TheBookSwarm
Ask Question

How do you pick what to read next? Do you use a short tbr list? Do some books get priority? Or do you decide what mood you’re in?

How do you pick what to read next? Do you use a short tbr list? Do some books get priority? Or do you decide what mood you’re in?

Sanne #questionnaire

1
Reply

37 Answers

Deborah

I have a ridiculously long tbr, plus a shorter one, and then an even shorter one, and a system which is far too complicated to explain (or justify) and which changes on a regular basis. Why yes, I might be a bit nerdy and obsessive, why do you ask? 😉

1
Reply
SanneQuestion author

@Deborah I’m very curious! Now you have to explain ?

0
Deborah

@Sanne Honestly, I’m not sure I could!

0
SanneQuestion author

@Deborah that’s a bummer, because it sounds very interesting and I’m a very curious person haha

0
Deborah

I’ll try, but bear in mind this system is constantly tweaked! (Am geek *and* ex-librarian, have to stop myself from wasting reading time on tweaking system lol.) If it looks like something I’d enjoy, I put in on tbr. If I want to kinda prioritise it, it goes on tbr250. If I really want to read it soon, tbr50. Or if it’s the next in a series I’m enjoying, tbr50. Or if it’s a newbook by one of my favourite authors, tbr50. And if I’m not sure, or if it looks interesting but I haven’t read that author before and I have another of their books on one of my tbrs, it goes on tbr-maybe. Various prizes factor in too – I’m more likely to read it it’s on the Women’s Prize shortlist, e.g. There are various other factors involved as well, but those are the main ones (for now). And I should mention that my tbr250 currently has 336 books on it, so I can’t even claim that my system works lol.

0
Tahlia

It literally depends on all of the above ? yet none of it at the same time. Sometimes I’ll have a series and think “maybe it’s time i continue this now”

1
Reply
SanneQuestion author

@Tahlia I’m the same! But sometimes I just don’t know what I want to read and what should get priority etc haha

1
Tahlia

@Sanne generally, I’ll prioritise series books over stand-alones and read them when i need a “break” from a series. It’s rare to fine me read 2 series at the same time

0
SanneQuestion author

@Tahlia oh yeah I never read 2 series at a time. Except for when the next book in a series won’t come out for a while

0
Tahlia

@Sanne yes!!!! The only time i will ever do that. My poor heart can’t take too many series though

1
David

It depends of if I have the book on hand, and what mood I’m in for.

2
Reply
Danielle

Whatever comes in from the library. Usually I have multiples to choose from, so then it’s just whatever I’m in the mood for.

1
Reply
Hilary

If I truly have no idea I ask my partner to pick. Otherwise I usually am in a particular mood and know what I’m feeling

1
Reply
Claire-

The only things I prioritise are the ones I know folks are waiting for at the library – if it’s non-renewable because of queue then it gets instant top billing.

Other than that I try to alternate between fiction and nonfiction & male and female authors.

I also have all my TBRs printed off & cut up & get the other half to pick one at random . . .

1
Reply
SanneQuestion author

@Claire- that last one is a very good idea! Thanks ?

0
Ashley

I use a TBR?

1
Reply
Jenna

Mood!! I pick stuff out for what should be next but definitely let my mood dictate! X

1
Reply
Nicole

I put all the names of the books on my TBR in a jar and when I don’t know what to read next I pick from there. I also have an thats a randomizer so sometimes I use that. Sometimes I use the randomizer to decide if I should pick out of the jar or just reread a Harry Potter book. When all else fails, reread Harry Potter ?

1
Reply
SanneQuestion author

@Nicole the jar is such a good idea! And if it fails, I will reread HP ?

1
Molly

My mood dictates it almost always. I do however try to switch up genres every time so I end up going through a rotation but other than that, it’s completely a mood based thing for me.

1
Reply
Carrie

I have 200+ books in my Goodreads TBR. But, each year I make a list of the books I want to read, and mix it up to space out similar books. My list is always in flux tho, as I hear about new releases or books with lots of hype. And what’s available on Libby or at my library really determines what I read next.

1
Reply
SanneQuestion author

@Christina they have good recommendations tho!

0
Reply
Christina

@Sanne I ask for a specific genre then use that as my mini TBR then ask again when I’m done lol

1
Reply
Stephanie

eeny meeny miney mo

3
Reply
Cortney

Goodreads chooses for me!

0
Reply
Rita

I go by order! ?

0
Reply
Samantha

I usually go based on mood. Right now I’m trying to alternate between YA and thriller/mystery/crime.

1
Reply
Amanda

All based on my mood while I’m at the library. I own like 600 books I need to read, but who wants to do that when you could go to the library instead? ??‍♀️

2
Reply
Christina

New releases from my fave authors get priority and then I take recommendations from here or browse my tbr.

1
Reply
Ashley

Each year I have a “theme” and about half of my books that year fit the theme, and the other half I mix it up with my general TBR list. Last year’s theme was New or Recent Releases. This year is Banned Books.

1
Reply
Judith

Unless I have a library book, I base it off of my mood lol

1
Reply
Rehana

Mood

1
Reply
Honey

Mood, definitely mood ?

1
Reply
Myrthe

I usually have a shortlist of books for the next month or so based on book club reads, library due dates, the @Cozy (which I use to read books from my massive TBR) and mood.

1
Reply
Jinny

I draw up a TBR list based on what I’ve had the longest, consider editing the list based on how I’ll feel after one genre and what would follow us a nice contrast. Bump certain books up or down the list if I’m more excited etc.

Then buy a new book on a whim and ignore the TBR list altogether.

0
Reply
Maria

All of the above xD okay I got lots of books for christmas so that’s my main focus is just reading what I have although… I did buy 2 books and added to the pile. Sometimes I can’t decide so I ask friends to choose for me

0
Reply
Muriah

I have four places I pick books from: My personal bookshelves, the books I own on Kindle, library books, and Kindle Unlimited books. I have at least 4 going at once and then I just pick from whatever category I just finished.

0
Reply
Leave a Answer Cancel

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Loading Please wait
Log in
Register
Categories
  • get the book
  • questionnaire
  • recommend
  • review
Genres
animal art biography business chick lit classics comics contemporary cookbooks crime detective fantasy fiction gay and lesbian graphic novel historical fiction history horror humor and comedy kids languages manga memoir music mystery nonfiction novel paranormal philosophy poetry psychology religies religion romance scary science science fiction self help spirituality sports suspense thriller travel young adult young adults
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

2019 © TheBookSwarm