How to Know Yourself as a Reader
Tips + questions to ask
Knowing what you like to read and consistently choosing books you enjoy sounds easy enough, but it can be a struggle. I've always loved books and reading, but I didn't think too much about what I actually liked until I worked in libraries for a while. In high school, I chose books based on whether or not I had heard of the author, if the cover interested me, or if the book had an Oprah's Book Club seal on it. I wanted to read sophisticated adult literature as a kid, and I figured if it was good enough for Oprah, it was good enough for me.
In early adulthood, I worked in a public library while I attended college. Most of what I read during those years were books assigned to me, but I also checked out a lot of stuff from the library based solely on the cover. I had never stopped to consider the themes of the books I loved, the writers whose work resonated with me, or what characteristics were present in my favorite reads, and I wouldn't until years later.
One of the things I do in my current school library work is readers' advisory, or pairing books with people. I struggled with this task during the first few years of my job. I wasn't sure how to point people to the right book because I wasn't sure how to find the right book for myself. Once I better understood myself as a reader, I grew more comfortable recommending books to others. Now readers' advisory is one of my favorite things to do.
I want all readers to know how to discern what they like, why they like it, and how to find it. That's what today's post is about. I hope these tips will help you navigate the literary world and enable you to find books you adore.
Consider the types of stories you like.
When pondering what books to choose, consider what stories draw you in. I know that seems obvious, but the genres we often talk about are usually umbrella terms with many subgenres beneath them. Let's say you like fantasy. Do you like high fantasy with complex world-building and intricate magic systems? Or do you prefer stories based in reality with hints of magic?
Maybe you like mysteries. Think about whether you prefer dark and gritty stories set in cities or cozy mysteries with no violence that are set in charming small towns. Romance readers might like their love stories mixed with history or humor. I read a lot of realistic fiction and usually gravitate toward literary fiction, which is typically focused more on prose and character development than plot. I like the mysteries and thrillers I read to have gripping plots, but I don't need that when I read realistic fiction.
If you’re new to reading, you might not know what genres you like. When students come into the library and tell me they need a book for class, I start by asking them what books they’ve liked. If they can’t think of anything, my next question is what kind of movies or TV shows they enjoy. If you struggle to name genres or books you love, think about what you like to watch. Sci-fi? Hallmark movies? Family dramas? The stories you watch will help you learn what you’ll appreciate in books.
If you want more in-depth help figuring out what you like, check out one of my older posts, Five Steps to Help You Choose Books You’ll Love. I swear by the “book words” idea.
Questions to ask yourself:
What are my favorite genres?
What do I enjoy about each one? Be specific.
What unfamiliar genre would I like to try reading next?
Consider what matters to you about books.
Once you know what types of stories you’re interested in reading, think about what matters to you about the books you pick up. Is it length? Perhaps you love long sagas in which you can get completely absorbed for hundreds of pages. Maybe you’re more like me and appreciate shorter books that get right to the point.
Some readers like to keep up with literary prizes, so they’ll read everything on the Booker Prize or National Book Award lists. Others might only read for entertainment while some might read because they want to learn.
What matters to you about what you read will constantly change. I wrote about the five primary reasons I read, and that exercise was incredibly helpful. Lately, I’ve been reading solely for entertainment, but there are other times when I read for a sense of community or to learn something.
Thinking about what matters when you read also reveals what doesn’t matter. Before I knew myself as a reader, I bought many classic books for my home library because I thought I should read them. When I realized that reading a bunch of classic lit doesn’t matter to me, I was able to let go of those books and fill my shelves with titles that actually excite me.
Questions to ask yourself:
What matters to me about reading? What doesn’t?
Do I feel pressured to read certain things? If so, where does that come from?
What am I looking for in books right now?
Consider how you like to read.
Once you know the types of stories you enjoy and what matters to you about books, think about how you like to consume literature. I read print books, audiobooks, and ebooks. All have different appeals.
I love ebooks for when I’m on the go. I read on my lunch break every day, so I’d rather have my Kindle in my bag than a heavy hardcover. I have a home library where I love spending time, so physical books are also important. I like reading print at home and love being able to underline them or admire them on my bookshelves. Audiobooks are great while driving or working on a monotonous task like covering books or organizing a closet.
If you know you prefer audiobooks, maybe you’ll decide to get a pair of high-quality, comfortable headphones. Ebook lovers might explore their library’s Libby or Hoopla apps. Print fans might be on a first-name basis with local librarians and booksellers. Knowing the how of reading helps us figure out where to get books and where to enjoy them.
Questions to ask yourself:
What book formats do I like best?
Am I taking advantage of my local library for free audiobooks and ebooks?
Where do I like to buy books? Does my city have any cool indie spots or good thrift stores?
Consider where to find reading recommendations.
So you know what you like, what matters, and how you prefer to read. Now it’s time to think about where you can find reading recommendations. I have a post full of ideas, including some delightful bookish Substacks. I rely on those resources all the time, both professionally and personally, so I encourage you to check out that list. I believe it’s one of the most helpful things I’ve published.
Another idea is to ask your local library for personalized suggestions. When I was doing research for my recent post called 45 Things Public Libraries Can Offer You, I saw how many libraries around the US offer book-matchmaking. Patrons can fill out a form in which they share what they like and dislike and library staff will pull books just for them. I’ve done this a few times (as the person asking and the person fulfilling requests) and it’s so fun!
One more resource I want to share is Any New Books, a weekly newsletter featuring new book releases. You can select the genres you like and Any New Books will send you lists of new books in those genres. I’ve been a subscriber for several years and it’s a helpful tool.
Questions to ask yourself:
Who do I trust to recommend books to me?
What websites or writers consistently suggest books that appeal to me?
Do I prefer professional book reviews or more informal recommendations?
Consider your goals.
Reading is one of my life’s greatest passions, so I think about reading goals quite a bit. My most popular post by far is about my 2025 reading goals. Reading goals can be as big or as small as you want. Reading 12 books a year is just as good of a goal as reading 100. Maybe instead of a number, you want to read better. That could include a slower reading pace, note-taking, and highlighting the text. Some people might want to make their reading life more fun by picking up more lighthearted books they can share with friends. Any reading goal you set should originate from a sense of could rather than should. At the end of the day, reading is a hobby, not a chore that should weigh you down.
Questions to ask yourself:
How could I stretch myself as a reader?
What would be a fun literary project to tackle?
In conclusion
I doubt you need me to tell you this, but just in case, you don’t have to do any of this stuff. If you read five paperbacks a year that you buy at airports, you’re a reader. If you only like comics, you’re a reader. If the thrill of the bookish hunt is what makes you happy and the idea of thinking too hard about a hobby sounds draining, you’re still a reader.
I share all of this because I know firsthand how thinking about everything I’ve mentioned here has helped transform my reading life, and I want that for anyone else who wants it for themselves. Spending a bit of time reflecting on our reading journey can make a huge impact.
If you’d like to support my work, comment, share, upgrade to a paid subscription, buy me a coffee, or shop my bookshop or affiliate links. I love doing this work, and I’m thankful to have you in this community!
Do you have any questions I didn’t cover in this post? What strategies have helped you know yourself as a reader? Please share in the comment section.
Great post!! Making notes!!