I spent much of last year in a reading rut, and I couldn’t understand why. It seems like book recommendations are everywhere; podcasts, Facebook posts, and the viral ‘bookstgrammers’ I like to follow have no shortage of suggestions for me.
At first I thought it was a matter of ‘getting organized’. I started a Google sheet to add titles every time something that looked interesting crossed my path. But later, I could not remember anything about the books on the list or why I added them. Choosing my next book started feeling like a job, not a hobby.
Looking in the Library and Book Stores
Before the internet, I found books by browsing at the library, but often I was picking up books by a handful of authors I knew I liked, rarely venturing outside that comfort zone. While the library is still my first stop to pick up a book I want to read, returning to aimlessly browsing the shelves seemed like an inefficient way to find something fresh.
While I love the convenience of putting a book on hold through my library’s website or app, reading the descriptions there is not always helpful.
I turn to a third-party site, like Amazon, Goodreads, or Bookshop.org to dig deeper and vet the books that pique my interest. But then I must take another step to see if my local library has it available. Often it was easier to click that book into my cart and purchase it. But then it’s even harder to abandon a book you’ve paid for if it doesn’t fit. I needed one place to discover books AND borrow them easily.
The Library Extension
Then I found a Chrome browser extension called “Library” that changed everything. The Library extension works seamlessly with Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookshop.org to show me if a book I’m looking at is available at the library, without switching tabs. This not only saves me from impulse purchasing books I might not enjoy, but also saves a ton of time. It has become my favorite way to manage my reading list.
When I click on a specific book on a third-party site, the library extension loads on the far right side of the screen and shows if my library has a copy of the book, what format the book is in, and whether or not the book is available to check out. If I want to place a hold, one click takes me right to my library page where I can do that.
My Current Go-To Place
Lately my favorite place to browse is Bookshop.org. This site is an online bookstore created specifically to support independent bookstores.
Instead of all your purchases feeding a massive corporation, Bookshop shares profits with local bookshops across the country, helping keep small community stores alive. You still get detailed book descriptions, reviews, curated lists, and easy online ordering – but with the added benefit of knowing your money is supporting real bookstores and real readers.
It’s a great alternative to Amazon if you enjoy discovering books thoughtfully and want your reading habit to have a positive impact.
Choosing Books for My Specific Needs and Likes
Once borrowing books became easier, I realized I still had a reading problem I needed to solve. The library extension fixed my access problem. But making a good book choice still felt heavy. I sometimes struggled to choose books that matched what I felt like reading at that moment.
I need more than ‘a good book recommendation’. Mood matters to me; sometimes I want to read something comforting and escaping, other times I’m up for more of a challenge. A book can be great, but not right for every moment. Discerning this takes some thoughtful energy, and it can be a bit much when all I want to do is dive into a good read.
This led me to build a simple tool that helps me describe what kind of book I’m in the mood for and then suggests titles that fit. It works alongside the library extension, giving me solid recommendations to explore online. If you’re a reader like me who wants the entire process of choosing books to feel easier again, I made this for you. It helps narrow your choices and reduces overwhelm so you can focus on reading, not finding something to read.
If you’d like to try it, I’ve made the tool available free here: https://friendsover50.com/tools/find-your-next-great-read/.
It also includes access to a free reading tracker and a quick video showing how to install the Library Chrome extension.
In Conclusion
When reading started to feel like too much ‘work’ was involved, I knew something needed to change. A few tools helped make it much lighter. As my reading tastes continue to evolve, I’m confident I’ll be able to easily choose and find the right books quickly and get back to a hobby I’ve enjoyed since childhood. At this stage of life, I want reading to feel less like another thing to manage and more like the simple pleasure it used to be.
Let’s Chat:
Where do you get book recommendations from? Have your reading tastes evolved? Do you find it more difficult to look up and choose books?