'Mood & Vibes' Reading & Recommending
A valid way to recommend books to a general audience
This morning I received a newsletter from NetGalley with a new feature they added to enhance our reviews
You can select as many of these moods as you want:
Lighthearted, Hopeful, Cozy, Humorous, Reflective, Romantic, Mysterious, Suspenseful, Serious, Sad, Scary, Dark, Tragic, Nostalgic, Emotional, and Informative
Based on the fact we can go back and add these moods to our existing reviews signals that we will be able to find books to request/read based on our moods. This is exciting news for me, a mood/vibes reader, and as someone who recommends books this way too. I have found that using mood/vibes to describe books to other readers is far more effective than detailed or lengthy reviews. Don’t get me wrong, critical reviews have their place and are an important tool in generating buzz, visibility, and interest.
But for those of us involved in bookish spaces online, I know readers are confident in their ability to find books they want to read. Generally, we’re seeking out more books to add to our growing TBR piles (To Be Read) and libraries based on specific criteria. We’re less interested in a detailed summary and critical review because of the potential for spoilers or too much information. An overwhelming amount of negativity or positivity surrounding a book can adversely impact the desirability of a book too. Recommending books with an emphasis on mood/vibes, tropes, themes, or oddly specific sub-genres will interest the right readers looking for very specific books based on a current mood. I see it as the same approach a librarian would have when they direct a reader toward what the reader is looking for versus directing them to a curated display of librarian favorites. Both a great resources but they serve different purposes. One is saying, “Here are the books that meet the specific needs that you communicated to me” and the other is saying, “Here are some books we have enjoyed, that we feel others may enjoy too.”
One centers on the reader’s personal preferences (trust in the reader)
The other centers on the personal preferences of the one recommending (trust in the curator)
I do both
Over 5,000 people saw this post. 3k liked it but a whopping 2,200 people saved it. That tells me that readers want to refer back to this post when they are looking for a new book they want to read/buy. I curated the list based on what interests me BUT
I added the sub-genres and a few tropes like “Mothers & Daughters” or “The Woods” based on what would interest other readers. Please note, I only add “mood and vibes” if I have read the book AND I like the word suggestions vs. recommendations if I haven’t read the books on the list
“This is a very specific recommendation so I hope it finds its audience. 👀
First, if you are or have been a huge fan of Philipa Gregory’s Tudor books—The Other Boleyn Girl etc
You need these three historical, paranormal, supernatural, feminist, witchy books in your life. I’m in my Gothic, Victorian, Historical, Witchy, Magical-Realism era 🫶🏼”
This post hit exactly right for the intended audience. I was appealing to readers who are currently enjoying or might look forward to enjoying, Gothic, Victorian, Historical, Magical Realism with storytelling like Philipa Gregory’s Tudor Series. This is very, very niche.
You can see that this was a tailored recommendation to target a specific audience. I knew the right reader would want these books based on the information I provided and nothing more. I didn’t need to give extensive plot summaries or reviews on these books—they are all part of a lengthy series anyway—nobody (on social media anyway) has time for that. A huge part of having a successful platform is knowing how to stop the scroll long enough to engage people. I understand that I have only a moment to appeal or entice so I make the focus speak for itself. This is not new and I did not invent it. I have been developing the way I recommend books on social media for a long time and one of my favorite resources is NoveList
On NoveList, a reader can select from these book elements to find more books that fit the chosen criteria.
Family Saga
Historical Fantasy
& Witches
Is going to give you very specific books.
And THAT is what my upcoming, non-fiction book, Feral & Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women, is all about. A book of my recommendations sorted into very specific reading lists. Stay subscribed to my newsletter for a cover reveal soon!
xxSadie
Love this!!