Is Book of the Month Worth It? My Honest Thoughts After 2 Years as a Member

If you’ve ever found yourself paralyzed in the fiction section of a bookstore or endlessly scrolling #BookTok for your next great read (same), Book of the Month (BOTM) might sound like a dream. But is it really worth the subscription? After being a member since 2022, I’m here to say: yes - with some caveats.

Let’s break it down.

📦 What Is Book of the Month?

Book of the Month is a monthly book subscription service that lets you choose from 5–7 new hardcover releases curated by a panel of editors. You pick your book (or skip the month), and it ships in that signature blue box with BOTM’s minimalist branding. It’s clean, cute, and low-effort for indecisive readers.

At $17.99/month for a brand-new hardcover, it’s often cheaper than buying retail. Even more so if you add extra titles for $10.99 each. No gimmicks, no hidden fees.

💙 Why I Think It’s Worth It

After two years and way too many skipped months (they don’t charge you when you skip!), here’s why I’ve stuck around:

1. The Curation Is Actually Good

BOTM doesn’t just throw in random new releases. They highlight debuts, BookTok darlings, celebrity book club picks, and under-the-radar gems. I’ve discovered books I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own - like The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd, which blended magical realism with map-making in a way I didn’t expect to love.

They’re also early to the hype train. Books that don’t hit mainstream popularity for months (or even years) are often BOTM picks first.

2. The Quality for the Price

Let’s be real, new hardcovers aren’t cheap. Most run $25–$30, even with discounts. BOTM gives you that new-release feel without the price tag. And they’re not cheap-looking either. The covers are crisp, the paper quality is solid, and the blue BOTM logo on the spine gives your bookshelf a cohesive look (if you're into that aesthetic).

Also? No plastic wrap, no excessive packaging—just a neat box, a cute bookmark, and your book.

3. You Can Skip Without Penalty

This is huge. I’ve skipped multiple months during reading slumps or when the picks didn’t vibe with me. It’s commitment-free, and you don’t lose your membership perks. There’s no guilt or FOMO either; your credit rolls over, and you can use it later.

There were months I didn’t read at all, and I appreciated that I could take a breather without canceling my account or feeling like I wasted money.

4. Add-Ons Are a Steal

Can’t pick just one book? You can add up to two more titles for just $10.99 each, even if they’re brand-new. I usually take full advantage of this when the monthly lineup is stacked. One month, I grabbed The Last Word by Taylor Adams, Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi all in one go - for less than the cost of two hardcovers at Target.

And sometimes, they include backlist favorites or early releases before they hit bookstores.

🧐 What Might Not Work for Everyone

BOTM isn’t for every kind of reader. Here are a few things to consider:

Limited Genres: While BOTM does try to mix it up, the monthly picks tend to lean heavily toward contemporary fiction, thrillers, and light romance. If you’re mostly into fantasy, sci-fi, literary nonfiction, or niche genres like historical romance or horror, you might be underwhelmed some months.

No Paperbacks or Audiobooks: This is strictly for hardcover lovers. If you prefer eBooks or audio, this subscription won’t scratch that itch. (But I’ve found it pairs well with a Kindle Unlimited membership if you like mixing formats.)

Shipping Delays Can Happen: It’s rare, but some boxes take longer to arrive, especially around the holidays or during weather disruptions. Most of the time, my box ships within a few days and arrives in good shape.

📚 Some of My Favorite BOTM Picks So Far

If you’re wondering about the type of books they offer, here are a few I loved:

The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller — emotional and messy in the best way; it made me rethink the choices we make vs. the ones we live with

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin — a slow build that wrecked me by the end. It’s about friendship, creativity, and how love doesn’t always look the way you expect

The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood — perfect for romance fans who want the STEM girl representation, fake dating trope, and just the right amount of spice. Side note: The movie is now in production starring Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman 😱

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson — a multigenerational family saga filled with secrets, food, and Caribbean culture. One of my top 5 BOTM reads, hands down

I’ve also gotten a few books I didn’t love, but that’s kind of the fun; discovering what does and doesn’t work for you.

👩🏻‍⚖️ Final Verdict: Is Book of the Month Worth It?

If you love discovering new authors, value beautiful hardcovers, and want a curated reading experience without overpaying: yes, BOTM is absolutely worth it. I’ve been a member since 2022 and have zero regrets (except maybe not joining sooner).

The value is there. The flexibility is there. And if you’re like me (a mood reader with a thing for aesthetic bookshelves—) t’s kind of the perfect fit.

It’s a great gift for book lovers, too, especially during the holidays. (Pro tip: they offer gift boxes and 3-month subscriptions.)

Thinking about trying it for yourself? If you end up signing up, feel free to use my referral link HERE - you’ll get a credit toward your first book, and I’ll get one too. Win-win, no pressure.

Let me know what you think!