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.

June’s box definitely had a summer camp/retro/horror/mystery theme, which I thought was so fun.

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.)

• The new release signed copy included in the box is You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron. The cover is giving me such nostalgic feels for the Fear Street books I read as a kid. It sounds like such a great book for this summer. If only I can squeeze it in!
• Also included is an ARC (advanced reader copy) of Missing Clarissa by Ripley Jones. This book is completely new to me, but I’m super intrigued by the synopsis. While the rating seems a bit low on Goodreads, several of my ‘friends’ gave it higher stars.

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight Synopsis:

At Camp Mirror Lake, terror is the name of the game . . . but can you survive the night?

This heart-pounding slasher by New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is perfect for fans of Fear Street.

Charity Curtis has the summer job of her dreams, playing the “final girl” at Camp Mirror Lake. Guests pay to be scared in this full-contact terror game, as Charity and her summer crew recreate scenes from a classic slasher film, Curse of Camp Mirror Lake. The more realistic the fear, the better for business.

But the last weekend of the season, Charity’s co-workers begin disappearing. And when one ends up dead, Charity’s role as the final girl suddenly becomes all too real. If Charity and her girlfriend Bezi hope to survive the night, they’ll need figure out what this killer is after. Is there is more to the story of Mirror Lake and its dangerous past than Charity ever suspected?

Published on June 20, 2023

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Missing Clarissa Synopsis:

In a gripping novel perfect for fans of Sadie and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, two best friends start a true crime podcast—only to realize they may have helped a killer in the process.

In August of 1999, dazzlingly popular cheerleader Clarissa Campbell disappears from a party in the woods outside the rural town of Oreville, Washington and is never seen again. The police question her friends, teachers, and the adults who knew her—who all have something to hide. And thanks to Clarissa’s beauty, the mystery captures the attention of the nation. But with no leads and no body, the case soon grows cold. Despite the efforts of internet sleuths and true-crime aficionados, Clarissa is never found—dead or alive.

Over twenty years later, Oreville high-school juniors and best friends Blair and Cameron start a true crime podcast, determined to unravel the story of what—or who—happened to this rural urban legend. In the process they uncover a nest of dirty small-town secrets, the sordid truth of Clarissa’s relationship with her charismatic boyfriend, and a high school art teacher turned small-town figurehead who had a very good reason for wanting Clarissa dead. Such a good reason, in fact, that they might have to make him the highlight of their next episode…

But does an ugly history with a missing girl make him guilty of murder? Or are two teenage girls about to destroy the life of an innocent man—and help the true killer walk free?

Published on March 7, 2023

Light Up Yo-Yo

Included in my box was a fun green light up yo-yo, which is a perfect summer camp accessory, right?!

Pretzel Braids

A perfect camper’s snack, also included was a package of Simply Stellar Pretzel Braids I’m looking forward to eating.

Coin Pouch

And lastly, this adorable coin pouch by Three Potato Four that says ‘Camping Money’. The company sells a variety of coin pouches with fun sayings on them. Who else remembers the joy of squeezing these pouches and adding their coins?

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

Happy Wandering!