Okay, so if you’re anything like me, you have a long list of books sitting somewhere in your notes, your Goodreads account, or even on a sticky note somewhere in your room! Maybe you got some book recommendations from TikTok or a friend, but how do you know which ones to impulsively buy at your favorite bookstore? Personally, I have a lot of trouble deciding what I want to read next because my TBR (“to be read”) list is so out of order, so here are some tips to help your decision!
- Sort by Genre
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This can be super helpful for people who enjoy reading many different genres! Especially if you want to mix it up sometimes, it can be nice to have a list of contemporary novels, for example, and then a separate list for thrillers. There are many ways to keep track of a reading list as well! My personal favorite is the app Goodreads, but if you want something more personalized, making an excel spreadsheet can also work really well. Then, in each document, you can even subcategorize based on how interesting the story and characters are!
- Look at the Author
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Authors are a big deal to some people! I, for one, have many authors that I absolutely love, adore, and cherish. But I also have a few I’ve sworn to never read another word of writing from for as long as I live. So, naturally, this plays a huge part in organizing my reading list. Normally, a book by one of my favorite authors will go to the top of my TBR list, but that may not be the case for everyone! My advice is to do what feels right to you, whether that be to prioritize authors you’ve never read before, or to stick to what you know!
- Consider the Book’s Popularity
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The majority of books at the top of my TBR list right now are also the most popular books I’ve seen on social media: The Secret Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (and not just because she has an awesome name), and An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Popularity is important if you’re looking to join a fandom or community of people who have read the same book!
- Maintain a Catalog
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Keeping track of when you’re introduced to a book, who recommended it, and the similarities it has to other books you’ve read can help you get a better idea of what that book will be about! Reading can depend entirely upon what kind of book you’re looking for. Want a happy ending? A strong female lead? Looking for more diversity? All of these things can be cataloged with the books on your list so you always know what you’re getting yourself into!
- Keep your List Up-to-Date
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This is so important! I can’t count how many times I’ve forgotten to cross off a book I have already read or lost interest in. Updating your list keeps it nice and neat so that the next time you need it, you know it’s in order!