I read 147 books last year. Here’s the system I use to always know what to read next, never waste money on bad books, and keep my TBR list organized.
Step 1: The Sample Test
- Read first 3 free chapters before committing
- If not hooked by chapter 3, drop it
- Look for: voice, tension, chemistry
- Sample 5-10 books at a time on Dreame (most generous free chapters)
Step 2: The Priority Stack
- Must Read Now: Can’t stop thinking about (1-2 at a time)
- Read This Month: Solid picks I’m excited about (5-8 books)
- Save for Later: Interesting but not urgent (unlimited TBR)
Step 3: The Platform Rotation
- Week 1-2: Kindle Unlimited binge (3-4 KU books)
- Week 3: Dreame (coins built up from daily check-ins)
- Week 4: GoodNovel or catch up on ongoing series
Step 4: The Review Note
After every book, I rate it and write 2-3 sentences. This helps me:
- Remember what I’ve read (they blur after 100+ books)
- Identify patterns (turns out I’m a sucker for rejection + revenge)
- Write better recommendations for this site
My Genre Breakdown
- 40% Werewolf Romance — #1 genre, mostly Dreame
- 25% Dark Romance — GoodNovel + Kindle
- 15% Fantasy Romance — Kindle Unlimited
- 10% Billionaire/CEO — Lighter palate cleansers
- 10% New/Unusual — Outside comfort zone
Monthly Budget: $15-20 for 10-15 Books
- Kindle Unlimited: $11.99
- Dreame coins: $0-5 (mostly free from check-ins)
- GoodNovel: $0 (free chapters)
- Occasional purchase: $3-5