Big news this weekend for our neighbours to the south as Sweet Reads Box announced it will soon start shipping to the U.S. If you’re not familiar with Sweet Reads Box, it’s a monthly Canadian subscription service that delivers a new novel, something to eat and drink while you read and a few bookish items cleverly tied to the story (think mugs, candles, bookmarks, cozy socks and the like). Subscriptions of varying durations are available or you can purchase by the box. They also release a number of themed limited edition boxes throughout the year like the new Valentine’s and Galentine’s boxes (the Snack Lovers and latest Cook’s Box look fantastic too 😍😍 ). So many options! But first a look at December’s box. (Thanks to Sweet Reads for sending this one to share with you.)
“Examination of our past is never time-wasting.” — Kilroy J. Oldster
Each Sweet Reads Box opens to a product card with a quote related to the novel on one side and a description of the contents on the other. I’ve excerpted from it in italics below.
🇨🇦 indicates a Canadian product.
December’s book is The Women of Pearl Island: A Novel by Polly Crosby.
“A novel about an island, a family, and the secrets that live there. The novel begins with Tartelin answering an ad for a personal assistant on an island off the coast of Britain. With only a few inhabitants and a mysterious past, Pearl Island offers an escape from daily life, sadness, and modern conveniences. Tartelin’s employer, Marianne, is a remarkably private woman with a difficult and painful past.
We found The Women of Pearl Island to be a beautiful novel that slowly unravels the stories of Tartelin and Marianne’s pasts, all while searching for evidence of a top-secret event that happened on Pearl Island decades before. We curated this box to tie to the novel and included some of our favourite holiday and bookish items.”
I’m totally intrigued. And that cover — so gorgeous! Subscribers also received a card with a note from the author with a sketch of the island in the book. I’d never heard of this novel before opening December’s box and it’s right up my alley. Have you read it? What did you think?
Raspberry Candy Tube (Candy Labs) · “Handmade old-fashioned candy from Montreal. We chose this item as a modern take on tinned fruit candy. The tube connects to the scientific exploration that Marianne engages in to uncover the past on Pearl Island.” 🇨🇦
Mulling Spice (Walton Wood Farm) · “A beautiful mulling spice for cider or wine. Ideal for winter celebrations or taking the chill out of your bones after a long walk on the island.” 🇨🇦
Milk Hot Chocolate (Camino) · “We include this beautiful milk hot chocolate as a sweet treat to take the chill out of the winter air. White chocolate would not be found on a remote island, we think you deserve a delicious cup while enjoying the novel.” 🇨🇦
The raspberry candies are a wonderful combo of sweet and tart and so tasty and Camino makes the best hot chocolate IMHO. (And fair trade too.) 😋😋 The only miss for me is the mulling spice. Just not my bag but I’m sure I’ll find someone who will love it.
Holiday Card (I’ll Know It When I See It) · “A fun inclusion to spread some cheer this holiday season. Pair it with your favourite book for a special reader on your list.” 🇨🇦
Tea & Butterflies Bookmark (Crafted Van) · “A custom bookmark created to capture the essence of this novel and the things that tie Tartelin and Marianne’s lives together.” 🇨🇦
I love the card so much and the wee magnetic bookmark is perfection. Isn’t it fabulous how the design matches the cover of December’s novel?
Custom Bibliophile Desk Calendar (I’ll Know It When I See It) · “Simply the best desk calendar designed by our friends at IKIWISI for Sweet Readers. Packaged with a beautiful wooden easel made by Nordic Woodshop in Wakefield, QC. The perfect calendar for book lovers.” 🇨🇦
January’s page says “New Years Resolution 2022: Read more of the books I own before buying new ones.”
Peppermint Soap (Walton Wood Farm) · “Homemade soap would have been used for generations on Pearl Island. We love the scent of this soap, perfect for removing the scent of the Island off your hands.” 🇨🇦
Walton Wood Farm is a Sweet Reads favourite and one of mine too. They make so many great products and their peppermint soap is no exception. Smells fantastic and such a pick-me-up too!
Last but not least, this sturdy and good-sized Sweet Reads Tote (Peace Collective) · “A beautifully made essential tote bag for carrying books, presents, or butterfly catching gear. Show us all the ways you love to use your tote!” 🇨🇦
December’s Sweet Reads Box totally wowed me! The book sounds excellent; my favourite hot choco; and I love LOVE the calendar, candies, bookmark and peppermint soap. If you’d like to nab one, there are still a few of this one and a small selection of other past boxes here. Today is the last day to purchase the January box as they start shipping at the end of this week.
Sweet Reads Box ships Canada-wide and shipping is included.
- Single box: $85
- Three-month subscription: $76.99/month
- Six-month subscription: $73.99/month
- 12-month subscription: $71.99/month
Follow Sweet Reads Box on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for info on bookish news, discounts and info on upcoming boxes.
What do you think of December’s box? What were your favourite items? Are there any particular authors or products you’d like to see in future boxes?
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