Indiespensable

Powell's has started a new subscription book club called Indiespensable. Every six weeks Powell's will ship to club subscribers "the best new books, with special attention to leading independent publishers. Signed first editions. Inventive, original sets. Exclusive printings...." In addition to the selected book, Powell's will throw in an added bonus such as "a pre-publication copy of some great new book, or a bonus DVD or CD, or a literary periodical, or handmade chocolate." The price for the club is a bit steep ($39.95/including shipping for each delivery), but the first two volumes look very promising:

Volume 1: How the Dead Dream by Lydia Millet

• Only 200 copies available (Sold Out)
• Hardcover first edition, signed and numbered by the author
• Packaged in a custom, full-cloth slipcase

Volume 2: Mudbound by Hillary Jordan

• Only 350 copies available (Sold Out)
• Hardcover first editions, signed and numbered by the author
• Packaged in a custom, full-cloth slipcase

Being a sucker for signed books (and homemade chocolates), I signed up for Volume 2 before it sold out (I missed Volume 1), so I'm looking forward to receiving my own special copy of Mudbound in mid-April. Also, putting my faith in the generally-acknowledged good judgment of Powell's, I selected an on-going subscription for future volumes.

With the exponential growth of electronic reading and the related decrease of print reading, many have suggested the print publishing industry needs to find a way to make print products special. I think this program is taking that advice seriously.