Choices to read

[Wave]

Question for you guys, do you ever have trouble choosing what to read first and last from your stack?

[Marc *Dark Reader with a Thousand Young! Iä!*]

Sometimes. I try to cycle through lighter and heavier fare. What I have a bigger problem with is choosing to read something that I own, because I just keep taking more books out from the library. I now keep a small number of books in a spot on a bookshelf as my 'next' section, keeping 2-4 books there to choose from at any given time.

[Ilona]

I usually have different genres ready to read, so I pick a book depending on my mood. Sometimes I am in the mood for fiction, sometimes I prefer fantasy.
It also depends on the amounts of buddy reads I have scheduled, I usually give those books priority.

Jenn, I am moving this topic to our Let's Chat folder.

[Mie]

The last couple of years I let myself get dictated by challenges, but I have changed that a bit 😉

Like Marc I try to alternate between longer and shorter books and also between genres. But basically I am getting better at asking myself: what do I FEEL like reading?! No point in saving a book, I am exited about, for later 😍

[[deleted user]]

I try to pick books based on challenges, length and mood. My last several books were dictated by the library wanting them returned and I had no renewals on them.

[oshizu]

Catherine wrote: "I also have books from all different genres available just in case. If I just finished reading a really good dystopian novel, or fantasy novel, it will spoil my views on the next one in the same genre, so then I might turn towards a fiction, cozy murder mystery, even non-fiction novels."

@Catherine
This is such an excellent point and I wish I'd been better about this last year.
Last year, I read Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows and loved it so much that I immediately continued on to Crooked Kingdom, which I also loved.
After that, I made the mistake of following Goodreads' recommendation to read V. Schwab's Vicious. I didn't enjoy it much and now I hesitate to read its sequel, Vengeful.
Would I have enjoyed Vicious more if I hadn't read it next after the Six of Crows duology? Who knows?

Thanks for reminding me, Catherine. After finishing a book that I deeply love, I need to switch to a different genre.

Otherwise, I choose books by making a tentative list of books for the month ahead of different genres and length and levity. And, if the mood strikes, I'm fine with switching books in and out of that list.

Happy reading, everyone!

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I've been choosing my reading selections based on group reads for this group and others. However, I think I am going to "retire" from group reads because I changed jobs and just don't seem to be able to finish books as quickly as I used to. Anyway, I have many, many series that I need to continue reading, so I'm going to start focusing on reading some of those.

[Ashleigh]

As a fantasy reader, I read a lot of trilogies or quartets, so not really haha. Have to read the first book first :P

[Amber]

I am currently trying to work through multiple series I had started so I try to cycle through them depending on my mood

[D.L.]

I ALWAYS have a hard time choosing what to read next. I mean, I read buddy reads and group reads first but then when those are done, I don't know where to go next lol I like the idea of changing genres after finishing a read though. I might try that!

[Khanh]

The only thing that stays constant with me is I read every day.. Sometimes I have a hard time choosing a book; other times I'll start five different books and book hop after every few chapters. Or I'll delve into a genre and read six or seven in a row. I just go with whatever feels right in the moment.

[C I N D L E]

No, not at all. I think the more you know about what style of a reader you are, the better you'll be at choosing what will be your next read and thereafter.

I'm methodical and discerning when adding books to my to-read list to begin with, and I never add books on a whim. I research the author's writing style to see if it matches my reading preferences, I skim selective reviews to get an idea of which direction the book goes. If these match my style, only then do I add it to my list.

I also constantly cull out titles that no longer hold my interest over months, so by the time I get around to selecting my next book choice, it is a book I really want to read and one that has been pre-planned to be read at a specific time.

Taking a hands on approach to my reading list allows me to have a solid idea which book will be read next, third, fourth, and so on. I am active in several groups, but I don't participate in group reads. I prefer my own reading schedule, and I don't rush through books to meet a deadline.

When you read for yourself, rather than for a group or for the purpose of hitting a number, plus you know what style of a reader you are, it takes pressure off what to read next. At least this is what works for me.

[Leona]

I am now trying to do two book clubs, my library and the "Y". Also I have been fortunate enough to win books on goodreads and try to put them first.

[Ashleigh]

I'm OCD about it. I read full series in order lol. Never used to be like this but I am now. The books I read also come from recommendations from other books I read lol so it's like a cycle. Have found some good books through this method though

[Ashleigh]

I also buy one book after I finish another (honestly if I didn't limit myself like this...) And the books on my 'to read' list are only added once I own the book (can own it for years before I actually read it because I'm so slow .. oops). I have a 'books to buy' list privately which is 1000x longer!!

[Elle]

Deciding what to read next can be a bit of a challenge for me since I have a lot of unread books waiting on my shelves, but sometimes I feel like the book chooses me. When I'm deciding what to read next I sometimes just stand in front of the bookshelf and see where my attention goes.
Other times I start thinking about what to read next before I finish my current book.
I'm also going to keep an eye on group reads and buddy reads and join those when I see a book I already have waiting on my shelf.

[Marc *Dark Reader with a Thousand Young! Iä!*]

Marc wrote: "...I now keep a small number of books in a spot on a bookshelf as my 'next' section, keeping 2-4 books there to choose from at any given time..."

My bookshelf is overrun. I now have a bedside stack of 10-12 books that shifts in order based on library due dates, buddy reads, preference, and shame at how long one has been bumped back. Trying to catch up and not take so many library books out at once. Moderate success only. Need to complete some of the many new series started recently on recommendations. Send reading glasses.