Book industry insiders share how to choose your next favourite read

In the age of instant gratification, finding a book that truly captivates is no small feat. Sure, the right book has the power to transport you to another world and spark meaningful conversations, but with so many titles vying for your attention, how do you discern the ones that are truly worth reading?

Sometimes, a promising title turns out to be quite underwhelming, while an unknown book becomes the best read ever. Before you find yourself staring at endless shelves in a library or scrolling through titles on your Kindle, it may be a good idea to have a rough guideline to narrow down your options. This can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many choices.

Start by figuring out which genres and tropes you enjoy. If you’re not an avid reader, think about the kind of movies and shows you enjoy and look for books on similar topics. Recommendations from friends and family who share your taste is also a great way to find your next read, plus it makes for great conversations. Alternatively, apps like Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram can be a great place for discovering new finds.

Once you have narrowed down your options, don't forget to check online reviews for the books you have selected. Keep in mind though, that people sometimes spoil the plot while reviewing, but they usually give a warning at the beginning before doing so. So always check beforehand that the review you are reading is spoiler-free, so as to not take away the thrill of reading the book yourself.

To help you curate your perfect reading list, we asked avid readers, storytellers, and book industry insiders on how they decide and pick their next read, and here's what they had to say. 

Nona Uppal, Author

The author of Fool Me Twice suggests making the most of technology when looking for new books, and we couldn’t agree more. For those who aren't familiar, Goodreads often offers book recommendations based on what you've already read. “I keep reading lists from 2021 to 2024. If I haven't picked up a book in a while, I go to Goodreads and check out a book I’ve rated five stars,” she says. “It suggests similar books by authors or with themes that are close to what I like.”

If you don’t use Goodreads, AI tools like Gemini and ChatGPT can also help suggest books if you share a list of your favourites. But Uppal is cautious about relying on them. “I don’t always trust the recommendations, but they do remind me of books I had saved for later,” Uppal adds. 

Writers often talk about the books they’re reading, whether on social media or in interviews. “It’s hard to separate what they’re writing from what they’re reading,” she says, “so you might come across something interesting.”

That said, it’s important to avoid falling into a reading rut. “It’s easy to keep reading the same kinds of books because it’s comfortable,” she warns. “But try mixing it up with something new.” And how do you choose your next book? Simple—pick the one that jumps out at you from your narrowed-down list.

Saba Imtiaz, Author and Journalist 

Saba Imtiaz swears by the magic of rereading your favourites, whether that’s classics, childhood favourites, or books that left an impact at an important time. “You’ll be amazed at how much you connect (or don’t!) with them,” the Society Girl writer adds, “...and what that tells you about your life.” If you’re stuck in a rut, try revisiting books that captivated you in the past, but don’t forget to explore more works by an author you’ve enjoyed before! And for those times when nothing seems to hit the mark, there’s nothing more delightful than a great romance or rom-com.

Stuti Agarwal, Author, Assistant Editor at Cosmopolitan India, Bazaar India contributor 

Stuti Agarwal agrees with Imtiaz’s advice on reading more from the same author. But if you’ve already explored all that your favourites have to offer, certain publications publish book reviews that can help you find your next read. Agarwal suggests the London Review of Books and The New York Times which publish lists, such as the best books released that year. “I keep track of those and tick off the ones I feel will fit into my reading space.”

Agarwal also suggests using a Goodreads alternative—StoryGraph. “It’s like a Facebook for books,” she says. “A lot of authors and publishers moved to StoryGraph when Goodreads was acquired by Amazon.” StoryGraph is a strongly friends-based community, so if you’re looking for reading buddies or want to make friends based on books you love, StoryGraph is the place to go.

Shreya Punj, Head of E-commerce at Harper Collins India

Better known as The Editor Recommends on Instagram, Punj’s top advice for overcoming a reading slump is to pick up a gripping thriller that will keep you up all night. In the meantime, she suggests downloading an audiobook of short stories to help set the mood for further reading. Once these two are done, try focusing on an up-and-coming author or revisit your recommendations. “For the last five or six years, my focus has been on reading more female authors. I try to read more diversely from different continents, so I have a pretty good sense of what I like and what I don’t. By the time I reach book three, I know my slump is over, and I’m ready to engage with the text on a deeper, more meaningful level, rather than just seeking a quick thrill.”

Lead image credit: Pexels 

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