How To Choose The Right Book For You!
A few tips to those looking for the right book and don't know where to start.
đ Thanks in advance for reading this review. Itâs part of a series called "Book Club" where I curate insights and ideas from my favourite books.
Not to scare you but the truth is that there are just way more books out there than what we will be able to read in our lifetime - and it is completely okay. But amid so many options, how does one choose what to read?
Well, people read books for all kinds of reasons; to learn a specific skill, understand a topic deeper, escape reality (yep), entertainment, inspiration, or personal development. It depends on what interests them at that exact moment.
I donât want my previous recommendations and reviews to mould your taste or deplete your interest in reading at all. We all have unique preferences and different circumstances, and the goal of this article is to help you find books that resonate with your own.
Think About Your Interests
If you could have only one takeaway from this article, is that the fastest way to find the right book and to understand why we are looking for one in the first place. Are you just bored? Looking to learn something different? Whatever it is, donât ignore that.
Once you have identified the reason, narrow your options by understanding which category would cater for what you are looking for. Hereâs a little overview:
Fiction: This category includes novels, short stories, and novellas. Fiction books are typically works of the imagination, and they can be set in any time period or place. A great option if youâre looking to distress.
Non-fiction: This category includes books that are based on real events or facts. Non-fiction books can be about a wide range of topics, such as history, science, nature, or current events. They are relevant if you are trying to learn more about a specific topic or person.
Self-help books: This category includes books that offer advice on how to improve your life. Self-help books can be about a wide range of topics, such as relationships, personal development, or career success. They can be extremely useful to help you develop soft skills.
Skill books: This category includes books that provide procedures to achieve specific tasks based on your experience. Examples can be books on programming, cooking, crafts or painting.
Travel books: This category includes books that describe travel destinations. Travel books can be about any part of the world, and they can be written for both tourists and travellers. Ideal to give you some inspiration for the holiday season.
Poetry: This category includes books of poems. A great choice if youâre looking for entertainment.
Again, donât ignore the phase you are in and the reason you are looking for a book.
Consider Your Reading Level
By reading level, I mean the difficulty of a book. Factors such as the number of pages, vocabulary, sentence structure, and complexity of the ideas make certain books harder to read than others.
It might look like an obvious point but we often take it for granted and end up getting frustrated and quitting books.
It is important to choose books that are at the right reading level for us. If you select a book that is too difficult, you will likely get frustrated and not enjoy reading it. If you choose a book that is too easy, you will not be challenged and may not learn as much - balance it.
3. Search Recommendations
Something I often do is look for books from my favourite authors in that category I am most likely to find the book I need. Additionally, I search for articles on the most read or popular books in the category and then read reviews to get a sense of what other people think of the book - Goodreads and Amazon are amazing for this.
Extra
The right book for you is the one that you'll enjoy the most. It's the book that will give you what you are looking for. It's the book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.
Remember:
Be open-minded. Don't just stick to the genres that you're familiar with. Try reading books in different genres, even if you're not sure if you'll like them. You might be surprised at what you enjoy.
I've been trying to read more books outside of my comfort zone. After a recommendation from a friend, I just added 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell to my reading list.
Create a reading list. Compile a list of books youâd love to read at some point in your life and visit this list every time you need a new title.
Don't be afraid to experiment. If you're not sure whether or not you'll like a book, read the first few pages. This will give you a good sense of the style and tone of the book.
Don't give up. If you start reading a book and you're not enjoying it, don't give up right away. Try reading a few more chapters. Sometimes it takes a little while to get into a book but eventually you donât, donât waste your time and try another one.
Have fun! Reading should be a pleasurable experience. So don't stress about finding the perfect book. Just pick a book that you think you'll enjoy and start reading.
Thank you so much for your time! Hours of research go into each article and case study, your support would mean the world to me: