LitJoy has done a great job of creating a strong reputation in the book box community. Their newest subscription offering, To Bee Read, is for those who would rather “bee” reading! It’s also the only fully customizable build-your-own book box subscription. From exclusive, special edition books, to bookish items – I was eager to try it out!
They kindly sent us this box for review.
To Bee Read Subscription Details
To Bee Read by LitJoy is a quarterly book box subscription for those who would rather BEE reading!
To Bee Read offers the ONLY fully customizable build-your-own-box book subscription for “bee-bibliophiles” (that’s you). Choose from three subscription options:
- Book Only Subscription – receive an exclusive TBR special edition book (signed by the author)
- Standard Book Box – get the special edition book and customize your box with unique items to choose from
- Deluxe Book Box – get the special edition book and ALL the high-quality bookish items unique to TBR
Subscriptions start at $18.99 per quarter and are shipped worldwide.
To Bee Read Coupon Code: Use code AYOB15 for 15% off your first box HERE!
Unboxing the Summer 2024 To Bee Read Box
I was totally shocked by the enormous size of the Too Bee Read box when it arrived! Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever received a book box that was this gigantic. It made me want to dive into it even more!
I love the bee-themed interior and the glossy magazine on top that acted as the product card. I think it’s so helpful when subscription boxes include a thorough product card like this. I love seeing all the options and all the extra details that make the box so special. I could hardly wait to go through it!
We received the deluxe box, so we received all of the items that were available across all the tiers. How To Bee Read works is, depending on the subscription plan you choose, you’ll either receive the option to customize some of the items in your box or if you’re on the deluxe plan, you get everything and don’t have to worry about choosing – because it’s all yours. If you do the standard subscription you get to choose one item from each of the 6 tiers. If you do the book-only subscription, you just get the book without any of the extras.
Here’s a closer look at the items we received in the deluxe To Bee Read Box…
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue: This is one of two books in the box. “Jolene, a diligent admin, accidentally discovers colleagues’ private emails and DMs, sparking a mission to save her job. This debut novel with a thread of office romance, promises uproarious laughter and genuine warmth in an unlikely heroine who feels like all of us.”
Yes, yes, yes – I’m so excited to read this one! The To Bee Read special edition features a signature page from the author, endpapers with character and setting art, and a LitJoy exclusive case wrap with digitally designed page edges.
There were lots of fun finds with this book, like the cover under the sleeve and the illustrative endpapers. It was very cool and I’m anxious to start reading it!
Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun: This is the second book in the box and is different than the book listed on the product card, but it’s described as, “A brilliant new voice brings a brilliant new novel: debut author Ehigbor Okosun’s first book in an action-packed, poignant duology inspired by Nigerian mythology – full of magic and emotion and set in a highly atmospheric, complex world in which a young woman, having had everything stripped away from her, fights to survive a tyrannical society and seeks vengeance for her mother’s murder and the spilled blood of her people.” It is the first book in the Tainted Blood Duology.
It also has a beautiful casewrap and digitally designed page edges as well as illustrated endpapers so I’m guessing those are part of what makes it exclusive for To Bee Read. The cover underneath the casewrap was absolutely stunning! I loved it! This could absolutely double as a piece of art after it’s been read. So fun!
Ok, so those were the books we received, now it’s time to get into the bookish items that they featured in this box. I’ll break them down by level.
Level 1 Options – if you’re a standard member you’d have the option to choose one of the Level 1 product options. If you’re a deluxe member, you’d get both automatically. Here are the two level 1 options:
Ares Greek Mythology Key: To Bee Read is definitely helping me embrace my inner warrior with this one! A symbol of strength and courage it features Ares’ iconic laurel wreath, helmet, and a serpent coiled around a spear-shaped stem. It came in a charming little velvet bag for safekeeping.
Quotation Mark Bookends: I shrieked when I unwrapped these! They are the cutest bookends I’ve ever seen and I’m thoroughly obsessed! They’re super high quality, and have a lovely wrought iron look and feel. I can’t wait to switch out my clear plastic bookends with these. They’re the perfect way to frame your favorite books like they’re treasured quotes. What an absolutely amazing product to receive! I think it’s obvious which option I would have chosen if I had to choose my Level 1 option!
Next up, Level 2 Options – if you’re a standard member you’d have the option to choose one of the Level 2 product options. If you’re a deluxe member, you’d get both automatically. Here’s a look at the items available for Level 2:
Bee Eyeglass Holder: How cute is this little guy? The bee theme is really adorable – but this is such a fun way to hold glasses. It’s sturdy and well-made with laser-engraved bee detail. I think it would look so cute on a nightstand or in a cozy reading corner. Love this. (glasses not included – just wanted to show you how it works)
Elixir of Life Soda Can Glass Tumbler: Oh my gosh, how does To Bee Read know me so well?! Another score that had me squealing in delight when I opened it! This glass tumbler is so on trend and I just loved the Elixir of Life inscription. Maybe it will turn my favorite reading beverage into an enchanted potion – stay tuned! It also came with a glass straw. I have to say, for something so incredibly fragile – it was packaged perfectly. It was encased with foam in a snug box, so rest assured you don’t have to worry about items from To Bee Read coming broken or damaged. They do a great job of protecting the items they ship.
So many great options so far, moving on to Level 3 Options – if you’re a standard member you’d have the option to choose one of the Level 3 product options. If you’re a deluxe member, you’d get both automatically. Here’s a look at what was available for Level 3:
Stained Glass Bookshelf Metal Bookmark: This has got to be the classiest bookmark I’ve ever seen. It’s made of metal and stained glass but it’s not too thick or heavy. The edges are a bit sharp so I’ll have to be careful, but it’s worth the risk because it’s so unique and it makes me smile every time I look at it.
Illuminae Literary Window Enamel Pin: This pin is crafted like a spaceship and the window actually opens (it’s magnetic) to reveal an illuminate scene. An interactive pin? That’s a first for me – and I have to say it’s really neat. I haven’t read any of the Illuminae series, but I bet this would be a hit for Illuminae fans for sure.
The last level is Secret Items. The next two items are secret items that don’t include customization. If you’re a standard member, you’d get one of the two items as a surprise. If you’re a deluxe member, you’d get them both!
Glasses Bottle Opener Keychain: Again, so crafty with their items! Who would have ever thought to create a glasses styled bottle opener? I’d never think to buy something like this, but now that I have it, I can’t imagine not having it! It’s so hilarious and such a conversation starter. It also doubles as a keychain for multi-functionality.
Rainbow Book Flower Sticker: This oversized transparent sticker is a literary work of art. It features a translucent holographic suncatcher, with blooming flowers from an open book. Perfect for adorning a window.
To Bee Read Review Summer 2024 – Final Thoughts
Oh my goodness this was one of the most fun book boxes I’ve ever received! From the exclusive, limited edition books and fun features to the incredible curation of unique and creative bookish extras – I was absolutely amazed. The Too Bee Read quarterly box was packed with tremendous value. While they didn’t list price points of the books or items on the product card, it was clear that the value of the items received far outweighed the price. Everything was custom, likely not available anywhere else, and felt like such treasured pieces that would be well-loved for years.
One other thing I love about To Bee Read is that it’s well-suited for young adults as well as adults. Subscribers can choose the genre of the book that they’ll receive and the products that they include in the standard and deluxe boxes seem to be appropriate for all ages. I wouldn’t hesitate to gift To Bee Read to a friend or family member who loves to read and who appreciates fun bookish novelties.
What did you think about To Bee Read? Which items would you choose from the tier options above? I’d love to hear from you!
-AYOB Jessica
LitJoy To Bee Read
To Bee Read offers the ONLY fully customizable build-your-own-box book subscription. A quarterly book box subscription with exclusive special edition books and unique bookish items.