
I know many of you, like me, have an overflowing TBR (to-be-read) pile.
Lately, I’ve been struggling with choosing my next read.

For the most part, I’m a mood reader, so I choose based on how I’m feeling.
However, I also enjoy reading books from different genres simultaneously, so if I finish one genre, I pick something else from the same genre, as I likely have other genres I’m also reading.
And yet, even with those two loose parameters, I often find myself doing a switch-up either because a book I want to read just came out or I’m suddenly wondering why a book that’s been in my pile for a while hasn’t yet been read!
So I’m wondering . . . how do you choose?

Latest published date?
Earlier published date?
Date acquired in your collection?
In other words, do you have a system?
Or do you choose by mood, genre, or even just a random selection (I’ve seen people wrap their TBR books and pick one to read without knowing what it is)?
Do you have different criteria for picking your next physical book read vs. an ebook or an audiobook?
Inquiring minds want to know!


I’m a mood reader. I enjoy murder mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. I choose from one of those genres when the mood hits me. Of course there are some books I keep reading over and over because they are that good.
In my unofficial research (i.e. my blog and social media 😂), I think most readers are mood readers!
Sometimes I will prioritize a book if it’s by an author I know writes well. But sometimes it’s the thrill of learning about a new subject or a compelling book description that gains my attention.
Yes! I often choose books by those criteria, too.
All of those things! 🤣 I am definitely a mood reader and can be swayed at any time to grab the newest interesting read. I listen to a lot of book podcasts and it keeps my TBR in the hundreds. 😉
I understand that! And yes, if you listen to book podcasts, I can impinge your TBR pile! 😂