Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Halloween is all about the candy, costumes, parties and scary movies. I think the last thing that would come to mind when you talk about Halloween is reading a good book. Book lovers might disagree. There are plenty of great books for children, teens and adults that are an ideal read for this time of year.
Have you ever heard of Once Upon a Book Club? Once Upon a Book Club is a book subscription service that just don’t send you a new book each month, but rather a reading experience. Let me explain…
Each month, Once Upon a Book Club ships out a new book to read. They have subscriptions for young readers (‘tween/teen) and one for adults. The book arrives is a FANTASTIC box (I love their boxes) that resemble a book. I think that is the cutest idea. You can even repurpose the boxes.
Inside each box, readers will find a book, and extra goodies. What makes this more special is that you’ll find bags and boxes that are simply labeled with a page number. You are NOT to open the wrapped items beforehand (it spoils the fun), but rather wait to unwrap them when you finish reading the page on the label. What’s inside the package is something that pertains to that specific page and adds to the overall enjoyment of the story. It’s as if the book is coming to life right in your own home.
Once Upon a Book Club has a special Halloween editions of their boxes (special editions). They also have a winter collection available for pre-order.
Once Upon a Book Club sent me one of their Halloween boxes to check out. The book I received is Hemlock Island by Kelly Armstrong.
I let our black cat Maisy Boo remain in the photo. I thought it was a nice touch since this is a Halloween themed book package.
This is the book’s description from Amazon.
Laney Kilpatrick has been renting her vacation home to strangers. The invasion of privacy gives her panic attacks, but it’s the only way she can keep her beloved Hemlock Island, the only thing she owns after a pandemic-fueled divorce. But broken belongings and campfires that nearly burn down the house have escalated to bloody bones, hex circles, and now, terrified renters who’ve fled after finding blood and nail marks all over the guest room closet, as though someone tried to claw their way out…and failed.
When Laney shows up to investigate with her teenaged niece in tow, she discovers that her ex, Kit, has also been informed and is there with Jayla, his sister and her former best friend. Then Sadie, another old high school friend, charters over with her brother, who’s now a cop.
There are tensions and secrets, whispers in the woods, and before long, the discovery of a hand poking up from the earth. Then the body that goes with it… But by that time, someone has taken off with their one and only means off the island, and they’re trapped with someone—or something—that doesn’t want them leaving the island alive.
The reason why I am sharing the books synopsis rather than my own synopsis of the book is because Halloween is next week and I didn’t want to give any spoilers to potential readers of the book. I often worry that I’m sharing too much information when I do book and movie reviews.
I haven’t had a chance to start reading the book yet (work has been crazy this week).I just received the package the day before yesterday and I won’t have time to start reading it until this weekend. I didn’t want to wait to do my review, especially when this is from one of their Halloween packages.
When you open the box you’ll find a package on top. Inside you’ll find a bookmark as well as a small booklet-like thing. Inside you’ll find an interview with the author, some book club questions (genius idea!) and a crossword puzzle pertaining to the book. Definity don’t over look that package.
I like that the brand put this in the package. I think this is another way to bring the book to life and appreciate it much more.
I know you are not suppose to open the wrapped packages until you get to that specific page in the book, for the sake of my review, I opened them all up (when I get to those pages I’ll know what item I was suppose to open at that time). These are not “cheap” items. One is very useful and practical. Even my husband said we can certainly use it. Let’s just say we need this item sometimes when we have bad storms.
One of them I was super excited to see. It has to do with a quote I often say when I see dark storm clouds on the horizon. I don’t want to giveaway too much, but the items reads “Something wicked this way comes.” It’s a quote from Shakespeare’s MacBeth.
It’s fun opening up the surprises, especially when they correspond to what you are reading in the book.
After opening up all the package I am even more excited to start reading the book this weekend. It certainly sounds like my kind of book. It also has 4 our of 5 stars on Amazon.
Once Upon a Book Club doesn’t only offer book subscription experiences, but they also sell other items in their online shop.
With the holiday season fast approaching, a subscription to Once Upon a Book Club would make the PERFECT gifts for the person in your life who loves to read. This could even be a great gift for a ‘tween or teen who are considered “reluctant readers.” Ideally the surprises might encourage them to read. Just don’t let them open the surprise until they get to the specific pages in the book. I know my kids and they would have opened up all the goodies upfront and not read the book. Kids will be kids.
If you are interested in shopping from their Halloween collection, holiday/winter collection, or to subscribe, visit OnceUponaBookClub.com. You can also check them out on social media. Their links are found on the bottom of their website.
Are you a reader? Would you like a subscription to Once Upon a Book Club? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts. I always love to hear from readers.
Kimberly
*I received a free sample in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
