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There’s nothing worse than walking into a bookstore just to shuffle through a dozen books and leave empty-handed. That’s not entirely true – leaving with a book you aren’t particularly excited about might be a little worse, now that I’m thinking about it. Either way, I feel you on every level. There have been points in my life where I’ve avoided bookstores altogether because I know that whatever I buy won’t hold my attention long enough for me to finish it.
It isn’t a good time for a fellow bookworm.
In an effort to combat this dreadful feeling across the board, I’ve done some digging. I’ve compiled a list of tips to share with my readers today in hopes of aiding your search for your next go-to recommendation. Take action on your own accord. Your results may vary.
And we’re off!
Tip #1: Go To Your Local Library
My regulars knew this was coming.
The library is such an awesome place! More often than not, I’ve found librarians to be particularly special people. Radiant personalities and an abundance of knowledge. I’ve lived in a handful of varying places throughout my life and with each library came an even cooler librarian there to make recommendations and guide me to the right books.
Libraries are often set up with shelves that outline new releases and genre-themed end-caps, similar to bookstores. Not to mention the potential for joining or even establishing a local book club, but – more on that later 🙂
Don’t know where your local library is located? That’s okay, friend, I got you:
Tip #2: Consult Book Recommendation Lists
These lists can be found all over the internet, including on this very blog. My personal book recommendation lists are always evolving and growing. They can be found by clicking HERE.
There are also thousands of other bloggers, vloggers and influencers galore who make bookish recommendations based on their tastes, specific genres or even just generalized themes. Take a look at the people you may already be following, they could even have a book recommendation list hiding somewhere.
Not to beat a dead horse or anything, but your library is also likely to have resources such as recommendation lists like the ones I’m talking about currently.
Tip #3: Big Name Book Club Recommendations
There are tons of celebrities, news networks and publishing agencies that are considered big name, sort of box office-y, influencers in the world of reading. These are the shelves in Barnes and Noble that you see with something along the lines of XYZ’s Book Club Pick.
These include, but are far from limited to:
Reese’s Book Club (Reese Witherspoon)
Read with Jenna (Jenna Bush Hager)
Goodreads Choice Awards
Tip #4: Local Book Clubs, including Silent Book Clubs
Your local library is a phenomenal resource for finding nearby book club meetups, which can in turn help you find not only your next favorite read, but some other like-minded people who are reading similar books.
Silent Book Clubs:
Silent book clubs are a variation of book club meetings where, instead of having a designated book to be read and discussed by the group, the club host offers a relaxed place for bookworms and readers alike to gather and read and congregate with their own books.
Finding either of these can be done so through this neat little network: https://bookclubs.com/
Tip #5: Read Samples, if possible
More than likely, Amazon offers a downloadable sample of the first few pages of whatever book you’re looking to buy. Before you pull the trigger on anything book-wise, try and find that sample and give it a go. If it doesn’t hold your attention, then it isn’t something you want to continue investing time into.
If you’re out and about shopping for books, try to take a few minutes and read the first little bit of the book, instead of just reading the synopsis on the back or inside cover.
Tip #6: Shop Somewhere New / Look In Unsuspecting Places
There are tons of stores that carry books that aren’t bookstores. Walmart and Target both have an aisle or two for books. Thrift stores, yard sales, dollar stores or liquidation centers can often have book on their shelves as well. Search high and low. That magical new-favorite may be on a dusty shelf with it’s cover facing down.
Shopping somewhere new doesn’t always have to mean in-person, either. When I shop the bookstore websites that are my usual go-to spots, I sometimes will browse genres and clearance (or ‘sale’) books for the sake of finding something new. Especially if I need another book or two to score free shipping. Raise your hand if you can relate.
Tip #7: Ask Around!
This is my favorite piece of advice from this article because it encourages engagement around literacy. People fight at family reunions, people are glued to their phones and don’t want to talk about books anymore. Ask your hairstylist! Ask your barista! “Hey, do you know of any good books?” or “Is there a book you’d recommend to just about anyone?”
Even friends who don’t discuss their reading habits anymore, just bring it up casually and see what their response is. You may be surprised, who knows?
Wrapping Things Up…
Well, friends. That about wraps everything up. I hope you enjoyed this little listicle of ideas to inspire a new book-find. I wish you the best for the rest of your week. Please leave a comment below if you enjoyed this post, and don’t forget to enter your email for a chance to win a free book at the end of the month!