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

When you love reading, the joy of diving into a new story is unparalleled. However, there are times when you might not have the time or opportunity to look for a new book!

A few months ago, I came across something quite unique: it’s called Kube, a book box curated by a bookseller. Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on this original 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 generally the high 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 really 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 your 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, of course, a pocket-sized or semi-pocket-sized book, along with some other small gifts. It is designed to be a relaxing escape centred around the world of literature and reading.

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

📖 A unique discovery from a publishing house: beautiful poster, sneak peek of an upcoming novel, news ...

🍵 Enjoy tea to make your reading sessions a truly relaxing experience.

🎁 Small gifts to enhance your reading experience: sweets, notebooks, reusable straws, ...

📑 A bookmark,

📩 A postcard,

📕 The Kube magazine covers literary news, the latest updates from 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, or a collection of poems...

How are Kube's books chosen?

We come to what I believe makes the Kube box special: the books are carefully selected by qualified booksellers who work in independent bookstores in France.

To do this, you will receive a monthly questionnaire via email, where you can share your reading preferences. You will also be asked to name 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 can specify whether you would like to keep it a surprise or if you prefer to approve the choice of the bookseller.

If you choose the second option, an email will be sent to you with the book selected by the bookseller. You will then have the opportunity to confirm that you’d like to receive the book, or request a new selection instead.

👉 If you have already read the book you're receiving as a surprise (it's happened to me too!), don't worry! Kube will exchange it for free upon request!

What makes Kube different from other literary subscription boxes?

Kube has the unique feature of being truly personalised, while also supporting independent booksellers. It currently collaborates with over 200 booksellers, who bring their expertise in the publishing world to help you discover your next reading favourites.

Subscribing to Kube is also a way to support independent bookstores and French commerce, rather than the big delivery chains (like Amazon, Fnac...).

Source: Lakube.com

How to get a big book in my Kube box?

The Kube "Original" box contains a pocket or semi-pocket book, with prices ranging from around ten euros to 16 €. If you prefer to have a beautiful large-format book, it’s better to choose the Kube Majuscule.

This box contains the same items and gifts as the classic Kube (tea, literary discovery, stationery, magazine...), but inside you'll find a large-format book, which could also be a new literary release. In fact, paperback books 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 cancellable at any time.

Where does Kube deliver?

Available worldwide: it’s one of the few boxes on the market that offers this. It’s perfect for gifting to someone who is living abroad, for instance!

What is the price of the Kube box?

Kube offers rounded prices and has a limited range. This makes it easy to choose the Kube that suits you best from the following three options:

Are there any shipping costs with the Kube box? 🚚

Yes, a shipping fee of €3.90 should be added to the price mentioned above for France, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, and Luxembourg.

For other countries, you will need to plan for:

• R 90 in the rest of the European Union,
• R 110 in Switzerland and Canada,
• R 120 in the rest of the world.

Who is Kube for?

This box is designed for book lovers, but also for those looking to get back into reading, for the curious, and generally for anyone who enjoys making delightful discoveries.

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

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

• Reading comics or manga,
• Diving into an epic novel,
• Exploring books in foreign languages,
• Getting lost in fiction set in other worlds,
• Reading philosophy, science, poetry...

👉 I like to think of Kube as the opportunity to have a massive library at your fingertips. By trusting the librarian, you often discover gems that you would have never 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 aimed at children aged 7 to 11 years. Like its older sibling, this is a monthly box priced at R320, with no commitment, delivered straight to your door.

What’s inside the Kube Youth box?

The content is of course tailored to spark an interest in reading among children, featuring:

• 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 just as good for adults?

The KUBE 7-11 box works on 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 thematic box, children will be able to explore the world and discover new things and new universes.

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

Is this Kube box suitable for teenagers?

The Kube 7-11 is truly aimed at children who are starting 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 box at R16 and the Kube Majuscule at R24 are perfectly suited for teenagers! Just make sure to specify in the monthly reading preferences survey that you (or your teen) prefer young adult books. 😉

The Kube Box: The Perfect Gift?

Since this is 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 bring some joy, Kube is the perfect gift for:

• A person who loves reading,
• Someone who wants to broaden their horizons and discover new things,
• A curious child,
• A teenager,
• An elderly person or someone confined to their home looking for ways to keep occupied...

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 offers quality content every month.
• The Kube Majuscule Box is a bit pricier, but it will delight anyone who loves reading 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?

For this, you need to visit the Kube website. Then, you can click on "Gift Cards" in the main menu. After that, all you need to do is 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 example, for the original Kube box, here's what you'll see:

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

Source: lakube.com

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

• Via email, so you can print it yourself,
• By post in a lovely gift envelope (+ R130),
• With a Kube themed box of your choice.

You can then enter your personal information, and pay using a Visa or Mastercard, and everything will be processed automatically afterwards.

How to activate your Kube gift?

Have you received a Kube gift card? To make the most of your subscription, simply go to the Kube website, select "Gift Cards" from the menu, and then click on "I've received a gift card".

Next, you just need to create an account and enter your unique gift code to set up your subscription. It’s very easy, requires no specific computer skills, and will only take a few minutes! 😉

Discover Kube gift boxes to treat yourself or someone special!

Not too keen on a subscription? In that case, Kube offers you an alternative with its boxes. These are beautiful themed selections, perfect for giving as gifts or treating yourself.

Personally, I find the themes of these gift boxes quite unique, and they have a fantastic design. Here are some examples of the gift boxes you can find on the Kube website:

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

Source: Lakube.com

In each 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 related to the theme.

💰 The packages for teenagers and adults are R1,500 each, while those for children are R1,100. You will also need to add shipping costs, which are quite low, as they are the same as those for the subscription.

🤑 There are often some discounts available on the boxes! Right now, the "Nordic Countries" box is priced at R1,250, for example.

Want to explore these gift boxes? Simply click on the "Gift Boxes" tab from the homepage of the Kube website!

What do customers think about Kube?

My personal experience with Kube has been really positive, but just to be sure it’s not just luck, I thought it best to compare it with other subscribers' feedback! I’ll let you discover in the following lines whether the satisfaction is widespread. 😉

On the Trustpilot Platform

Kube has an impressive number of reviews on Trustpilot: 4829 to date, making it a great sample to get an insight into customer opinions about 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 see that there are hardly any one, two, or three-star reviews. Most customers seem to be extremely happy!

Source: Trustpilot.com

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

💚 What our customers loved

• The thoughtful selection by booksellers: always delightful surprises,
• The quality and efficiency of customer service,
• The surprises included in the boxes,
• The reliability of delivery, both locally and internationally,
• The opportunity to support independent bookstores,
• The quality of the gift sets,
• The fact that it's a fantastic gift idea...

Positive review from a Kube customer left on the Trustpilot platform

❌ They liked it less

• For a select few: some occasional delivery issues caused by the courier Colis Privé (small 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 selection service.

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

About Igraal

The Igraal site also offers some reviews on the Kube box, which 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 speak positively about the wonderful discoveries made through this subscription, and praise the team's consistent efficiency in managing this box.

Kube on the Networks

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

• Instagram,
• Facebook,
• Pinterest.

👉 If you want to check out some Kube customer testimonials 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 belongs to the French company of the same name, which is based in Val d'Oise in Cergy Pontoise. It was established in 2015 by Aurore CHOANIER, Samuel CIMAMONTI, and Anthony DARQUEY and is listed in the commercial and companies register.

Source: Pappers.co.za

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

Source: Lakube.com

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

The Kube customer service team is attentive to the reviews left on the Trustpilot platform and takes the time to provide you with a personalised response in case you encounter any issues.

✅ Kube is a reputable company that supports the growth of independent bookstores. Even though they don’t have a contact phone number, the Kube team is always available and responsive via email. 😊

My verdict on Kube ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's been about six months since I subscribed to Kube, and I’m really happy 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 was given a code that I could enter on the website, allowing me to easily set up the details of my delivery.

As I was very happy after three months, I decided to subscribe. The process was also very quick. I had received a gift card for the Kube Original and this time I chose to receive the Kube Majuscule, which comes with large format books.

I found it very easy to compare the options and place my order, opting for home delivery.

Source: Instagram (@insta_kube)

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

Whether it's the original Kube that was gifted to me or the Kube Majuscule that I still subscribe to, I have never been disappointed with the books chosen for me. There have been some real favourites as well as others that I found interesting or intriguing, but none have let me down.

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

Additionally, I really enjoyed connecting with the Kube team, who are very friendly when communicating via email! It's really important, and it makes you want to stick around.

Source: Instagram (@insta_kube)

What is 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 must say that I have always enjoyed opening my parcel and discovering each little gift accompanying my box one by one. Being a bit of a foodie, I really loved everything that included biscuits, teas, and so on.

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

Are gift cards a good idea?

Having tested the gift card as a recipient, I was really pleased with the simplicity of this system. Kube is truly a great gift idea, and I already plan to give it as a present for Christmas to some family members.

Source: lakube.com

Additionally, since it’s possible to give a gift card for a month, it’s also a great option for budget-friendly gifts. When you want to give someone a book but aren't sure of their tastes or preferences, this is an excellent choice! The recipient can let the bookseller know exactly what they prefer, so you won't risk getting it wrong.

✅ To sum up, I am really very happy with the Kube box. Even if I were to stop my subscription, it’s something I would gladly treat myself to every now and then! Additionally, it's an ideal gift idea for the upcoming festive season. What more could you ask for? 😊

FAQs about Kube: I'm answering YOUR questions!

To wrap up this experience sharing, here’s a brief frequently asked questions section to address the main queries you may have about the Kube box. If you still have questions after reading through this, feel free to leave them in the comments! I’d be happy to answer them. 😊

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

Simply get in touch with the Kube team via the contact form on the website or by emailing hello@lakube.com. Make sure to mention that you have already read the book you received. Kube is committed to exchanging it for you if you notify them within two months. When you send your email, please include your email address and your Kube subscription number, if possible.

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

Source: lakube.com

Can I receive a book in its original language?

Yes, you can ask your Kube bookseller. However, I recommend being a bit more general with your request regarding the theme or genre, to ensure you receive a book in a foreign language!

How to get a Kube promo code?

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

Is there a referral system?

No, Kube does not currently offer a referral system.

How to get in touch with Kube?

Kube is reachable:

• By email, at: hello@lakube.com,
• Through the contact form available on the website,
• On social media: Facebook or Instagram,
• By post, sent to 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, head to the section "View/Modify My Subscription", and then select "Unsubscribe". You will find the phone number to call for cancellation.

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