Try-a-Chapter Determines My Next Read // Mood Reader Struggles
So, the thing is, I have so many books I want to read.
But the problem, as most mood readers will understand, is that my brain just won’t settle on one choice. I’ll start one book and be like “well, I think I’m in the mood for that one instead,” but then get too far into the one I originally chose to start a new book.
This is the reason why I take picking out my next read very, very seriously.
I’m in-between books right now (if you don’t count the other 2/3 of To Sleep In a Sea of Stars that I put on hold…) and saw earlier that a Booktuber had posted a “try-a-chapter”, so I figured, why not! That seems like as good of a method as any to choosing my next read.
So, below, you’ll find which books I tried a chapter of, and which one I ultimately decided to go with!
(Most of these are featured in my recent post, ‘Books I’d Love to Read for Halloween but Probably Won’t Because I’m Unpredictable!‘. Maybe I’m not so unpredictable after all….?)
Hmm, while this one definitely sounds intriguing, I think I’m in the mood for something with a bit of romance. Also don’t know if I’m down to constantly analyze prose, which I’m guessing is a heavy topic in this.
Also, having 7 characters, I don’t think I’m in the headspace to pick this one up just yet. Right now I need a main character that I can just….love and adore, I guess?
This is SO intriguing! I mean, I’m like halfway done with the book now given that the first chapter is 18 pages (just kidding, but wow! I’m such a short chapter kinda gal).
It’s definitely on the contender list! I was thrown off by the modern reference to a Hydro Flask and then the sentence immediately after was Yadriel dumping chicken blood out of it. Made me laugh!
Okay, well now I’m heartbroken.
How can the first four pages of this already wreck me?? Guys, I know this is incredibly basic and predictable, but I might just have to pick this one up. I’m already hooked and want to cry for how tragic Addie’s life is. I loved the Shades of Magic trilogy, and while some people have felt this one was a letdown, I feel like I just won’t be able to resist V.E. Schawb’s magic.
Bah, another contender.
So this was definitely a bit confusing and one that I think will either be a big hit or a big miss. I from the first “prologue” part, I’m intrigued. Though from what I know of this story, it might potentially be really sad and I jus don’t have the emotional energy to be ripped apart by a tragic romance?? Maybe as my next book.
Also, long chapters just turn me off so much. I am 1000x more likely to read more in one sitting if I have short chapters. This books chapters seem very, very long.
This one has been at the top of my list for a bit now and I’m thinking it might be like a “just read it already” type of ordeal?
Though I’m intrigued by the first chapter, I think I’m more interested in Furyborn right now because I could go for a nice good fantasy. I’m gonna give this one one more chapter, because I am still on the fence!
Oh no!!! This is already amazing oh my goodness and that ENDING of chapter 1!! I already know that I’m going to love this and that it’s going to wreck my soul, which still makes me nervous to read it, but I just ugh I need to.
I loved that the chapter basically covered like two entire years of Rin’s existence. If the rest of the story moves just as quickly, I bet it’s one of those that you just can’t put down.
Behold, the eternal struggles of a mood reader. Even after reading the first chapter of all of these, I am STILL conflicted!!
But, I think my heart is pulling me in the direction of either Addie LaRue or The Poppy War, and since Addie just recently came out and I’d love to stay somewhat ~up to date~ with new releases, I’m going to go ahead and read that one.
BUT, do not worry, TPW stans, because I’m keeping this one on my bedside table for my next read! Then, I’ll dive into either The Beautiful, or Furyborn.
Which one of these would you pick?
Thank you for reading, friends! (:
12 Comments
Westveil Publishing
My pick would be The Poppy War, because I’ve seen more positive reviews of that one and more meh reviews of Addie LaRue.
erin
Very fair choice, I feel like if I push off Addie I’m less likely to read it than if I pushed off TPW, if that makes sense??
Mehsi
I love this post, so creative/original! I had fun seeing your thoughts on first chapters and seeing which you may just go for. I hope you enjoy your two picks~ I would also go for Addie, but also for Cemetery Boys! Hopefully I can read both someday. *crosses fingers*
erin
Thank you so much! ♥ Both seem so good, I don’t know how the universe expected me to choose!! Hope you get to them one day! (:
Dini @ dinipandareads
You’ve seen medicore reviews for Addie LaRue? Because I haven’t seen a bad one yet! 😅 Haha pretty much all of the bloggers I follow have been raving about Addie and I would definitely choose to read it. That said, I have read TPW and it was soulcrushingly good. SOULCRUSHINGLY GOOD… I think Addie could probably be pretty emotionally wrecking as well, but probably not as intense as TPW? So, I guess it depends on how hard you want your emotions crushed LOL. Can’t wait to hear what you think of whichever book you choose though 😉 Happy reading!
erin
Really omg I feel like I saw so many like “it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t what I was expecting” but maybe that’s okay because now I don’t have any expectations going in!! So far it’s really good so fingers crossed 😅 Ugh TPW is next!!! I need to finally get to it. Thank you!! ♥
Ruby Rae Reads
Omg love this list!! And hope you continue to love all of these. All of them are also on my tbr and I’m excited to read them but perhaps now more excited haha. Especially Addie LaRue and Cemetery Boys, both of them sound brilliant. And ah I’m petrified to read The Poppy War but NEED to asap!! Not prepared to have my soul ripped apart hehe
Such a lovely post Erin <3<3<3<3
erin
RIGHT thats why I’m scared to read TPW like I’m NOT stable enough to handle my heart being broken!! Hope we both get through it (relatively) unscathed 😅
Vicky I What Vicky Read
This is such a fun post! I’ve recently read Addie and would definitely say to make that your pick! I’ve got TPW on my TBR for this month though and hearing your thoughts on the first chapter has me excited! I’d also be tempted by Cemetery Boys but long chapters are also not my thing, much prefer short, snappier ones!
erin
Aw thank you!! (: Just finished Addie last night, definitely glad I picked it up!! I hope you adore The Poppy War just as much as everyone else seems to, I’m so excited to finally start it!! ♥
Veronika @ Wordy and Whimsical
I really loved The Poppy War – and I was so invested from the first chapter, so I get why that would be a good contender – and I hope you’ll enjoy it. I loved Cemetery Boys even more – it was so wholesome, oh my god – so I hope you’ll get to it soon. 🙂 Happy reading!
erin
I just started The Poppy War and it’s SO good already, I can see why you were hooked! ♥