How it works

You tell us what you read

Fiction, non-fiction, or both. Whichever genres interest you. How long a book you get on with, and anything you would rather never receive. It takes about two minutes, and you can change all of it later.

You photograph your shelves

This part is optional, and it is the part that makes the difference. Up to five photographs, taken however badly. We read the spines and keep a private list of the books you already own.

That list tells us far more about your taste than any form, and it means we will not post you something already sitting on your shelf. Anything we cannot read confidently is flagged for you to correct — we would rather ask than quietly withhold a book you wanted.

Not comfortable photographing your home? Type in a few titles instead, or skip it. Nothing here is required.

Someone goes looking

Every book comes from a charity shop. A person reads what you have told us, checks it against what you already own, and chooses something they think you will be glad to have. There is no warehouse and no algorithm picking the final book.

It arrives

Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, whichever you chose. Postage is included in the price. We email you when it goes in the post, and the book joins your shelf list so it never comes round again.