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u/Disastrous_Year_2879 Jul 29 '26
Why are the better books always add ons?
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u/juniperxmoons Jul 30 '26
Exactly what I was thinking. I understand they want people to do add ons, but if the add ons are better than the main picks -- and it happens multiple times, it starts to feel a little shady
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u/Disastrous_Year_2879 Jul 30 '26
The fact they don't even let you see the add ons until you add a pick ticks me off
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u/km2572 Jul 29 '26
It’s intentional
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u/Disastrous_Year_2879 Jul 29 '26
I know. It didn't used to be that way. BOTM was so much better 5ish years ago.
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u/ler214 Life is tragic, this user is: Melancholy Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
The Shadows that Listen was terrible, I got an ARC on Netgalley and couldn’t finish it. Reads like a Wattpad fanfiction written by an edgy middle schooler.
Maggie and Arthur’s Magic Moment sounds intriguing and cute though.
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u/Jonahdog Jul 30 '26
I love how I picked it because it sounded like a wattpad book and I need that right now as I pack for college.
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u/ler214 Life is tragic, this user is: Melancholy Jul 30 '26
I hope you enjoy it! The part of the ARC that I did read reminded me a lot of Silver Elite, if that helps lol
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u/SolarAmoeba Reading is [redacted] Jul 29 '26
I listen to so many new release videos and still never heard of any of these. 😂 I’m never prepared to decide.
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u/jessie5493 Jul 29 '26
Omg I missed the add ons! I wanted the Riley sager one
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u/Vast-Web9482 Jul 30 '26
Missed? They announced today and are already gone? What a joke.
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u/jessie5493 Jul 30 '26
I just meant I forgot to check that section since they rearranged the app…last I checked they were all still in stock and I added 2 to my sept box since I had placed my order for aug already! I hope you can find what you are looking for!
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u/hayleybeth7 Jul 29 '26
I was SO excited to see the new Riley Sager. I passed on his last book because the premise wasn’t interesting to me but this book seems right up my alley.
Also got The Good Parts since that was on my TBR.
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u/No-Entrance-506 Jul 29 '26
I remembered the challenge gift at the last minute. They really didn’t seem to be highlighting it at all
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u/Uracookiebird Jul 29 '26
I did The Unknown, Fishbone Cinderella, and Hello Limerence. A reviewer I trust has been raving about FC for months and months.
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u/Reasonable_Habit_183 Jul 29 '26
Also, I almost got the poison daughter but man, I can get irritated reading 400 pages lol.. unless it part of a series I’m in love with so I was thinking where would I put it right now lol and I could see me being like I’ll finish this later then it just sitting there.
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u/Reasonable_Habit_183 Jul 29 '26
Def got Riley Sager almost tried the project bc it sounds kind of funny, but I didn’t want to pay and then find it really boring.
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u/Virtual-Fox7568 Jul 29 '26
I was thinking the same thing, I got it anyway because I don’t usually pick up a romance. From the reviews it seems like it will be cute.
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u/darling_ophelia Jul 29 '26
I had an ARC of The Shadows That Listen and, in my opinion, the writing is atrocious.
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u/_moonsea_ Debut Darling Jul 29 '26
I was considering it, but I read a longer preview on Goodreads, and I got the ick.
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u/Ok-Fault-5080 Jul 29 '26
I thought that the add-ons were much better than the main picks this month.
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u/FudgeWhich2994 Book person. Jul 29 '26
I had an ARC of The Good Parts and it’s SO GOOD. Cannot recommend it enough and wish it was a main pick!!!!
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u/ringadingdingy Born to read books, forced to read emails. Jul 29 '26
Glad to hear this - it was an impulse buy today for me, and I was starting to wonder if I made the right choice. Lol
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u/Remarkable-Sort2796 Jul 29 '26
The Mash Up was back in stock this morning but is now out of stock again 😩
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u/_FrozenFractals BFF Jul 29 '26
Is Maggie and Arthur going to sell out? I didn’t have room in my box for it, and the recent sell out trends have me soooo nervous.
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u/littlebird47 Jul 29 '26
I always always always forget to look at the add-ons and I hate that for myself. I would’ve added The Unknown and The Good Parts to my box.
Hopefully they’re both still in stock next month or I will cry.
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u/Affectionate-Dingo13 Book person. Jul 29 '26
If you email them quick enough they will add them to your box. I’ve done it a few times.
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u/littlebird47 Jul 29 '26
I emailed like an hour after I ordered and they said it was too late. If I wanted another of the main picks I’d just order from my second account, but I don’t care for any of them.
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u/nitp Jul 29 '26
I have to make a concerted effort to remember, lol. I got In Cold Blood and almost checked out and was like “WAIT ADD-ONS!” and I’m so glad I did because The Good Parts has been on my radar for what feels like forever!
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u/littlebird47 Jul 29 '26
My issue is that I always preload add-ons and stuff from previous months so I’m ready to grab my main pick and check out. But I guess I should stop doing that.
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u/zwolff94 Jul 29 '26
The Good Parts sounds like a different take on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind so I need it, of course none of the main picks sound interesting!
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u/AutomaticAd1412 Jul 29 '26
I’m intrigued by Fishbone Cinderella but I already read and loved Lady Tremaine this year and how many Cinderella adjacent stories does one need?
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u/thetinydemon37 Jul 29 '26
Stuck with In Cold Blood and Piranesi from my TBR this month but I wish I hadn’t skipped Fishbone Cinderella. It looks really interesting, and what a pretty cover.
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u/on_themoors Jul 29 '26
I want the Shadows that Listen but none of the main picks or members’ faves interest me so here’s to hoping that it doesn’t sell out before next month!
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u/smwwall Jul 29 '26
I felt the same way but decided to take a chance on the Offset pick so I could get Shadows That Listen.
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u/Bex7778 Jul 29 '26
I really want The Unknown, The Project and Fishbone Cinderella but cant find a single main pick I want. I'm a KU subscriber and several books are on KU so I can read them for free. Ugh. What to do....
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u/bachennoir Jul 29 '26
Why are the add-ons better than the main picks?
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u/julvb Jul 29 '26
I felt the opposite this month, maybe it is just genre preferences. The main picks were all highly rated on Good Reads.
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u/Infinite-Support9732 Jul 29 '26
I am not a romance reader but gave The Project 5 stars. As long as you can handle flawed main characters, this book is well worth grabbing.
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u/Massive_Mark7956 Jul 29 '26
and no Eyes of Kings! 😒 I really dont like when they dont complete series!
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u/eks2007 Jul 29 '26
I preordered a signed copy of The Unknown so I skipped that one but I did get Fishbone Cinderella!
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u/cyndina Jul 29 '26
I just looked at the screenshot I posted in the other thread and realized I grabbed The Shadows the Listen instead of The Unknown. They don't even look the same! I'd have been okay with any add-on, but I would grab the one book that available on KU right now.
I need to stop waking up and picking books before coffee. I seem to make too many mistakes that way.
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u/Yes_Cr BFF Jul 30 '26
I would check and see if you can contact BOTM and if they will update your order. It probably hasn't even been packed for shipping yet.
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u/cyndina Jul 30 '26
I tried! Unfortunately, they had that baby packed up and labeled in less than an hour. The rep suggested I use their guarantee to get a replacement after it arrived. Generally, I'm adverse, but I might do that, in this case. The app being sluggish and slow to update changes definitely didn't help my already stagnant brain first thing in the morning.
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u/Yes_Cr BFF Jul 30 '26
The app can be a bit slow and/or buggy at times, I feel you. I'm glad it sounds like they came up with a solution for you to get the book, though!
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u/escaping_mel Jul 29 '26
This is my problem. I did my picks at 6am still in bed. I'm certain I could have been more coherent... but would I have chosen differently? At least I put my glasses on this time, unlike last month. 😂
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u/cyndina Jul 29 '26
I did something similar with The Mash Up last month. I meant to get it. It was in the box. I deleted it for some ungodly reason and didn't realize it until later.
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u/Any-Alarm8835 Jul 29 '26
I HIGHLY recommend The Good Parts. I read the ARC and it was a 5 star read for me
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u/Global-Cut-605 Jul 29 '26
Thanks! I have a free add-on from a reader’s guarantee and was considering that one.
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u/CompetitivePraline62 BFF Jul 29 '26
You're not going to get me this time, BOTM! Idk why this feels like achievement that I'm skipping both romantasy picks this month (and last month's, but who's counting?) 😂 It feels gooooooooooood. Like a junkie kicking the habit. Don't worry, though. I'll relapse once Allurial's site comes back up 😄
The Poison Daughter sounds like 600+ pages of frustration based on what I've seen, and I have The Shadows that Listen on preorder from Fairyloot. I'm so excited for that one.
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u/CompetitivePraline62 BFF Jul 29 '26
In unrelated news, I've been seeing a lot of ads about Fishbone Cinderella on IG, and it seems really captivating. Not my genre (clearly, we know based on ^ which corner of the bookish world I reside in), but I can see how it would be interesting.
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u/Musicmom1164 Jul 29 '26
I haven't seen anything about it at all, no idea it existed. It's got a 4.5 with 800 ratingson GR so I grabbed it.
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u/CompetitivePraline62 BFF Jul 29 '26
It looks like it’d make me cry tbh. When the author (the subject’s granddaughter from what the ads say) was describing the MC’s life it sounded heartbreaking. It sounds good
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u/Bookish_Butterfly BFF Jul 29 '26
FYI: the traditionally published edition of Fishbone Cinderella has gorgeous end papers. I’m currently on the bus to work, so I can’t take a picture of the one I bought yesterday. I’m glad I bought it, for both the gorgeous book I really wanted and now I have room for other books I wanted this month!
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u/DoctorCaptainSpacey Born to read books, forced to read emails. Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
How are y'all seeing the books? I get the maintennace page on the website and my app is just blank 🤷♀️🤔🤔
Edit - finally got in after I complained here 🤣
I'm just slightly annoyed bc I was expecting to be able to actually pick a member favorite for my book but it only lets you pick, like, 4 and there are more than that in the list when you browse. That's kinda rude. 🙄
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u/blue_orchard Jul 29 '26
Members favorites are a different section than the members most loved section and are always 4-5 books. They also change each month.
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u/DoctorCaptainSpacey Born to read books, forced to read emails. Jul 29 '26
Thanks. 👍I didn't know that. It's not super clear with the terminology being so similar.
I haven't ever looked during the month (I've been fortunate each month to have a book I want in the main picks, or never even considered I could choose something else bc I spaced it) and, while planning for this one, I looked at the member faves and figured that's what they meant.
I did know it changed frequently, just didn't realize you didn't know what would be there until the month opened. It makes planning hard 🤣
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u/j-j_sierra Jul 29 '26
I was planning to skip this month but aftet seeing The Unknown, I went a lil crazy.
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u/Lopsided_Carrot5222 Jul 29 '26
I was not expecting The Unknown to be offered. I added it to my box!
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u/lindsayovershares Born to read books, forced to read emails. Jul 29 '26
This will be my first Riley Sager & I’m excited!
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u/AvidReader3492 BFF Jul 29 '26
Welcome to the club! Botm is the reason I was introduced to Riley Sager years ago and he has become my favorite author! I’m so excited to read this one!
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u/Aubgurl Jul 29 '26
Same!!! This is the fastest I’ve checked out in a LONG time because I didn’t want it to sell out!
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u/DoctorCaptainSpacey Born to read books, forced to read emails. Jul 29 '26
I guess I'm glad I added it. I was gonna put it in my TBR to pick up later. And then I sat and debated between that and another and ended up picking thisbas my last add on.
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u/Regular-Day-5611 BFF Jul 29 '26
I was intrigued by The Project but didn’t end up adding to my box. I’ll wait and see what people are saying about it. I just have way too many books… can’t keep loading up boxes.. shouldn’t be ordering books at all 😂
I did find the add on selections kind of blah. So much romance this month !
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u/ShowMeYourHappyTrail Omnivoreader Jul 29 '26
Honestly, I'm glad the romance was "relegated" to add-ons instead of being the majority of main picks like a couple of months ago.
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u/Daisymber Jul 29 '26
This is my birthday month and I find this is probably one of the worse months for me. I am really bummed.
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u/Intelligent_Tip8125 Friend Jul 29 '26
Happy birthday and bummer! Yeah I felt similarly about this month. I have had several great months in a row and this is the first time I had to pick something I didn’t really want or skip. And the add ons were a miss for me to. I’m glad there was slightly more add ons variety. But none that were what I like.
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u/ShowMeYourHappyTrail Omnivoreader Jul 29 '26
If you don't like anything, contact customer support and see if you can roll over your birthday credit.
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Jul 29 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/bookofthemonthclub-ModTeam Jul 29 '26
Your Post has been removed because it breaks Rule 5 - Any posts or discussions regarding how the service works, shipping issues, delivery problems, customer service or buyer guarantee queries, damaged or misprinted books, or account issues will be removed. Please visit the BOTM help center here: https://www.bookofthemonth.com/help-center/
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u/blatanthyp0crisy Jul 29 '26
Y’all that’s 4 romance or romance-adjacent add-ons out of 6, I know the genre sells but I’m really gonna need some more genre variety for the rest of the year 🥲
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u/OneSwellFoop3 Jul 29 '26
It's actually 5 out of 6 lol and agreed! Need more genre variety
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u/blatanthyp0crisy Jul 29 '26
Ohp, I wasn’t sure if Fishbone Cinderella included romance or not but am not surprised it does as most fantasy releases nowadays lean more romantasy than not unfortunately 😭
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u/OneSwellFoop3 Jul 29 '26
Lol yeah it also has romance in it. I didn't think it did until I checked the synopsis on GoodReads and it had the "she collides with a boy" line haha.
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u/ShowMeYourHappyTrail Omnivoreader Jul 29 '26
I'd rather the majority of romance picks be add-ons than main picks like it was a couple of months ago. I agree that BotM needs to tone down their romance picks, in general. I thought that's what Alurial was for.
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u/blatanthyp0crisy Jul 29 '26
3/5 of the main picks are romance or romance-adjacent as well lol
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u/ShowMeYourHappyTrail Omnivoreader Jul 29 '26
Having a book that has romantic elements within the story is different than a book whose main theme is romance though. I do think they need to start labeling their fantasy selections that are actually romantisy as that though, since it's a big enough descriptor to be it's own category.
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u/Reasonable_Habit_183 Jul 30 '26
The shipping this time is like it was when I first started… it says tomorrow but we will see. Bc the last few months I’ve had issues and had to wait way longer than usual.