DESTINY DIVINE

How I Choose What to Read Next (And Why It’s Okay to Follow Your Heart)

Welcome, Fellow Book Lover!

One of the questions readers ask me most often is, “How do you decide what to read next?” And my answer might surprise you.

It’s completely random.

No strict system. No must-read lists. No pressure to finish everything I start. Just me, my mood, and a whole lot of trust in the process.

My Reading Journey: A Little Trip Down Memory Lane

There was a season of my life when I read nothing but nonfiction.

I couldn’t get enough of true stories—real people who had faced unimaginable hardships, survived against all odds, and dedicated their lives to helping others.

Those pages felt like conversations with old friends who had walked through fire, and came out the other side with wisdom to share.

They filled me with hope, and reminded me of the resilience of the human spirit.

Then came my Amish fiction phase. Oh, how I loved those books!

I would go to my local library and check out stack after stack of novels featuring Amish characters.

Simple lives. Strong communities. Faith, family, and forgiveness. There was something so soothing about stepping into that world.

Looking back, I can see the common thread.

The “Wholesome” Revelation

Years ago, I was telling a coworker about the TV shows I loved growing up—Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, The Cosby Show.

You know, the kind of shows where family gathered around the table, where challenges were faced together, where goodness ultimately prevailed.

After listening to me reminisce, she smiled and said something I’ve never forgotten:

“You’re just so wholesome.”

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of it. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized she was exactly right.

I am wholesome. I take great care in what I allow into my mind, my heart, my soul, and my home.

I crave experiences—whether in books, in relationships, or in life—that reflect kindness, integrity, and light.

And that “wholesome” thread runs through everything I read.

How I Actually Choose Books Now

These days, my process is wonderfully simple:

• I follow my mood. Some weeks I crave inspiration, so I reach for memoir. Other weeks I want to escape, so fiction calls my name. I’ve learned to trust whatever my heart is hungry for.
• I pay attention to what moves me. If a friend recommends a book with tears in her eyes, I listen. If I read a review that mentions themes of overcoming, faith, or quiet strength, I take note.
• I browse without agenda. Sometimes the best books find you. A title on a library shelf. A cover that catches your eye. A random discovery that feels, well, destined.
• I give myself permission to let go. If a book isn’t serving me, I set it down. Life is too short and too full of wonderful stories to force my way through one that doesn’t nourish my soul.

A Final Thought

Here’s what I want you to know: There’s no wrong way to choose your next read.

Whether you’re systematic or spontaneous, whether you read deeply in one genre or bounce around like a happy butterfly—it’s all beautiful.

Your reading life is yours alone. Guard it. Nurture it. Fill it with stories that make you feel more like yourself.

And if you ever need a recommendation for something wholesome, something uplifting, something that will leave you just a little bit brighter than before—well, you know where to find me.

Question: What are you reading right now? I’d truly love to know.

With warmth and pages to turn,
Destiny Divine