How to Choose Books That Match Your Current Mood?
For years I didn't pay attention to my mood when selecting books and I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I would buy a book on a friend’s recommendation or a popular book and then I would not be able to finish it because I could not focus. The result was many incomplete books and unnecessary frustration.
I learned, through a process of trial and error, how to choose books that matched my energy level and mood at the time. This simple method has drastically improved my completion rate and enjoyment of reading. I finished 67 books in 2025, and most of them felt like the right choice at the right time.
Here’s my complete process for selecting books that will match how you’re feeling right now.
How to Get in the Reading Mood
Depending on your mood, you might enjoy different kinds of books. Usually a thick literary novel or heavy nonfiction isn’t a good idea when I’m stressed or tired. I can read more difficult books when I am motivated and inquisitive.
I’ve identified four main types of mood I see on a regular basis:
Curious Mood/High Energy
I am looking for an experience that is intellectually stimulating and immersive.
Feeling low in energy and tired
I need something simple to understand, comforting, or light.
Mood: Emotional/Contemplative
I am looking for books that deal with topics like personal growth, relationships or emotions.
Mood: Fun / Escapism
I just want to be entertained, taken somewhere else.
One of the most valuable skills I’ve picked up as a reader is the ability to spot these moods.
My System of Practical Match
I follow this method to select books according to my current state:
When I am excited or curious:
Fiction / literature / long, complex novels
Nonfiction (biography, science, history, in depth)
Books that make you think about things
When I'm tired or don't have a tonne of energy:
Short stories / novellas
Modern light fiction
Feel-good stories or light mysteries
So when I am too tired to read text, I listen to audiobooks.
When I’m in an emotional or reflective state:
Literature: Character-driven fiction
Personal Essays & Memoirs
Books that deal with self-discovery, grief, or relationships
When I’m in a mode of escapism or amusement:
Fast-paced thrillers or fantasy
Romantic comedies (rom-coms)
Adventure or speculative fiction
I keep little stacks of books that are geared toward every mood, so when I feel like reading, I don’t have to search for them.
Real examples from my reading career
I was going through a stressful time at work last month. I chose a funny contemporary novel on the lighter side instead of forcing myself to read a tough nonfiction book that I had been meaning to read. It was done in four days and I felt so much better.
I was in a reflective state another time after a family event. I picked up a touching memoir on grief and healing. It was exactly what I needed and then became one of my favourite reads of the year.
These minor adjustments considerably affected the degree of my pleasure in reading.
Building Your Own Mood-Based System
Try a week of noticing the feelings you have when you begin to read.
Make a simple log of which books worked best for which mood.
Prepare 2-3 books for each mood type so you always have options.
Be ready to change books if the one you are reading is not speaking to you.
Concluding remarks
In reading, the greatest kindnesses you can do yourself are to read books that suit your mood. Reading is a pleasure, a relief, not a burden.
No need for a complicated system. Begin to notice your own feelings and allow yourself to select books that speak to you. Your future self will thank you.
