How to Choose Books That Match Your Mood

Ever packed the perfect book… only to stare at it on a sun lounger and think, absolutely not? We’ve all been there (especially on a Reading Retreat). Because here’s the truth: your mood matters just as much as the book does.

The good news? You don’t need a colour-coded spreadsheet or a PhD in plot twists to get it right. You just need to tune into how you’re feeling—and match your next read accordingly. Here’s our two cents on how to choose books that meet you exactly where you are:

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Feeling Light, Flirty, and Fabulous?

Read: A romcom with great banter and even better tension.

Think: Emily Henry, Tessa Bailey, or anything involving an enemies-to-lovers beach house.

This is your cocktail-at-lunch, feet-in-the-pool kind of vibe. Think sunshine, spice, and the literary equivalent of a group chat with your funniest friends.

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Feeling a Little Heartbroken (Or Just Want to Cry a Bit)?

Read: A tender, character-driven novel that makes you feel seen.

Think: Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton or The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller.

Perfect for rainy mornings or quiet solo dinners where you want to feel all the feelings in the best possible way.

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Feeling Smart, Curious, and a Bit Existential?

Read: Literary fiction that asks big questions.

Think: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin or The Idiot by Elif Batuman.

Great for when you want to be emotionally invested and mentally stimulated. Best paired with a strong coffee and a stronger opinion.

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Feeling Like You Want to Be Ruined (In the Best Way)?

Read: A dark romance, spicy fantasy, or morally questionable page-turner.

Think: Verity, The Serpent and the Wings of Night, or Haunting Adeline.

This is a no-judgement zone. If you want to read about a morally grey villain who would burn the world down for you… lean in.

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Feeling Restless, Anxious, or Just Tired?

Read: A cosy mystery, comforting classic, or low-stakes contemporary.

Think: The Thursday Murder Club, Pineapple Street, or even a nostalgic reread.

This is your literary comfort food. Nothing too heavy, just a book that feels like a soft jumper and a warm cup of tea.

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Feeling Adventurous and a Little Bit Wild?

Read: A sweeping historical epic or high-stakes thriller.

Think: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Night Circus, or Big Little Lies.

For the moments when you want to be anywhere but here—these are the books that take you places.

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Books don’t have to be “good” in a literary sense to be right for you in the moment. The best reading experiences happen when your mood and your book are in sync—whether that means ugly crying on a plane or reading smut in a five-star spa robe.

So go ahead. Choose based on vibes. And if you change your mind mid-retreat, well… that’s why you packed five.