Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather (although Southern California is a lot different from Seattle where I grew up) and everything else that goes with it like the colors, the holidays and the fabulous Fall boxes! The items inside boxes change with the seasons and it is fun to get a new variety of stuffs. 🙂 The Cozy Reader Club has some of the BEST goodies around anyway, but I’m loving the “Cozy” in the Cozy Reader Club at the moment!
The Cozy Reader Club is what I consider a “Luxe” Book Box. They curate a truly beautiful subscription with high quality items that I am consistently impressed with. They are also one of the more expensive book boxes, but totally worth it IMHO. The cost is $64.95 per month, with a slightly lower cost for longer subscriptions. Unfortunately, they had to start charging new subscribers a $10 shipping cost, however the items always add up to more value than the cost, which is cool. Each month you will receive 4-6 items including a recently released hardcover women’s fiction novel, artisan beverages such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate, beautiful handmade items and delicious gourmet handcrafted treats. The boxes feature handcrafted, artisan goods from local small businesses throughout the USA. There is also a book discussion available now each month to discuss the current read!
The reviews today are for the September and October Cozy Reader Club boxes. I am not a Cozy Reader Club affiliate, and I pay for my subscription. Please note that I *never* accept compensation in exchange for a positive review. All of my reviews are my personal opinions and contain my own photography (unless otherwise stated). Also, if you sign up for their newsletter with your email, you can get $5 off your first box!
Cozy Reader Club Review, September 2016
I always get excited when I see this box on my doorstep!
The book spoiler comes out before the box usually, but you NEVER know what the other goods are gonna be, and those goods are always awesome! Sometimes I wait to open boxes because I have to go through all the camera and light box setup rigmarole, but for this box, it’s always OMG I HAVE TO OPEN THIS RIGHT NOW.
I don’t know what it is, but the moment you lift the tissue paper it’s like ooooohhhhhh look at thaaaaaat…kind of like opening a Birthday or Christmas present when you are 8. My peeps get all huffy when trying to get gifts for me because I get so many boxes and they feel like I have everything already, so I’ve started telling them just to take me out so I can use/wear all my box stuff! LOL!
For me, the Fall and Winter is the best time to read. Yeah, beach reading is good, but I get uncomfortable and want to go in the water. Curling up in a blanket on a rainy day or stormy night – much better!
Here are all the Retail Values listed out with details about each item. Many boxes do this and I love having the information. I end up purchasing additional items OFTEN for this box! Remember in the July Cozy Reader Club Box Review there was “Dave’s Sweet Tooth Toffee”? Yeah, I’ve bought about 20 of those now…gah!
Leave Me, by Gayle Forman – Retail Value $26.95 (Amazon Price $19.12)
The excerpt from Amazon:
Every woman who has ever fantasized about driving past her exit on the highway instead of going home to make dinner, and every woman who has ever dreamed of boarding a train to a place where no one needs constant attention–meet Maribeth Klein. A harried working mother who’s so busy taking care of her husband and twins, she doesn’t even realize she’s had a heart attack.
Surprised to discover that her recuperation seems to be an imposition on those who rely on her, Maribeth does the unthinkable: she packs a bag and leaves. But, as is often the case, once we get where we’re going we see our lives from a different perspective. Far from the demands of family and career and with the help of liberating new friendships, Maribeth is able to own up to secrets she has been keeping from herself and those she loves.
With bighearted characters–husbands, wives, friends, and lovers–who stumble and trip, grow and forgive, Leave Me is about facing the fears we’re all running from. Gayle Forman is a dazzling observer of human nature. She has written an irresistible novel that confronts the ambivalence of modern motherhood head on and asks, what happens when a grown woman runs away from home?
I’ve not read anything from this author before, so YAY! This book sounds very interesting to me – I want to run away all the time! LOL! It gets 4 stars on Amazon, so I’m looking forward to a good read.
Small Heating Pad by The Jack’s Meow. Retail Value $12
This is just the coolest thing EVER! So perfect to use while reading! You just throw the bag in the microwave for a couple of minutes, and poof! A hot pack that lasts for hours! It has corn inside, but don’t worry, it doesn’t pop. Ha. You can also use it as a cold pack by putting it in the freezer. I want like, 5 of these!
It has a pretty design on it, and it’s really soft. I displayed it on an end table still wrapped in the pretty ribbon (mistake!), and Jack my Cairn Terrier puppy decided it was his and dragged it all over the house wagging his tail. Thank the Lord he didn’t chew it up, it just had a little puppy drool on it. He was SO proud of himself, though! So, in a drawer it goes from now on.
Silver Bangle Bracelet by Lily Brooke Village – Retail Value $27.99
How appropriate – a little coffee cup, a book and a “my happy place” charm! These bracelets fit my large, thick-ass wrists, so I’m happy! The only thing about these bracelets I don’t like is that if you wear them a lot, some of the silver coloring starts to come off leaving a copper-looking color exposed – but still cute!
Lip Balm by Big Island Coffee Roasters – Retail Value $2.99. A lip balm made with coffee?!? It doesn’t get any better than that!!! It has a very nice, subtle smell and good feel to it. I love the boar on the label. 🙂
Maui Mokka Coffee by Big Island Coffee Roasters – Retail Value $11
I love all coffee, but Hawaiian coffee (to me) is so very unique in taste. I am anxious to try it out! It says the tasting notes are chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla wafers and has the scent of freshly baked cookies. UM…YES! I live on caffeine, so I’m always happy to get coffee in my boxes.
Salted Caramel and Coconut Butter Cookies by Lark Fine Foods – Retail Value $2 each.
These lasted all of 5 minutes after opening the box. REALLY GOOD. The salted caramel ones were my favorite.
It is important to note also that they are quite tasty with an iced latte from the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf! MMM…MMM…MMM!
This box had a Total Retail Value of $84.93 ($77.10 with Amazon prices) – this is fabulous for a book box! Another month I am completely enamored with! I’m gonna go heat my bag up right now and READ!
Cozy Reader Club Review, October 2016
A BROWN box?!? Whaaaa? It has their logo sticker on it, but usually they send a white pop-up box. I don’t know if they ran out this month, or if they are cutting costs, but it still looks nice – just doesn’t have the lift up flap for easy unboxing is all.
The first thing I saw was the HUGE PUMPKIN SPICE MARSHMALLOWS! Happy already.
You know, this might sound weird, but I like these inserts and display them occasionally around the house because they are just so pretty. This one looks nice propped up on my bookshelf next to all my Fall books.
Often times on these inserts there are discount codes to use for a limited time only, so always be sure to read them!!!
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult – Retail Value $28.99 (Amazon Price $17.38)
Here is the Amazon excerpt: (It gets 4.5 stars!)
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • With richly layered characters and a gripping moral dilemma that will lead readers to question everything they know about privilege, power, and race, Small Great Things is the stunning new page-turner from Jodi Picoult.
“[Picoult] offers a thought-provoking examination of racism in America today, both overt and subtle. Her many readers will find much to discuss in the pages of this topical, moving book.”—Booklist (starred review)
Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?
Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family—especially her teenage son—as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others—and themselves—might be wrong.
With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn’t offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game.
I’ve read a few Jodi Picoult books and have enjoyed them, but this one seems to be a little different than her usual. It is a story of moral dilemma regarding racism. This is not normally something I would pick out for myself, but it sounds really good and I’m hoping to get it read sooner rather than later.
Knit Headband by Jacki Bean – Retail Value $18
I don’t know exactly how much use I will get out of this because it is never real cold here, but it certainly is cute! This would be perfect for snow skiing in! I grew up in the mountains, but now I’m just a SoCal weenie with a bad back. I’m hoping to travel to some colder destinations, though, so I will be sure to pack it! I love that it is a neutral color; to me that is more elegant and versatile. It is also perfect for those with large, long foreheads, like myself. 😉
Fall Bookmark by Zeke’s Safari – Retail Value $12.95
The detail in the little charms is really cute and I love the colors! For a person who reads 4 to 5 books AT A TIME, you can never have too many bookmarks. And having seasonal bookmarks is a cool bonus!
Hot Chocolate Sticks (Fall Classics) by Ticket Chocolate – Retail Value $15. Hot chocolate on a stick! This very well may be my favorite thing in the box! The flavors are Hazelnut, Pumpkin Spice and Spiced Apple Cider! My first thought here was that I would never pay $15 for 3 blocks of chocolate, but then again I pay $4.50 for one latte at Starbucks, so perhaps I’m mistaken.
Gourmet Marshmallows by Sweet Lydia’s – Retail Value $7. I was in love with these at first sight. What’s not to like? Homemade. Pumpkin Spice. Marshmallows. They are REALLY soft and mushy and they smell divine.
Of course I made a cup right away, that’s how I roll. This is the hazelnut hot chocolate with one of the marshmallows. Yeah, totally yummy! It took the full two minutes to stir in the chocolate just like the directions said, and I did the microwave method for heating up the milk because who has the patience for stove cooked hot chocolate?? Not me. I like my hot chocolate really chocolate-y and thick, but I used 12 oz. of milk instead of the recommended 8 oz (because 8 oz just isn’t enough) and it came out nice and thick just the same. I got the big “Sweetie” cup from Burke Decor online. Everyone should have a huge coffee cup.
Classic Artisanal Caramel Popcorn by CC Made – Retail Value $5. Dale grabbed this right outta my hands (he often gets my box snacks) after I took photos. We shared and it is GONE. YUM.
These kinds of snacks don’t “sit” around at my house.
The Total Retail Value this month came out to $86.94 (Amazon prices $75.33). An amazing box! Book boxes don’t typically have high added value (if any at all), but this one consistently does – so I’m impressed!
So what do you think? Are you sold on the Cozy Reader Club box yet??
You can see all of my previous Cozy Reader Club reviews here. Until next time kiddies – happy reading! (and hot chocolate drinking…)
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