Shelf Care Society by Brian.Reads is a book club for readers who treat their TBR as part of their self-care routine. We read perspective-shifting, unputdownable fiction and nonfiction about wellness, mental health, and empowerment.
For July, Shelf Care Society is reading Whistler by Ann Patchett, and this one feels like a miracle of a book. It begins with a chance encounter at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where a woman crosses paths with a man from her childhood, a former stepfather she hasn't seen in decades, and what unfolds is a beautiful meditation on memory, love, and the small revelations that shape who we become. Patchett writes with the kind of warmth and precision that makes you feel seen. AND, this book is fabulously queer! I read an ARC of Whistler last year and it's stayed with me ever since! If you have ever looked back at your own life and marveled at how much turned on a single moment, this is the book we need to be reading together this month.
Brian Larson (he/him) is a writer, speaker, and finance professional whose work explores identity, addiction, and personal transformation. He is six years sober and started writing because he wanted to see himself, and other sober LGBTQ+ readers, reflected on the page. Brian runs the popular Instagram account @brian.reads, where he shares queer book recommendations, reflections on recovery, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of contemporary literary life. He is a books contributor for NBC Boston. His memoir, THE AFTERPARTY: An Open Invitation to Sobriety, arrives in June 2027. He lives in New York City.
Q's about the book club?
Joining is easy. Just subscribe above, pick your favorite host or club, and choose a plan that fits your rhythm — monthly or quarterly. Every plan includes exclusive member perks and bits of joy delivered in every box.
Joining is easy. Just subscribe above, pick your favorite host or club, and choose a plan that fits your rhythm — monthly or quarterly. Every plan includes exclusive member perks and bits of joy delivered in every box.
Allstora Tokens are your monthly key to choice. They let you decide what lands on your doorstep: Brian Larson's book, another club's pick, or something fun from The Pride Shop. Tokens give you the freedom to shape your reading life each month.
On the 15th of your renewal month, tokens are added to your account. You'll have 72 hours to make your selection before orders lock. We'll send a reminder when it's time to choose. Nothing ships until you make your selection.
If life gets busy, we'll still do our best to rush your book if we have stock available! Rush orders cost one token.
Totally fine. Your tokens roll forward for up to 12 months. You can stockpile them like a dragon hoarding queer literature, then spend them when the next story (or tote bag) calls your name.
Books ship once you redeem your tokens for that month's selection. Orders go out during the last week of the month and usually arrive the first week of the next month. If you redeem late, we'll do our best to get it to you quickly.
Visit your new dashboard here: 👉 https://my.allstora.com/account Log in with the same email used at checkout. If you haven't created an account yet, select "Create Account" and you'll receive a one-time passcode by email. Once signed in, your subscriptions, tokens, and orders will sync automatically.
All renewals occur on the 15th of each month. On that date, your plan renews and new tokens are added to your account.
Monthly plans → tokens issued monthly Quarterly plans → tokens issued every three months
For quarterly book club subscriptions, you will be billed every three months on the 15th for the next month's book pick. Depending on the month you sign up, you'll be on one of three cycles:
Cycle 1: January, April, July, and October books
Cycle 2: February, May, August, and November books
Cycle 3: March, June, September, and December books
For quarterly book club subscriptions, you will be billed every three months on the 15th for the next month's book pick. Depending on the month you sign up, you'll be on one of three cycles:
Cycle 1: January, April, July, and October books
Cycle 2: February, May, August, and November books
Cycle 3: March, June, September, and December books
Each club's upcoming title is announced on the 15th of the prior month. You can preview the pick and, if it's not your vibe, simply hold your tokens (for up to a year) to use on another title or item instead.
No drama. Skip it! Your tokens will patiently wait in your account (for up to a year) until a book, merch item, or moment speaks to you.
Yep! You can cancel anytime after your first renewal. No hoops, no heartbreak.
Nope! We're "read at your own pace" people. Discussion prompts go live weekly in Kiki, but you can jump in whenever the spirit (or your schedule) allows.
Don't worry, we've got you. Your memberships automatically merge behind the scenes, so you'll never be double-billed. Your perks stick around as long as you have an active subscription or membership.
Don't worry, we've got you. Your memberships automatically merge behind the scenes, so you'll never be double-billed. Your perks stick around as long as you have an active subscription or membership.
Manage everything in one place at: https://my.allstora.com/account
There you can: • Update your payment method or shipping info • Skip, switch, or cancel your plan • Review token balance and order history
Still need assistance? Contact us anytime at info@allstora.com
