A few years ago, I shared a guide to some UK book boxes and gave my thoughts on them. But things have changed since then — some of those boxes have closed, and there are also new ones now, including book subscriptions. I haven’t tried all of them myself, so I won’t rank them. Still, I thought it might be useful to put together an updated list for other book lovers in the UK! Just a heads-up: I haven’t received every box or subscription listed here, so if I’ve missed one or made a mistake, feel free to let me know and I’ll update the post.
FairyLoot
FairyLoot is one of the longest-running book boxes in the UK, and they’ve grown a lot over the years. They mainly focus on YA fantasy and sci-fi books, but now they also offer a YA book-only box and an adult book-only box. Recently, they introduced a new option where you can get both the YA and adult books in one package. If you like collecting special editions, FairyLoot is a great choice. They include beautiful editions in their boxes and also sell stunning special editions separately. I’ve loved FairyLoot ever since I first found them. The prices are pretty reasonable if you’re in the UK, so I’m happy to keep subscribing. Just a note: you can’t just buy a FairyLoot box whenever you want anymore. You have to join a waitlist first — and each type of box has its own separate waitlist.
Illumicrate
Illumicrate is another big UK book box, focusing on YA and adult fantasy and sci-fi. They offer both a full box (with items) and a book-only option. They also have a special bi-monthly box called Afterlight, which features adult romance books. This one comes with just a couple of self-care items, unlike the main Illumicrate box which includes more typical book box extras. One thing that makes Illumicrate stand out is that one of the owners, Daphne, now runs her own publishing company — Daphne Press. Because of that, Illumicrate has featured one of her books in a box and even released a special edition of another title from her press. They probably won’t include every Daphne Press book, but it’s a fun bonus to look forward to. The only downside for me is their waitlist system. You can usually only join the waitlist for the full box. If you want the book-only version, you often have to sign up for the full box waitlist first, then email them to ask to switch. It’s a bit of a hassle — but honestly, the books Illumicrate picks are so beautiful, it’s often worth the trouble.
Paper Orange
Paper Orange is a fairly new YA book box that focuses on UK-based young adult books. It’s great to see a box like this, since UK YA doesn’t always get as much attention as US YA. If you’re someone who wants to discover books that aren’t being hyped everywhere (and avoid getting duplicates), this could be a good choice for you. I haven’t tried this box yet, so I can’t say much about what comes inside — but it’s one I definitely want to try in the future. This is a good option if you prefer a smaller, more low-key box. It mostly includes paper-based items, so you’re likely to get things you can actually use. And even if you don’t, the extras are small and easy to store until you need them. You can subscribe to Paper Orange or just buy individual boxes that interest you. The website also sells signed copies of UK YA books that haven’t been included in the box, to help promote more UK authors.
The Butterfly Book Club
If you like the idea of a readalong that some book boxes offer but prefer fewer items, The Butterfly Book Club might be a good fit. It’s a bit more expensive than some other boxes, but that’s because it focuses on creating special editions of indie books. Each box includes one main item (like a TBR basket or a journal), along with bookmarks and themed inserts for the book. I’ve tried this box once and chose the option not to join the readalong — but they still sent me the info in case I changed my mind, which I really appreciated. I think the box includes both YA and adult books, but I’m not 100% sure. Since I’ve only received one box so far, I can’t say for certain. Still, I really love what this box is doing. It’s great to see indie authors being supported, and the owner clearly puts a lot of care into making beautiful special editions.
The Locked Library
I don’t have much to say about this box yet, since it’s brand new and I only got the first book a few days ago. But it’s created by HarperVoyager for their readers. Each month, you’ll get a special edition of one of their books. The genre will be fantasy or sci-fi, and it could be either YA or adult. HarperVoyager is the first publisher to start their own book box like this, so it’ll be interesting to see if other publishers do the same in the future. The first book I received is absolutely beautiful, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what they choose next. Just a heads-up: this box is subscription-only. You can sign up for one month or three months at a time, but you can’t buy just a single box whenever you feel like it, which is a bit disappointing. Still, if you’re after a book-only option, this is a great one to try.
Goldsboro Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fellowship
Goldsboro’s Fellowship is a very limited book subscription, perfect if you’re a fan of truly exclusive editions. They only allow a few thousand members at a time, so even though there’s a waitlist, it might take a while to get a spot. But if you love sci-fi and fantasy, it could be worth the wait — they send a nice mix of different books in those genres. I haven’t received this box myself, and I’m not planning to, so I can’t say much from personal experience. But I do know they announce the books in advance, which is helpful. You’re allowed to skip up to four books, so if something doesn’t interest you, you can easily pass on it. Just keep in mind that after using up those skips, you might need to be open to trying books you’re not sure about.
The Broken Binding Subscription
If you’re a sci-fi or fantasy fan who loves collecting full series, The Broken Binding might be the perfect subscription for you. Unlike most other boxes, this one focuses on releasing special editions of older, completed series. That means you won’t have to worry about tracking down matching editions later — you get the full set as part of the plan. This box works a bit differently from others on this list. They don’t focus on new releases, and instead, they go through full series one at a time — which is great if you care about having a matching collection. Like many book boxes, there’s a waitlist. I’m not sure how quickly it moves, but since they work through entire series, it’s likely a bit slow. When you do get in, you’re signing up for one year. You’re allowed to skip one series during that time, but that’s it.
Words and Kisses
There aren’t many romance book subscriptions in the UK, but thankfully, Words and Kisses fills that gap. It’s an online romance shop that offers a monthly book-only subscription where you can get one or two new romance releases, along with a small book box option if you want a few treats. I’ve subscribed to their monthly box on and off since I found it. You can choose between YA, contemporary, or historical romance, and the books arrive wrapped in cute paper. They’re standard paperbacks (not signed), but there’s always a nice mix of romance types, which keeps it fun. It’s a monthly subscription, so even if you only want to try it once, you’ll need to send an email to cancel — but that’s quick and easy. If you already own one of the books, you can also contact the shop to switch it out. I had to do this once (in January), and the owner was super kind and sent me a replacement right away. If you’d like a little extra with your book, Words and Kisses also offers a book box with sweet treats. You can’t choose the genre in this box, but you can buy it as a one-off, which is great for gifting. The extras are usually things like drinks, snacks, bookmarks, or facemasks — a fun surprise for any romance fan. Plus, the price is reasonable, so it’s definitely worth a look.
A Box of Stories
If you like receiving books and want to be thrifty getting lesser-known books, then A Box of Stories will be for you. With this box, you’ll get four monthly books that weren’t sold elsewhere. It means you’re less likely to have heard of these titles and will be saving them from the landfill. I like the idea of this box, especially as you can provide your GoodReads to avoid getting any books you already own. Unlike many of these other boxes, there are also more options genre-wise. So if you aren’t a romance or fantasy reader, this box will still suit you. I don’t know much about this box as I’ve never received it, but I believe it’s a great one to support.
