copyright: reading interrupted.com
I recently received a book subscription from Green Apple Books, a San Fransisco-based bookstore, as a gift.
Once a month, for a year, I will receive a new book; a surprise, a lovely gift wrapped with a bow.
The first one arrived yesterday. How exciting!
Man Tiger by Eka Kurniawan, an Indonesian writer.
copyright: reading interrupted.com
Folded inside the book was an interview with the author, another unexpected treat.
Here is the description from the back cover:
A wry, affecting tale set in a small town on the Indonesian coast, Man Tiger tells the story of two interlinked and tormented families and of Margio, a young man ordinary in all particulars except that he conceals within himself a supernatural female white tiger. The inequities and betrayals of family life coalesce around and torment this magical being. An explosive act of violence follows, and its mysterious cause is unraveled as events progress toward a heartbreaking revelation.
Lyrical and bawdy, experimental and political, this extraordinary novel announces the arrival of a powerful new voice on the global literary stage.
I can’t wait to read it, and I’m curious to see what they will send next!
reading interrupted. 
Cool concept. Our local library did a similar thing, wrapping books in paper and identifying them only by genre and age recommendation.
I love this idea being extended to a local library. I’ll have to talk to ours and see if they would be interested.
I think they called it “Blind Date With a Book.”
Great name, very cute.
I love this name and idea.
thelonelyauthorblog
Pretty neat, eh?
What a great gift idea! I’ll keep this in mind. Looks like it’s off to a good start – enjoy!
It’s a lovely gift, and one that continues throughout the year so extra special in that regard!
I remember book clubs – a commitment to buy one book a month etc. I thought they’d long since died a death.
Love the blurb – just the minor matter of being a tiger is all that distinguishes him from an ordinary young man 🙂 Look forward to your review.
I know, the book blurb is so intriguing and surprisingly understated!
Reblogged this on WHAT THE HELL and commented:
Such a great idea! Helps us see what wonderful things physical books are. Plus I’m so glad to hear that Green Apple is still around… Used to go there a lot when I lived in SF.
That’s a fun surprise in your mail box!
It’s always lovely to get something in the post nowadays as it’s quite rare. And a surprise book just makes it all the better!
Very cool idea. I can’t wait to hear what you think of this book and what the other books will be…is it all contemporary writing or will there be classics too?
From my recollection, they will be contemporary writers. I’m really looking forward to seeing all of their picks this year.
How fun! Will be interested in seeing what else comes your way. Enjoy.
I know! A little surprise treat each month!
This is a great idea! Do you have a link to what this program is? It would be fun to let my local bookstore know about it. Very cool.
Carrie, here’s the link to the bookstore: http://www.greenapplebooks.com/
Thanks for providing the link, J.!
Thank you! I’ll check it out.
Isn’t it a great idea? There are a few bookstores in the US that do this but Green Apple Books seem to have a particularly good selection (based on their previous years).
I’m going to check out Jilanne’s link. Would be such a fun thing to sign up for.
This sounds even better than the fruit of the month club. That’s great that each book will be a surprise – something to look forward to and wonder about. I love the cover with the claw marks – it looks like one of our dogs might have gotten to it!
I’d rather get a book a month than a crate of fruit a month (I can never finish all those fruit in time!!).
I ❤ Green Apple! They're one of my favorite bookstores! My son thinks he owns the children's section. 😀 But I've never signed up for their subscription program because we live here. I've discovered some wonderful writers through their recommendations, but I haven't read this one. Whatever they recommend will be interesting, unusual, and well written. Now you've got me wondering if I should sign up….I look forward to hearing about your reading experience!
I guessed that this would be one of your bookstores! I wonder if they have a place in their store where they display the book that they have sent off to their subscribers? That way, even if you’re not a subscriber, you can see what has been sent and then decide if you want to buy it?
I think this is the most amazing idea! I’m wondering if they ship to locations outside the US (ie Canada). I will check it out. Hugs…
They probably do- have a look (and if you end up getting a subscription let me know! They have shorter subscriptions too).
How exciting to receive a new book every month! The subscription prices are very reasonable.
It is, and they are! And I like the simple packaging as well.
This is such a wonderful idea! Kinda like when bookstores arrange “blind dates” with books. What fun! I’ve seen this being done with geeky things. There’s a website called Loot Crate, where you can buy a subscription and every month you get a box filled with themed goodies – villains, space, female protagonists, etc. This is kinda similar. 😀
I will check out that website, thanks. The idea of a book subscription has always appealed to me but this is the first time I’ve been a part of one!
What an exciting gift, not only a book every month but the surprise of never knowing what it will be! I’ll bet your reading will be interesting this year.
I love the idea of the ongoing surprises, especially as their selections in the past have been quite good!
This sounds very exciting, Letizia! I love (nice) surprises. 😀
Nice surprises are the best kind 😉
Great concept…. such an original idea. Happy reading, dear Letizia. Aquileana 🌠🎇🎆
It’s something I am sure you would enjoy as well, A. I hope you are well and are reading good books lately. Thank you for the retweets my friend!
What a wonderful gift! Especially for someone who loves to read. Man Tiger sounds very interesting. Let me know how you like it, pretty lady
I have a feeling I will love it (the book and, of course the subscription). I hope you’ve been well, my friend.
You have some good friends/family. The only gift better than one book–is many books. 😀
Exactly!!
Wow, very cool concept for a gift, especially for an avid reader, and the surprise element is a bonus!
eden
Yes, I love the element of surprise!
What a novel idea, Letizia. A way to be exposed to a variety of fiction and wondering what is next. 📚 📭
I always like that pun on the word novel, makes me smile each time:
This is so neat! I should see if I can get this for my mom…shhh.
Our secret. Let me know if you end up getting it!
LOVE that cover!
Me too – so fun!
That’s such a cool concept! What a great way to discover new writers that you might not normally have found or tried. Enjoy the book, it sounds great!
That’s it exactly- I think I will be discovering new authors through this as well!
Awesome! Do you know what’s more awesome about that? You got an Indonesian author’s book! 🙂 There are not many Indonesian authors’ books translated into English, let alone sold out of Indonesia. You’re one lucky woman! lol
That is true and I don’t think I’ve read Indonesian literature before. That is where you are from originally, no?
yes, mam! I haven’t read that book yet. I might order it from the bookstore. Let me know if you want to read other Indonesian authors’ books.
I would love to have the names of other Indonesian authors you could recommend!
Sorry for the late reply. These are just the few; Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Umar Kayam, Andrea Hirata and Ayu Utami. Some of their books are translated into English. I enjoy reading their books.
You stay out of trouble! Hehehe
Thank you for the great recommendations! I will spend the year reading Indonesian books, haha!
What a great idea and the book is something a little different which always whets the appetite for more, I love the wrapping and the added bonus of an author interview as well. Your new Gravatar is blueming nice by the way.
I love the wrapping too – simple but lovely.
My new gravatar pic was taken in Mexico (at Frida Kalho’s house!).
It’s the classic wrapping, they should do that in shops, then I can parade my package around with a smug air…which I don’t normally do.
You are such a name dropper, how was Mexico? Did I miss your post on it…I am terribly behind but on a positive note my hair isn’t a mess today.
I haven’t posted about Mexico yet. It was great though! I’ll write about it soon.
I got very behind in my blogging too.
Make the most of your good hair day and go out and strut your stuff!
I look forward to it my friend, the closet I’ve been to Mexico is a bag of Doritos, which were tasty. I think we bloggers are perpetually behind.
Are you still up at some point for reading a big ol’ Russian classic?
Yes, I still want to do that! But I’m so behind in my reading so let’s wait for a few months if that works for you. The cold of winter would be a good time anyway, right?
Yes, method reading is always the way to go. There’s no rush, I have plenty of review for books people have submitted that I need to catch up on as well as other overdue things to write up on as well as other interesting opportunities for the future.
Love this idea of reading unexpected books. And love the follow up conversation on your blog. You have won over a new follower.
thelonelyauthorblog
Thanks! I just started the book this morning and it’s good so far.
There’s no better gift than a book and to have it arrive as a surprise makes it even more special. Let us know how you’re enjoying this one.
I’m about halfway through it and so far I like it a lot and recommend it. It’s so true, there’s no better gift than a book!
Hey Letizia, so slow getting around to reading all my favourite blogs. This sounds like an awesome idea. I believe books find us sometimes. That book also sounds intriguing, I guess by getting a random book you may discover little gems that you never would have. Let us know how the book is.
I think books find us sometimes too. I’m halfway through Man Tiger and I like it so far. Quite original. (I got behind in reading my favorite blogs too!). Hope you are well and enjoying your summer.
I am also behind in the amount of books I had lined up this year to read. Oh well there is always next year. Have a great day.
That’s the good thing about books though – there are always many more to read.
A book subscription sounds like a wonderful gift! Were you able to choose which books to receive each month or were they randomly chosen for you? 🙂
It was fun for a year. They were randomly chosen for me. Some of the books I really liked and others not so much, but receiving a book is always exciting.
Yes, receiving a book in the mail is much more preferable than a bill 😉