Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die discussion

How do you pick your next book? Are you planners or mood readers? Do you balance big books and smaller ones? change up subject matter?

Jennifer, I'm surprised that there were no responses to your post, so I'll go first.

I have always been a big reader as I've had several awesome librarians and English teachers growing up. When I found the 1001 list via a group on Ravelry, I discovered I'd read several books already.

I read the monthly reads with the group. If I've already read the monthly read (like next month), I pick a book from a previous monthly read that I haven't read (the list goes back to 2008). That's my morning read. The afternoon/evening read is usually an epic. Right now I'm ready Remembrance of Things Past.

If nothing strikes my fancy from the past monthly reads, I pick a book at random from the list or something on my bookshelf not on the list.

I'm sitting at 575 list reads now and will hopefully reach 600 next year.

For the past few years, I’ve chosen books based on the scavenger hunt challenges, monthly group reads and A-Z challenges from this group.

I find it helps me diversify the list reads and I choose books I may not have arrived at for years. If left to my own devices, it would be most likely based on simple availability so the modern books and standard British classics would be first. Those I’ve most enjoyed have often been books I wouldn’t have chosen and I love the surprise element.

I’m more focused on female authors than male authors though - only so many middle-aged white men one can read without becoming bored ;)

I'm a mood reader, so I don't always feel like picking up a 1001 book. The last few years, I've slowed down in all my reading, especially 1001. Lately, I've been focusing on banned books, and there are definitely quite a few of the 1001 books that have been banned.