As the author of Entitled: Life Isn’t Easy When You’re A Book, there’s a question I’m often asked: What book should I read next?
When I was writing Entitled, I knew our book needed to meet titles of all kinds on her journey. From non-fiction books to romance novels, cowboy adventures and even French books of street poetry, I envisioned every type of publication and every location.
So when a reader asks me to recommend a book for them, I feel a weight of responsibility.
For myself, what I read next can be influenced by a few factors.
Did I enjoy the last book I read?
If yes, then I have a few options.
Was it the location of the last book that I loved? If so, I may wish to keep reading stories set in the same place. It’s like travelling without a passport – or the jet lag.
Is it a book within a series? If yes, I may wish to binge-read the whole series, or see if the next title brings me as much enjoyment as the last one.
Is it a standalone novel? If it is, I may look into other titles by that author. Often, novelists will write in the same genre. For example, a friend of mine, Robyn Harding is a great writer of thrillers, her latest being The Haters. She isn’t interested in writing series, as she says she likes to create new characters and situations with each book. But once I get hooked on one of her titles, it’s easy to want to read her next one.
Another author, Karma Brown, writes across genres. She wrote the popular: Recipe for a Perfect Wife — a dual POV novel about a woman today who finds notes from the previous owner of her home, a housewife in the 1950s. She also wrote the nonfiction book: The 4% Fix — her perspective on making the most of your time. She has also just released her first thriller, What Wild Women Do. With such diverse titles, one author can take you on many different journeys.
Do I want to stay with the same genre but try other authors? One good read may keep me in the genre for a few books. Until I hit the next option…
Did I not enjoy the last book I read?
This is an unfortunate state of being but one that happens to those of us who like to try new authors or new genres.
If I didn’t enjoy or worse, didn’t finish the last novel, I immediately start on another, to make sure I don’t fall into the reading doldrums. However, if I start two books in a row and like neither, then I’m at risk of losing my reading mojo. It happens, and when it does, it’s awful.
I love nothing more than knowing there is a great story waiting for me by my bedside. Reading before I fall asleep is a glorious cocoon of time that I anticipate and value. But if I don’t have a book I’m enjoying, it’s a profound disappointment. So to get out of a reading funk, I turn to something trusted.
I think of certain authors as my ‘macaroni and cheese’ – the comfort food of reading. I love a good comedy that can lighten my spirit and make me laugh. Or a great mystery that will keep me guessing. Or a travel fiction book, one that takes me to Paris or London or another city I love.
If you’re wondering what book to read next, think about what you want to experience. If you’re in the mood to read something different, that’s great. It’s how we discover new authors and genres and keep our reading fresh. But sometimes you want something reliable, like that comfortable t-shirt that you don’t have to think about.
So when I’m asked: What should I read next? I respond: Let’s grab a coffee and discuss.
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