How to Choose Your 9 Books — A Guide for When You're Stuck
Want to try "My 9 Books" but not sure how to choose? Here are some tips to help you pick the titles that shaped you.
Think Broadly About "Shaped"
It doesn't have to be a "life-changing" book. Any of these count:
- Books you've reread many times
- Books you can't stop recommending
- Books that changed how you think
- Childhood favorites — picture books and manga are welcome
- Recent reads that blew you away
How to Choose
Step 1: Brainstorm 20+ titles
Don't try to narrow down to 9 right away. List every book that comes to mind. Browse your bookshelf or check your reading app history.
Step 2: Mix genres (or don't)
A mix of fiction, non-fiction, manga, and essays can show different sides of you. But all-manga or all-novels is perfectly fine too — it's your shelf.
Step 3: Add comments
My 9 Books lets you add a short comment to each pick. A brief "why I chose this" creates connection when you share.
FAQ
Can I include manga?
Absolutely. Manga is a huge part of many people's reading lives.
What if I can't fill all 9?
That's fine. 7 books, 5 books — your shelf is complete whenever you say it is.
Can I pick multiple books by the same author?
Of course. If one author shaped you that much, that's worth showing.