What should I read next?

A lot of you loved my post on getting back into reading, but now you’re curious about the next step: how do I pick what to read? I’ll dive into some ways you can choose among the millions of options. Then, I'll explain how I picked my reading list (at the time of this post).

Read about what you’re interested in

I’m a big personal finance guy, so I enjoyed Ramit Sethi's I Will Teach You to be Rich. You can look up fiction or nonfiction books on topics that you enjoy. History buffs may relish A People's History of the United States, romance enthusiasts could gravitate toward Pride and Prejudice, and sports fans might like Coach Tony Dungy's memoir, Quiet Strength. If you're interested in something, you'll probably enjoy reading about it.

Reread

You might have a favorite book from awhile ago, and rereading it with the experiences you have now could give you a different perspective. If you’re just getting back into reading, this is an effective strategy since the story's predictability should make it a simple read. Several readers have highlighted how their perception changed from rereading The Catcher in the Rye during adulthood. Rereading is a great place to start if you’re looking to unwind after a long day at the office.

There's no better way to relax than a good book

Books from authors you like

Writing styles don’t change as much as plots and characters. Chances are if you’ve liked one of an author’s works, you’ll likely enjoy another. After thoroughly savoring The Kite Runner, I decided to read Khaled Hosseini's second work, A Thousand Splendid Suns (read my review). I admire Hosseini's simplistic, eloquent writing and character-driven narratives, so A Thousand Splendid Suns was a slam dunk for me.

Recommendations

People tend to recommend you books that they think you'll like because they know you. I read several books based on recommendations, including Should We Stay or Should We Go and Pachinko (read my review) – the former having featured on my reading list. Next time your friend can't stop raving about how you'll love the book that they just read, listen to them. Give that book a shot.

Popular reads

There’s a reason that the same titles keep showing up on celebrity book clubs and right when you walk in the bookstore–because they’re good. If you keep hearing about a book, it's probably worth reading. Some titles that I see everywhere include The Correspondent, Yellowface, and The Emperor of Gladness. This is also a great opportunity for you to determine if a well-known book is worth the hype.

Read the book versions of movies and shows

Have a show you can’t stop watching on Netflix? There’s a good chance it’s based on a book. You, The Queens Gambit, and The Witcher are all based on books. They say that nothing beats the original story. If you’re hooked on a show or can’t stop rewatching a movie, find out if there’s a book version and add it to your list. It’s fun to compare and contrast the two, including what the filmmakers changed or left out altogether. Be warned: once you read the book, your perception of the movie or show will never be the same.

How I picked my reading list (at time I'm posting this)

Theft: I read about the book in several articles, and its author won a Nobel Prize in Literature. After reading it, I can see that the hype was well-deserved.

A Suitable Boy (read my review): It was recommended to me based on my desire to read more books by Indian authors, akin to my Indian heritage. This was both an interest and a recommendation.

Cutting for Stone: I loved The Covenant of Water (read my review), so I wanted to see if Abraham Verghese had written anything else. It turned out he had, and it’s up next on my reading list.

These suggestions can also help answer your fundamental question: what should I read next?

Whatever your reason for picking a book, remember that there’s no wrong choice. You should pick what’s interesting to you, because ultimately you're reading for yourself. So enjoy what you read, and don’t feel the need to explain your choice.

If you'd like a more in-depth review of a book on your list, fill out the Ask Shay form at the bottom of the page.