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Quick answer: To choose your next book, start with your mood and time, then pick a genre or format, check a few trusted sources such as friends, librarians and reviews, and read a sample page. If you are stuck, choose a book that is short, well reviewed and similar to one you loved. Give yourself permission to switch if it is not working.
Quick facts
Start with mood, time and format
Use the first chapter or sample to test the voice
Ask friends, librarians or booksellers
Try Goodreads or The StoryGraph for recommendations
Allow yourself to quit after 50 pages
Staring at a shelf or a long list without knowing what to read is common. A few simple steps can narrow the choices and help you find a book that fits. Use this guide next time you feel stuck.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Check Your Mood and Time
Ask yourself what you want from reading right now. Comfort, adventure, learning, laughs or a good cry? Think about how much time you have. A busy week calls for a short novel or audiobook, while a long weekend suits a big book. Matching the book to your energy level is the most important step.
Step 2: Pick a Genre or Try Something New
If you want a sure thing, choose a genre you love. If you want variety, try a new one or a different style, such as a memoir after a string of novels. Our book lists can help you explore, and a bookstore browse can reveal surprises. Keep a note of genres you enjoy.
Step 3: Use Trusted Recommendations
Ask friends who share your taste, librarians or independent booksellers. Check reviews on Goodreads or The StoryGraph, but read a few mid-range ratings, since they are often more honest. Book clubs and podcasts can also introduce new authors. Looking at the books you have rated highly and finding similar titles works well.
Step 4: Sample Before You Commit
Read the first page or chapter, or use the Look Inside feature or a free e-book sample. Does the voice grab you? Is the style easy to follow? You will know quickly if the book matches your taste. If you are on the fence, borrow from the library instead of buying.
Step 5: Try a Simple Selection Method
If you have a pile of candidates, use a tool: roll a die, draw from a TBR jar, or pick a number between one and ten and choose the book at that position on your list. Often your reaction to the result tells you what you really want. If you feel disappointed, choose a different book.
Quick Ways to Find a Book Fast
- Reread a favorite or read the next book in a series
- Choose a book by a favorite author
- Pick a book with a topic you have been curious about
- Choose by cover or title, as long as the reviews are decent
- Read a short story collection or novella
- Try an audiobook if you are too tired to read
When You Can’t Decide Anything
Sometimes decision fatigue is part of a reading slump. Lower the pressure: read a few pages of three books and see which one you want to continue. Go for something light and fast. Our post on getting out of a reading slump has more ideas.
Use Your Past Reading to Predict Future Favorites
Look at your five-star ratings and ask what they share. Maybe they have strong characters, a certain setting or a fast pace. Search for books with those features, using reader tags on Goodreads or StoryGraph. If your favorite book was a mystery set in a small town, look for a cozy mystery or a quiet literary thriller. This simple pattern spotting is often more reliable than a generic best-seller list.
Plan Ahead So You Don’t Get Stuck
Keep a short list of books you are excited about so that you always have an option. Save samples or place library holds in advance. Some readers choose their next book before finishing the current one, which prevents the post-book hangover. If you like variety, alternate fiction and nonfiction or long and short books.
Choosing a Book When You Are Reading Together
If you are choosing for a couple, family or book club, ask each person for a few options and look for overlap. Alternate who chooses. For children, offer two or three picks and let them decide. For a family read-aloud, choose a story with short chapters and humor. When tastes differ, pick a book that is widely liked, or split into two reading tracks. Discussing why you like certain books can help everyone feel heard.
A Quick Decision Flowchart
Ask yourself: do I want comfort or challenge? Comfort suggests a favorite genre or a reread; challenge suggests a new author or topic. Do I want a long or short book? Do I want to read or listen? Which of my saved books has the best reviews? By answering four questions, you usually narrow a long list to one or two choices. Write the answers in your journal if you like.
Related: how to get out of a reading slump and how to choose book club books.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a book I will like?
Match your mood, test a sample and follow trusted recommendations.
How do I choose between two books?
Read the first page of each and see which one you want to keep reading.
What if I don’t like the book I picked?
Stop after about 50 pages and try another.
Where can I find good book recommendations?
Friends, librarians, Goodreads, StoryGraph and our book lists.
Should I choose by cover?
It can be a fun start, but check reviews too.