How Once Upon a Book Club Creates Bookish Products Readers Treasure

Diverse group of women dressed in pink outfits dancing together against a solid pink background.

 

At Once Upon a Book Club, we believe that loving books doesn’t stop at the final page. It spills into your everyday life. It shows up on your phone case, in the sweatshirt you reach for on a cozy Sunday, the teacup you drink out of because it reminds you of a story you adored, and the little moments of joy that make reading feel like more than just a hobby.

Bookish joy is our love language. And everything we create, from our apparel to our beautifully curated shop, to our immersive book boxes and brand-new OUABC Lite experience, starts with one simple question:

How can we bring stories to life and help everyone feel closer to the stories they love?


Close-up of a vintage typewriter page with the words “Everyone has a story” typed in black ink.

It Always Starts With the Story

Before a product ever makes it into our shop, it starts with a story. Or more specifically, a moment inside a story.

We don’t just ask, “Is this cute?” or “Will people like this?” We ask things like:

  • What emotion does this scene evoke?

  • What would it feel like to hold this moment in your hands?

  • How can we help a reader experience this part of the story more deeply?

That’s why our products never feel random. They’re tied to literary moments, emotions, and themes readers already love, whether that’s a swoon-worthy romance trope, a quiet cozy scene, a thriller moment, or a bold declaration of loving books loudly and proudly.

Check out our ready-to-ship book boxes and book collection!


White “Book Boyfriend” graphic T-shirt displayed on a mannequin against a pale pink backdrop.

Apparel: Wearing Your Love for Stories 

Our Valentine’s apparel is a perfect example of how we turn bookish feelings into tangible joy.

Pieces like our trope-inspired tees and cozy Valentine’s designs aren’t just seasonal merch. They’re little love letters to readers. They let you wear your identity, your favorite tropes, and your passion for stories in a way that feels fun, thoughtful, and unmistakably bookish.

We design these pieces exclusively for our community, with details that matter:

  • Embroidery details that take your outfit to the next level

  • Soft, cozy fabrics you’ll actually want to live in

  • Designs inspired by the tropes and moments readers obsess over

And because these collections are limited-time, they feel extra special, like a Valentine from us to you. Something you’ll reach for long after February, because it reminds you of a feeling, not just a holiday. And we’re always coming up with something new!

We know you will love our full apparel collection! There is something for everyone.


Woman holding shopping bags and a takeaway coffee while talking on her phone against a pink background.

A Shop Built for Readers (Not Just Shoppers)

One of the things we’re most proud of is our shop because it’s designed the way readers actually think.

We know that bookworms don’t browse the same way everyone else does. Sometimes you’re in the mood for romance. Sometimes you want something cozy. Sometimes you’re shopping for a gift and thinking, “She loves fantasy romances” or “They’re obsessed with historical fiction.”

That’s why our shop makes it easy to browse by:

  • Genre

  • Category

  • Collections

  • Gift Guides

Whether you’re searching for a book-only experience, a wearable piece of bookish joy, a keepsake inspired by a specific story, or the perfect gift, everything is organised with intention. No endless scrolling. No guesswork. Just thoughtful curation designed to make shopping feel as enjoyable as reading.

Because honestly? Shopping for bookish things should feel a little magical, too.


Pink-labelled perfume bottle titled “The Romance Readers Book Club” styled in front of purple tulips.

Products That Feel Like Keepsakes 

We don’t believe in filler products. Every item we create or source is chosen because it adds something meaningful to a reader’s life.

That might look like:

These aren’t things you use once and forget about. They’re keepsakes. Objects that instantly transport you back to how a story made you feel.

We want our products to live on your bookshelf, your bedside table, your wrist, or your wardrobe, quietly reminding you of stories that mattered.


Stack of pink Once Upon a Book Club Adult subscription boxes arranged decoratively on white wooden shelves.

Our Book Boxes: Where Stories Truly Come Alive 

Our signature Once Upon a Book Club boxes are built around immersive storytelling. Each box includes a carefully selected book plus beautifully wrapped surprise gifts that correspond to key moments in the story. As you read, you’ll find those precious “Open Your Gift” notes, and when you reach those pages, the story steps off the page and into your hands.

It’s not just reading. It’s an experience.

Every gift is:

  • Wrapped with care

  • Tied to a specific scene or emotion

  • Designed to enhance, not interrupt, your story

We love bringing the story to life, that magical Once Upon a Book Club way.


Once Upon a Book Club Lite box beside Graceless Heart with pink “Open your gift” envelopes laid out below

OUABC Lite: A New Way to Experience Stories 

And because we’re always listening to our community, we asked ourselves: What about readers who want something immersive, but simpler?

Enter OUABC Lite.

OUABC Lite is our newest reading experience. A “book-only” box designed around the five senses. Instead of traditional gifts, each box includes a stunning book and five flat, paper-based gifts, each tied to a specific page number and sensory moment in the story.

Sight. Smell. Sound. Touch. Taste.

When you reach a marked page, you pause, open an envelope, and experience the story in a whole new way. It’s immersive, portable, and deeply personal, and perfect for readers who love slowing down and savouring every moment.

OUABC Lite is proof that we’re always evolving, experimenting, and finding new ways to bring stories to life, without losing the heart of what makes Once Upon a Book Club special.


Woman relaxing in bed under a blanket, reading a book in a calm, cosy setting with soft neutral tones.

Always Thinking About Our Readers 

Everything we create comes back to one thing: our readers.

We think about:

  • How our products will be used

  • How they’ll feel when someone opens a box

  • How easy and joyful the shopping experience is

  • How every item connects back to a story

We listen. We adapt. We dream up new experiences because we genuinely love this community and the way books bring people together.

Whether you’re discovering us for the first time, shopping for the perfect gift, or eagerly waiting for your next box to arrive, we want you to feel seen, understood, and delighted at every step.

Bookish Joy, Thoughtfully Created

At Once Upon a Book Club, we don’t just sell books or products. We create experiences. We turn literary moments into pure joy. And we design everything with the belief that stories deserve to be felt, not just read.

From apparel and curated shop collections to immersive book boxes and OUABC Lite, every piece we create is an invitation to fall in love with reading again, to treasure the stories that shape us, and to surround yourself with bookish joy every single day.

Because when you love stories the way we do, they never really end. 💫📚

Is your TBR pile running low? Then check out February’s New Releases or what the Once Upon a Book Club Team is reading!

 

 


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