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Best Cheap Book Subscription Boxes to Feed a Healthy Reading Habit

Updated December 10, 2025 by Timothy Paradis

Budget-conscious book lovers can rejoice with some of the best monthly subscription boxes out there! Find your favorite reading nook and cozy up with a well-written book, because now it’s easier and cheaper than ever before to join a monthly book club from the comforts of your own home.

What is a cheap book subscription box?

In the words of Kacey Musgraves, “Just because it doesn’t cost a lot, that doesn’t mean it’s cheap.” These book subscription boxes are designed to be affordable while still offering high-quality stories and services. What’s included can run the gamut, from children’s books and classic literature to brand-new adult fiction and pre-loved picture books. The best part? It’s all under $30.

Depending on which one you choose, monthly book subscriptions can center around a particular genre, treat subscribers to new releases with a side of self-care, or go for the simple book-only approach, sending a read-worthy hardcover or paperback book every month.

What are the benefits of a book subscription box?

For the biggest readers among us, going to the bookstore can be fraught with temptation and unmet reading goals. Many of us already have a daunting TBR stack pilling higher and higher beside our nightstands. And with an endless flow of book recommendations, being a book lover can be expensive and downright overwhelming. Book subscription services can save avid readers from the throes of decision paralysis, and save them money, too!

So, whether you’re looking to indulge your love of books, grab an ‘easy-on-the-wallet’ gift for a fellow bibliophile, or encourage yourself to read more, the Cratejoy marketplace has a month-to-month subscription box with your name on it for under $30.

Used Books Monthly

From $9.49 per box

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What sets Used Books Monthly apart is the personalization of the books chosen for each subscriber. When signing up, subscribers are prompted with a survey that includes over 20 genres to choose from, plus the ability to send the curators a message with details about reading preferences. Then each delivery is packed with 2 or 4 hand-picked, gently-used books for each subscriber, depending on the subscription chosen.

Shipping: We'll start assembling your order as soon as you subscribe, and we will ship it within 5 business days. Monthly renewals are on the 15th of each month and will ship on or before the 5th of the following month. You will get a tracking number via e-mail every time your books are sent out.

Customer Review

“The selections were perfect in the fantasy genre! I'm familiar with the titles and didn't read them before! Excited for what's to come next. Thank you!” – Tasnuva E.

Individual Signed Romance Book (No frills)

From $13.95 per box

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What You’ll Get: Join the growing number of fans of the Reveal Book Box. Featuring signed copies of best-selling romance novels, extra book-lovers swag, tea lights, book-inspired adult coloring cards and some lollies, this book box is choc a bloc with things you’ll love. Choose from 1, 2 or 4 signed books, and get into a juicy read each month.

Shipping: U.S. boxes ship within 10 business days via USPS.

Thriller and Mystery Books Club

From $15.99 per box

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Shipping: FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING on all orders!

The Storytime Box

From $16.66 per box

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Shipping: Customers must subscribe by the 15th of the month in order to receive the upcoming box. (Ex. Subscribe by June 15th for the upcoming batch shipped on July 1st.)

Reading Bug Box

From $29.99 per box

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Shipping: Your first box ships within 5 business days of your order. Thereafter, Reading Bug Boxes ship between the 15th-20th of each month. For fast shipping during the holiday season, we recommend ordering directly from our website (not through cratejoy) to choose our priority mail shipping upgrade.

History Book Box

From $19.99 per box

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Shipping: Initial box will ship within 5 days of ordering. Each additional box will ship out the following month on the 11th. Only ships within the continental U.S.

Paper Bliss

From $15.00 per box

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Curated around a new theme every month, like Panda Paper Overload or Into the Woods, Paper Bliss is a monthly subscription box that sends a mix of Japanese stationery items that are totally squee worthy. Gift them an unboxing experience filled with cute items and supplies, including pretty paper, artistic stickers, pens and pencils, notepads, and more.

Shipping: Your first welcome box ships off in 5 days or less. For existing subscribers, We ship out boxes on the 5th of every month. Only one Shipment is sent is sent per billing cycle.

Customer Review

"Only 2 boxes so far but It’s a good little box with cute stationary supplies. Always 1 sheet of stickers, 2 pens, 2-3 mini note pads, 1 mini-card, 1 postcard, an eraser or sharpener and a cute little pencil case, etc. The items are small but I like the variety of items in one box. And love the packaging concept with layers… more fun when unboxing! :)" - Marie-Eve D.

Escape the Crate: An Escape Room Adventure shipped straight to your door.

From $27.99 per box

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Escape the Crate brings high-quality riddles, puzzles, and the curiosity to crack codes into the home. These games can be played solo or in a small group of up to six. Reviewers love the length of game play and the ability to select different levels of expertise. These escape room creators are a fan favorite.

Shipping: ALL ORDERS SHIP OUT WITHIN 7 DAYS OF BEING ORDERED! We are a bi-monthly subscription, meaning we ship every OTHER month. That means if you order a 2 month subscription, that is for only 1 box.

Customer Review

“It took us (three adults) about 3 hours to do "Escape the Gold Rush Robbery" and we all enjoyed ourselves, finding the puzzles pleasantly challenging but not frustrating.” -Kj. L