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Brilliant Books Review

Monday, July 7th

2025 Book Club Reviews

Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award Brilliant Books Review 5 Star Rating

Brilliant Books

5 Star Rating
  • Membership costs from $175 to $360 per year
  • 1 book per month, either print or audio
  • Staff chooses for you
  • Responsive to your preferences
  • Satisfaction guarantee
  • Flexible pause option
  • Popular genres and literary fiction
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Brilliant Books, operating out of Traverse City, Michigan, prides itself on being the "long-distance local bookstore," offering both an online platform and a physical store. Their extensive inventory includes paperback books, audiobooks, apparel, literary accessories, games, puzzles, journals, pens, and more. From bestsellers to young adult fiction and children's literature, each monthly book is handpicked from their independent bookstore to match your literary preferences.

Impressive range of novels and audiobooks

For readers of all kinds, Brilliant Books offers a variety of subscription options in specific genres and age groups, for a steady supply of curated reads. Brilliant Books has an impressive selection of books and audiobooks available on the site. You can browse their entire library through the "Shop” tab. You can find books through categories like indie books, prizewinning novels, preorders, and local authors. The actual selection of books for the monthly subscription is a secret, but you can meet your curator by reading up on the bio of the staff member who will be picking your books.

You select a genre, they select your books

Upon subscribing, you'll get a box of books along with a preferences card to customize your reading experience on your next book box. To that end, you can further narrow your selection by picking a particular book box type. You can choose between the standard Brilliant Books Monthly which is split between hardcover and paperback options from a variety of genres, Brilliant Books Monthly Audio for audiobooks, Brilliant Books Monthly for Young Adults, and Brilliant Books Monthly Iconic Reads. This way, you can quickly narrow the field of book genres by choosing a specific box. For example, the Iconic Reads box allows you to choose a more particular genre from some of the most iconic books of our time. Some subcategories include:

  • Banned Books
  • Poetry
  • Science Fiction Through The Ages
  • Modern Classics
  • Nature Writing

On top of that, the bios for the book selectors can give you a good idea of the kind of content you'll receive from each individual. Some work with only one genre while others select for multiple genres.

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6-month or 1-year payment cycles

There are a lot of pricing options with Brilliant Books, and it can take a while to scroll through them. Most of the packages come in 6-month and 1-year subscriptions that will auto-renew. The 6-month plans range from $99 for YA up to $190 for hardcovers. The 1-year packages range from $175 for YA to $360 for hardcovers. Each period is paid for in advance, so you'll be charged either every six months or every year depending on the pay period you choose.

Change how often you receive books

There is some flexibility in scheduling at Brilliant Books. You can choose to request a specific book if you know there's something you want to read next, and you can change your delivery schedule to fit your reading speed. You can choose one book per month, shipments every other month, or every three months. You can also put your shipments on hold for a while if you're going on vacation. You'll get all the books you paid for no matter what.

Satisfaction guarantee

One of the standout features of Brilliant Books is their guarantee of satisfaction. If you receive a book you've already read or one that doesn't align with your tastes, Brilliant Books will immediately replace it. This way you can be sure you get a consistently enjoyable reading experience.

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Not a lot of buzz for Brilliant Books

The only snag is that it's nearly impossible to find third-party feedback for Brilliant Books. There are a handful of reviews on the Brilliant Books website, but there's no link to the original reviews, and there's no way to know how those reviews are vetted or posted. While the feedback is totally positive, we're a little skeptical about the reality for average book buyers. Still, the satisfaction guarantee does go a long way toward soothing any concerns.

Competitive option for selection and flexibility

With its extensive genre selection, impressive book categories, and genuine human touch to the book selection process, Brilliant Books stands out from the pack. We are highly impressed with the flexibility and selection. Plus, with a satisfaction guarantee, Brilliant Books stands out from competitors by promising you a great reading experience every time. For this reason, Brilliant Books is our top pick among book clubs with a 5-star rating in our review.

Where Can You Find the Best Book Club?

If you're looking for a new way to enjoy reading, joining a book club subscription can be a fun and enriching experience. Whether you're an avid reader seeking to expand your literary horizons or someone looking to rediscover the joy of reading, participating in a book club offers numerous benefits.

But modern book clubs aren't the same as you might be thinking: a group picking one book to read and getting together in person to talk it over. Instead, virtual book clubs more closely resemble a wine club or something similar where you subscribe to a "club” to get new books sent to you each month.

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Book Club FAQ

These Book Club subscriptions are delivered once a month. They usually ship out on the first or middle of the month. Different services offer different variations on how many months are in the subscription.
This varies widely based on the service. Some offer just one book, while others might offer two. Some of the boxes are even themed and include unique handpicked gifts to match the book chosen.
Usually the different services will have the book picked out in advance. A few offer a choice between several books. The range of books varies greatly. Sometimes a panel chooses the book, and one service even has you work with a special book buyer to find the right book for you.
Book Clubs are a great gift! If you already love to read then it gives you new options to read, and if you aren't into reading yet, it gives you the perfect opportunity to start! Having a book picked out and delivered to you once a month will keep your bookshelf fresh.
Different options have different costs. Some are as low as $9.99 a month while others might be $50. The main price disparity is in the box contents. Boxes that are just books will be cheaper, while ones with goodies are going to cost more.
This is up to the service and you! Some services offer monthly subscriptions for a limited time, others offer month to month with the option to skip a month, and some offer one-time boxes. The only limit is your wallet!
Luckily this isn't a common issue, most of the boxes try to send out new books or even special early releases, so the chance of you having it is slim. There are also options to choose a different book or skip that months delivery for some services. The subscriptions also announce what book they are sending before it sends so you can have some warning to not buy the book.
There is a lot of variety! Some services offer themed subscriptions, so you can choose which genre of book to have sent each month. Some just offer several options every month to choose from, all different genres. Each service has its own way to keep it fresh, so make sure to find the best option for you!
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Book clubs offer an extensive array of genres ranging from mysteries and sci-fi to historical dramas and fantasy epics. However, the abundance of options can sometimes feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure of where to start. A book club helps solve that problem by providing you with curated selections delivered right to your doorstep. Such a service would not only save you time but also keeps up a steady supply of books perfectly suited to your interests. You can choose from a selection of award-winning titles from both renowned and emerging authors in your favorite genre, or branch out and try some new literary categories you've never read before.

With a book club subscription, you can bid farewell to the hassle of scouring bookstores or endlessly scrolling through online catalogs. Instead, each month brings a delightful surprise as you receive a handpicked selection of books directly to your home. At most book club subscriptions, you have the flexibility to customize your membership duration and even give a subscription to fellow book lovers, spreading the joy of reading far and wide.

In the fast-paced world we live in, finding moments of relaxation and enjoyment is essential for maintaining a healthy balance. Investing in a book club subscription not only provides endless hours of entertainment but also fosters a sense of anticipation and excitement as you eagerly await each month's new arrivals. So why not treat yourself or a loved one to the gift of literary exploration? It's a worthwhile investment in both leisure and personal enrichment, offering a fulfilling escape from the demands of everyday life.

Choosing the right book club is essential to a fulfilling and enjoyable reading experience. To help you navigate the variety of book clubs out there, here are some factors to consider:

  • Book selection. Evaluate the types of books chosen by the club, including genres, themes, and authors. Look for clubs that follow your reading interests and preferences, so that you'll enjoy the selected books and actively engage in discussions.
  • Customization. Can you add specific books to your order? Can you customize the shipping periods or pause your book club shipments if you travel? You want your book club subscription to fit your life, so make sure there are options to make the service feel like it's tailored for you.
  • Price. All book aficionados know that their hobby can come with a bit of a price tag (especially if you're getting multiple books at a time or gunning for a hardcover, new-release copy of a novel). So, make sure that the price of the book club subscription makes sense with the value of books and quantity that you receive.
  • Reputation. What are other readers saying about each book club? Are the novels worth the subscription? Are there enough perks to keep customers coming back? Seeing what reviewers say about your chosen book club can help you narrow your options.

To help you find the best book club for your reading journey, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top options on the market. We hope our recommendations will help you discover the perfect book club subscription to enrich your reading experience. So, set aside your worries for a moment, find a cozy spot, maybe even light a scented candle, and immerse yourself in a captivating novel. Before you know it, hours may slip away unnoticed as you become engrossed in the journey of your next book!

Compare Book Clubs

Select any 2 Book Clubs to compare them head to head

best-book-clubs
  • Brilliant Books
  • A Box of Stories
  • Once Upon a Book Club
  • Book of the Month Club
  • Just the Right Book
  • The Book Drop
  • Nowhere Bookshop
  • Fresh Fiction Box
  • Books & More
  • BookTide
Brilliant Books vs A Box of Stories Brilliant Books vs Once Upon a Book Club Brilliant Books vs Book of the Month Club Brilliant Books vs Just the Right Book Brilliant Books vs The Book Drop Brilliant Books vs Nowhere Bookshop Brilliant Books vs Fresh Fiction Box Brilliant Books vs Books & More Brilliant Books vs BookTide A Box of Stories vs Once Upon a Book Club A Box of Stories vs Book of the Month Club A Box of Stories vs Just the Right Book A Box of Stories vs The Book Drop A Box of Stories vs Nowhere Bookshop A Box of Stories vs Fresh Fiction Box A Box of Stories vs Books & More A Box of Stories vs BookTide Once Upon a Book Club vs Book of the Month Club Once Upon a Book Club vs Just the Right Book Once Upon a Book Club vs The Book Drop Once Upon a Book Club vs Nowhere Bookshop Once Upon a Book Club vs Fresh Fiction Box Once Upon a Book Club vs Books & More Once Upon a Book Club vs BookTide Book of the Month Club vs Just the Right Book Book of the Month Club vs The Book Drop Book of the Month Club vs Nowhere Bookshop Book of the Month Club vs Fresh Fiction Box Book of the Month Club vs Books & More Book of the Month Club vs BookTide Just the Right Book vs The Book Drop Just the Right Book vs Nowhere Bookshop Just the Right Book vs Fresh Fiction Box Just the Right Book vs Books & More Just the Right Book vs BookTide The Book Drop vs Nowhere Bookshop The Book Drop vs Fresh Fiction Box The Book Drop vs Books & More The Book Drop vs BookTide Nowhere Bookshop vs Fresh Fiction Box Nowhere Bookshop vs Books & More Nowhere Bookshop vs BookTide Fresh Fiction Box vs Books & More Fresh Fiction Box vs BookTide Books & More vs BookTide
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