Choosing your next read can be a challenge, but there are lots of places to find quality book recommendations if you know where to look.
Think being a reader is easy? A life filled with blissful hours spent relaxing with a great book? To some extent, that is true. But as any lifelong reader can attest, it takes some effort to curate a TBR worth staying up late for. Today I’m sharing the five sources that generate the most book recommendations for me.
Podcasts
My top source for book recommendations these days is podcasts. I love listening to the hosts discuss their favorite books and what they’re currently reading, and I always come away with a list of titles to add to my TBR. This a great way to discover new books and get recommendations from people who are passionate about reading. There are a lot of bookish podcasts available these days, so many that you can’t listen to them all. Don’t be afraid to choose your favorites and forego the rest, focusing on shows with hosts with a similar reading taste to yours so you know you’re getting solid suggestions that will be a good fit for you. My favorite book podcast right now is Currently Reading, followed by MadLit Musings and What Should I Read Next.
Bookstagram
Instagram is an excellent platform for book lovers to share their favorite reads and connect with other bibliophiles. I find many new book recommendations and get inspired by the creative book photos and layouts. Plus, it’s a great way to support small bookshops and authors by promoting their work! Here are a few of my favorite follows on bookstagram:
The Book Script and Sheri Yutzy and Nicole and the Unending TBR and Bringing Up Books
Blogs
Before podcasts and social media, there were book bloggers. If you are looking for book talk in a written format with more details and discussion about individual books, finding a few favorite blogs might be a good choice for you. It’s not uncommon for podcasters to provide blog posts with transcripts of their episodes, in case reading works better for you than listening. Many bloggers also put out lists of similar or themed books, which is great if you are chasing a feeling you had while reading a favorite book. My go-to blog for a yearly summer reading guide and book lists for kids is Everyday Reading. Similarly, I always put out an annual Christmas reading list in late November.
Libraries and Bookstores
Physical book repositories can result in the best kinds of bookish serendipity. Many books that I’d never heard of before have jumped from the ‘New Releases’ shelf at my local library into my bag. Bookstores hold a similar magic as you stroll through admiring beautiful covers. One thing that both librarians and booksellers have in common is that they are more than happy to help you find the book you are looking for — even if you don’t know what it is yet!
Family and Friends
Who better to recommend books that you’ll love than the people who know you and your tastes best? A book endorsed by someone I know personally is more likely to get my attention than recommendations from a stranger. Bonus tip: if you live near a family member or friend who loves to read as much as you do, book swaps can be an absolute delight.
Where do you find your books? Leave a comment and let me know if there’s anything I missed!
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