I love me some book blogs and have read a few posts about choosing next books lately. I'm amazed at how some bloggers have complex systems for choosing and others read strictly by publication date.
I've discovered that I am mood reader. I might be in the mood for a dystopian or a non-fiction or a YA but I never know what mood I'll be in until I get there. For this month I am participating in the ARC Sweep Challenge and I made a list (by pub date) of all the ARCs I have.
I've hated every minute of my reading and I only technically read ONE for the challenge.
It feels too much like school to me if I have to read that book next. I don't like my reads to be scheduled. I want to read what sounds good. So my solution?
Netgally ban.
Two reasons for this. 1) I don't have an ereader so I either read them on my computer or on my phone. Both kill my tired old eyes so I put them off. 2) I always bite off more than I can chew. Seriously, I request too many. It's a sickness really.
For now I'm going to stick with my personal copies and library books. Those are easier to choose from because I can see them, touch them, flip through them. And pick what fits my mood at the moment.
So how do you pick your next read? Do you read based on mood or do you have a schedule?
I also get kind of uncomfortable when I feel like there are certain books I have to read - I love the wide selection I'm able to choose from when I finish what I'm currently reading (from my Nook, the library or my own shelf). Some people do have complex ways of picking, like you said, but I am also a mood reader. Nice post. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad I am not the only one! I look at that list of books and go "no" and walk away :-) Even though they are all books I want to read. I'm weird.
ReplyDeleteSchedules don't work for me. They only make me feel stressed and why would I do that to myself? Reading is my passion and a hobby, not a job. So I don't want to feel restricted to read certain books. I guess I'm a mood reader. Sometimes I read 10 dystopians, sometimes I feel more like fantasy :) I just like to pick the book that feels good to me. Just walking past my shelves and picking one randomly :D
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
I wouldn't have thought that I was such a mood reader but I'm just let you. I want to pass by my stacks and pick something that looks good right then. I sort of wish I could just schedule them like some people do but it completely takes the fun out of it for me. Like you said...it is not a job. ;-)
DeleteI'm definitely a mood reader. But I mostly read books I bought/borrowed, so I don't need a system for choosing. Phew~
ReplyDeleteThe Netgally ban is a great idea, imo. I do have an ereader so the temptation might be even greater for me, but I try to restrict myself to request only 1 (or 2) book/month.
Oh yes, that's what I am getting back to. If I buy them or get them from the library there really isn't a reason to stress. I don't have the willpower to request only one or two so for right now, I'm banning myself from even LOOKING at Netgalley. If/when I get an ereader that will probably change and I will try to do what you do...request a very limited amount. I just want allthebooks! ;-)
DeleteI feel your pain. I usually look at the dates and pick one of the four that will expire the soonest, depending on my mood but sometimes I just read any one I want. LOL.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
That's a plus to reading only a couple of favorite genres. You don't have as much of a choice. I sort of wish that I read like I did before, but now that I know all the different genres and subgenres, I want allthebooks. Immediately. I'm getting better about just letting it go though. Reading my own and just borrowing from the library relieves the deadline pressure. I'll continue to request ARCs but I'd prefer for it to be just books I really really want right now.
DeleteI am on a netgalley ban too! I have about 8 ARCs in my possession at the moment that I need to read before I will allow myself to seek another on. I am also feeling lately that I need to pick a new genre for a while. I have read so many new adult type books back to back and it is all feeling too rinse repeat so I think I might try something different for the next book I pick up. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have a ton out too. I just can't read them on my laptop anymore. My poor old eyes and my poor, need to be changed contacts. Hmm, something other than NA? I'd suggest Percy Jackson & the Olympians - The Lightning Thief. That's what I am reading right now and you can't get much farther from NA than MG.
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