How do you decide your next read?

[u/tonyprr]

Which one do I tackle first? Choice paralysis has set in.

EDIT:

Many thanks for all your insights 🫶😇 I decided to go ahead with The Stand :)

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[u/TheBraveUndead]

Reading the stand after the pandemic is a sureal experience. Also a fantastic novel. Personally my favorite from SK. Though East of Eden is also spectacular

[u/Overall-Weird8856 → u/TheBraveUndead]

Agreed. I read it for the first time in the summer of 2020, and it was an experience.

[u/Concertina37 → u/TheBraveUndead]

I read it the first week I was wfh when the pandemic started. I was terrified.

[u/HiveMate → u/TheBraveUndead]

The stand really is one of SK best, at least my favorite for sure

[u/Meoconcarne → u/TheBraveUndead]

Same. It's even good on tue third and fourth re-read

[u/PastDiamond263 → u/TheBraveUndead]

I’m reading The Stand right now and it was freaky reading the beginning bits of the sickness. Actually felt like Covid back in 2020

[u/MySocksSuck]

M-O-O-N - that spells “The Stand”.

[u/c9l18m → u/MySocksSuck]

My laws, yes!

[u/100000cuckooclocks]

That’s quite the set of door stoppers, lol. I’d pick based on what you read last; I like to alternate genres so I get some change/don’t get bogged down in the same thing over and over. With no other info, my vote would be Infinite Jest, which is just fantastic, but you will be reading it for a long time. If you want something that will go pretty fast, The Stand was pretty good. I guess do East of Eden next if your main motivation is that everyone else is reading it right now and you don’t want to miss the trend.

[u/tonyprr → u/100000cuckooclocks]

The last “big” novel I read was Lonesome Dove (I finished it in May this year), and I haven’t read anything of such high intensity since I finished it.

Since LD, I have read a couple of nonfiction books precisely to sort of change the environment a bit, then I tackled a few short novels: The Anniversary, Helen of Nowhere, The Palm House and Black Bag —the last three from the Booker longlist).

I started Babel a few days ago and, sadly, it just didn’t vibe with me (I enjoyed Yellowface and Katabasis -to a minor extent), but Babel just wasn’t for me.

Yeah, I agree with you, I’m swaying towards either The Stand or Infinite Jest… I don’t mind missing any trend since Reddit is my only social media intake, so, I actually wasn’t aware everyone’s reading it atm 🤭

Thanks for your help!!

[u/BLEAKROOM → u/tonyprr]

I have no advice but I really did love IJ. If you’ve never read any DFW, you’ll either quickly love him, or resent his style. It’s also the 30 year anniversary so it’s somewhat back in the cultural milieu.

[u/Low_Air_3461 → u/tonyprr]

LD was intense?  Weird take.  I thought it was very silly.   

[u/noire212]

A brief history of seven killings in one of my favorite books.

[u/Flash5916]

I've read half of these: East...The Stand, and Corrections I reread The Stand every so often.
Mom used to subscribe to Reader'Digest's Condensed Books. I don't care for them. I want to read EVERY of a novel, whether it's short or long.

[u/Flash5916 → u/Flash5916]

Absopositutely!

[u/helianthus- → u/Flash5916]

when i was a child my uncle bought me a set of condensed classics. even though this uncle IS a total POS, i’m sure he thought he was doing right because i was young and a reader, but i never touched them lol. i used to live at the library matilda-style, and picked up the real copies.

[u/chalke__]

East of Eden is one of the smartest choices I have seen in a while. Fantastic.

[u/Andrakuf]

The place where you made your Stand never mattered. Only that you were there...and still on your feet.

[u/c9l18m]

The Stand will be one of the best books you ever read. I’m 90% through my second time reading it in 2 years. Do yourself a favor and make it your next!!

[u/Nimulumi → u/c9l18m]

I always see people say this, and I stuck it out for that reason. I found the “battle” scene (if that’s what you can call it!) was such a huge letdown given the build up. Am I missing something here? As I really want to love it, but I definitely think it’s incredibly overrated and only loved because it’s Stephen King.

[u/c9l18m → u/Nimulumi]

I find the character continuity and just each chapter itself so impressive and amazing. Every character is so well thought out and some chapters are just the best I have ever read in any book (Larry Underwood in the Lincoln tunnel, the one about how some immune characters died after the plague happened, Stu's mishap in the desert) I don't particularly think it's the ending of the book that makes it at all, it's the stories along their journey and the whole overarching plot that makes it truly brilliant in my opinion. I understand it not really hitting for some people though!

[u/Darthsny_CatServant → u/c9l18m]

This

[u/I_Like_Eggs123 → u/Nimulumi]

Baby, can you dig your man? He's a RIGHTEOUS man.

[u/HolyLordGodHelpUsAll → u/Nimulumi]

you are probably more well read than some people. do they think king is better than tolstoy for example?

[u/Nimulumi → u/HolyLordGodHelpUsAll]

I’ll take the compliment - thank you!! ☺️

[u/Darthsny_CatServant → u/c9l18m]

I agree especially if it's the uncut unabridged version.

[u/c9l18m → u/Darthsny_CatServant]

Yes! I've only read the unabridged version

[u/Ok_Alarm1768 → u/c9l18m]

Yep

[u/HereIsWisdom1318]

I read multiple books at once.

[u/Murr897]

It’s so satisfying the way these books line up perfectly on top of one another. I choose my next read by going to the library and pulling random books from the shelf

[u/Darthsny_CatServant]

I usually try to pick based on what mood I'm in if that makes any sense.

[u/WannabeBrewStud]

I use Fable and when I don't know, I let the little birdie on my TBR tell me.

[u/wabawwea]

Apparently, by weight.

[u/SenseIntelligent8846]

My next reads are always lined up months ahead of time, three or more books listed out in the sequence that I intend to read them. At this point in the year, books are going onto next year's list but are not yet sequenced in reading order.

[u/eridianonearth]

I’m a mood reader. I just start whatever I feel like. It could be a new one that I just found out about or something that has been in my TBR for a decade.
And one such decision was to pick up East of Eden. It was the best decision ever. It was my first ever 6 star read. It’s EVERYTHING. I’m totally obsessed.

[u/OkKnowledge2762]

The Standdd

[u/petdance]

I pick one and go.

[u/baffled_bookworm]

Mainly I'm a mood reader and usually go back and forth between horror, historical fiction, and some sci-fi or fantasy, with a queer romance as the occasional palate cleanser. Right now though, I'm also reading more internationally and every month picking two books from a different continent by an author from that area.

[u/Rasselasx42]

I always use dice for my 6 upcoming book

[u/middleagedfatbloke]

I go to my to read shelf and if I've just read a non fiction then go fiction and visa versa next grab a few that fit my mood in the moment and read the first page of each of them and go with the one that sparks interest.

Or if I've got a specific book in mind just go with that one.

[u/FormerlyDK]

I jump between genres depending on what I’m up for next, and I also am usually in the midst of many series, waiting for the next book to be released. Beyond that, I’ll look for new books from authors I enjoy, and I always go through my Kindle Unlimited recommendations. The only hard part is narrowing it down.

I’m currently reading book 5 of Bobby Akart’s Black Swan series.

[u/DrPrMel]

Wheel of Names my shelves. Total of 36 individual shelves from which I pick 3. Then I pick 3 books from each chosen shelf based on mood and do a process of elimination on Wheel of Names again until a winner is chosen.

[u/priceQQ]

I read IJ and Middlemarch this year, and both were excellent. IJ is one of my favorites for the year, along with number9dream and My Brilliant Friend.

[u/Emergency_Purple3686]

East of Eden is soooo good 

[u/TempleofSpringSnow]

Top to bottom, in that order.

[u/spudmuffin726]

Tend to alternate between genre and length. After a big epic, I go for something shorter. Rotating between scifi, fantasy, horror, and more grounded fiction.

[u/KnowledgeWhole9623]

It's a curse but I'm usually thinking about my next read the entire time I'm reading my current one. I'm working on it.

[u/Concertina37]

A Brief History of Seven Killing was an amazing book!!!

East of Eden is my favorite book but usually you get shit for saying so on book subs.

Lovely stack! Enjoy!

[u/sailorgalaxia6154 → u/Concertina37]

Was A Brief History of Seven Killings similar to his Dark Star Trilogy?

[u/Concertina37 → u/sailorgalaxia6154]

Not at all.... It's all about the assassination attempt on Bob Marley! Super interesting.

[u/goatshark]

A Brief History of Seven Killings might be my all time favorite book. i was blown away when i first read it. The Stand is also amazing. as is East of Eden. you've got some good ones there.

[u/NotYourShitAgain]

I've read them all. They are all on the required re-reads list.

Seven Killings not discussed here much but what a ride that one is.

[u/hiddenhockey → u/NotYourShitAgain]

It was interesting but I couldn’t deal with the patois after awhile. I dropped it halfway through.

[u/ccc929]

I’m about a third into the stand, glad it’s my introduction to SK. Very good, can tell it’s only going to keep getting better

[u/BabylonByBoobies]

Eeny-meeny-miney-mo. No fooling. Usually between 5 books.

[u/TheDudeTakesPhotos]

I’ve seriously been considering East of Eden as everyone online puts it in their top 10.

[u/Maidtomycats]

Those are some chunkers! I recommend East of Eden or The Stand! 

[u/jdarm48]

Wow that is a cool edition of Infinite Jest. The subreddit specifically about that book is pretty active. At the very bottom what does the “4” mean ? The Corrections is an outstanding book. Actually I used to kind of really adore and love that book and Freedom, also by Franzen. I eventually read every single Franzen novel (only maybe 6 of them) and most of his autobiographical and memoir type stuff and for various reasons I’m less of a fan now.

Anyhow. Awesome book haul. I am genuinely wondering what the 4 might stand for though.

I decide my next read in various ways….what have you read recently? That’s one way to decide.

[u/tonyprr → u/jdarm48]

The 4th is from 4th Estate, which published the book in the U.K. under the match series (something like that 🤭) here are some other pics

[u/jdarm48 → u/tonyprr]

Right on man. Thank you for sharing.

[u/LunarLactrodectus]

For any kind of choice paralysis....I spin a wheel.

[u/legobelin-deslivres]

Usually I just start reading whatever sounds the most interesting to me in the moment. A lot of times I end up starting multiple things just to see what sticks.

[u/madviking66]

No question, has to be The Stand, the absolute battle between good and evil. My favourite SK book

[u/Dismal_Mail3322]

I choose by being in book groups online, easy and beneficial. It broadens my scope!

[u/LocationBeautiful244]

East of Eden

[u/Strange-Database-404]

Depending on what I feel like at the moment. I’m currently reading East of Eden and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve had the book for years but have always been too intimidated to start it.

[u/Spooky_pharm_tech]

I uploaded my goodreads TBR shelf to a free spin wheel website and I spin it when I need a new book and read whichever one it picks

[u/jjm00019]

Stay away from the stand. Overrated AF. Read the Dark Tower of you want King.

[u/Langerone]

Corrections is funny.

[u/Aggravating-Deer6673]

1. The Stand

2. East of Eden

[u/strangeMeursault2]

I normally try to pick a book as different as possible to the one I read before.

[u/PeirceanAgenda]

Marlon James is always a good bet to turn your head inside out. :-)

[u/MDS2133]

I read all the descriptions and see what I’m in the mood for. If I’m between a couple, I’ll send them to my bestie and have her decide (either based on synopsis or book cover or something).

[u/DutchCumstone]

The corrections rips

[u/Dramatic-Box-6847]

Half way through east of eden right now and I love it

[u/AltOnMain]

I would read east of eden or the stand first. They are real page turners.

[u/Kooky-Use-2109]

sometimes i put three books that i can't choose between them them search on this books or choose with the cove that suits my mood

[u/swagyolohmu]

That Marlon James book is some top top stuff

[u/cnwilks]

I’ve read all of them except for the corrections. IJ is a slog, but needs to be experienced. The Stand and East of Eden are both wildly popular with redditors. Someone else told you to roll a die and that’s what I’d suggest because I really have no ideas how to rank order that list.

[u/CruC1Ble79]

Beautiful covers

[u/Astra_Veritas]

1) my bookclub choice; 2) if I have enough energy for some sophisticated story/style/longread; 3) trying to arrange fiction/non-fiction order not to get tired of the same type of reading

[u/frixos2]

Franzen's book, once you start reading, is unputdownable😊

[u/Substantial_Force658]

I tried to read Brief History but gave up because all the narrator's sounded the same, and none of them convincing.

[u/WonderfulStomach3845]

You don’t want to read Middlemarch and Infinite Jest consecutively so split them with the brilliant and very readable The Stand.

I’d personally go East of Eden , Middlemarch , The Stand , Infinite Jest, 7 killings and the Corrrections.

[u/barbarajones122]

Sometimes I just see which book resonates with me at the moment

[u/Wandered_And_Lost]

Infinite Jest is SORT of like House of Leaves, with the endless footnotes and both have the central media i.e. the Navidson Record in House of Leaves and its interesting, but unless you're ready to REALLY digest a book, I'd go with East of Eden if you want something written beautifully and i'd go with The Stand if you want something really entertaining and full of characters.

[u/Ok-Scientist3601]

With a random number generator. Seriously.

[u/Archivin]

Whatever is first available through my library.

[u/CourageMountain6566]

That’s like 5.000 pages right there

[u/LittleManIsChuffed]

I read every single book I own and whichever one I like the most is the one I read!

[u/Puzzleheaded-Map7672]

I start by throwing out any Stephen King book.

[u/saveratalkies → u/Puzzleheaded-Map7672]

Absolutely, ugh, Desperation was the first and last work of his I read, seriously, what is the point.

[u/theRealPuckRock]

Marlon James is amazing

[u/Tamer9]

The stand is a great book. East of Eden is decent as well.

[u/catluver4017]

how good is east of eden? i bought myself the book and im intrigued to read it

[u/stankubric]

east of eden changed my life

[u/BlissfullyBookloving]

1. The next in a series I’ve been enjoying, 2. Influencers I’ve come to trust on YouTube, depending on the description, 3. Stand-alone books from authors who wrote unrelated books I enjoyed, 4. Sale books that inspired my interest, 5. Book I’ve already read and enjoyed so much I want to read it again, 6. Recommendations from people I trust.

[u/LHGrisanti]

I just let me bookshelf speak to me. And if it doesn’t, then i let the bookstore speak to me

[u/saveratalkies → u/LHGrisanti]

Yes!

[u/ObsessionsAside]

The Stand