Now accepting new subscribers! Check the hints page for our current themes!

Limited Edition Boxes
Once Upon a Book Club - Past_Boxes_Limited
Hover over the photo of the wrapped gifts to see the complete unboxing underneath!

image1
image1

Winter, 2020

Book Year's Eve

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
  • Page 120
    "'You're not ready.' She gives me a once-over. 'Unless you're waiting tables at the Olive Garden, neither are you.' I look down at my black slacks and red blouse and laugh. 'What can I say? I'm a laid-back kind of girl.' 'Just so you know,' Lucy says, 'laid-back girls rarely get laid back." She grabs a pot of lip gloss and hands it to me. 'Do yourself a favor.'"
    - a custom designed tube of lipgloss inspired by Lucy's from the novel.
  • Page 226
    "She hugs me first, and then bids Poppy a tearful good-bye. It seems to take all of Poppy's strength to reach into her purse and fish out her bag of pennies. She places one in Sofia's hand. 'For luck,' she says. 'Now, go and spread your sunshine in this world.'"
    - a shoulder bag the color of poppies, containing a floral coin purse. Inside, a custom designed coin with a book printed on one side and a quote from the novel on the back.
  • Page 335
    "'Wait, Dar. I have something for you.' She lifts the gloves from the kitchen counter. 'I opened them earlier. They're gorgeous, Emmie.' I reach into my pocket. 'I meant this.' She stares down at the medal in my palm. Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, her prize possession. She closes my palm around it. 'Mom would want you to have it. And so do I.'"
    - a pair of black leather gloves and a custom designed medal with a sticker of Saint Christopher on the back.

image1
image1

Winter, 2020

12 Days of Book-Club-Mas

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

image1
image1

Winter, 2020

Christmas Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
  • Page 144
    "'Thank you for getting this started, honey.' Mom pulls her hair back into a bun, slips on her Mrs. Claus apron, and takes the wooden spoon from my hand, wordlessly telling me she's got it from here."
    - a flirty Mrs. Claus apron!
  • Page 164
    "In unison, Andrew and I turn our faces up to the doorway overhead. Miles is right. The festive sprig is now hanging from a red ribbon pinned into the doorway.
    - a mistletoe ball hanging from red ribbon.
  • Page 273
    "Tentatively-reverently-he takes it. With fingertips that have touched every inch of my skin, he easily pulls free the silken bow. The rip of the thick paper tears through the room. The gift hasn't been put in a box, it's wrapped as is: a framed drawing, charcoal on paper. I wonder briefly where Mom found the simple wooden frame to decorate lovingly with brilliantly painted quaking aspen but I don't really have time to dwell on the question, because Andrew sucks in a breath and then becomes an inflatable doll with all the air sucked out. He's sweetly deflated."
    - a custom drawing in a simple, custom frame.
  • Page 329
    "I shuffle down the hall, rounding the banister to begin climbing the stairs, but my foot lands on something and it crunches beneath the sole of my sock. I lift my foot, pick the item off the bottom, and study the silver object. It's a flattened peppermint kiss."
    - three peppermint Hershey kisses and a pair of open book socks.

image1
image1

Autumn, 2020

Spooky Halloween Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates
  • Page 14
    "It might have been an argument. Adrienne lowered Wolfgang to the porch and tore open the envelope containing her key. The key slid into its hole below the door handle. The metal, stiff and rusted, screeched as she turned it, then a second later, a quiet click told her the door was unlocked.
    - a set of heavy, wrought-iron skeleton keys.
  • Page 253
    "But she couldn't stop herself from turning toward the next painting. Edith. There was no terror in the child's face, only a flat, cold focus. She stared directly ahead, intense attenion squared on the observer, the muscles in her face tight but not from fear. The painted eyes blinked.
    - a canvas painting of Edith.
  • Page 273
    "Adrienne shoved the window open and reached the magnifying glass outside. She then pointed the flashlight at the magnifier so that its beam passed through the glass."
    - a magnifying glass bookmark and a small, custom printed flashlight.
  • Page 329
    "She wouldn't have noticed if she hadn't been listening, but Adrienne caught the faint creat of shifting wood and saw the empty chair beside her shift a fraction of an inch. The woman in the mirror folded her hands tidily in her lap and smiled as Adrienne opened the novel and began to read aloud."
    - a copy of Dracul by Dacre Stolker and J.D. Barker.

image1
image1

Autumn, 2020

Sweet Halloween Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    15 Minutes of Flame by Christin Brecher
  • Page 204
    "Enjoying the house as much as I did, I had brought a candle clock with me from the store for an authentic experience. When my work was done, I curled up in bed with my candle-by-the-hour set for thirty minutes. When my candle hit the half-hour mark and extinguished, I gasped.
    - a rose gold candlestick, plus book pins to create a falling candle clock (where the pins fall out of the candle as it melts).
  • Page 240
    "As I took a sip from my glass, my eyes fell upon Leigh's bag. Specifically, I noticed a coffee cup from The Bean, shoved into a side pocket. What I found interesting, however, was a marking on its side: HN.
    - a book-themed bamboo coffee cup (hand wash only), with a HN sticker on the top.
  • Page 283
    "Only one person would have known the story was false, and that person would turn to the person who had fabricated the tale. That person would also need cash, and quick, to fund a life on the lam, pulling cobwebs off our man."
    - a cobweb designed tablecloth.

image1
image1

Classic Edition, Autumn 2020

David Copperfield

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
  • Page 157
    "I was on the point of slinking off, to think how I had best proceed, when there came out of the house a lady with her handkerchief tied over her cap, and a pair of gardening gloves in her hands, wearing a gardening pocket like a toll-man's apron, and carryinga great knife."
    - a pair of floral gardening gloves and gardening shears.
  • Page 158
    "Her first proceeding there was to unlock a tall press, bring out several bottles, and pour some of the contents of each into my mouth. I think they must have been taken out at random, for I am sure I tasted aniseed water, anchovy sauce, and salad dressing."
    - a ceramic salad dressing bottle (handwash only).
  • Page 308
    "As he sat on my sofa, with his long knees drawn up under his coffee-cup, his hat and gloves upon the ground close to him, his spoon going softly round and round, his shadowless eyes, which looked as if they had scorched their lashes off."
    - a marblized ceramic mug and crystal embedded teaspoon (handwash only).
  • Page 675
    "I wrote a Story, with purpose growing, not remotely, out of my experience, and sent it to Traddles, and he arranged for its publication very advantageously for me."
    - a feather pen and the first page of the Story.

image1
image1

Summer, 2020

Middle Grade Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    The Blue Witch by Alane Adams
    The Rubicus Prophecy by Alane Adams
    Witch Wars by Alane Adams
  • The Blue Witch - Page 57
    "She pointed at a jar full of bulging eyeballs. Abigail grimaced, then unscrewed the jar and dug her fingers into the slippery organs. Her stomach did a somersault."
    - a custom designed eyeball jar filled with eyeball bouncy balls.
  • The Blue Witch - Page 130
    "The breeze stirred, ruffling her hair. A star in the sky burned brighter, so bright it was actually blue, pulsing with light."
    - an electric star light that casts star shapes on the walls/ceiling when plugged in.
  • The Rubicus Prophecy - Page 56
    "Something clattered against her window panes. Climbing off her bed, she flung them open. A mechanical bird made of battered tin fluttered its wings, creaking slightly. In its beak it held a piece of paper."
    - a paper bird with USB port to charge and fly.
  • The Rubicus Prophecy - Page 192
    "He took a pouch from around his neck and dumped out a small key. Taking the shard of stone from Robert, he tucked it inside, looping it around the boy's neck."
    - a small pouch, piece of cord, and glow-in-the-dark stone. The stone is meant to be inserted into the pouch, and then the pouch closed over the cord, just like in the book.
  • Witch Wars - Page 15
    "Plucking the apple from his pocket, he placed it on the tabl. He waved a hand over it, and it lifted, spinning slowly."
    - a small apple candle.
  • Witch Wars - Page 176
    "He raised the hammer and threw it at Utgard-Loki. There was a gust of wind and distant booming sound, and then the hammer returned to Vertulious's hand."
    - a large inflatable, spiked hammer.

image1
image1

Winter, 2019

New Year's Eve Mini Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
  • Page 49
    "Clara grins, and I go to my craft closet and pull out my birthday board. Clara may be too old to sit with me while I rock her to sleep, but at least she still gets just as excited about our traditions as I do. We started this one when she was eight years old. Chris doesn't involve himself inthis tradition, so it's just something Clara and I do twice a year. It's like a vision board, but rather than making a new one every year, we just add to the same one. We each have our own, and we add to them only on our respective birthdays. Clara's birthday is still a couple months away, so I grab my board and leaves hers in the closet. Clara takes a seat next to me at the kitchen table and then selects a purple Sharpie."
    - a custom whiteboard printed with the word GOALS at the top along with a purple whiteboard marker.
  • Page 349
    "Gramps smiles at the camera. He points it at Miller one more time. When they announce my name and it's my turn to take a bow onstage, Miller bites his lip, trying to hide his smile."
    - a custom-designed mini video camera.

image1
image1

Winter, 2019

12 Days of Book-Club-Mas

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

  • Day One
    - a hardcover copy of A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline.
  • Day Two
    - a custom-designed pair of black-and-white mittens embroidered with open books.
  • Day Three
    - a custom-designed mint green book-shaped keychain embossed with 'Bookworm'.
  • Day Four
    - a hardcover copy of Love and Other Consolation Prizes by Jamie Ford.
  • Day Five
    - a dual function LED booklight with a stand and book clip.
  • Day Six
    - a custom-designed book locket printed with the classic pink Once Upon a Book Club box.
  • Day Seven
    - a paperback copy of Secret Sisters by Joy Callaway.
  • Day Eight
    - a custom-designed ceramic spoon rest printed with the first page of Wuthering Heights.
  • Day Nine
    - a custom-designed, mint green, wooden bookmark printed with the phrase "They All Read Happily Ever After."
  • Day Ten
    - a custom-designed glass and pink rubber water bottle with a wooden, screw-on cap engraved with Once Upon a Book Club.
  • Day Eleven
    - a hardcover copy of All is Beauty Now by Sarah Faber.
  • Day Twelve
    - a custom-designed wall clock printed with the phrase "Just One More Chapter."

image1
image1

Winter, 2019

Christmas Mini Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    A Royal Christmas Wish by Lizzie Shane
  • Page 68
    "Haven't you ever made a Christmas wish?" She moved her wrist and the snowflake dangling from her fingers began to spin, the light flashing off the diamonds hypnotically. Something about it seemed to snag my attention and make it impossible for me to look away as she spoke in a smooth lilting voice.
    - a beautiful, custom-designed cz snowflake bracelet.
  • Page 272
    With the puppy still tucked under one arm, she waved her free hand with a flourish, and the snowflakes above her fingertips began to swirl in a vortex that expanded and whooshed toward me, that now-familiar candy-cane scent somehow warm around me even as the snowflake cyclone blinded me.
    - a custom-created peppermint candle.

image1
image1

Autumn, 2019

Sweet Halloween Mini Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    House Witch by Katie Schickel
  • Page 135
    Miranda steps forward with a garment box and Astrid opens it. She pulls out a pink cashmere cape. THE pink cashmere cape. She wraps it around me. It's the softest, most luxurious thing I've ever worn.
    - the Glamour Girls' pink cashmere cape, turned pashmina.
  • Page 162
    I dip a finger in the jar and spread the warm, slick mixture onto my face. It's immediately soothing. I spread it over my eyelids, down my cheekbones, over my lips, along my chin. Soon my whole face is covered and it feels fabulous.
    - a custom made jar of the Glamour Girls ME FIRST mud mask.

image1
image1

Autumn, 2019

Spooky Halloween Mini Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    No One's Home by D.M. Pulley
  • Page 184
    In the ghostly glow of the while marble, a figure stood at his sink - the shape of a girl. Myron stopped breathing, frozen in the doorway. Bare legs. Long pale hair. White gauzy slip. A wisp of smoke. "Margot?" he whispered.
    - the white silken and lace robe worn by the figure in this moment, sprayed with the vanilla perfume that hung where she did.
  • Page 228
    The dull tink tink tink of a glass wine bottle sliding against the concrete floor pried oepn Hunter's eyes. The room was cold and dark. Too dark.
    - a wine bottle reminscent of the one tinking throughout this scene, filled with a custom made bubble bath liquid.

image1
image1

Spring, 2019

Mother's Day Advent Calendar

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

  • Day One
    - a custom designed tea towel that says "Not All Heroes Wear Capes" showing moms being superheroes
  • Day Two
    - a exclusive, custom designed clutch pouch with a Little Women design (designed by Chick Lit Designs)
  • Day Three
    - a new copy of A Mother's Promise by Sally Hepworth
  • Day Four
    - a custom designed sleep mask that says "Tired as a Mother"
  • Day Five
    - a Mother-Daughter, interlocking infinity necklace

image1
image1

Winter, 2019

Valentine's Day Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    The Accidental Beauty Queen by Teri Wilson
  • Page 59
    "He gestures toward my shirt. I look down at it as if I've never seen it before, even though it's one of my favorites. The words emblazoned across my chest come into focus. Talk Darcy to Me."
    - The first sized clothing item in a Once Upon a Book Club box, a lavender tee featuring a silhouette of Mr. Darcy with the words Talk Darcy to Me.
  • Page 173
    "But as it turns out, he's just buying time. He grabs his full ice bucket from the ledge of the icemaker, tucks it under his arm, and winks at me."
    - a collapsible ice bucket.
  • Page 201
    "When I open my eyes, I see the current Miss American Treasure coming toward me, carrying something sparkly. It's a tiara."
    - a cubic zirconia 'tiara' headband.
  • Page 215
    "My dad hands me a glass and I take a sip. The champagne is ice-cold, and the fizzy bubbles dance on my tongue. 'Oh I almost forgot, there's a card.' I look around for the white small envelope."
    - a custom printed champagne glass and small white envelope with a note inside as written in the book.

image1
image1

Winter, 2018

Christmas Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan
  • Page 167
    "Posy bagged up three packets of Christmas cards painted by a local artist and added a hand-wrapped gingerbread man. "On the house." She handed it over with a dazzling smile and another family of happy customers left the cafe."
    - a set of three custom designed blank notecards for all occasions, and a stuffed gingerbread man ornament
  • Page 352
    "Beth carried her downstairs to the kitchen and pushed open the door. The place smelled of cinnamon and cloves and Suzanne was sifting flour into a bowl."
    - a custom designed package of Grandma's Pumpkin Spice Cake mix with instructions, and a miniature wooden spoon
  • Page 370
    "Hannah found a knife and a chopping board. She'd never done this before, worked side by side in the kitchen with her mother."
    - a custom designed cutting/cheese board in the shape of a Christmas tree that reads "Eat Drink and Be Merry"
  • Page 402
    "'You got me a gift, even though you didn't know I was going to be here?' He opened the small box and grinned. 'Is this what I think it is?' 'It's the key to my apartment.'"
    - a custom designed keychain with a Pride and Prejudice charm, with a small key

image1
image1

Winter, 2018

12 Days of Book-Club-Mas

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

  • Day One
    - a hardcover copy of A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams
  • Day Two
    - a custom designed, dangly cactus bookmark
  • Day Three
    - a custom designed, yellow, geometric printed apron that read "Kiss the Bookworm"
  • Day Four
    - a custom designed enamel coffee mug that read "Drink Good Coffee, Read Good Books"
  • Day Five
    - a hardcover copy of A Boy Made of Blocks by Keith Stuart
  • Day Six
    - a custom designed enamel pin that read "The Book was Better"
  • Day Seven
    - a custom designed pair of yellow socks with a multicolored, flying books pattern
  • Day Eight
    - a custom designed teal pen that read "I cannot live without books"
  • Day Nine
    - a paperback copy of either Setting Free the Kites by Alex George or The Center of the World by Jacqueline Sheehan
  • Day Ten
    - a custom designed pink wallet with a multicolored, flying books pattern
  • Day Eleven
    - a custom designed blue tote bag that read "Happiness is a cup of coffee and a really good book"
  • Day Twelve
    - a custom designed, oversized fleece blanket with our custom script design

image1
image1

Autumn, 2018

Halloween Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    The Retreat by Mark Edwards
  • Page 86
    "I headed over to join the other writers. On my way past the bar I spotted the painting that caught my attention on my first visit here. The woman in red, beckoning onlookers into the trees."
    - a custom designed canvas painting inspired by the Red Woman painting from the book.
  • Page 165
    "Disappointed, I left the hut - and glimpsed a figure on the far side of the field, directly opposite the spot where I'd entered the clearing. Beyond this field was another part of the woods. The person vanished into the trees. They had been wearing a red coat."
    - a red cloak with fur trim.
  • Page 255
    "'What is this?' Julia asked. I moved behind her and looked over her shoulder, staring at the lines and curves, the crosses and squiggles on the sheet of paper. 'It's a map,' Ursula said. 'I drew you a map.'"
    - a custom designed map as described in the book.
  • Page 303
    "She swung the hammer at the wall. It went through like the wall was made of cardboard. Shards of thin plaster landed at my feet. Julia swung again, working at the gap with the head of the hammer to create a large hole."
    - a custom designed, multipurpose hammer with a set of screwdrivers in the shaft.

image1
image1

Spring, 2018

Mother's Day Box

images by @The_Bookish_Runner

    The Optimist's Guide to Letting Go by Amy E. Reichert
  • Page 65
    "She held one of the pictures up to her sister, who had been looking out the window."
    - an accordian organizer containing the photo, custom designed to the description in the book.
  • Page 139
    "She only had had enough time to change clothes and rub on some strawberry-scented lotion."
    - a jar of strawberry-scented lotion.
  • Page 243
    "The poor Joe handed Lorraine a thin plaid blanket he'd been holding in his left hand."
    - a plaid blanket.
  • Page 326
    "May nodded and opened the notebook to a fresh page."
    - a custom designed notebook, perfect for making lists.

image1
image1

Winter, 2017

Christmas Box

image by @OnceUponABookClubBox and @KMSpedden

    Every Time a Bell Rings by Carmel Harrington
  • Page 20
    "A tiny silver bell. Nestled on red velvet fabric within the box, with a red-velvet ribbon attached to it, I don't think I've ever seen anything more perfect."
    - a silver bell ornament.
  • Page 40
    "She starts to read the letter aloud and I mouth along with her. I know it off by heart."
    - a rolled up letter to Santa.
  • Page 183
    "I hold the jar down low for her...I pull out a name and have a peek."
    - a mason jar mug with a note inside as mentioned in the novel. (one of four designs)
  • Page 264
    "'Here.' I say, as I pull my scarf off and wrap it around her neck."
    - an oversized plaid blanket scarf.
  • Page 375
    "'Bleeding starvin' I was.' And he ducks as Tess tries to swipe him with her tea towel."
    - a custom designed tea towel.