It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of books out there, especially when what I want to read depends entirely on whether I feel hopeful or exhausted that day. I stopped using long TBR lists because forcing myself through a book I’m not in the mood for makes reading a chore.
Lately, I’ve been using a much simpler method. I keep a few short, descriptive notes in a note-taking app—stuff like 'cozy fantasy with found family' or 'angsty romance with grovel'—organized by very broad moods, not specific titles. When I finish a book, I scan that list instead of a catalog of books. The description either clicks with my current emotional state or it doesn’t. It’s less about choosing a book and more about recognizing which description feels like a warm blanket or a cathartic scream.
This approach led me to 'Legends & Lattes' when I was burnt out from work, and it was exactly the zero-stakes comfort I needed. The system isn't perfect, but it gets me reading faster and enjoying it more, which is the whole point.