What Book of the Month Is
Book of the Month is a subscription service that sends you one hardcover book each month, selected from a rotating list you choose from. You pay a monthly fee (currently $14.99 per month, though this can change), and the book arrives at your door. You are not locked into a contract — you can pause or cancel anytime without penalty.
The service works differently from a library or a bookstore. Instead of picking any book you want, you choose from a curated selection of titles that Book of the Month's editors have already narrowed down. Each month, they present five to seven options across different genres — mystery, romance, memoir, literary fiction, and others. You pick one, or you can skip the month entirely if none appeal to you.
The books arrive as new hardcovers, which typically cost $25 to $30 in a bookstore. The subscription price is meant to offset that cost, though the actual savings depend on which books you choose and how often you would have bought them anyway.
Key Takeaways
- Book of the Month sends one hardcover book per month from a curated list of five to seven titles, and you choose which one you want.
- You pay a monthly subscription fee and can pause or cancel anytime without a contract or cancellation fee.
- The service includes a first-month discount (often $9.99 instead of the regular price) if you are a new member.
- You can skip months when no titles interest you, and your subscription will pause until you are ready to select again.
- Books ship as new hardcovers and typically arrive within one to two weeks of your selection.
How to Start a Subscription
To begin, visit the Book of the Month website and create an account with your email address and a password. You will need to provide a shipping address and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or PayPal). Book of the Month will charge your payment method on the date you join each month.
When you sign up, you will see the current month's book selections. Choose one of the five to seven titles offered, or skip the month if you prefer to wait. Your first shipment will include whichever book you selected, and it will ship within a few days. After that, you will receive an email each month with the new selections, usually around the 1st of the month, and you have until a set date (typically the 5th) to make your choice or skip.
If you do not make a selection by the important date, Book of the Month will automatically send you the editors' top pick for that month. You can change your selection up until the cutoff date if you change your mind.
Monthly Selection and Shipping
Each month, Book of the Month presents a new set of titles. The selections rotate through genres — one month might feature three mysteries and two memoirs, the next might lean toward literary fiction and romance. The editors write a short description of each book to help you decide.
Once you choose a book, it ships within a few business days. Shipping is included in your subscription fee; you do not pay extra for delivery. Books typically arrive within one to two weeks depending on your location. You can track your shipment through your Book of the Month account.
If you want to change your selection after you have already chosen, you can do so as long as the book has not shipped yet. Log into your account, find the current month's selection, and pick a different title before the cutoff date.
Pausing and Canceling Your Subscription
You can pause your subscription at any time without losing your account or paying a fee. Pausing means you will not receive a book or be charged that month, but your account stays active. When you are ready to resume, you straightforward log back in and select a book for the next available month.
To cancel entirely, log into your account and select the cancellation option. Book of the Month will ask you to confirm, and your subscription will end. You will not be charged again, and you can rejoin anytime in the future if you change your mind. There is no penalty for canceling, and you do not have to call customer service or jump through extra steps.
If you cancel mid-month after a book has already shipped, you will still receive that book. Book of the Month does not charge you for a book that is already in transit, but you will not receive a refund for the month's fee.
Book Selection and Genres
Book of the Month's selections span multiple genres, though the mix changes month to month. You might see literary fiction, mystery, romance, memoir, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, or self-help titles in any given month. The service does not let you filter by genre before you see the full selection, so you receive the complete list each month and choose from what is offered.
The editors' descriptions help you understand what each book is about and who might enjoy it. If you are not interested in any of the five to seven options in a given month, you can skip without being charged. Skipping does not affect your subscription — you straightforward will not receive a book that month, and you will not be billed.
Book of the Month also occasionally offers bonus selections or special deals on additional books beyond your monthly pick. These are optional and cost extra, but they give you a way to add more books if you want them.
Cost and First-Month Offers
The regular monthly subscription fee is $14.99 per month, though Book of the Month frequently offers a discounted first month (often $9.99) for new members. This discount applies only to your first month; subsequent months are charged at the regular rate.
If you have a promo code, you can enter it during signup to receive a different discount. Book of the Month runs promotions throughout the year, especially around holidays and major shopping events.
Your subscription renews automatically each month on the same date you joined. You will receive an email reminder before you are charged, which gives you a chance to skip the month or cancel if you want to. There are no hidden fees — the monthly charge is the only cost, and shipping is included.
What Happens If You Do Not Like a Book
Book of the Month does not offer refunds or exchanges for books you receive. Once a book ships to you, it is yours to keep. If you do not like it, you can donate it, give it away, or sell it, but you cannot return it to Book of the Month for a refund or credit.
This is an important difference from some other subscription services. You are paying for the convenience of having a curated book selected and delivered to you each month, not for a may provide that you will love every book. Reading the editors' descriptions carefully before you select can help you avoid choosing a book that does not match your taste.
If you find that you are consistently unhappy with the selections, pausing your subscription for a few months or canceling entirely is the best option. You can always rejoin later if the selections improve or if your reading interests change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my book selection after I have already chosen one?
Yes, as long as your book has not shipped yet. Log into your account and change your selection before the monthly cutoff date (usually around the 5th of the month). Once your book has shipped, you cannot change it, but you can contact customer service to ask about options.
What if I miss the important date to choose a book?
If you do not make a selection by the cutoff date, Book of the Month will automatically send you the editors' top pick for that month. You will be charged the regular subscription fee and will receive that book. To avoid this, set a reminder on your phone or calendar for the selection important date each month.
Can I gift a Book of the Month subscription to someone?
Yes. Book of the Month offers gift subscriptions that you can purchase for a set number of months (typically three, six, or twelve months). The recipient receives a gift code to redeem, and their subscription begins when they create an account and use the code. Gift subscriptions work the same way as regular subscriptions.
Do I have to pay shipping, or is it included?
Shipping is included in your monthly subscription fee. You do not pay extra for delivery, no matter where you live in the United States. International shipping is not available through the standard subscription.
What if a book is out of stock or unavailable?
This is rare, but if a selected book becomes unavailable, Book of the Month will contact you and offer you a replacement from that month's other selections or a credit toward a future month. You will not be charged twice or left without a book.