It was my birthday on Sunday, and particularly lovely to have a parcel I was very much looking forward to unwrapping. I’ve been following Louise of My Chronicle Book Box on Twitter for a few years now – My Chronicle is now over five years old, offering crime and mystery, fantasy and science fiction boxes that I’ve always enjoyed watching others unboxing. But I’ve never before been tempted to purchase or subscribe, mainly because my favourite genre just hasn’t been available.
But when Louise got in touch to tell me about her latest subscription boxes – Feel Good Fiction – I was delighted to hear about something that looked far more like my personal cup of tea. Each box will include a new release feel-good romantic fiction book, a signed bookplate, a letter from the author and a few related bookish goodies – and I was, of course, even more delighted when she offered to send me a complimentary box so that I could take a look for myself and, if I liked it, to help her spread the word.
Louise calls her boxes “a reading experience carefully wrapped and packaged into a gift box”, and the care and attention with which this box had been put together was very evident as soon as I opened and unpacked it.
This one had a floral and summery theme – particularly welcome during Sunday’s cold wind and torrential rain, a real injection of summer sunshine – all inspired by the book included, Jaimie Admans’ wonderful The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove, wrapped and sealed, and with a signed bookplate attached. Published in paperback by Harper Collins/HQ on 15th September (also available as both an ebook and audiobook), I read and reviewed this lovely book on my kindle when it was first released in July. In my review (you can read it again here) I said that when I finished reading I “smiled, wiped away a tear, and thought that was just perfect” – it’ll be one of my books of the year, and having a signed copy for my bookshelves absolutely made my day.
But the box contained far more than “just” the book. Along with Louise’s welcome note, there was a beautifully presented “Dear Reader” letter from the author with some lovely details about her writing and the book’s inspiration. And then there were all the other lovely “extras” – a ruled wildflower notebook (don’t we all love a notebook?), an eraser-topped pencil bearing the Jane Austen quote “There is no enjoyment like reading”, four large cards with a bookshelf image on the front (blank on the reverse for making notes), and five beautiful vinyl flower stickers from watercolour artist Florographie (a couple of them now adorning my plain navy 2023 diary!).
This box really was a perfect gift – one anyone would be happy to receive. You could send a single box as a gift (there’s a gift message option – and UK delivery is free) to a book-loving friend – or just treat yourself, either to a single box or an ongoing subscription. I do see the November book will be a Christmassy one – it’s one already firmly on my pre-Christmas reading list from an author much loved by so many readers of the books I enjoy.
The prices vary depending on the option you choose – you’ll find all the details and the subscription link here. And Louise has been kind enough to offer a discount for the friends and followers of Being Anne – enter the code BEINGANNE and it will give you £5 off any purchase over £15. Many thanks to Louise, for my gifted box and the discount offer – I think there are so many people who will just love your latest offering!
Follow My Chronicle Book Box
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
