Fall is just around the corner and only a few more crunchy leaves away. That means it’s time to break out those soup recipes, bake all the bread and cozy up with a good book.

If you find your to-be-read list is an endless scroll or you simply don’t know where to start, my first recommendation is Book of the Month (BOTM).

For years, I was skeptical of the craze. After the first two months of my membership, I already knew I had missed out on a lot of reads that would have entranced me for hours. Here’s everything you need to know so you don’t make the same mistake I did.

What is Book of the Month?

Instead of finishing one book and then waiting for another title to be available, Book of the Month has it at your doorstep waiting. This monthly subscription program delivers at least one hardcover book per month for between $12.99 and $17.99 a month, depending on your plan.

Each month, members use the Book of the Month app or website to choose from a short list of fiction selected by BOTM staff. Once you choose your first book, you have the option to add up to four more titles from that month’s list or previous months for between $10.99 and $11.99 each.

You’re able to track everything from when your box is being prepared to when it’s out for delivery and the moment it’s at your door. If you don’t like your book, just let BOTM know and they will replace it for free with their Reader’s Guarantee. Personally, I haven’t had any flops yet.

For a limited time, you can sign up for your first month at just $5 and you’ll get your choice of a free gift. When I signed up, I was able to snag a Carley Fortune book that was new on the market weeks before I would have ever gotten it through my library. Plus, my free gift was an adorable mini tote that is the perfect size for carrying my books around without being bulky.

Does Book of the Month do audiobooks?

If you aren’t big into physical book copies, don’t sweat it. BOTM also creates a short list of audiobook offerings each month – some are overlaps from the hardcover options, but usually not all of them are.

What if I don’t like any of the Book of the Month picks?

You’re able to skip a month if nothing looks good to you. BOTM might still prompt you to try one of their choices with the promise of replacing it if you don’t like it, but you can still move forward and opt out of that. I’ve done this twice myself.

Your credit carries to the next month, and you won’t be charged. This could go on for as many months as it takes until something interests you.

Why I’m sticking with BOTM and dropping other programs

I have a love-hate relationship with reading and audiobooks. I’m either all in or not invested at all. As a longtime Spotify premium subscriber, I have lost hundreds of audiobook hours because they don’t roll over.

I’ve also used Audible and paused my membership more times than I can count because the credits are just stacking up and nothing looks good. But that leads to needing to use my credits before they expire and setting calendar alerts to remind myself when I will be charged again. Then the cycle repeats itself when I eventually resume.

Here’s what I like about BOTM: it’s simple. There is no lengthy tightrope process. I either like a book on the list or skip until I do. And the number of months I’ve had a hard time deciding because they all sound good far outweighs the times I have skipped.

The free gift promotion is easy to love, too. Plus, when I signed up, BOTM sent me an additional book just because they thought I’d like it based on the genres I chose. It’s been my favorite read of 2026 so far and I have laughed out loud since the first paragraph punchline.

Not to mention, BOTM books come with book jackets, solid coloring underneath and a minimalist BOTM foil stamp on the spine. My book shelves have never been this colorful before.

BOTM also often gets early access to titles from big-name authors. Most months there has been at least one title that hasn’t been put on big bookstore shelves yet.

Most of all, I love that I can reduce decision fatigue in this area of my life. I’m not saying you won’t still have a note titled “TBR” in your phone – this program isn’t a cure. But you will have an easier time finding what to add to that list. And you’ll have it on hand the second you’re ready for it.

I’ve branched out to new areas of the fiction genre, given new authors a chance and ditched the screen for a little while to go back to something simple. BOTM’s release day is one of the highlights of my month. And I’m planning a wedding and decorating a new house, so there is a lot to compete with there.

If you’re looking to shake up your routine and take away the stress to make reading a fun hobby again, give BOTM a try for just $5 for a limited time.