Choosing my next read is a process. I never thought it so until I began writing this blog and reflecting on my reading life. Many elements enter that selection process before a book can find its place on my shelves. 

Of course, there is more than one way to choose a book. It could spring from a recommendation by a friend, a podcast, an influencer, a critic, or an article in a literary journal or magazine. However, I am not talking about these today. If I find myself browsing at a bookstore in search of my next read, it’s different. 

First, I will wander around from one aisle to another until a genre appeals to me. What am I really in the mood for?  If I am on a vacation, it will be Children’s literature and YA, Heroic Fantasy, and detective novels. If I am more in a study mode, it could be Christianity, history, or cooking. 

Once I have decided on an area, I will look at the titles because that’s how most books are presented to us in bookstores and libraries for space reasons: Spine first. So, the first element I will take into consideration is the title. Usually, I will pick a title that intrigues or interests me. Titles are the sales call of the world of books. Those who scream, “Read me! Read me!” or tickle my ears will get picked up. Another way is through the name of the author. Do I know this author? Have I read something else by him or her? Did I like it? Would I want to read something else? Or Have I heard of this author? 

After the initial inspection, I usually return the book to the shelf or turn to the cover. I know it’s common to say: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Truth is, we all do it. If a cover is not designed well, does not convey the message, or presents certain aspects that repulse me (such as blood, weapons, vampires, or mummies), I will immediately put the book back on the shelf. We all have archetypes and experiences that talk to us and build our identity as a reader. However, the cover is what we will judge the book by first. It could be one of the most significant elements in the book marketing business. It must convey the message and summarize it in one picture. It has 5 seconds to convince me that this book is worth my time. I only have a limited amount of time to read. Do I want to waste it? The process of choosing a book is just that: judging the work of marketers. A book cover is a big gateway to reading. It will entice me or repulse me.

Step 3: I flip the book. Now that the cover, title, and author have convinced me that I should devote more than 5 seconds to the book, I switch to the back cover with its punch line, summary, author’s biography, and photography. I enter the details of the book. Is the premise intriguing? Interesting? Is it related to what I am currently investigating or studying? In the case of non-fiction, would I enjoy the story? Does it contain elements I like to read about (treasures, journeys, etc.) 

If a book is lucky and has passed the initial barriers of consideration related to the plain time difficulties, then I will open it and dive into its content. Font and formatting: Is it easy to read or all crammed on one page? How big is it? Language plays a significant role, especially if I buy a book in English. Can I read it easily, or do I stumble every three words? 

After that comes everything related to the peritext: the table of contents and illustrations, if there are any. 

Last, when a book is still in my hands after all these steps, the hard questions come: How much does it cost? (I don’t care much for e-books and e-readers.) Will I have time to read it?

I have become very selective in 2025 about the books I buy because I realized at the beginning of the year that I own about 160 books I haven’t read. That’s about 10% of my collection. I stacked them on my office floor, and when I couldn’t put a foot in front of the other, I thought: “I have a problem. I need to read these books”. One of my quirks is that I don’t like to have a book I haven’t read on my shelves. That’s how I feel about my TBR. It bothers me. However, it does not bother me if other people don’t read their books and just collect or buy them because they like the cover or for any reason. A collector does not always read everything in his or her collection. So, to resolve this problem, I set some boundaries for my book-buying routine. I must read 13 books before I can buy one. So far, I bought three books, which is not a lot. My daughter has been fulfilling the Guardian of the Shelves role very well. 

So, in 2025, I am shopping my shelves. I still noticed that the process remains the same. I never considered it to this day. These initial 5 seconds will determine whether a book will make it. It’s inconscient. I don’t tell myself step one: Title. Step 2: ….

How about you? How do you choose your books? Which steps will make/help you decide if a book will make it to your TBR or collection? Do you have any quirks in your reading life?

M. D. Crackower is the author of “Strategy: A Divine Blueprint for Spiritual Battles”. Available on Amazon.com.