Monday, July 7th
2025 Book Club Reviews
Brilliant Books
- 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
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.
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.
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.
More Book Club Reviews
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.
Book Club FAQ
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!
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