Book Subscription Boxes ·Feb 11, 2023

The Ultimate Guide To Finding New Books To Read

by Teri Sobeck

There's nothing quite like the thrill of discovering a new author or book that captures your imagination and sends you off on a journey into the unknown. It's like stumbling upon a hidden treasure, a secret passageway to a place you never knew existed.

The excitement builds as you dive deeper into the pages, eagerly turning each one to uncover more of the story. You never quite know what you're going to find between the covers of a new book, but the anticipation is half the fun.

We all fall into that trap of sticking with what we know, from ordering the same meal at our favorite local restaurant to buying the same brand of ketchup. It's comforting as we know we probably won't be disappointed, and the same applies to reading.

We stick to the genres we know and love, and we gravitate toward the authors we're familiar with. But there are so many incredible stories waiting to be discovered, so take a chance and try something new!

A silhouette of a person leaping from a cliff labeled "I'm" to another labeled "POSSIBLE" at sunset, symbolizing the transformation of "impossible" to "possible."

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

We all have our favorites, but stepping out of our comfort zones can be a great way to discover new authors and genres we never thought we'd enjoy. Try something completely different - if you're a romance novel aficionado, why not try reading a thriller? Come on, try another aisle!

A woman dressed as a judge, holding a gavel, with a surprised expression and pointing upwards, suggesting an important announcement or revelation.

Judge a Book by Its Cover (Literally)

You've heard the saying, "don't judge a book by its cover," but let's be honest – we all do it. So why not embrace it and choose your next book solely based on its cover art? Whether it's a cute and quirky illustration or a stunning photograph, a book's cover can say a lot about what's inside. Plus, it's a great way to discover new authors and titles that you may have overlooked otherwise.

A close-up image of two white dice with black dots against a turquoise background, suggesting an element of chance or luck.

Play a game of chance

If you're feeling adventurous, try playing a game of chance. This involves blindly choosing a book from your local library or bookstore and committing to reading it, no matter what it is. It could be a romance novel or a biography on the history of concrete – who knows! The point is to let fate decide and see where it takes you.

Blindly choosing? Well, not completely, simply pick an aisle number, a shelf number, a row number, and a book number. It could be your birthday, the winning lottery numbers – it really doesn't matter, and if you need a bit of help, go with aisle 3, shelf 4, row 2, book 8.

A word cloud against a light pink background with prominent words like "Curiosity," "Question," "Education," "Creativity," "Curious," "Learning," "Creative," "Discovery," and "Imagination" prominently displayed in various sizes. This visually emphasizes the concepts of curiosity and creativity.

Random words

For a truly unpredictable reading experience, try using a random word to choose your next book. Simply type in a word, any word, and see what comes up. Maybe you'll discover a hidden gem about the history of fidgets or a sci-fi novel set in a world of talking cats. The possibilities are endless!

Having a few doubts? We typed umbrella book and came up with a few options, including Umbrella by Will Self, and we couldn't resist another and tried spider novel and up popped Spider by Patrick McGrath.

Join a Book Club (or Start Your Own)

Book clubs are a great way to discover new books and meet like-minded readers. But why stick to traditional book clubs when you can start your own? Get creative with your book club themes, like "Books Set in Space" or "Books with Talking Animals." And don't forget the snacks – no book club is complete without them.

And if that seems like too much work, we know you will love our monthly subscription book box, which is filled with unexpected surprises!

Shop in Unconventional Places

Who says you have to buy books at a bookstore? Try shopping in unconventional places, like thrift stores, garage sales, or even your local grocery store. You never know what treasures you might find hidden among the used coffee mugs and old VHS tapes.

An image of a shelf against a white background, featuring a neat row of books with pastel-colored covers. To the left of the books is a red notification icon with a white heart, resembling social media engagement. Below the shelf is the hashtag "#bookstagram" in blue text, highlighting the theme of engaging with book-related social media content.

Follow Book Blogs and Bookstagram Accounts

There are countless book bloggers, and Bookstagram accounts out there, all dedicated to sharing their love of literature with the world. Follow a few of your favorites and let them inspire your next read. Whether you're into romance, sci-fi, or anything in between, you're sure to find a blogger or bookstagrammar who shares your taste.

Check Out Bestseller Lists

Bestseller lists may seem like an obvious choice, but they're a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest books. From the New York Times to Amazon's Best Sellers, there are plenty of lists to choose from. And if you're feeling extra adventurous, try choosing a book from a bestseller list that's outside of your usual genre.

Read Local Authors

Supporting local authors is not only a great way to discover new books, but it also supports your local literary community. Check out your local bookstore's section on regional authors, or attend a local author event. You might just find your new favorite book right in your own backyard.

Attend a Literary Festival

Literary festivals are a fantastic way to discover new books, meet authors, and connect with fellow book lovers. From the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., to the Hay Festival in Wales, there are literary festivals all over the world to choose from. It's the perfect opportunity to explore new genres and meet some amazing people along the way.

Friends and family

We love making events of things, and a great way to discover a new book is with a mystery book evening. It's the equivalent of Secret Santa, everyone brings a wrapped book along with them, and after dinner, it's time to pick a present and discover something new.

Who knows what you will find, especially when the kids are involved?

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Get creative and out of your comfort zone

There are so many fun and unconventional ways to find new books to read, there's no excuse for staying stuck in a reading rut - with a little creativity and a lot of humor, you can discover your next great read in the most unexpected places. Let the literary adventures begin!