In the closing days of 2015, Left Bank Books entered the surprise gift box arena with This Just In, a monthly book subscription with titles chosen by the bookstore staff. The first gift boxes were sent out to 30+ subscribers in mid-January, see above. I hesitated to sign up at first – I usually sift through book suggestions offered by my sisters and friends, or the handwritten notes LBB staffers leave in their favorite books. But the thought of receiving a surprise book was intriguing, especially when you consider the source: people who are surrounded by books, who love to make suggestions, and who know which authors are being gushed over in publishing circles.
Each month's gift box contains a "carefully chosen first edition of a new book that may not have caught your eye otherwise," plus a little something extra. January's selection was a signed edition of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout's My Name is Lucy Barton, accompanied by a LBB notebook, above. I wouldn't have gravitated toward this book on my own, as I am one of the few who didn't love Strout's Olive Kitteridge. As it turns out, that would have been my loss, as this is a beautifully written novel.
When I opened February's package my first reaction was lukewarm. The Big Green Tent is a thick Russian novel, which I envisioned I would be slogging through long after March's gift box arrived. But once again, the staff made a great choice and I am delighted to have been exposed to this author and this fascinating story, which I am stealing away to read at every opportunity. To accompany February's selection was a package of Traveling Tea's Russian Caravan and Alfred DePew's Wedding Song for Poorer People.
I understand that March's gift box was shipped on Friday and should be delivered to subscribers early this week. I can't wait to see what's inside.
This Just In would be a wonderful gift for a former St. Louisan who misses the independent bookstore, someone who is home bound, or just a treat for yourself. A 3-month subscription is $100. A one month subscription is $34. For more information, contact co-proprietor Jarek Steele at 314-367-6731 or email, [email protected].
Left Bank Books, 399 N. Euclid, (314) 367-6731.