Can anyone suggest a strategy for organizing my next read.  I like so many different genres.  I nearly have a panic attack when I'm about to finish a book because now I'll have to choose which one to read next. 

I choose from the books that are already wishlishted on my TBR pile.  That way as soon as I finish I can mail it out and get another credit! :)  Also helps a person waiting for the book.

I try to mix up genres so if I'm finishing a mystery/thriller, I might go for a memoir or general fiction or young adult.  I have such a huge TBR library, that I also have a smaller TBR must read pile and I try to pick from that.  Or I read the books that I'm using in a swap.  Or I try to read one of the many books I've checked out from the library.

Right now, I have about 6 books that I'm definitely going to read next!

I try to mix it up, too.  I usually go literature -> non-fiction -> genre -> ss collection/anthology.  I'm not super strict about it, but it can be useful in choosing from the giant TBR pile.

"I have such a huge TBR library, that I also have a smaller TBR must read pile"

Rhonda, I do the same thing!  My "read next" piles (one fiction, one non-fiction) are on a little table in my hallway.  I pick something from there most of the time, unless I just received something in the mail or at the resale shop that calls out to me!  Or, unless I'm reading something for an online group...or a library book that's due soon...  I've had to limit myself because I like mysteries so much, and I read them so quickly, that I was neglecting the other genres--so now I try to start a mystery only every other book.  In between I start a non-fiction or a non-mystery fiction.    

Just think, non-readers don't have to worry about any of this!

I really appreciate you all sharing your ideas.  I especially like the idea of a small table.  Cause the big stack is to overwhelming.  I could have finished another book in the time it takes to go through it.  Well maybe thats a little exaggerated.

Thanks

For me, deciding which book to read next is a science. I feel like it's a life or death decision every time. There is no rhyme or reason to my decisions; I base them purely on my mood at the time. I do, though, try to read equal amounts of contemporary and classic lit.

For me, deciding which book to read next is a science. I feel like it's a life or death decision every time. There is no rhyme or reason to my decisions; I base them purely on my mood at the time. I do, though, try to read equal amounts of contemporary and classic lit.

I really laughed at this statement, because it best describes what my process is for picking that next book.  I can get caught reading series, rereading a good hot romance or sloughing through the novel highly recommended that is wish listed by 100 people.  I don't let that fact that there are 500+ books waiting to be read deter me from reading books that no one will ever want. 

I am trying to do the SCIFI challenge and that is as close as I can get to structure - 26 books in one year by 36 different criteria.  I have about 200 SCIFI books waiting to be read so this should be fun.

I try to read the books that I have had the longest.  But sometimes I will grab the book that really stands out for me at that particular moment.

Usually I am in the mood for a specific genre and just grab something that fits that. But if I just can't decide and don't have any game books to read: then I usually pick a WL book that has a short WL or a fast moving WL-so I can get them posted before they go from WL to heavily posted. 

I don't make myself put WL books as a priority though.  I used to do that and it kind of took the fun out of reading for me.  It's ok to read and post non-WL books. 

or I get started reading on a certain topic, or someone gives me a book with a strong recommendation, or the book I've just finished leads me to another (by the same author, or on the same subject, etc.)  If I've just read a "hernia special" (hundreds of pages tome), I'm not likely to start another, though.  I might turn to a book of short stories, as an 'antidote', for instance.  What is great about belonging to PBS is that a reader has CHOICES . . . .

I've found that eeny meeny miney moe works for me.

I really enjoy all the responses thanks so much for the different perspectives.

I am grateful for PBS friends.

I sometimes find that just taking a day or 2 off reading and catching up on shows I've TIVO'd or movies I've wanted to see helps. It'll usually put me in the mood for a certain genre or plot line. 

Like many, I tend to be in the mood for a specific genre.  On the rare occasions that I just can''t decide, I pick a letter of the alphabet, and find an author whose last name starts with that letter.

I have a list of my ongoing series and books that are being made into movies, and I refer to that list once in awhile.  I like to read the book before seeing the movie so I try to do that before it hits theaters.  And in series, if I go too long before reading the next one, I forget what the previous book was about.  Cozy mysteries I can catch right up on, but others with an ongoing plot I try not to wait too long, otherwise I end up re-reading and I already have enough books to read!

I use a lot of the strategies other have mentioned, but one that can feature very strongly in my decision-making that no one else has talked about yet is guilt.

I can feel guilt for a lot of reasons. . . if I have a book that a lot of people have wishlisted and that I think I probably won't want to keep, I'll feel guilty for not making it a priority. . . if there's a book my dad really wants me to read that I haven't gotten to yet I'll feel guilty and bring it to the top of the stack. . . if there's just a book that I've had on my "I'm reading this month" lists for three or more months in a row I'll feel guilty for slighting the author and read it next. . . if I've been reading a lot of fantasy and feel like my mental chops are rotting I'll feel guilty and read something "good" for me. . .

But then, I'm insane. :)

Guilt that is definitely a new idea.  Maybe we can start a quilters anonymous group.  Or how about I give you my list and you can bug me about it and you give me yours and I'll bug you about yours (HA HA).

I asked this question in all seriousness, but I enjoying the answers so much I've concluded I'm insane too!

But still,

Thankful in SC

Sometimes, if I really can't settle on a book to read, I pick a few that look interesting and let my cat choose. The one that gets sniffed the most wins! :)