Blind Date With a Book
Here at Brilliant Books, we're a lot of things: booksellers, book reviewers, and book enjoyers, to name a few. But if you had to boil everything we do down to a single word, it just might be matchmaking.
A book on a shelf is only half an equation. The moment a book is opened, it enters a unique relationship with its reader—that's you! We help readers find books they love—that help them grow or leave lasting impacts—and, simultaneously, we help the books on our shelves find their person: not just anyone, but someone to treasure them for years to come.
How to we match our people and their books? In the store, our booksellers will ask questions to get a feel for what you're looking for and your reading history. Our Brilliant Books Members can request our matchmaking to build curated lists of recommended titles based on their individual requests, from "early chapter books about animals" to "summer reads that will whisk me away". And, of course, you can experience our most personalized book matchmaking skills every month when you subscribe to Brilliant Books Monthly. But today, we thought try something a little different...
You've probably heard of blind dates with books before: books wrapped in brown paper with a few keywords or a review on the outside to indicate what kind of book is inside. While we love the idea of a surprise, we also understand that this absolute veil might not be right for all readers. What if you've read the book before, or what if you've heard a scathing review from a friend? So we've concocted a sliding scale of "blind-date-ness":
As you browse the "dates" below, you'll be able to choose "Take a Chance" or "Slow & Steady."
Take a Chance: If you don't want to know anything more about your book, then choose this option! The mystery book will be added to your cart, and you can check out. You'll be able to see the book's title (which is great for knowing you haven't read it already!), but nothing else. Perfect for the ultimate blind date!
Slow & Steady: If you're not quite ready to commit to a surprise book, we get it. This option takes you to the book's info page, where you can read a little bit more about the book and decide if you're ready for the next step!
#1: Contemplative Dystopian Literature
Think: Season 1 Episode 8 of the Twilight Zone, "Time Enough at Last."
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
#2: Witchy Words
For those interested in dark magic (*twinkles fingers*) and implacable women.
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
#3: Heart-stopping Romances
Love beyond your limits...
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
#4: Through Another's Eyes
For those who live for lived experiences.
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
#5: For Pop Culture Vultures
Turn an analytical eye on the world around you...
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
#6: Contemplative Poetry
These collections ask "What are you doing here?"
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
#7: Fantastical Firsts
For anyone who wants to get into fantasy, but hasn't yet.
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
#8: The Uncanny Feminine
Alternative section title: "Ginger Snaps reunion specials"
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
#9: Vintage Sadness
Emotional family dramas tinged with nostalgia.
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
#10: Bite Sized Pieces
Collections of excellent short stories.
Take a Chance: Book One | Book Two | Book Three
Slow & Steady: One | Two | Three
None of these descriptions sound like you?
Join Brilliant Books Monthly and we'll set you up with an entire year of books chosen specifically to match your preferences.