Choosing badly is one of the main reasons people stop reading. A dull or mismatched book turns reading into a chore, and a week of not picking it up becomes a month. Choosing well is a skill, and it gets easier once you know what you are looking for.
1. Start with what you loved
Think about the last book you could not put down. What exactly kept you reading? The answer is more specific than a genre.
| If you loved... | Look for... |
|---|---|
| The subject | Other books on the same topic, period or person |
| The author's voice | The author's other books, then authors compared to them |
| The pace | Short chapters, thrillers, narrative nonfiction |
| Practical takeaways | Self-help and how-to books with clear steps |
| Big ideas | Philosophy, history and science written for general readers |
| Characters | The next book in the series, or character-driven fiction |
2. Read the sample
The first pages tell you more than any description. Read the opening of two or three candidates and notice which one you are reluctant to stop. If the sample feels like effort, the whole book probably will too.
3. Follow series and authors
If you enjoyed a book in a series, the next volume is the lowest-risk choice you can make. Author pages show everything else a writer has published, and many readers find that an author's lesser-known books suit them better than the famous one.
4. Use "books like" lists
Lists of books similar to a favourite are a fast way to widen your options. BooksOasis has guides such as books like Atomic Habits and books like Meditations, each explaining why the suggestions fit.
5. Match the book to your mood and time
| Your situation | Try |
|---|---|
| Tired evenings, short gaps | Short chapters, essays, devotionals, short books |
| A long holiday or weekend | The big book you have been saving |
| Stressful season | Comfort reads, rereads, light nonfiction |
| Wanting to learn | Practical nonfiction with one clear promise |
| Commuting | An ebook on your phone that you can dip in and out of |
6. Keep a to-read list
Whenever a book catches your eye, in a conversation, a podcast or a bookshop, add it to a list. When you finish a book, you then choose from candidates you already wanted, rather than starting from nothing. A wishlist or library on a reading app works well because it is always with you.
7. Alternate heavy and light
After a long or demanding book, choose something shorter or lighter. Alternating keeps momentum and prevents the fatigue that follows two difficult books in a row. Many readers keep one serious and one easy book going at the same time.
8. Try a new genre on purpose
Once a season, pick something outside your usual shelf: a biography if you read only fiction, history if you read only self-help, a devotional or a classic. Choose an accessible entry point in that genre, such as a well-reviewed, shorter book, so the experiment is enjoyable.
9. Ask people whose taste you trust
Personal recommendations work best from people whose reading overlaps with yours. Ask for a specific reason, such as "what is the last book you could not stop talking about?", rather than "any recommendations?"
10. Check practical details
- Length: check the page count against your available time.
- Format: choose the format you will actually read: an ebook on your phone, or a print copy by the bed.
- Price and deals: look out for promotions on books already on your list.
- Edition: for classics and translations, compare editions and translators.
How to get out of a reading slump
- Lower the bar: set a tiny goal, such as ten pages a day.
- Go shorter: a novella, essay collection or short nonfiction book.
- Reread a favourite: familiar books are easy to fall back into.
- Switch format: try ebooks on your phone, or a paperback if screens tire you.
- Abandon the stalled book: it may be the problem.
- Change the setting: read in a café, a park or on your commute.
Our guide on how to build a reading habit covers routines that make slumps less likely.
Ideas for your next read
Recent additions on personal growth, habits and focus.
Choosing books on BooksOasis
- Browse by genre, series and author, and read a book's description and details before buying.
- Buy once and read on your phone, tablet or laptop, with no subscription.
- Rate books you finish to keep track of what you loved.
In short
Name what you loved about your last good book, look for books that share it, read a few samples, and choose the one you most want to continue. Match books to your mood and time, keep a running to-read list, alternate heavy and light reads, and do not be afraid to put down a book that is not working.
Questions
How do I decide what to read next?
Start with what you loved about your last good book: the subject, the style, the pace or the author. Then look for books that share that quality, read a sample, and choose the one you most want to keep reading.
What should I do if I am in a reading slump?
Switch to something shorter or lighter, change genre or format, reread an old favourite, or set a tiny goal such as ten pages a day. Slumps usually lift once reading feels easy again.
Is it OK to read more than one book at a time?
Yes. Many readers keep one demanding book and one lighter book on the go, choosing between them based on mood and energy.
Should I finish every book I start?
No. If a book has not caught you after a fair try, set it aside. Time spent on a book you dislike is time not spent on one you might love.
How can I find books similar to one I loved?
Look at the author's other books, the same series, books in the same genre or subject, and lists of books like the one you enjoyed.
Find your next read
Browse by genre, series and author, and read on any device.