You’re not undisciplined. You’re mood reading (and that’s a good thing).
They say there’s two kinds of readers: those who choose their next book while they’re still on their current read, and those who only think about it afterward. But what do you call the reader who chooses their next book, only to suddenly change their mind once they’re supposed to start? We call this mood reading.
You might be wondering, Is this what I am? If I’m a mood reader, what does that say about me? And even, I don’t want to be undisciplined. How can I stick with my TBR?
As a proud mood reader, I’m here to tell you that there’s absolutely nothing wrong with mood reading. In fact, I’m going to make a case for it in this blog post, because being a mood reader isn’t a flaw or even a problem that has to be solved. With a little reframing, embracing your instincts as a mood reader can transform your reading life.
Let’s get into it!
Some links are affiliate links to Bookshop.org, and I may earn a small commission. A portion of every sale supports indie bookstores, too!
What mood reading actually is (and what people get wrong about it)
Mood reading is when your emotions, mental health, energy levels, and environment shape what you want to read. (It’s also less commonly used to describe folks who only read when they’re in the mood.)
Being a mood reader can be tricky, especially in our current social landscape where so many of our hobbies are visible. How in the world can you keep up with a TBR, reading tracker, or even a book club when your reading mood changes so often?
Some people think mood reading is chaotic or undisciplined, because mood readers have a harder time following book lists or even self-imposed reading schedules.
But mood reading isn’t the absence of discipline—it’s the innate ability to prioritize your emotions as your reading guide, rather than external influences.
As mood readers, we know that picking a book at the wrong moment doesn’t land, even when it’s a book we would otherwise love!
When we learn to see mood reading as our unique inner compass, it opens the door for us to develop a reading practice that feels fulfilling, joyful, and uniquely us. Who doesn’t want that?
Signs you might be mood reading, even if you’ve never used the term
If mood reading is based on individual ~vibes~, how do you know if you are one? It’s easier to spot than you think!
Here are a few signs you might be a mood reader:
- You have a TBR, but you end up veering off course and picking up a book you didn’t plan to read.
- You frequently switch between a variety of genres that seem unrelated to each other, from gothic horror to 20th century romance.
- You choose what to read based on where you’re reading. Going on vacation, reading in the park, or sitting in the waiting room of your dentist’s office all require different book companions.
- You search for specific book tropes within a genre based on your emotional state, like slow burn romances or enemies to lovers.
- You regularly change up your reading format from a paperback and hardcover, to ebooks and audiobooks.
- It’s completely normal for you to read more than one book at a time.
Does any of this resonate with you? If so, then you’re most likely a mood reader!
How to know what your reading mood is telling you
When you can’t pick up the book you were “supposed” to read next, your body and brain are communicating their needs to you. This is important data, so it’s your job to listen!
Sometimes you instinctively know what you actually want to read. (Good for you!) Other times, our feelings are harder to understand. Ask yourself:
- What genre do I want to read?
- What length do I want my book to be?
- How much emotional capacity do I have?
- How do I want to feel?
- Do I want something familiar, or something new?
You might even have different answers to these questions on the same day, which is okay! You’ll be a pro at understanding your reading moods soon enough.
Mood reading vs. seasonal reading: are they the same thing?
Seasonal reading is choosing what books to read based on winter, spring, summer, and fall. It can be a really fun way of staying present with the world around us, especially if you also like pairing your reading with seasonal hobbies, activities, and travel.
It’s also a bit more anticipatory. As a seasonal reader, you might plan to read something scary or mysterious in October, and then transition to something slow and atmospheric for November.
In comparison, mood reading goes beyond curating a list of seasonal books for yourself four times a year. As a mood reader, your book choices are dictated not only by the weather, but also on your emotional bandwidth and daily experiences.
Let’s say that it’s late September here in the northeastern United States, and the fall vibes are well underway.
The literary fiction book Autumn, by Ali Smith, is a novel I would read during this season. The medium-pace and melancholic prose are perfect for a time when I start to slow down and become a bit more introspective.
In contrast, the historical fiction/thriller Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr is a book I would read in the fall if I felt like diving into a suspenseful page-turner before the spooky season in October.
See how mood reading fits under the umbrella of seasonal reading? I personally consider myself to be both!
Read more about seasonal living and reading in my year-round guide.
Why mood readers struggle with traditional TBRs
At its foundation, mood reading requires flexibility. Unfortunately for us, traditional TBRs are too structured to be of much use, and can eventually become overwhelming.
After all, the version of you who added a book to your TBR may not be the same version of you who’s ready to read it today.
When we force ourselves to stick with a reading plan, monthly challenge, reading list, etc. that’s out of alignment with our emotions, it can have dire consequences for our relationship with reading.
You might find yourself DNFing books often, losing the excitement for reading, or even experiencing every reader’s worst nightmare: a reading slump! (And if you think you’re already there, head to this blog post where I write all about reading slumps and how to get past them.)
The problem isn’t that mood readers shouldn’t have TBRs—it’s that we’re using them in a way that causes friction for how we’re naturally built.
Reading isn’t different from other hobbies that we engage in for fun, learning, self-development, community, and more. So why do we treat it like a pass/fail homework assignment?
Can a mood reader still have a TBR?
The short answer is: yes, absolutely.
But instead of treating your TBR as a strict meal plan, think of it as more of a well stocked pantry. Keep it full of things you actually want, organize it by categories that are important to you, and pull from it based on what you feel like eating that day.
In practice, this can look like organizing your all-up TBR into seasons, moods, energy levels, places you like to read, and more. That should help you easily choose a book that fits the mood you’re in right now!
It’s also important to regularly review your TBR and remove any books that you no longer want to read. I like to start by reviewing my oldest additions first, and I even give myself a limit to how many books I can add. (My magical number is 75. Wild, I know.)
That way, my TBR becomes a manageable list of books I’m invested in reading, rather than a long and scary to-do list filled with the aspirational dreams of past me.
Five reading moods I keep coming back to
Even though I cycle through many reading moods, I now have a few that I regularly crave—especially as I’ve gotten to know myself better. Here are my top five, along with the books that I’ve picked up when the mood hits:
When I want comfort:
Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo
Genre: Literary fiction, magic realism
A comforting read to me is safe and familiar. I’m not looking to be challenged too much, although a few heart-felt tears are okay. As a Dominican-American, the family dynamics in this novel remind me of the beauty in my culture, my relationship with my own sisters and mom, and the complexities of the immigrant experience.
When I want atmosphere:
Mrs. S by K. Patrick
Genre: Queer fiction
An atmospheric read is sometimes just as much about the emotional tenor of the story as the physical world around the characters. Mrs. S has both, weaving beautiful prose into the fabric of the all-girls’ boarding school where this story takes place. Desire is a deep undercurrent throughout this novel that explores queer love and attraction.
When I want to feel something:
Liliana’s Invincible Summer: A Sister’s Search for Justice by Cristina Rivera Garza
Genre: Nonfiction, feminism
A book that makes me feel something has to change me viscerally. This haunting memoir, written by the sister of a murder victim, is both a documentation of the search for justice and a memorial to the life of a free-spirited, creative, and loved young woman whose life ended too soon—and then was rendered invisible by systemic violence.
When I want to think deeply:
The Day the World Stops Shopping by J.B. MacKinnon
Genre: Sociology
When I’m in the mood to think deeply, I gravitate towards a nonfiction book that’ll teach me something new. This book certainly does that, addressing the dire need for us to fix our consumption problem if we want to combat climate change, experience emotional wellness, and connect with our communities.
When I want to disappear into a story:
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Genre: Science fiction
Experiencing an immersive read allows me to disconnect from my day-to-day, and quiet my mind. As soon as I began Never Let Me Go, I was captivated by what the main character, Kathy, wasn’t sharing—why are she and her peers sequestered in a school? Who are they? What are they being raised to do? Secrets abound, and finding the answers may be the job of a lifetime.
What it looks like to mood read on purpose
It’s too easy to fall into a comparison trap with reading. You might think, Maybe I should read just one book at a time, or, I wish that my reading tastes didn’t change so often. Trust me, I’ve been there too!
But reading with intention as a mood reader means freeing yourself from strict schedules and TBRs that don’t jive with how you operate. It means making space to get to know yourself well, and then trusting yourself enough to make those changes.
Let this be your sign to build a different relationship with reading. Reading the right book, at the right time, is what you’ll get to experience every single day when you start choosing yourself.
