About I Want to Read a Book
I started this site because choosing a book started to feel harder than it should be.
There are endless recommendations, rankings, trends, and opinions—but very little help answering the question most people are actually asking:
What should I read right now?
I Want to Read a Book is a growing collection of thoughtful book lists organized by moods, questions, and moments in life rather than genres or popularity. Every post begins the same way—I want to read a book about…—because that’s usually how the thought begins in real life.
Each list includes a small, carefully chosen group of books, along with brief notes about what each one is like, what stayed with me, and who it might be right for. This isn’t a review site, and it isn’t meant to be definitive. It’s a place for clear, human recommendations—without hype, pressure, or algorithms.
How I think about books
I believe reading is not about consuming more books, but about choosing the right one at the right time.
I’m drawn to books that are thoughtful, honest, and generous. I don’t believe every book is for every reader—and I think that’s a good thing. Context matters. Timing matters. Mood matters.
When I recommend a book here, it’s because I think it has something real to offer—not because it’s trending, universally loved, or considered essential.
This site isn’t about finishing lists or keeping up. It’s about finding books that meet you where you are—and sometimes help you see where you might go next. And sometimes it’s just about being entertained. Brain breaks are real.
How to use this site
If you know what you’re in the mood for, start with a phrase that sounds like the thought in your head.
If you don’t, that’s okay too. Browse. Skim. Read a few intros. Let something catch.
There’s no right order, no required reading, and no expectation that you’ll agree with every choice. The goal is simply to make choosing your next book feel a little quieter—and a little easier.
I read widely and slowly, and I care less about finishing books than about what they leave behind.
I Want to Read a Book 