Book Appointment Now
Book of the Month is ideal for those who like to stay on top of trending titles
Book of the Month isn’t new to the book subscription scene. It invented it. Launched in the early 20th century, it helped catapult the careers of literary heavyweights like J.D. Salinger and John Steinbeck. Today, its reincarnation leans more into the interactive, app-friendly subscription service, but the premise endures: one book, carefully chosen, mailed directly to your door for a fun, easy way to read more books.
Each month, subscribers are presented with a shortlist of five to seven titles. Members have until the 6th of every month to make their choice — or to skip entirely, banking the credit for another time. For the indecisive, this flexibility is a major perk, and members can access bonus content and bookish rewards through the app.
In its current form, Book of the Month favors titles that are already on their way to commercial success. The picks often come from major publishers, allowing subscribers to stay in the loop of what’s popular. That said, this system has its drawbacks. Some readers lament the lack of range, noting a sameness to the monthly lineups. Others have taken issue with the physical quality of the books, which can feel lighter and more disposable than their bookstore counterparts. Still, if you’re drawn to the excitement of new titles and don’t want to scroll through BookTok to find them, Book of the Month has a lot to offer.
Aardvark is best for readers who want higher quality and a broader range
Aardvark Book Club may be the new kid on the block, but it’s quickly made a name for itself by doing things a little differently. Named for the first word in the English dictionary, it’s drawn a loyal readership for its offbeat picks over predictable bestsellers. Subscribers are often nudged gently out of their comfort zones toward authors they hadn’t heard of or forms they’d previously ignored.
Every month, the Aardvark editorial team selects a shortlist of new releases, typically five to six picks, spanning an eclectic range of speculative, genre-fluid fiction. They feature books for every genre and interest, including queer gothic horror, sci-fi stories, the occasional curveball romance, or historical epic. Readers can choose up to three books each cycle, with one included in the monthly fee and additional titles available at a fixed, add-on rate.
Like its predecessor, the experience is a social one, with readers invited to participate in app-based discussions and reading challenges. What’s more, since Aardvark editions are hardcovers and printed on high-quality paper, they are as much a pleasure to display on your shelves as they are to read.
The limited backlist means books occasionally sell out before latecomers can add them to their carts. But what Aardvark lacks in scale, it makes up for in personality. Sometimes, that’s exactly what our reading routines need.
