After visiting New York, my husband gifted me a subscription to The Strand’s The Book HookUp. We’d visited New York City for the first time at Christmas in 2018, stopping in at The Strand bookstore, of course, so it was the perfect gift. What I love about this subscription is that it’s quarterly, so not a huge commitment.

• Boxes ship out in March, June, September, and December—or Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
• The box comes with two books—typically one is a signed currently hyped book and the other is an advanced reader copy.
• It also includes other bookish and local goodies.

September’s box was definitely fall-themed with a two fantasy books—one a gothic romance and one based on Wicked—and a fallish snack!

Let’s wander in!

My box is a young adult box, but you can choose from a variety of boxes, including fiction, classics, and sci-fi. However, the prices differ for some of the boxes. There’s also a spoiler link on the website where you can see what the main title will be in your next box. I can never resist a peek!

What I found inside:

The Books

(Link to Goodreads synopsis through book title.)

• This box included a signed hardback of Belladonna by Adalyn Grace! I’ve only seen praise for this Gothic YA Romance. Not only is the cover gorgeous, under the jacket I found a beautiful hardback, with detailed end pages, as well. (Scroll through the above pictures if you’d like to see under the cover and inside the book.)
• Also included was an advanced copy of The Oracle of Maracoor by Gregory Maguire. This is the second installment in the Another Day series. I know nothing about this book except it’s set in the world of Wicked.

Belladonna Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace brings to life a highly romantic, Gothic-infused world of wealth, desire, and betrayal.

Orphaned as a baby, nineteen-year-old Signa has been raised by a string of guardians, each more interested in her wealth than her well-being—and each has met an untimely end. Her remaining relatives are the elusive Hawthornes, an eccentric family living at Thorn Grove, an estate both glittering and gloomy. Its patriarch mourns his late wife through wild parties, while his son grapples for control of the family’s waning reputation and his daughter suffers from a mysterious illness. But when their mother’s restless spirit appears claiming she was poisoned, Signa realizes that the family she depends on could be in grave danger and enlists the help of a surly stable boy to hunt down the killer.

However, Signa’s best chance of uncovering the murderer is an alliance with Death himself, a fascinating, dangerous shadow who has never been far from her side. Though he’s made her life a living hell, Death shows Signa that their growing connection may be more powerful—and more irresistible—than she ever dared imagine.

Published on August 30, 2022

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The Oracle of Maracoor Synopsis:

The enchanting second novel in the series Another Day, returning to the world first created in Wicked.

The Oracle of Maracoor, the second in the trilogy called Another Day, continues the story of Elphaba’s green-skinned granddaughter, Rain. That strange land, Maracoor–across the ocean from Oz–is beset by an invading army. In the mayhem, Rain and Cossy, a child felon, break out of prison. Helped by a few flying monkeys, they struggle to escape the city before it falls under siege. Their arresting officer, Lucikles, also retreats with his family to a highland redoubt. But safety eludes them all. Chaos thunders upon them in the form of warriors, refugees, and brigands. The very fabric of reality loosens, liberating creatures of myth and legend–huge blue wolves, harpies, and giants made of the very landscape.

Cued in by secrets known only to the most highly placed members of the royal court, Rain and her companions hunt the fabled Oracle of Maracoor for guidance and soothsaying. Rain has to recover her forgotten past if she is to consider returning home. Cossy, the ten-year-old convicted of murder, must become invisible to avoid being taken into custody again. Meanwhile, the Fist of Mara, an arcane artifact that renders all around it barren, hammers against human lives. If the reclusive Oracle should spin a prophecy, might the desperate wicked years promise another day, one less perilous?

Expected on October 11, 2022

Soul Stacks Bracelet

Included in my box was a “Genuine Moss Opalite & Lava Stone for motivation and success” bracelet by Soul Stacks Jewelry Co.

Snacks

Reading snacks: Bjorn Qorn popcorn – popped with solar power! I’ve already enjoyed some of this popcorn, and even though it says “Classic” it has a cheddar flavor that is oh so yummy.

Rainbow Strand Sticker

And a cute STRAND sticker. I’ll take any suggestions on how to creatively use the bookish stickers I’m amassing. 😉

Have your read any of these books? Tried any of the other items? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Wandering!