Wondering how to find good books to read? Or are you still stuck on that last amazing book you read and now you can’t seem to find a good book to read next? There are so many books out there that choosing a book to read can be quite difficult. But whether you’re just looking for some helpful ideas of where to find good books or you’re in a reading slump and trying to find the book that will pull you out of it, this post will help you find your next great read today!
1. Read Book Blogs
One great way to find good books to read is to check out book blogs. Book bloggers (like me here at Bona Fide Bookworm!) love to share about all our favorite books…so if you find a book blogger with similar tastes to you, then you can read through their posts to find a whole ton of great books to add to your TBR list!
2. Join Book Facebook Groups
Another excellent way to find new books to read is to join bookish Facebook groups. Once you’re a member of a book group on Facebook, you can post asking for book recommendations. And if you give a little information on the genres you like or the most recent books you’ve enjoyed, then you can get some really good recommendations from group members!
3. Search for Books Similar to Ones You Already Like
If you haven’t tried this before, you’ll be surprised at how many good book ideas you can get from a simple Google search! Especially if you have a book you already loved and you want to read more books like it. You can try searching for terms such as “books like _______” or “books similar to _______” and see what results show up (for instance “books like Pride and Prejudice“).
This can be a great way to find good books you haven’t read before, because often there will be posts from bloggers, Goodreads, etc. that contain a whole list of books with similar elements to the one you already like! Get ready to add a ton of new books to your TBR…
4. Search for Authors Similar to Your Favorite Authors
Just like searching for books like your favorite books, you can also do the same with your favorite authors. If you come across an author you love, then do a quick Google search of “authors like _______” or “authors similar to _______” and see what turns up! Then you can comb through the new authors’ published works to see if there’s anything that sparks your interest.
5. Check Out Amazon’s Book Lists
Amazon curates several lists that might be able to help you find a good new read, so this is another place you should check. For example, you can see a list of Amazon Best Sellers or the Hot New Releases to find what is all the rage right now!
Once you are on these Best Seller or Hot New Releases pages, you can also use the filters on the left side of the page to tailor the recommendations even more. For instance, you can click to narrow the recommendations down to Biographies & Memoirs, Children’s Books, Mysteries, or a host of other options! This is a great way to see what’s new or what’s most popular in your favorite genres.
6. See Your Personalized Recommendations on Amazon
If you use Amazon to buy or read books, then it’s likely they know some of your tastes in books and can recommend similar things that you might enjoy. Visit your Recommended for You page to see what books Amazon thinks you might like based on your past reading!
7. Find Lists on Goodreads
When you’re wondering how to find a good book to read, Goodreads is another great place to look. This online book community offers a variety of resources for book lovers, including community-created book lists based around different themes and interests. You can check out Goodreads lists here.
8. Follow People With Similar Tastes on Goodreads
If you create an account on Goodreads, you can also choose to follow other people on the platform. So if you see someone on Goodreads who reads interesting books or has similar reading tastes to yours, then you can follow them to be updated on their latest reads. It’s a great way to get easy, passive book recommendations!
9. Ask a Librarian
Unsurprisingly, librarians love reading books! And many librarians also love giving book recommendations. Combine the number of books librarians read in a year with their love of giving book recommendations, and you’ve got the perfect recipe to find your next great read. They’re sure to have good ideas for you if you take the time to ask!
10. Browse a Bookstore
Browsing a bookstore is another great way to find books to read. Bookstores usually have plenty of bestselling books available to buy, and going to a bookstore in person means you can pick up the books and maybe even read a few pages to see if they are books you will like.
11. Join a Book Club
Feeling really stuck on how to find books to read? Consider joining a book club or creating one with friends. If you get enough readers together, there’s sure to be at least one or two people with some exciting book suggestions that you can read as a group!
12. Check Out the Classics
Okay, so some people love classics and others…well, let’s just say others don’t get what’s so classic about them. I definitely don’t think that everyone needs to read all the “must read” classics “just because they’re classic.” but if you’re not sure what to read and are looking for good suggestions then looking at lists of classic books might actually help you find a good next read.
Not all classics are stuffy and hard to understand; in fact, some of them are downright fun! (Like these classic romance novels). So if you’re really looking for good books to read, then give some of the classics a chance!
13. Visit What Should I Read Next
When you’re looking for that perfect next book to read, the site What Should I Read Next is also a good place to check. This site allows you to type in the name of a book you like, and it will automatically generate a list of other similar books that you might enjoy. It’s worth taking a look when you’re wondering how to find a book to read!
14. Search on WhichBook
WhichBook is another handy tool to keep in mind when trying to find your next read. This site allows you to search for books to read by choosing a variety of elements you do or don’t want in the book. The search filters include being able to choose the mood and emotion you’re looking for and the ability to narrow the search down by the characteristics of the characters and plot. You can also find books that are similar to bestsellers you’ve read, or even click on a world map to narrow down where you want the book to be set!
15. Ask on Reddit
Another place to find good book suggestions from people (instead of an algorithm) is on Reddit. There are a few good subreddits where you can ask for book recommendations and community members will respond with books they think you might like (including Book Suggestions and Suggest Me a Book).
16. Ask Friends or Family
Lastly, don’t discount the value of asking friends or family for recommendations! If you have friends or family who are also readers, they may have come across some books that you will really love. So send a message to your reading friends and see if they have any good suggestions for you!
Save for Later
These are my top tips for finding new books to read. Visit a local library in order to find a few different new books to read. You can certainly find so many books kept on the shelves of any library, or ask a current member of staff for their tailored advice and recommendations. Alternatively you can use a recommended bookshop which also contains a lot of nice books at very reasonable prices as well.
Good luck. I also strongly advise looking at popular review sites like GoodReads additionally too. Other good places include garden centres, the houses of friends or family members and charity stores. Often times a limited range of books are freely available at those places. Best wishes.
See what happens.
Great advice, Thara! It’s so nice to hear what works for you!