Have you ever finished an amazing book, only to find yourself staring blankly at your bookshelf, wondering what to pick up next? That feeling of being “between books” can be oddly unsettling for readers. It’s like finishing a great meal and not knowing when or what you’ll eat next. I’ve been there too many times to count. Too many times.
But figuring out how to choose a book to read doesn’t have to be a struggle. If you are finding it hard to pick something appealing lately or you just want to explore different kinds of books, I can assure you there are simple ways to effortlessly choose a book to read that will grab your attention, make you think, and make you feel good. In this guide, I’ll share 10 best strategies for how to choose a book to read that will ensure your next read is always exciting and perfectly suited for you.
1. Online Book Communities
The internet has transformed how readers connect and share recommendations. Groups online are now like book clubs. In these groups, people who love reading happily share the books they have found.
Reddit’s r/literature and r/suggestmeabook are goldmines for thoughtful recommendations. Like someone wrote on a popular online forum, ‘The best book ideas I ever got were from people who liked the same less-known books as me.’ In these online groups, you can ask for exactly the kind of book you want. For example, you can ask for “a mystery that happens in Paris in the 1920s” or “a book like Dune but with more focus on politics”.
Goodreads remains the social media platform for bookworms. They offer personalized recommendations based on your ratings and reviews. The “Readers Also Enjoyed” section on any book page has led me to countless unexpected treasures.
Don’t overlook BookTok on TikTok. They have single-handedly revived backlist titles. The passion of BookTokers is contagious and their video format lets you quickly get a feel for whether a book might be your cup of tea.
2. Use Recommendation Algorithms to Your Advantage
Algorithms can’t fully replace recommendations from real people. BUT they are getting very and I mean very good at seeing patterns in what people likes to read. For example, Amazon’s ‘Customers who bought this also bought’ feature has shown me writers I would never have found on my own or even heard about.
To get better recommendations:
- Rate books you’ve read honestly
- Be specific about genres you enjoy
- Regularly update your preferences on recommendation services
- Don’t just rate books you loved. Rate books you disliked it helps algorithms understand your taste better
According to the Content Class guide to finding good books , when you teach recommendation programs what you like over time, it creates a good pattern where the suggestions get more and more accurate.
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3. Library Resources Beyond Just Borrowing
Your local library offers far more than just books on shelves. Today’s libraries have changed and are now full resource centers for books and reading. They have special tools just to help readers find new books.
According to Findlay Library’s reading guide, librarians are like experts who help you find the perfect book. They can suggest books based on what you like to read. Many libraries now offer a service where they give you personal recommendations. You just fill out a form about what you like, and a librarian will make a special list of books for you.
Library apps like Libby and Hoopla let you borrow digital books you can read on a screen and audiobooks you can listen to. They also have special collections and lists of books put together by experts, often based on different themes or topics. Plus, many libraries host book clubs, author talks, and reading challenges that can expand your literary horizons.
4. Subscribe to Book Discovery Services
Subscription services take the work out of finding new reads by delivering curated selections to your inbox or doorstep.
Book boxes like Book of the Month and OwlCrate pair new releases with themed goodies, making the experience feel like a monthly gift to yourself. Literary newsletters such as The New York Times Books Briefing or LitHub’s Daily offer curated recommendations. They also share news about the book world and interesting articles that make you think about books
Want to spend less on books? Get free emails from book companies. They often tell you about sales, new books and good older books in your favorite kinds of stories. I’ve found some of my favorite books through publisher newsletters, often at discount prices.
5. Explore Literary Awards and Best-seller Lists
Award lists and bestseller rankings serve as quality filters in a sea of millions of published books.
Big awards like:
- Pulitzer Prize
- National Book Award
- Booker Prize
They point out really great books and get books on the map
Awards for specific types of stories like:
- Hugo for science fiction,
- Edgar for mystery,
- RITA for romance,
These can help you find the best books in your favorite genre.
“The New York Times” guide called “What to Read Next” mixes information about popular books with choices made by experts. This helps readers find books when there are too many options. When you look at lists of the most popular books, don’t just look at the very top ones. Books that stay on these lists for many weeks are usually popular for a good reason.
6. Follow Trusted Book Critics and Reviewers
Finding book critics or reviewers who like the same kinds of books as you is like finding a special guide. This guide will reliably show you books you are likely to enjoy.
Magazines and online websites about books, like The New Yorker, The Atlantic and NPR Books, give careful reviews. These reviews do more than just say ‘read this book’. They explain the background and look closely at the book to help you understand it better. Book review podcasts such as “What Should I Read Next?” and “The Book Review” from The New York Times feature in-depth discussions with authors and critics.
People who review books on YouTube, called BookTubers. You can see their real feelings and excitement about the books they talk about. When you find reviewers whose tastes are similar to yours subscribe to them. Because their suggestions become very helpful ways to quickly find your next favorite book.
7. Use Book Discovery Apps and Tools
StoryGraph offers mood-based recommendations and detailed statistics about your reading habits. Similarly, a website like LibraryThing helps you list your books. It also connects you with other readers who own many of the same books you do. Apps for tracking your reading, like Bookly, look at how you read. Based on your habits and what you like, they suggest books you might enjoy.
According to Cushing-Malloy’s guide on finding good books, “The best tools for finding books learn from what you do as you use them. This makes the suggestions they give you more and more personal over time.” Most of these apps are free or offer robust free tiers, making them accessible entry points to more deliberate reading discovery.
8. Rediscover the Classics and Backlists
Sometimes the best “new” books are actually older titles you’ve missed. Older books by writers who are still active (called backlists) and very old, famous books (classics) are usually very good. They can also feel surprisingly connected to life today.
Many readers avoid classics due to intimidating reputations or memories of forced school reading. Try approaching classics through modern translations or annotated editions that provide helpful context. Checking out an author’s backlist is especially good if you just read and loved their newest book. This is because their older books often have similar main ideas or show how the writer’s style has changed over time.
Taking on reading challenges where you read classics or “books published before you were born” can give you a plan for learning about the history of books. It also makes sure you read different kinds of books from different times.
9. Attend Literary Events and Book Festivals
Events about books bring together people who read, people who write, and the books themselves. These events create connections in ways that computer programs just can’t.
Book festivals like the National Book Festival, Brooklyn Book Festival, or your local literary fair feature author panels, readings and book vendors. Author readings at bookstores offer insights into the creative process and often include Q&A sessions where you can learn about an author’s influences and recommendations.
Since 2020, virtual literary events have democratized access to author talks. Websites like Eventbrite and the websites of local bookstores show you upcoming book events. Many of these events are free, and you can join them online, even though in-person events are happening again now.
10. Create a Personalized Reading Plan
If you think more carefully about how you read, you can make sure you keep finding books that show you new things and expand your understanding.
Setting clear goals for your reading helps you choose books. These goals could be about how many books you read, reading different types of stories, or reading books from different countries. Challenges like ‘read books set in 10 different countries’ or ‘read one book from each 10 years of the 1900s’ gently encourage you to try books you might not normally read.
Tracking your reading through a journal or app helps identify patterns and gaps in your literary diet. I realized I was reading books mostly by American writers after I started keeping track of what I read. That made me want to look for more writers from other countries.
Ending Note: Never Run Out of Reading Material Again
Finding books to read is both an art and a science. The different ways we talked about for finding books give you many paths to find your next great book. This works whether you like getting exact suggestions from computers or finding books by chance.
The joy of reading lies not just in the books themselves but in the journey of discovery. Each book leads to another, creating a never-ending path of literary exploration. With these ten strategies in your arsenal, you’ll never again experience the panic of an empty reading queue.
Which strategy will you try first? Perhaps start by joining an online book community today, or schedule a visit to your local library this week. Your next favorite book is out there waiting and now you know exactly how to find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What do I read when I don’t know what to read?
A: When you’re facing reader’s block, try something completely different from your usual genres. Pick up a graphic novel if you typically read text-only books. Try a short story collection if you normally read novels. Or, you can read a book you loved when you were a child again. Knowing the story already can help you start reading regularly again, and it feels comfortable because you know what to expect.
Q: How do I select which book to read?
A: One simple method is the “page 99 test”—flip to page 99 and see if it grabs your interest. If it does, the rest of the book probably will too. Alternatively, reading the first chapter can help you decide. Most importantly, trust your gut. If you’re constantly avoiding the book, it’s likely not the right fit for you at the moment.
Q: Is there a site to read books for free?
A: Yes, Project Gutenberg offers over 60,000 free ebooks, mostly classics in the public domain. If you have a library card, platforms like Libby or Hoopla let you borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free. For high-quality versions of classic literature, Standard Ebooks is also a great option.
Q: How do I find books I am interested in?
A: Think about what you liked in books you’ve read before. Maybe you liked the interesting characters, the story that moved quickly, the detailed settings (places), or the main ideas. Then look for books that have similar things you enjoyed. You can also use websites like ‘What Should I Read Next’ or Tailored Book Recommendations. These websites suggest books based on what you tell them you like.
Q: Which non-fiction book should I read?
A: Start with your personal interests or questions you’ve been curious about. If you keep researching certain topics online, that’s a sign you might enjoy a book on the subject. If you want to find non-fiction books that make you think and are interesting, look at the books that won the National Book Award for Nonfiction. You can also look at recommendations from Bill Gates. He often suggests books that are easy to read even if they are about difficult subjects.
