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.

Miracle with a gift-wrapped bookA 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."

Woman peering through glass shard

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.

Two hands on an animal skull

Take a Chance:  Book One |  Book Two  |  Book Three

Slow & Steady:  One  |  Two  |  Three

 


 

#3: Heart-stopping Romances

Love beyond your limits...

Silhouetted lovers at sunset

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.

Old man staring into camera

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...

Person smoking in front of painting

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?"

Poetry books with coffee

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.

Ship on starry sea

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"

Woman with hands on face

Take a Chance:  Book One |  Book Two  |  Book Three

Slow & Steady:  One  |  Two  |  Three

 


 

#9: Vintage Sadness

Emotional family dramas tinged with nostalgia.

Vintage flower field

Take a Chance:  Book One |  Book Two  |  Book Three

Slow & Steady:  One  |  Two  |  Three

 


 

#10: Bite Sized Pieces

Collections of excellent short stories.

Open book

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.

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