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

When you love reading, the joy of immersing yourself in a new story is unparalleled. However, there are times when you just don't have the time or opportunity to hunt 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 booksellers,
• All the lovely gifts: posters, tea, bookmarks...,
• The delivery, the packaging, and the overall high quality of this box,
• The "Gift Card" option, so you can share the experience with someone special,
• The Kube guarantee: if you've already read the book you received, they’ll exchange it for free!

❌ What I liked less

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

Source: Facebook (@laboxkube)

How Does the Kube Box Work?

Kube is a monthly box: it works like a subscription! Essentially, 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 includes a pocket-sized or semi-pocket-sized book, as well as other small gifts. It's designed as a relaxation break focused on the world of literature and reading.

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

📖 A fresh discovery from a publishing house: a stunning poster, a sneak peek of an upcoming novel, and more ...

🍵 A cup of tea to make your reading sessions a true moment of well-being,

🎁 Some little gifts to accompany your reading: lollies, notebooks, reusable straws, ...

📑 A bookmark,

📩 A postcard,

📕 The Kube magazine covering literary news, the latest from the world of culture and publishing...

What type of book can be found 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 selected?

We come to what, in my view, makes the Kube box stand out: the books are carefully selected by qualified booksellers who work in independent French bookstores.

To do this, you will receive a monthly email survey, where you can share your reading preferences. You'll also have the opportunity to mention your favourite books and the genres that interest you.

Here’s an example of the email you will receive. Once you’ve answered the questions, you can indicate whether you want to keep it a surprise or if you’d prefer to confirm the selection made by the bookseller.

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

👉 If you've already read the book that arrives as a surprise (I've been there!), don't worry! Kube will swap it out for free upon request!

How is Kube different from other book subscription boxes?

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

Subscribing to Kube is also a way to support independent bookstores and French commerce, rather than relying on large delivery retailers (Amazon, Fnac, etc.).

Source: Lakube.com

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

The Kube "Original" box includes a pocket-sized or semi-pocket-sized book, priced between around ten euros and 16 €. If you prefer to have a beautifully presented large-format book, it's best to choose the Kube Majuscule.

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

Here are some examples of Kube Majuscule...

Source: Lakube.com

Is there a commitment with Kube?

No! The Kube subscription is able to be cancelled at any time.

Where does Kube deliver?

Kube is available worldwide: it's one of the few subscription boxes on the market that offers this. This makes it an ideal gift for someone living abroad, for instance!

What is the price of the Kube box?

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

Are there any shipping fees with the Kube box? 🚚

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

For other countries, the following will be necessary:

• $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 it, for the curious, and generally for anyone who enjoys making delightful discoveries.

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

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

• Reading comic books or manga,
• Immersing yourself in a lengthy novel,
• Exploring books in foreign languages,
• Getting lost in fictions set in different worlds,
• Diving into philosophy, science, poetry...

👉 I like to think of Kube as having a massive library at your fingertips. By trusting the librarian, you often discover gems that you would never have found on your own!

Is there a Kube box for children as well?

For the younger ones, Kube offers the "7-11" box, which, as the name suggests, is designed for children aged 7 to 11 years. Like its big sister, this is a monthly box priced at $16, with no commitment required, and it’s delivered straight to your home.

What’s inside the Kube Youth box?

The content is, of course, designed to ignite a love for reading in children, with:

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

Source: Lakube.com

Is it as good as it is for adults?

The KUBE 7-11 box operates on the same principles as the standard KUBE box. It also relies on your child's preferences:

Source: Lakube.com

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

As this is a themed box, children will be able to explore the world and discover new things and new experiences.

👉 Additionally, if the child has already read the book they received, it's possible to get another one for free by contacting the Kube customer service team via email!

Is this Kube box suitable for teenagers?

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

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

The Kube box: the perfect gift?

Since this is a book box, Kube is a gift idea that is simple, original, and likely to please a wide range of people.

Who should you gift a Kube box to?

Whether it's for a birthday, Christmas, or just to bring a smile, Kube is the perfect gift for:

• A person who loves reading,
• Someone who wants to learn and discover new things,
• A curious child,
• A teenager,
• An elderly person or someone with limited mobility looking for ways to keep occupied...

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

Source: lakube.com

What gift cards does Kube offer?

There are 3 types of gift cards available at Kube:

• The Kube Original Box is the most affordable. It’s suitable for everyone, including teenagers, and offers quality content every month.
• The Kube Majuscule Box is a bit pricier, but it will delight anyone who enjoys reading new literary releases. The larger format books will look fantastic 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, head over to the Kube website. Then, click on "Gift Cards" in the main menu. After that, simply select the gift card you’re interested in by clicking on it.

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

The prices for the Kube gift card, including shipping!

Source: lakube.com

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

• Via 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 details, followed by making a payment using a Visa or Mastercard, and everything will be processed automatically from there.

How do I activate my Kube gift?

Have you been given a Kube gift card? To start enjoying your subscription, simply head to the Kube website, select "Gift cards" from the menu, and then click on "I've received a gift card".

Next, all you need to do is create an account and enter your unique gift code to set up your subscription. It’s really simple, requiring no specific computer skills, and will only take a few minutes! 😉

Discover Kube gift sets – the perfect present for yourself or a loved one!

Not really keen on a subscription? In that case, Kube offers an alternative with its gift boxes. These are beautiful themed selections that can be given as a gift or purchased for your own enjoyment.

Personally, I find the themes of these boxes original, and their look is really well done. Here are some examples of boxes you can find on the Kube website:

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

Source: Lakube.com

In every box, discover what has made Kube a success:

• 3 or 4 books chosen by independent booksellers,
• some little gifts: stationery, dried flowers, biscuits, tea...
• packaging that relates to the theme.

💰 The boxes for teenagers and adults are priced at $75 each, while those for children are $55. We also need to factor in the shipping costs, which are quite reasonable as they are the same as those for the subscription.

🤑 There are often discounts available on the bundles! Right now, the "Nordic Countries" bundle is priced at $65, for example.

Want to explore 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 experience with Kube has been really positive, but to ensure I'm not just being lucky, I wanted to compare it with other subscribers' feedback! I'll let you find out in the following lines whether the satisfaction is widespread. 😉

On the Trustpilot platform

Kube has received a large number of reviews on Trustpilot: 4829 to date, making it a substantial sample to get an idea of what customers think of this service. The feedback is extremely positive, with a score of 4.8 / 5, which is quite rare on Trustpilot.

Source: Trustpilot.com

Furthermore, 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 very happy!

Source: Trustpilot.com

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

💚 What customers loved

• The thoughtful selection by booksellers: always delightful surprises,
• The quality and efficiency of the customer service,
• The surprises found in the boxes,
• The reliability of delivery, both within New Zealand and internationally,
• Supporting independent bookstores,
• The quality of the gift boxes,
• It being a fantastic gift idea...

Positive review from a Kube customer posted on the Trustpilot platform

❌ They enjoyed it less

• For a select few: some occasional delivery issues due to the carrier Colis Privé (minor delays, etc.),
• At times, there may be a difference between the price of the book and the box, but this also reflects the small gifts and selection service provided.

Mixed customer review on the delivery of their Kube box - Posted on Trustpilot

About Igraal

The Igraal site also features a few reviews on the Kube box, and these are mostly positive. Out of the 19 reviews available online to date, it has an average rating of 4 / 5.

Source: Igraal.com

People who have tried it are thrilled to have received or given this box as a gift. They share positive experiences about the fantastic discoveries made through this subscription, and praise the impeccable efficiency of the team managing this box.

Kube on Networks

If you want to stay updated on the latest news about this awesome box, you can follow Kube on:

• Instagram,
• Facebook,
• Pinterest.

👉 If you want to check out some customer testimonials for Kube or see photos and detailed 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 owned by the French company of the same name, which is located in Cergy Pontoise in the Val d'Oise region. It was established in 2015 by Aurore CHOANIER, Samuel CIMAMONTI, and Anthony DARQUEY and is registered with the trade and companies register.

Source: Pappers.fr

The Kube project aims to support the mission of independent booksellers, while encouraging subscribers to rediscover the joy of reading. This goal is reflected in a brief manifesto written by the founders, which can be found on the homepage of the Kube website:

Source: Lakube.com

If you encounter any issues while using Kube, or if you have any questions, you can get in touch with the team using the contact form available on the website, by email, or through our social media channels.

The Kube customer service team is attentive 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 serious company that helps promote independent bookstores. Although there is no contact phone number, the Kube team is available and responsive via email. 😊

My Verdict on Kube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I've been subscribed to Kube for about six months, and I’m really pleased with this box! Let me explain why in the following lines!

Was it easy to subscribe to the Kube box?

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

As I was very pleased after three months, I decided to subscribe. The process was quick and easy. I had been given a gift voucher for the Kube Original, and this time I chose to receive the Kube Majuscule, which includes large-format books.

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

Source: Instagram (@insta_kube)

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

Whether it's the original Kube that was gifted to me or the Kube Majuscule that I'm still subscribed to, I've never been disappointed with the books selected for me. There have been some real favourites and others that I found interesting or intriguing, but none have disappointed me.

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

Additionally, I loved chatting with the Kube team, who are really friendly over email! It’s very important and makes you want to stick around.

Source: Instagram (@insta_kube)

What’s my opinion on the rest of the box?

What really caught my interest with Kube was the books, especially with the Majuscule box, which allows me to receive the latest releases. However, I have to say that I’ve always enjoyed unboxing my parcel and discovering each little gift that came with my box one by one. As I have a sweet tooth, I absolutely loved all the treats like biscuits, teas, and so on.

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

Are gift cards a good idea?

Having tried out the gift card as a recipient, I was delighted by the simplicity of this system. Kube is truly a fantastic gift idea, and I plan to give it to some family members for Christmas.

Source: lakube.com

Additionally, as it’s possible to gift a voucher for a month, this makes it ideal for budget-friendly gifts. When you want to give a book to someone but don’t know their tastes or preferences, this is a fantastic option! The recipient can directly specify what they prefer to the bookseller, so you won't risk getting it wrong.

✅ To summarise, I’m really very happy with the Kube box. Even if I were to stop my subscription, it’s something I would happily treat myself to again from time to time! Plus, it makes for an ideal gift idea for the upcoming festive season. What more could you ask for? 😊

FAQ about Kube: I'm answering YOUR questions!

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

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

All you need to do is get in touch with the Kube team via the contact form on the website or by emailing hello@lakube.com, explaining that you have already read the book you received. Kube is committed to exchanging it for you, as long as you notify them within two months. Please include your email address and your Kube subscription number in the email, if possible.

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

Source: lakube.com

Can I receive a book in the original language?

Yes, you can ask your Kube bookseller about it. However, I recommend being a bit more general in your request regarding the theme or genre, so you can be sure to get a foreign language book!

How to get a Kube promo code?

Kube regularly offers discounts. For instance, as I write this article, there's a one-month gift card available with any subscription!

Is there a referral system?

No, Kube does not offer a referral system at this time.

How to contact Kube?

Kube is reachable:

• By email, at the address: hello@lakube.com,
• Through the contact form available on the website,
• On social media: Facebook or Instagram,
• By post, at the following 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". Next, go to the section "View/Change My Subscription", then "Unsubscribe". You'll find the phone number to call for cancellation.

I hope this positive feedback has made you keen to try Kube! Whether it's a gift or a subscription for yourself, it's truly an original concept that deserves to be discovered. 😉