I finally got my Ghirardelli’s Savor the Dark Book Club Box from Quarterly Co.! This was actually the VERY FIRST box I subscribed to back in March. This box subscription is a limited run summer book club (only May, June and July of 2016) then it is over – but I believe the July box is the only left you can order! I’m bummed it is so short-lived, but I’m so glad that I was able to get all 3 months. The MAIN contents of the boxes are not a ‘surprise’ (as most box subscriptions are) because Quarterly Co. provided spoilers for all three months ahead of time (with photos), however, there is special exclusive content included that they don’t reveal, so there’s that. You can go to the website link I provided above if you want to see and order the July Box – I will post my review on each after I get them.
Each box is $40 (plus tax and shipping) and includes: a hot new summer hard cover book (with a signed card from the author), three 3.5 oz. Ghirardelli chocolate bar pairings (different flavors) and other exclusive content you can’t buy anywhere else. (I’m going to provide pics of exclusive content, so I’m totally ruining it for them because it is written material. Hope they don’t mind.)
Ghirardelli’s Savor the Dark Book Club Box Review, May 2016
A pretty non-descript box with Quarterly Co.’s fancy tape. Shipping took about 4 days, and it was packed nicely and easy to open. I say that because there are SOME boxes that have taken me more than 10 minutes to get open – even with a box cutter. It put me in a frenzy, if you can imagine. Note: I blocked out my address and barcode stuff on the label. I’ve had stalkers in the past, so you can never be too careful. If you are an evil stalker, don’t even think about it – I’ll fuck you up. No joke.
Everything at a glance – a really handsome box! It was hard not to rip into the chocolate right away. I’m a HUGE dark chocolate fan – not just because it tastes good, but because it is good for you! It is part of my nutritional/diet plan! Yes, CrazyDogMama includes chocolate in her diet plan – I’m no dummy! See how I lost 75 pounds in a year doing it here.
They wrapped the book separately, which I really liked and appreciated! I am weird about my books – I want them perfect!
“A Fine Imitation” by Amber Brock – in Hard Cover: I am really excited to read this book; the description sounds super interesting, and I’m digging the whole roaring 20’s thing right now. That era really fascinates me – especially it’s deliciously scandalous stories!
Book Summary: “Vera Bellington has beauty, pedigree, and a penthouse at The Angelus–the most coveted address on Park Avenue. But behind the sparkling social whirl, Vera is living a life of quiet desperation. Her days are an unbroken loop of empty, champagne-soaked socializing, while her nights are silent and cold, spent waiting alone in her cavernous apartment for a husband who seldom comes home. Then Emil Hallan arrives at The Angelus to paint a mural above its glittering subterranean pool. The handsome French artist moves into the building, shrouds his work in secrecy, and piques Vera’s curiosity, especially when the painter keeps dodging questions about his past. Is he the man he claims to be? Even as she finds herself increasingly drawn to Hallan’s warmth and passion, Vera can’t suppress her suspicions. After all, she has plenty of secrets, too–and some of them involve art forgers like her bold, artistically talented former friend, Bea, who years ago, at Vassar, brought Vera to the brink of catastrophe and social exile. When the dangerous mysteries of Emil’s past are revealed, Vera faces an impossible choice–whether to cling to her familiar world of privilege and propriety or to risk her future with the enigmatic man who has taken her heart. A Fine Imitation explores what happens when we realize that the life we’ve always led is not the life we want to have.”
Included is an original signed card from the author – really cool! I guess you have to be a Bibliophile or a collector to appreciate this kind of thing, but I think it’s great!
So now for the serious stuff. The chocolate bars. Ghirardelli. Dark Chocolate. NOM NOM NOM. ‘Nuff said.
It comes with a specific-to-Ghirardelli chocolate pairing guide. Yeah, I’ll be using it. Tequila with Sea Salt Dark Chocolate? Twist my arm!!
This is the “exclusive content”. It is complimentary to the book and done by the author, Amber Brock. I am dying to try some of the cocktail recipes (even though I’m not a big drinker), because I think it will really set the mood! That, and the music recommendations! How fun is this??? At first I was disappointed it was only a stapled-together pamphlet, but then I actually READ it, and it is both appropriate, and a great addition to the box! The cost of this box was $48.60 for me, which is almost double the price of the book and chocolate – but the signed card and the exclusive content is worth something, too, and the fact that this is a limited-addition box, well, that has value as well.
So what do you think of the Ghirardelli Savor the Dark Book Club Box? Do you think it is worth it? I give it a thumb’s up!
1 Comment
It’s nice that it has chocolate, signed card and exclusive content but for the price point I like the other boxes you subscribe to more.