It needs to be packed with interesting characters and surprising twists if it’s going to get me hooked.

Curated by the “bibliologists” at Book Riot, TBR pairs subscribers with a personal literary concierge, who tailors a quarterly box of three hardcovers around each subscriber’s unique reading habits. We have selected books that not only are fun and engaging, but that are also widely accessible in public libraries. A literary fiction story about personal growth (Three of Pentacles): the protagonist withdraws from daily life (The Hermit) and embarks on a new adventure (The Fool).

All you have to go on is a few illustrations and key words, such as ‘historical’, ‘London’, ‘investigation’. A suspense story about a character who’s wracked with guilt (The Hierophant): they withdraw from society (Eight of Cups), then discover a secret that changes things completely (Ace of Cups).

Each month, you’ll receive a new book and up to five individually wrapped gifts, each with a different page number printed on the wrapping. Whenever possible, we have divided the list into two main sections: Books read aloud TO children and books read BY children and youth themselves. If you know you’re into this kind of book, it’ll expand your horizons and introduce you to new authors as well as remind you of old ones you may have long forgotten. It’s difficult to choose just one service here as they’re all so different but the ones that stick out as being particularly unique are Books That Matter for its cultural relevance and Shelter Box for its philanthropic idea.Sure, there are crimes galore in these books, but a good mystery is about so much more than a murder. As well as a brand new hardcover novel — great as an independent read for strong readers, or fun read-aloud for younger readers — each box has a second book, activity, or game, plus a collectible sticker and magazine.

Parents can choose from three box: a Board Books Box (2 books), a Picture Book Box (2 books), and a Family Box (a board book and a picture book). Of course, your book idea doesn’t need to feature a work of art or its artist: musing over a painting by asking, “who is that person, and what are they doing there?Some are classics you may have missed, or thought might be grim, some are newer books from authors you may not have heard of, and some I’ve just put in for grins.

At bedtime, the little gorilla cleverly grabs the zookeeper's keys and frees a parade of animals to follow the keeper home to bed. And there’s nothing better than a good thriller to transport readers to a different place—and most importantly, keep them turning the pages. You can lock in any elements you like and keep regenerating the rest until you hit upon the perfect combination.

In this time of plague, those of us not afflicted with the illness and, due to a lack of medical expertise or other essential skills, not toiling painfully on the battleground against it either, suffer instead a lesser torment: long periods of boredom. Each box also includes a one-of-a-kind Adventure Guide that includes a book-related recipe and STEM activity, an author interview, a creative writing challenge, discussion questions and recommendations for further reading, along with a planning menu and schedule if hosting a book club meeting. The Balloon Tree is an artfully written and richly illustrated tale of a balloon-loving princess, Leora, who must thwart a coup by her evil uncle during her father’s absence, by sending out balloon signals to the King from the castle’s tower. As the books included are all relatively new releases, it’s a great way to keep on top of what’s fresh in the YA world.