We're an online store and ship all over the nation - - and sometimes beyond. However, our homebase started as a small Indie bookstore in Evanston, Illinois. We have relocated to California.

We’re a curated book subscription service, shipping monthly literary
selections, suited to your individualized preferences
What makes Page 1 Books special? Why wouldn't I choose another book subscription box? Or order from a very large company that started as a website selling books (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)?
YOU. You are what makes what we do so special. We like to say that you are not an algorithm. You are a reader like no other reader. We listen to you. We think about you. We are inspired to share books we know you will love.
We don't just give you five books to pick from. And we are not 'pushing' titles that have big marketing budgets or sales goals. We are sharing our love of books with you, and sometimes that means a book that came out 10, 20, or 50 years ago. Where would Jane Austen be if we all only read bestsellers?
What do I actually get each month?
Page 1 Books sends you a new book each month that we have hand-chosen for you based on your tastes. We also usually include a little something extra as a surprise. Books will be a mixture of paperback and hardcover.
What about the Double Paperbacks Book Subscription?
This subscription includes two mass market paperback books per month, along with a small bookish gift.
When will I get my books?
Books ship throughout each month. Your first book box will ship the month AFTER we receive your reading preferences. This gives us time to order, receive and ship your book based on what you've told us you like. After the first box ships, you'll receive one book a month. You will receive a tracking number via email when your books ship.
Please note that we ship books via USPS media mail as our standard delivery service, which usually takes 2-8 days during normal times. There is the option to upgrade to Priority Mail. Once the package leaves our shop, we unfortunately have no control over the speed of its delivery, especially with the USPS slow down during COVID. Please be patient with the delivery of your package.
What if I already have the book?
We want the experience to be as easy for you as possible. If you have the book or don't like what we chose, we will send you a new one straight away with a prepaid return label. Send us back the original book once you receive that label and your replacement book.
How do you know what I will like?
We have a literary crystal ball in the back room. Just kidding. First, we listen. Then we rely on what we know and what we've read. Our staff loves books and authors and readers. And this is what we talk about most of the day, in our down time, during breaks, to just about anyone who will listen. Our social feeds aren't puppies or kittens, they are books. (Okay, with a few cute furry animals thrown in!)
How do I let you know what I like?
Our sneaky smart system won't let you finalize the order if you don't tell us your preferences. You will be prompted to answer a few questions in the text boxes. Type as much as you like. Tell us everything. Write your own novel! Also, a Goodreads handle is very helpful to avoid sending you books you've already read.
What do you charge for shipping?
We ship via media mail to keep costs down. The shipping cost is built into the cost of our subscriptions. There is a Priority option if you simply can't wait to get your books.
What if I want to change my book preferences or need to change my address?
We would be happy to update anything in your profile. Please send the changes to hello@page1books.com before the 25th of the month to have them apply to the next month's shipment. Please note, changing your address in your account on our website does not change your address on our end. Address changes must be emailed to us at hello@page1books.com.
Do you ship internationally?
We hate to disappoint readers. Yes, we will ship internationally. Unfortunately, it is often prohibitively expensive. If you try to check out and it appears we don't ship to you, please contact us and we will create a quote for you.
Can I mix and match digital, double paperback and physical book subscriptions?
Because the physical book, double paperback and digital book subscriptions have different pricing, you cannot mix and match within the same subscription. Your subscription will be for all digital books, for all mass market paperbacks or all Page 1 subscription books (a mix of paperback and hardcover physical books) and gift cards purchased for a digital subscription or double paperbacks subscription cannot be applied towards a regular physical subscription (or vice versa) because the gift cards are coded differently, for payment purposes.
What if I want to cancel my subscription or want a refund?
We order your books as soon as we receive your reading preferences. We offer replacements if you receive a book that you already have or do not like. Furthermore, we do not auto renew subscriptions. For these reasons we do not accept cancellations or offer refunds. As mentioned above, we will do everything in our power to make sure you love your books! We will send a shipping label to pay for any returns and if you don't like a book in your book box, we will exchange by mailing out another, at no cost to you.
The Page 1 Book Subscription is a personalized service that hand-selects books for you. based on your preferences and our knowledge. Because we know you are more than an algorithm.
For yourself or a perfect gift for a book-lover, this is the subscription that fits all preferences. Guaranteed.
How Page 1 Books Subscriptions Work
Getting books chosen just for you delivered to your door each month couldn't be easier!
1. Just choose the length of your subscription and fill out the questions here and tell us as much as you can about your book-related likes, dislikes, desires, hopes, and dreams! Include a link to your Goodreads profile, if you have one!
2. We take that information and do our magical literary matchmaking and send you a book chosen just for you, beautifully wrapped, with a special little literary treat!
3. Write to us and let us know your thoughts about the pick and we will continually update your profile to refine our choices for you! AND if you already have the book we sent or don't think it's a good fit, no problem! We will send you a replacement at no cost!
It's like Stitch Fix, but for books!
Page 1 is run by owner Michele Jackson and a team of "literary matchmakers." We review your reading preferences and select books based on the information you give us. We don't see you every week. You can't stop by to browse our shelves and chat on your lunch hour., but we will learn your book tastes as if you do.
No one knows what you like better than you. Except maybe your favorite independent bookstore seller. That experience when you walk in, smell the books, wander around, and then ask your favorite salesperson..."I really enjoyed (insert your most recent book love here). Do you have anything like that?" Why yes, we do. It's The 1 Book Subscription.
We will send out a mix of hardcover and paperback books for three, six, or 12 months based on your preferences. (You may also add-on a Hardcover Only option when you check out.) When you are ordering, we ask a variety of questions that help us pick the perfect book for you! We hand pick titles and send them, lovingly-chosen, lovingly-wrapped, every month for your subscription. Subscriptions ordered before the 25th of each month will be sent the next month. Orders coming after the 25th will go out with the following month's boxes.
For gift subscriptions, you will receive a beautiful email with information about the gift and how to redeem, for you to forward to the receiver when you choose.
Books are sent by the 15th of each month once we receive your reading preferences. We guarantee your happiness with the book we deliver. If you don't like it, or if you've already read it, let us know. A replacement will quickly be on its way. No need to send the other back. Pass it along. We think there is no better karma than sharing a good book.
Sign up and tell us what you love.
We're an online store and ship all over the nation - - and sometimes beyond. However, our homebase started as a small Indie bookstore in Evanston, Illinois. We have relocated to California.