A parcel through the post, the contents lovingly wrapped up in tissue paper and bursting with treats inside. Surely it’s what everyone wants.
Nottingham tram driver, Gill Morris, thought so and judging by the 3,000-plus Facebook followers she has for her new book box subscription service Bookaholics, she was absolutely right.
Running the business from her home in Clifton, Gill, 48, started the venture in March when lockdown closed her usual book buying haunts. Now, she devotes her spare time to "bringing a box of sunshine to people."
She said: “I’m a book reader - a bit of nerd really - I’d originally seen the idea of book boxes in the US some time ago. I’d looked at a couple of companies in the UK and ordered from one but they didn’t have a charitable element. This was long before I had even thought of doing it myself.
“When lockdown came in March and libraries, bookshops and charity shops closed [as a route for accessing books], the idea came to me of starting bookaholics."
As key workers, Gill and her community care worker partner felt the strain of working through a worldwide pandemic.
"I just want to bring a little sunshine into peoples lives. I’m not doing it for profit, it’s not about making money, I think books are important for people’s mental health, it's a bit of escapism," she said.
"So I started putting packages together using my own books to start with, put something on Facebook... now have more than 3,000 followers.”
Bookaholics is an online book box and subscription service. It is different in the fact that all books are preloved and come with a selection of goodies.
“We buy our books from charity shops - we use pre-loved books which benefits the planet and keeps books out of landfill - we then put them into quarantine, clean them before parcelling up along with treats."
The website lists a range of books on a one-off or subscription basis with a choice of treats including chocolate, biscuits, drinks, even a choice of tea light, bookmark or pen... and all wrapped up in tissue and brown paper.
One subscriber said: "I got my parcel today and I almost didn't want to open it. It's wrapped up in beautiful brown wrapping paper and string, like a little gift. Opened it up and it was just a lovely little something to me from me. A couple of books, hot drinks selection, little chocolate bar."
Gill said: “Everyone is so down at the moment we just wanted to cheer people up," and with a percentage of the profits going to charity it is not just the recipients of the boxes that get a boost. Monetary donations have gone to Teenage Cancer Trust, Breast Cancer Haven, Diabetes UK, Cystic Fibrosis and Rainbows Hospice.
"I never had the confidence to do anything like this before, so I suppose, strangely, I have Covid to thank for playing its part. I’ve created the website myself and promote the service through this and Facebook. I’ll definitely keep on with it", she said.
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