly

Shop here.

10. Strand Books

Strand Books

About this box: The Book HookUp is The Strand’s subscription club, and every delivery promises to be full of surprises, including a first edition of a highly anticipated title, a paperback, and some bonus literary goodies like snacks and notebooks. There New York bookstore offers several themed boxes to ensure you’ll end up with something you love, from art and photography to feminist literature, little readers to young adult, sci-fi and fantasy to political nonfiction and everything in between. Order one box or prepay for up to a full year.

Cost: $37.50 to $55

Frequency: Quarterly

Shop here.

11. One More Page Books

One More Page Books

About this box: What’s better than a box of books? A box of books with chocolate. Which is exactly what this bookstore — which also specializes in wine and chocolate — serves up. There are monthly and quarterly romance and mystery boxes that include an artisan chocolate bar by a local Arlington, Virginia chocolatier. And yes, the bar flavor will be themed to fit the reading selection. Pay for one month at a time or three, and indulge in a new paperback and a delicious treat.

Cost: $25

Frequency: Monthly

Shop here.

12. Word Bookstores

Word Bookstores

About this box: For a more personalized take on a book subscription box, try this Brooklyn and Jersey City-based bookstore. They offer a children’s book subscription and one for adults. For the kids box, the resident children’s book expert will select the title; all you have to do is share your child’s age. For adults, there’s the genre subscription. Tell the store what genre you typically stick to, and they’ll choose a title. For a truly individualized experience, there is a Just For You option for adults and kids: Tell booksellers what kind of stuff you like to read (or what subjects your child is interested in) and they’ll pick out and send a book specifically for you and you alone.

Cost: $13 to $33

Frequency: Monthly

Shop here.