Once Upon a Book Club is a unique, interactive online community that offers a monthly subscription service where readers will receive a monthly box in the mail containing a newly released book to read for the month, along with 3-5 individually wrapped gifts. These gifts are curated by the Once Upon a Book Club team to enhance the reading experience.
They kindly sent us this box for review.
Subscription Details
Once Upon a Book Club subscribers can choose between a Young Adult (ages 14+) or Adult (ages 18+) subscription when signing up. Boxes start from $34.99, and you may choose a month-to-month, 3-month, 6-month, or annual subscription.
Each box will contain the book of the month, 3-5 individually wrapped gifts with page numbers from the book, a 5×7 quote print featuring a quote from the selected book, and a booklet with discussion questions and read-a-long dates for live discussions with fellow Book Club members.
A Betting Woman by Jenni L. Walsh
“Born Simone Jules, reinvented as Eleanor Dumont, and largely remembered as Madame Moustache – down to her last dollar and facing some unsavory options, Eleanor quick wits her way to a gambling table where she begins to deal vingt-et-un, modern-day blackjack. But the boom and bust of the gold rush stops for no one, nor do the challenges of a man’s world. Eleanor learns she must fight – for her livelihood, her self-worth, and most of all, for her legacy.”
Book Club Kit
Every box comes with a booklet containing an interview with the author, read-a-long-dates with other book clubbers, and discussion questions for the book club’s Facebook group.
Book Quote
This month’s book quote print reads “There wasn’t much a woman could possess in this world. But we could surely keep out wits about us”. I always love the quotes chosen for these prints, and always save them for my journal. There is also a signed bookplate by the author.
This month’s Once Upon a Book Club contains 4 individually-wrapped gifts. Readers are supposed to open the gift when they reach the particular page indicated on the gift wrap to fully experience the box. This whole interactive experience is what makes this subscription so unique.
Page 39 – Deck of Cards
On page 39, Simone (later Eleanor) deals a game of vingt-et-un to a group of gentlemen.
Page 75 – Sketch
On page 75, Simone is sketched and painted by Arthur.
Page 197 – Chuck-a-Luck Game
On page 197, Eleanor learns the chuck-a-luck game and later deals games to a group of men.
Page 218 – Umbrella
On page 218, Eleanor uses a parasol to shield her from the sun as she walks down the street.
Once Upon a Book Club Review May 2021 – Final Thoughts
I think the theme chosen for this month’s Once Upon a Book Club is rather unique. The book centred around the life of Simone/Eleanor is fascinating, and I was glued to it cover to cover following her journey. This is a story that I will binge on Netflix if made into a series for sure! As usual, the gifts are really fitting to the theme and do so much to bring the book and characters to life. They range from fun to practical. Living in Vancouver, I can never have enough umbrellas, and this one with the polka dots is so pretty. The deck of cards and chuck-a-luck game set will be great additions to our board game collection. The thoughtfully selected gifts and how they complement the chosen book of the month is the main reason Once Upon a Book Club really stands out among other book subscriptions for me, and why it still remains one of my favourite subscription boxes.
Toby & Rocket – http://www.tobyandrocket.com