Ultimate Mood Reader Guide (Pros and Cons)
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Our mood and feelings affect our actions. It is no surprise that a mood reader would read according to how they feel.
Growing up as a teen I was definitely a mood reader, I read books that I felt like reading and therefore indulged in the books that made me feel good.
However, after university, I started book reviewing and was no longer mood reading. Instead, I had to stick to a pile of TBR.
Having been both, a mood reader and a TBR lister, I can say that these days, I’m often switching between the two.
This article aims to be the ultimate guide to mood reading.
You’ll learn more about whether you’re a mood reader or a TBR lister, pros and cons of both, what are the most common mood reading feelings and how you can read more books despite being a mood reader!
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What Is A Mood Reader?
By definition, a mood reader is someone who reads according to their current state of mind.
In this case, a mood reader would ditch the next book in line because they just don’t feel like reading that type of genre. Maybe he or she is feeling like reading fantasy instead of non-fiction and would therefore pick up a fantasy book instead.
This is the basic and standard definition of being a mood reader in the bookish community.
However, the mood reader meaning can vary from one person to another.
It is not just limited to genres, it could be in the mood to read a thinner book or maybe in the mood to read from a kindle or audiobook instead of a physical book.
So are you a mood reader? Feel like you might be a TBR lister? Maybe both? Read further to see which one are you and how you can make the most out of it!
What Does TBR Mean?
TBR is a fairly common term among readers, The meaning of TBR simply stands for “to be read”.
TBR list is a list of books that you would want to read now or in the near future. Most people are not able to control their ever-growing TBR list because the world just has too many books that are waiting to be read!
This is definitely a problem to me, I have an uncontrollable amount of books sitting on my shelf, waiting to be read. Some of these books are purchased or gifted to me by family and friends from 3-5 years ago.
As mentioned, some months I stick to a TBR and therefore my TBR list does get shortened, but then there are months where I just want to read based on how I feel.
The struggle is real. Feel me?
As a book reviewer, I have to sometimes say NO or stop myself from receiving more books from publishers/book distributors because I have not read and reviewed the books that they have sent me previously.
Sometimes, this makes me feel guilty but I know that I’m not alone. It is a common problem in the bookish community.
Mood Reader VS TBR Lister
So now that you know what a mood reader is and TBR meaning too, which one are you?
A mood reader who reads based on how they feel? Or a TBR lister who sets some titles aside for the month and try their best to finish them?
Here are some pros and cons of being a mood reader or a TBR lister:
Pros Of Being A Mood Reader
1. Reading At Your Own Preference And Pace
As a mood reader you are most likely to pick any book that you prefer and read at your own time.
This could be a good thing as you won’t have to pressure yourself into reading something you don’t like.
You probably also “go with the flow” and don’t set too tight deadlines to finish a book.
2. You Already Know What Book To Read
Most of the time if you’re a mood reader, you don’t have to waste time choosing a book from your TBR pile because you already know what mood you’re in and therefore read accordingly.
In this case, it saves you the time and trouble of indecisiveness a TBR lister would have to go through.
Cons of Being A Mood Reader
1. Unable To Read Review Copies On Time
If you’re a book review and a mood reader, I feel your pain. It can be really challenging to finish reading review copies (especially advanced copies) when you’re not in the mood for that specific title or genre.
At times the responsibility and commitment can guilt-trip you and reading is no longer fun anymore. Instead, it may seem like a chore.
Not only that, if you’re a bookstagrammer, the social media pressure to consistently churn out book reviews on time can be very exhausting.
2. Reading More Than One Book At A Time
Although being able to read more than one book at a time can be a good thing. For a mood reader, this might be quite the opposite.
This is because it can cause distraction. Every time your mood changes you pick up another genre or another form of reading, such as an ebook.
Because really, it depends on your mood! Therefore, you might not be able to finish any one of the books that you are reading simultaneously.
3. Develop Genre Exhaustion
Because you are so in the mood for a particular genre or book series, it may eventually lead you to burnout.
Not just any burnout, genre exhaustion.
Genre exhaustion or genre fatigue happens when one gets tired of reading a certain genre because they read too many books within that genre at a certain period of time.
Think of it as eating a pizza, how would you feel after eating two large pizzas instead of a few slices?
You will most likely feel bloated and sick. Like food, books can give us pleasure too. However, if you overdo it, you may get sick of it.
4. Inconsistent Reading Habit
When you’re in the mood, you can read a whole book, maybe 10 books!
But when you’re just not in the mood to read, the mood may persist for days, months and honestly, even years.
Mood readers can develop an inconsistency in reading which can also cause them to go into a long book slump.
It’s either book coma or a book slump, no in-between!
Pros of Being A TBR Lister
1. You Can Take Part In Challenges/Reading Goals
As a TBR lister, you are most likely to stick to reading challenges or goals.
Reading challenges are great because they push you to step out of your comfort zone and read genres or authors you never thought you would.
Besides, these challenges allow you to interact with similar people participating in these challenges and this can definitely build your bookish network.
2. Able To Commit To A Buddy Read or BookClub
Similar to the above point, buddy reads or book clubs allow you to meet new people within the book community.
Virtual book clubs or buddy reads via Instagram allow you to meet people of different cultures and can definitely teach you more about the world, not just through books.
3. Personal Growth Through Reading
Because you’re able to take part in challenges, set reading goals and commit to book clubs, you’re able to push yourself to go the extra mile.
You are able to develop skills such as discipline and perseverance.
Besides, curating a list of tbr allows you to read a mix and match of different genres that can broaden your knowledge. Unlike a mood reader, who might stick to genres they are comfortable with.
Cons of Being A TBR Lister
1. Mentally Draining
Trying to keep up to date with your current TBR pile can be tiring.
TBR listers can also slip into a book slump because of all the commitments they made to read certain books by a certain time.
Some people set a monthly list of titles they have to read, or maybe a monthly book count which can be pretty difficult to meet if life experiences does not allow it.
2. Book Hoarding
Is it just me or TBR listers tend to buy or keep more books than they’ll ever read.
I guess the mindset of having a TBR list allows them to keep adding to it. This can really get addictive and out of hand.
Not only it breaks your bank, but limited space to shelve books at home can be an issue too.
From a wider perspective, books come from trees and environmentally, hoarding printed books is not really sustainable.
So which is best?
Mood reader? TBR lister?
Personally, a mix of being a mood reader and a TBR lister is good for me. I get the best of both worlds. Balance is the key!
Mood Reading Feelings You’ve Probably Been Through.
Some mood reading feelings are unavoidable, almost everyone has them. Whether they’re a mood reader or TBR lister.
It doesn’t matter, as long as you’re a reader. You’ve been there, done that.
Here are some mood reading examples you have probably been through:
1. The Book Coma
The one who cannot put a book down. They’re that addicted to it.
2. The Hungover
The one who cannot get over the last book they read. Sometimes, they feel so strongly that they don’t read for days or weeks because they just cannot move on.
3. The Commitment Freak
The one who keeps switching between books because they just cannot commit to one!
4. The Rereaders
Loyal readers of a certain book series or stand-alone novels usually do this. Although they’ve finished the series, they still can’t get enough!
How Can I Get In The Mood To Read?
This is a common struggle among mood readers.
But if it helps, here are some ways you can get in the mood to read more:
- Ignore book challenges and reading goals as they can be pressuring on mood readers.
- Ebooks and audiobooks may help you feel differently about reading.
- Read a familiar and comforting genre when you really don’t feel like reading.
- It is okay to DNF (do not finish) a book. Move on and try not to feel guilty.
So there you have it, a complete and concise guide on mood reading. I hope this helps you identify if you are a mood reader or a TBR lister. Maybe this article will help you incorporate reading habits from both sides and this may help you with reading more effectively.
FAQs about Mood Reading
Wrap-Up: Mood Reading Guide
I hope this comprehensive guide to mood reading has helped you figure out if you’re a mood reader or not. And hopefully, with this guide, you’ll be able to overcome common challenges of being a mood reader.
Can’t wait to read your next write up!