What Book of the Month is and how the service operates
Book of the Month is a subscription service that sends you one selected book each month, chosen by the company's editorial team from newly published titles. You pay a monthly fee (currently around $15 to $20, though this varies), and the book arrives at your address. You can skip months if you don't want that month's selection, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.
The service works differently from a bookstore or library. Instead of you choosing from thousands of titles, Book of the Month's editors pick one main selection each month and offer a few alternate choices. If you like the main pick, nothing happens — the book ships automatically. If you want a different book from their alternates, or if you want to skip the month entirely, you log into your account and make that choice before the shipping deadline (usually around the 5th of the month).
Books arrive as physical hardcovers, typically within 7 to 10 business days of the shipping date. The service does not offer e-books or audiobooks through the main subscription, though members sometimes get discounts on those formats through partner retailers.
Key Takeaways
- Book of the Month sends one hardcover book per month for a flat monthly fee, with the option to skip months or choose from alternate selections.
- You must actively skip or choose an alternate before the monthly deadline (usually around the 5th) or the main selection ships automatically.
- The service charges your payment method monthly and does not lock you into a contract, so you can cancel at any time.
- Shipping takes 7 to 10 business days, and books arrive as new hardcovers selected by the company's editorial team rather than your personal choice.
- The monthly cost is fixed regardless of the book's retail price, which means some months you may receive a book worth more or less than your subscription fee.
How the monthly selection and skipping process works
Each month, Book of the Month announces its main selection — the book the editors have chosen as that month's featured title. This selection is available to all members. The company also offers several alternate picks, usually between 3 and 5 other recently published books you can choose instead if the main selection doesn't appeal to you.
The deadline to make your choice falls around the 5th of each month, though the exact date appears in your account and in email reminders. If you do nothing by that deadline, the main selection automatically ships to you. If you want a different book, you log into your account, select an alternate, and confirm. If you want no book that month, you click "skip this month" and nothing ships — you still pay your subscription fee, but you receive no book.
Skipping is useful if you're behind on reading, traveling, or simply don't want any of the available options. There's no limit to how many months you can skip in a row, and skipping doesn't extend your subscription or change your billing date.
Pricing, billing, and what's included
Book of the Month's standard monthly subscription costs around $15 to $20 per month, depending on current promotions and your location. The company sometimes offers discounted rates for the first few months (such as $10 for the first month), but the price returns to the regular rate after that period ends. You are charged on the same date each month, regardless of whether you skipped the previous month.
The subscription includes one book per month (or zero if you skip), shipped to your address. Shipping is included in the price — you don't pay extra for delivery. The books arrive as new hardcovers in their original dust jackets. The service does not include e-books or audiobooks as part of the base subscription, though members sometimes receive discount codes for digital versions through partner sites.
Some months, the book's retail price is higher than your monthly subscription fee; other months it may be lower. The subscription price stays the same regardless. You're paying for the curation and convenience of receiving a book each month, not for a specific dollar value of merchandise.
Cancellation, pausing, and what happens to your account
You can cancel your Book of the Month subscription at any time through your account settings. Cancellation takes effect immediately — no future charges will be made, and you won't receive any more books. There are no cancellation fees, no required notice period, and no questions asked. If you've already been charged for the current month, that charge is not refunded, but you will still receive the book that shipped for that billing cycle.
If you don't want to cancel but need a break, you can skip individual months instead. Skipping is temporary and doesn't affect your subscription status. Your account remains active, you keep your member benefits (if any), and you resume receiving books whenever you're ready.
Some members pause their subscription for a few months during busy periods or when they have a backlog of unread books. This is different from canceling — your account stays open and your subscription resumes when you're ready, without having to re-sign up.
Who Book of the Month is useful for
Book of the Month works well if you enjoy reading new fiction and nonfiction but don't want to spend time researching what to read next. The service appeals to people who like the idea of a curated selection and don't mind that they're not choosing the book themselves. It's also useful if you want to discover authors and titles you might not find on your own, since the editors select from across genres and styles.
The service is less useful if you have very specific reading preferences and rarely like books chosen by others, or if you prefer to choose every book yourself. It's also not ideal if you read very slowly or have a large backlog, since you'll accumulate books faster than you can read them and may end up skipping most months anyway.
Book of the Month can also be more expensive than buying books individually at discount retailers or borrowing from a library, so it makes the most sense if you value the curation and the convenience of receiving a new book each month enough to justify the cost.
Comparing Book of the Month to other book subscriptions
Several other book subscription services exist, each with a different model. Scribd and Kindle Unlimited offer unlimited reading of thousands of e-books and audiobooks for a monthly fee, but you choose what to read rather than receiving a curated selection. Audible focuses on audiobooks and gives you credits to purchase titles of your choice each month. Bookshop.org offers a subscription box that includes a physical book plus other items like bookmarks or literary merchandise, but at a higher price point.
The main difference is control: Book of the Month removes the choice and sends you what the editors think you'll like, while most other services let you pick from a large catalog. If you want unlimited access to many titles, a digital-first service like Scribd or Kindle Unlimited is cheaper. If you want physical books and don't mind letting someone else choose, Book of the Month is simpler and more affordable than a full book box subscription.
What to know before you sign up
Before starting a Book of the Month subscription, understand that you're committing to a monthly charge and an active choice each month. If you forget to skip and don't want that month's book, you'll still be charged and the book will still ship. Set a phone reminder for a few days before the deadline so you don't miss it.
Also consider your reading pace. If you typically read fewer than one book per month, a subscription might result in a growing pile of unread books. Skipping is free and easy, but if you're skipping most months, you're paying for a service you're not using.
Check the current promotional offer when you sign up — the company frequently discounts the first month or two. The regular price kicks in after that, so factor the full monthly cost into your budget, not just the introductory rate. And remember that you can cancel anytime, so there's no risk in trying it for a month or two to see if the service fits your reading habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I forget to skip before the deadline?
The main selection ships automatically and you're charged for that month. You'll receive the book even if you didn't want it. If this happens, contact Book of the Month's customer service to ask about options, though they typically cannot reverse a charge after the book has shipped. Setting a phone reminder for the 3rd or 4th of each month helps prevent this.
Can I change my selection after I've chosen an alternate book?
Yes, you can change your choice anytime before the shipping deadline. Log into your account, select a different book, and confirm. Once the deadline passes and the book ships, you can no longer change that month's selection.
Do I get a refund if I don't like the book?
Book of the Month does not offer refunds based on whether you like the book. However, if a book arrives damaged, the company will replace it or refund that month's charge. Contact customer service with a photo of the damage to request a replacement or refund.
Can I gift a Book of the Month subscription to someone?
Yes, Book of the Month offers gift subscriptions for set periods (typically 3, 6, or 12 months). The recipient receives books each month during the gift period, and the subscription ends automatically unless they choose to continue paying for it themselves.
Is there a way to see next month's selection before I'm charged?
Book of the Month announces the next month's main selection and alternates before the deadline, usually a week or two in advance. You can see the options in your account or in the email reminders they send. This gives you time to decide whether to skip or choose an alternate before you're charged.