Champaca Book Subscription FAQ

The Champaca Book Subscription and Book Club is a parcel of carefully curated, specially chosen books in the mail every month just for you, and a book club meeting every month. Sign up for the ongoing theme, Reading India, here.

 Frequently asked questions:

What’s in my Champaca Book Subscription?
Each parcel contains carefully curated books chosen according to the year’s theme, and a curation note written by our team. Through the year, we will also send in the parcel special postcards and bookmarks, and stationery from independent artists. We invite you to join our book club discussion every month!

 

What kind of books can I expect in the Champaca Book Subscription?
We believe in the importance of reading diverse stories, and reading different cultures, voices and experiences. The books we’ve picked are for everyone⁠⁠—suitable for a novice reader who wishes to broaden the scope of their reading, and for the most avid of readers. We’ll read across different genres of fiction, poetry and graphic novels, and nonfiction genres like essays, memoirs, and histories. You can find previous books we’ve sent out in the subscription here: theme one: Translations, theme two: Travel, theme three: Loneliness and Connection, and our ongoing theme Stories from the Subcontinent.

For what age group is the Book Subscription?

Our Subscription is aimed at readers of ages sixteen and up.

What are the different plans?
We have plans available for durations of three, six, nine, and twelve months. You could also choose to support us and the work we do by becoming a Champaca Super Member. 

When will my Subscription start?
Sign-ups for any month are open from the 15th to the 15th—for example, signups for August subscriptions are open from the 15th of July to the 15th of August. If you sign up after the 15th, you will receive books for the next month. 

Please note this is liable to change; read our Champaca Book Subscription webpage for any notices about this. We may close some months early. 

The twelve-month plans are rolling: they will carry over into next year's theme. The Super Member plan is also open on a rolling basis through the year.

What is the Champaca Book Club? How do I get access to that?
All members of the Champaca Book Subscription are part of a community and book club! Through the length of your subscription, you will receive prompts and discussion points from us. We meet once a month (usually Sundays) in a book club meeting, which takes place online as well as offline. Keep an eye on your email for updates!

How can I pay?
You can use any mode of payment accepted on Razorpay — credit cards, debit cards, UPI, netbanking and wallets.

When do the books get shipped?
The books ship in the first week of every month, barring any emergencies, which we will notify you of.

What are the shipping costs?
If you are in Bangalore, you can pick your parcel up from the store directly at no extra cost, or get it shipped. Shipping costs are calculated by weight and by distance. We ship books using a host of courier companies (like India Post, Delhivery, Shadowfax, and XPressBees) based on your location. At checkout, you’ll be able to see how much it costs to ship to where you are.

Can I do a pick up from your store instead of adding shipping?
Yes, you can choose the "pickup" option at checkout. If you've chosen "shipping" but want to pick one month's parcel up directly from the store, please let us know beforehand on hello@champaca.in.

What if I already have a book I received in the Subscription?
Currently, we aren’t able to accept exchanges or returns.

Can I return or exchange the book if I don’t like it?
Currently, we aren’t able to accept exchanges or returns. 

Can I cancel my subscription?
Your subscription can be cancelled if you write to us within 15 days of purchase. The amount paid will be refunded in the form of a gift voucher. After 15 days from the date of purchase, we are unable to cancel subscriptions, but you will continue to receive books till your subscription ends. 

Can I change my shipping address?
Due to logistical reasons, we're not usually able to accommodate more than two address changes for your subscription. Please write to hello@champaca.in for more information. 

Why is my Subscription delayed?
Deliveries may be delayed due to circumstances out of our control—please bear with us! You can contact the courier partners directly with your tracking number for queries about delivery. We work towards getting your parcel shipped in the first week of every month.

Whom can I call for help?
You can call us on +91 93536 08989, or email us on hello@champaca.in.

Can I buy books from the old Subscription months?
Yes, but without the benefits of the plans, like access to our Book Club! Once we’ve shipped all parcels for the month, the books will be available at our store and on the website. Click here to view the books from our Translations theme (year one), Travel theme (year two), and Loneliness and Connection (year three).

I have received my books, but do I have to attend the book club?

All subscribers will have access to the Champaca Book Club. You don’t have to join the meetings if you don’t want to – we’ll send you recordings of each meeting via email. We encourage you to participate in our book club meetings even if you haven’t read the books – they are a space to bring alive our love for reading, and are a warm and non-judgemental group of people.