I received the August Sweet Reads Box for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and from the heart.ย
Next month marks the one-year anniversary of one of my favourite subscription boxes and I feel like we should do something to celebrate, yes? I think I’ve got just the thing. I’ve ordered one of September’s Sweet Reads Boxes to share in a giveaway with one of you, the readers who support me month after month and make it possible for me to blog about it in the first place. (Thank you thank you!) In the meantime, let’s look at what’s inside the August box.ย
If you’re not familiar with Sweet Reads Box, it’s a monthly Canadian subscription box service that comes with a new novel and five to six bookish treats related to the story. There’s also a legend that describes the contents and how they tie in to the novel, along with a brief explanation for why the book was chosen.
This month’s book isย The Lost Diaries of Susanna Moodie by Cecily Ross.
“It is the 1830s and profiteers are selling dreams along with the promise of fertile land in the New World. John Moodie is a man with a weakness for money-making schemes, and he is convinced that riches await him and his wife, Susanna, across the ocean. He convinces Susanna to abandon her own dreams and follow him from English, but nothing is what they have been led to believe and only hardship awaits them in this strange new land. Told through Susanna’s, imagined lost diaries, this is an unprecedented story of a woman’s inner life as she confronts both the wilds of Canada and the wilderness of her own heart. Part love story, part harrowing survival adventure, and based on the real life of one of Canada’s most prominent pioneers, The Lost Diaries of Susanna Moodie shows how one woman, against all odds and adversity, prevailed and made this savage and beautiful land her own.”
Historical fiction isn’t usually my first choice but I appreciate being introduced to novels I wouldn’t discover otherwise and I’m always happy to see Canadian authors featured (in this case two: both Susanna Moodie and Cecily Ross). The story also got rave reviews so bring it on!
The Canadian maple classic shortbread from Sprucewood Handmade Cookie Co.ย is a nod to both the maple syrup made in the area in Susanna’s time (and still today) and the shortbread she would have made. I triiiiiiiiiied to save some of these to share but once I opened the box it was over. Delicious.
When it could be found, tea was the most popular hot drink in Susanna’s day. Tea has been included in several Sweet Reads Boxes and this month they have my favourite, English breakfast. This one is an organic blend fromย Tea Leaf Company Inc.
And I love the deer coasters from F as in Frank Paper Goods and wild & free dishtowels from Now Designs. Deer were an important source of food and materials in Susanna’s time, and the wilderness theme of the dishtowels is obviously on point.
Also very, very good: the Boris Bear sugar saver from Now Designs.ย ย I put it in a jar of brown sugar (how did we not have one?) but apparently it’s also great for keeping marshmallows, dried fruit and baked goods from going hard.
And up there in the top left corner: the blueberries Swedish dishcloth from Now Designs. I have one of these and I love it. It’s an all-natural, compostable cloth. It’s useful, earth-friendly and the pattern is super cute.
I’m really pleased with this month’s box. The novel’s been really well received by critics and I love all of the useful and tasty tie-ins. This box in particular would make a great gift for Canlit and Canadian history buffs and fiction lovers who enjoy bookish treats.
A single Sweet Reads Box costs $54.99 CAD + $12 CAD shipping, with a 10% discount on three- and six-month subscriptions. Follow Sweet Reads Box onย Instagram,ย Facebookย andย Twitterย for bookish news, live chats with authors, discounts and other updates.
Want to see whatโs in previous boxes? Youโll find my all of my reviewsย here.
Soooooo, what do you think of August’s Sweet Reads Box? What would you like to see in a future box? And who’s excited for next month’s anniversary giveaway?
try small things 
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