My Thoughts on KUBE: Everything You Need to Know About This Literary Box! [2024]

When you love reading, the joy of immersing yourself in a new story is unmatched. However, there are times when you just don’t have the time or opportunity to look for a new book!

A few months ago, I came across a box like no other: it’s called Kube, a book box curated by a bookseller. Today, I’d like to share my thoughts on this unique concept!

The Kube Box in a Nutshell

Source: lakube.com

👍 I loved it

• Rediscover the joy of reading,
• The discoveries I've made thanks to this box,
• Kube's partnership with independent bookstores,
• All the little gifts: posters, tea, bookmarks...,
• The delivery, the packaging, and more generally the great quality of this box,
• The "Gift Card" option, to share with a loved one,
• The Kube guarantee: if you've already read the book you received, they'll exchange it for free!

❌ What I liked less

• Not much, it's truly a fantastic experience!

Source: Facebook (@laboxkube)

How does the Kube box work?

Kube is a monthly subscription box: it works like a subscription service! In practical terms, this means that you receive a book at home each month, selected just for you based on your preferences.

Source: lakube.com

What will I find in my Kube box?

The Kube box contains, of course, either a pocket-sized or semi-pocket-sized book, but also includes some lovely little gifts. It's designed to be a relaxing escape into the world of literature and reading.

In addition to the book, you'll also find in each box:

📖 An exciting discovery from a publishing house: a lovely poster, a sneak peek of an upcoming novel, news...

🍵 Enjoy a cup of tea to make your reading sessions a true moment of relaxation,

🎁 Some small gifts to enhance your reading experience: sweets, notepads, reusable straws, ...

📑 A bookmark,

📩 A postcard,

📕 The Kube Magazine covering literary news, the latest happenings in the world of culture and publishing...

What type of book can you find in the Kube box?

In the Kube box, you won’t necessarily find a novel! Depending on your preferences, it could also be a manga, a comic book, an essay, a collection of poems, and more...

How are Kube's books chosen?

What makes the Kube box stand out for me is that the books are carefully selected by qualified bookshop owners, who work in independent bookstores across France.

To do this, you'll receive a monthly questionnaire via email, where you can share your reading preferences. You'll also be asked to mention your favourite books and the genres that interest you.

Here’s an example of the email you will receive. Once you have answered the questions, you will have the option to keep it a surprise or confirm the bookseller’s choice.

If you choose the second option, an email will be sent to you with the book selected by the bookseller. You can then confirm to receive the book or request a new selection.

👉 If you have already read the book that you receive as a surprise (it has happened to me before!), don’t worry! Kube will exchange it for free upon request!

What makes Kube different from other literary boxes?

Kube is unique in that it is truly personalised and supports independent booksellers. It currently collaborates with over 200 booksellers, who use their expertise in the publishing world to help you discover your next favourite reads.

Subscribing to Kube is a great way to support independent bookshops and French commerce, rather than the big delivery companies (like Amazon, Fnac, etc.).

Source: Lakube.com

How can I get a great book in my Kube box?

The Kube "Original" box includes a pocket or semi-pocket book, priced between ten and sixteen euros. If you prefer a quality, large-format book, it's better to choose the Kube Majuscule.

This box includes the same items and gifts as the classic Kube (tea, literary discovery, stationery, magazine...), but you'll find a large-format book inside, which could also be a new literary release. In fact, paperback books typically come out at least a year after the first edition.

A few examples of Kube Majuscule...

Source: Lakube.com

Is there a commitment with Kube?

No! The Kube subscription is cancellable at any time.

Where does Kube deliver?

Kube delivered worldwide: it's one of the few subscription boxes on the market that offers this service. It's perfect for gifting to someone living abroad, for example!

What is the price of the Kube box?

Kube offers straightforward pricing and has a relatively limited range. This makes it easy to select the Kube that suits you best, from the following three options:

Are there any shipping fees with the Kube box? 🚚

Yes, you need to add a shipping charge of €3.90 to the price listed above for France, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, and Luxembourg.

For other countries, you will need to prepare:

• €4.90 in the rest of the European Union,
• €5.90 in Switzerland and Canada,
• €6.90 in the rest of the world.

Who is Kube for?

This box has been designed for book lovers, but also for those who want to get back into reading, for the curious, and generally for anyone who enjoys making lovely discoveries.

It's a general subscription service, not elitist, aimed at making reading accessible to everyone. The goal of Kube's booksellers is to cater to the preferences of their subscribers.

The Kube box is perfect for you if you're looking to:

• Reading comic books or mangas,
• Diving into an epic novel,
• Exploring books in foreign languages,
• Getting lost in fiction set in different worlds,
• Reading works of philosophy, science, poetry...

👉 I like to think of Kube as having an immense library at your fingertips. By trusting the librarian, you often stumble upon gems that you would have never discovered on your own!

Is there a Kube box for kids too?

For the younger ones, Kube offers the "7-11" box, which, as the name suggests, is aimed at children aged 7 to 11. Like its elder sibling, this is a monthly box priced at €16, with no commitment, delivered straight to your door.

What’s inside the Kube Youth box?

The content is of course tailored to encourage children to enjoy reading, with:

• A magazine,
• Two books selected by a bookseller based on the child's interests and preferences,
• A postcard,
• A bookmark featuring an activity.

Source: Lakube.com

Is it as good as it is for adults?

The KUBE 7-11 box operates on essentially the same principle as the classic KUBE box. It is also based on your child's preferences:

Source: Lakube.com

I think this box makes a fantastic gift idea for a child. Receiving books every month encourages the habit of reading and helps to gradually build up a lovely personal library.

As this is a themed box, children will have the opportunity to explore the world and discover new things, along with exciting new realms.

👉 Plus importantly, if the child has already read the book they received, you can request a different one for free by emailing Kube's customer service!

Is this Kube box suitable for teenagers?

The Kube 7-11 is truly aimed at children who are starting out on their reading journey, both in terms of reading level and the themes selected. These themes are more likely to engage children aged 7 to 11 rather than teenagers.

However, the Kube Original at €16 and the Kube Majuscule at €24 are perfect for teens! Just make sure to mention in the monthly reading preferences survey that you (or your teen) prefer children's books. 😉

The Kube box: the perfect gift?

As it's a book box, Kube is a gift idea that is simple, unique and likely to appeal to a wide range of people.

Who should you gift a Kube box to?

Whether it's for a birthday, Christmas, or just to brighten someone's day, Kube makes the perfect gift for:

• A person who loves reading,
• Someone keen to learn and discover new things,
• A curious child,
• A teenager,
• An older person or someone who is less mobile looking for ways to pass the time...

It's truly a simple gift to give, and it always brings joy!

Source: lakube.com

What gift cards does Kube offer?

There are 3 options for gift cards at Kube:

• The Kube Original box is the most affordable. It’s suitable for everyone, including teenagers, and every month it offers quality content.
• The Kube Majuscule box is a bit pricier, but it would delight anyone who enjoys new literary releases. The large format books will look stunning on their bookshelf!
• The Kube 7 - 11 box is perfect for young readers who are still in primary school!

How to give a Kube gift card?

To do this, you need to visit the Kube website. Then, click on "Gift Cards" in the main menu. After that, all you need to do is choose the gift card you’re interested in by clicking on it.

You’ll then arrive at a menu that lets you select the subscription duration and view the prices. For instance, for the original Kube box, here’s what you’ll see:

The prices of the Kube gift card, including shipping costs!

Source: lakube.com

Next, you'll need to decide whether you'd prefer to receive the card:

• By email, so you can print it yourself,
• By post in a lovely gift pouch (+ €7.90),
• With a themed Kube box of your choice.

You can then enter your personal information, followed by making your payment using either a Visa or Mastercard, and everything else will be taken care of automatically.

How to activate your Kube gift?

Have you received a Kube gift card? To enjoy your subscription, simply visit the Kube website, select "Gift Cards" from the menu, and then choose "I received a gift card".

Next, all you need to do is to create an account and enter your unique gift code to set up your subscription. It's very straightforward, requiring no specific IT skills, and it will only take you a few minutes! 😉

Discover the Kube gift sets, perfect for treating yourself or someone special!

If you're not really keen on a subscription, Kube offers you an alternative with its gift boxes. These are beautiful thematic selections that can be given as gifts or treated as a little indulgence for yourself.

Personally, I think the themes of these boxes are quite unique, and their design is really impressive. Here are a few examples of boxes you can find on the Kube website:

• Thriller,
• Inspiring Women,
• Nordic Countries,
• Crime Fiction,
• A Day on the Farm (Children),
• Exploring Modern Tales (Children).

Source: Lakube.com

In every box, you'll find what has made Kube a success:

• 3 or 4 books handpicked by independent booksellers,
• some lovely gifts: stationery, dried flowers, biscuits, tea...
• packaging that ties in with the theme.

💰 The boxes for teenagers and adults are priced at €75 each, while those for children are €55. Shipping costs are also quite low, as they are the same as those for the subscription.

🤑 There are often discounts available on the gift sets! At the moment, the "Nordic Countries" set is priced at €65, for example.

Fancy discovering these gift boxes? Just click on the "Gift Boxes" tab from the homepage of the Kube site!

What do customers think of Kube?

My personal feedback on Kube is really positive, but to be sure I’m not just getting lucky, I decided to compare it with other subscribers' experiences! Let’s see in the following lines whether satisfaction is widespread. 😉

On the Trustpilot platform

Kube has received an impressive number of reviews on Trustpilot: 4829 to date, which provides a substantial sample to understand customer opinions of the service. The feedback is extremely positive, boasting a score of 4.8 / 5, which is quite rare on Trustpilot.

Source: Trustpilot.com

Moreover, when we look at the distribution of these ratings, we notice that there are hardly any one, two, or three-star reviews. Most customers seem to be delighted!

Source: Trustpilot.com

Let's take a look at what makes Kube successful:

💚 Customers Loved It

• The excellent selection by booksellers: always a delightful surprise,
• The quality and efficiency of the customer service,
• The surprises hidden in the boxes,
• The reliability of delivery, both in Ireland and abroad,
• The fact that you're supporting independent bookshops,
• The quality of the gift boxes,
• It's a fantastic gift idea...

A positive review from a Kube customer shared on the Trustpilot platform

❌ They liked it less

• For a few people: some occasional delivery issues due to the courier Colis Privé (slight delays, etc.),
• Sometimes there’s a difference between the price of the book and that of the box, but this also accounts for the little gifts and the selection service.

Mixed customer feedback on the delivery of their Kube box - Published on Trustpilot

About Igraal

The Igraal website also features a few reviews on the Kube box, most of which are positive. Out of the 19 reviews available online to date, it has received an average rating of 4 / 5.

Source: Igraal.com

Those who have tried it are delighted to have received or given this box as a gift. They speak highly of the wonderful discoveries they’ve made thanks to this subscription, as well as the impeccable efficiency of the team managing the box.

Kube on Networks

If you'd like to stay updated on the news about this fantastic box, you can follow Kube on:

• Instagram,
• Facebook,
• Pinterest.

👉 If you'd like to see some customer testimonials for Kube or want detailed photos and descriptions of the latest boxes, feel free to follow #kube on Instagram or Facebook.

Source: Instagram (@cookut, @ultimeparole, @teabooksandthecity)

Is the Kube box a scam?

Kube is a French company of the same name, located in Val d'Oise in Cergy Pontoise. It was founded in 2015 by Aurore CHOANIER, Samuel CIMAMONTI, and Anthony DARQUEY, and is registered in the trade and companies register.

Source: Pappers.fr

The Kube project aims to promote the mission of independent booksellers, while enabling subscribers to rediscover the joy of reading. This goal is reflected in the short manifesto written by the founders, which appears on the homepage of the Kube website:

Source: Lakube.com

If you encounter any issues during your experience with Kube or if you have a question, you can get in touch with the team using the contact form available on the website, by email, or through social media.

The customer service team at Kube is responsive to feedback left on the Trustpilot platform and takes the time to provide you with a personalised response if you encounter any issues.

✅ Kube is a reputable company that supports the growth of independent bookstores. Although they don't provide a contact phone number, the Kube team is available and responsive via email. 😊

My verdict on Kube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's been about six months since I subscribed to Kube, and I'm very pleased with this box! Let me explain the reasons in the following lines!

Was it easy to subscribe to the Kube box?

I discovered Kube thanks to a gift someone gave me: a three-month subscription. I received a code that I could enter on the website, which allowed me to very easily set up my delivery details.

Since I was very satisfied after three months, I decided to subscribe. This was also done very quickly. I had been given a gift card for the Kube Original, and this time I chose to receive the Kube Majuscule, which comes with larger format books.

I was able to easily compare the options and place my order, opting for home delivery.

Source: Instagram (@insta_kube)

What did I think of the books selected by the bookseller?

Whether it's the original Kube I was gifted or the Kube Majuscule I’m still subscribed to, I’ve never been disappointed with the books chosen for me. There have been true gems as well as others I found interesting or intriguing, but none have ever let me down.

Bookshops have always accommodated my requests, even the most specific ones (English books, choose-your-own-adventure novels, contemporary graphic novels...).

Additionally, I really enjoyed chatting with the Kube team, who are very friendly when you get in touch via email! It's incredibly important and makes you want to stick around.

Source: Instagram (@insta_kube)

What do I think of the rest of the box?

What caught my interest with Kube was really the books, especially with the Majuscule box that allows me to receive the latest releases. However, I must say I've always enjoyed opening my parcel and discovering each little gift that came with my box one by one. Being a bit of a foodie, I absolutely loved everything related to biscuits, teas, and so on.

For those who aren't keen on tea, it might be nice to swap it out for a lovely hot chocolate, or something else. 😉

Is a gift card a good idea?

Having tried out the gift card as a recipient, I was delighted by the simplicity of this system. Kube is genuinely a great gift idea, and I'm already planning to give it to some family members for Christmas.

Source: lakube.com

Moreover, as it is possible to give a gift card for a month, it also suits low-budget gifts. When you want to give a book to someone but you don’t know their tastes or preferences, it's a perfect option! The person can directly tell the bookseller what they prefer, so you're less likely to miss the mark.

✅ To sum up, I'm really quite pleased with the Kube box. Even if I were to stop it, it's a subscription I'd happily treat myself to again from time to time! Plus, it's an ideal gift idea for the upcoming holidays. What more could you ask for? 😊

FAQs about Kube: I'm answering YOUR questions!

To wrap up this experience report, here’s a brief FAQ to address some of the main questions you might have about the Kube box. If you still have any unanswered questions after reading, feel free to leave them in the comments! I'll be happy to respond. 😊

What should I do if I’ve already read the book I received in my Kube box?

If you need to reach out to the Kube team, you can do so via the contact form on their website or by emailing hello@lakube.com. Just let them know that you've already read the book you received. Kube is committed to exchanging the book for you if you contact them within two months. If possible, please include your email address and your Kube subscription number in the email.

👉 Don’t want to risk a duplicate? In that case, in your subscription settings, make sure to select the title validation before sending! 😉

Source: lakube.com

Can I receive a book in its original language?

Yes, you can request it from your Kube bookseller. However, I would recommend being a bit broader in your request regarding themes or genres, to ensure you receive a foreign language book!

How to get a Kube promo code?

Kube regularly offers discounts. For instance, at the time of writing this post, there's a one-month gift card available with every subscription!

Is there a referral system?

No, Kube currently does not offer a referral system.

How to contact Kube?

Kube can be contacted at:

• By email, at the address: hello@lakube.com,
• Through the contact form available on the website,
• On social media: Facebook or Instagram,
• By post, to the address:

Source: Instagram (@insta_kube)

How to Unsubscribe from Kube?

You can cancel your subscription at any time without any charges. To do this, log in to your Kube account, then click on "My Info". After that, go to the section "View/Modify My Subscription", then select "Unsubscribe". You will find the phone number to call to cancel your subscription.

I hope this positive feedback has inspired you to try Kube! Whether it's a gift or a subscription for yourself, it's truly an original concept that's well worth exploring. 😉