Happy Tuesday! I'd like to welcome you to the second day of the week by introducing you to a cool company I found for literature and tea lovers while scanning the Internet. I reached out to their CEO and Creative Director Christina who was obliging enough to send me a box to test and also offer a box for a reader giveaway.

Muse Monthly is a subscription service box that sends a hand-picked pairing of tea and book to your door every month.

The February Box

This month's box featured Yann Martel's The High Mountains of Portugal and paired it with an organic banana coconut rooibos tisane from Amitea.

The light and fruity, caffeine-free drink reminds me of driving around Cuba in the heat and pulling up at a roadside shack for a piña colada. Except in reverse. Here it's freezing outside and the beverage is hot. Still, it's a nice reminder of the tropics during the winter months.

On the package Amitea recommends trying it brewed double strength with a shot of rum. That's an idea I can get behind. And also reminds me of Cuba.

I haven't had a chance to read The High Mountains of Portugal just yet, but a few days ago the New York Times released their take on it. Martel is known for his 2001 book Life of Pi that won the Man Booker Prize.

Muse Monthly is based out of New York City, so I was excited that Martel, who is Canadian, featured in this month's box. Inside the box Muse Monthly did a great job of presentation: the tea and book were each wrapped separately in black tissue paper and presentation did not not disappoint. This would make a great gift for someone (like me).

Pricing

So how much do these boxes cost? Well, from what I can tell they're priced very reasonably. For example, a one-month subscription will cost you $21 USD. The list price for Martel's book is $27 USD. Plus, you also get the tea. You can read in my interview with Blok below how they work with publishers.

To look at it from a Canadian perspective, right now The High Mountains of Portugal is listed at $32 CAD. You can find it discounted right now at Chapters for $20 CAD. Right now with the low Canadian dollar the $21 USD cost of the box equals about $29 CAD. So the pricing is still a pretty good deal considering you're also getting the tea and the whole artisan experience.

You can buy a subscription in bulk (3,6 or 12 months) for a slight discount.

Interview with CEO and Creative Director Christina Blok

What made you want to start Muse Monthly?

Muse Monthly really stemmed out of the idea of comfort and relaxation - after a long day at a stressful job, all I wanted was to curl up with my book and the most gigantic cup of tea possible. I knew I wasn't the only one, so Muse Monthly was born!

When did you get started?

The Kickstarter ran in May, and the first box was delivered in June, with Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller & Mt Hood Vanilla tea from Townshend's Tea.

You work with some big name publishers (Tin House Books, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Bloomsbury)! How did you establish those connections?

It was really much easier than expected. I started out researching books that were coming out for the rest of the year - book that were getting some buzz already, or just ones that looked really different from the usual thing you'd find at Barnes & Noble. And from there I just sent emails to publishing companies explaining the concept and asking if they'd be willing to work with me. I've been fortunate enough to form some really great relationships since then.

Christina Blok, CEO and Creative Director of Muse Monthly. Photo provided by Muse Monthly.

You support female, LGBTQA, trans and POC writers, as well as writers from around the world. What goes into choosing the book of the month?

The first thing I look for is strong writing. That is always the most important thing. I look for stories that are exciting and different, not what everyone else is going to be reading. I think it's really important to offer books that are challenging and might open readers up to a different worldview. I try to support debut writers as well.

What about the tea?

The tea is paired with the book by what I call "atmosphere" - they're meant to create an experience. For example, The December Collection included a story called The Blue Between Sky & Water by Susan Abulhawa, which is a story about a Palestinian family. We paired that with Green Tea and Mint from Teapigs, because mint tea is the traditional way to drink tea in Palestine. The hope is that the reader will be transported!

What comes first - book or tea?

Usually the book comes first, but not always!

What's your favourite kind of tea?

Personally, I really loved the Earl Grey Lavender from Rishi tea that we included in the August box!

Why are books awesome?

Books are awesome because they expand your mind and expose you to new thoughts and feelings! Books make you smarter, and being smart is badass.

Giveaway - One Free Month of Muse Monthly's March Collection!

We're so lucky! Christina has agreed to give one reader the March box for free! Just enter below by February 21 to be entered to win. For March they're teaming up with author V.E. Schwab who's upcoming novel A Gathering of Shadows will be released on February 23.

A Gathering of Shadows is the second book in her Shades of Magic series. The first book, A Darker Shade of Magic, has just been acquired by Gerard Butler's production company, G-Base, for tv series production.

There are a few ways to enter. Each one you do puts your name in the draw! Do one or all four for your best chance of winning.

Enter to win the March Collection from Muse Monthly featuring author V.E. Schwab:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

