The Journey Begins
When I joined a reading committee, I knew it would involve tackling a significant number of books—but I wasn’t entirely sure how I would manage it. It was my first year working at the high school level—same district, different campus—and I was simultaneously completing my doctorate, with only my dissertation defense remaining. With such a full plate, I wondered how I would find the time to read.

Finding Books to Nominate
Books came from a variety of sources: publisher emails, book lists, new releases, NetGalley, Edelweiss, and directly from publishers who mailed copies to committee members. We could also request specific titles, and publishers were generous with their shipments. However, nothing prepared me for the sheer volume of books I received (350+ books in 9 months).

To stay organized, I maintained a Google Sheet listing all the books I received, with a separate tab for Kindle titles. I used bold text to highlight books I was eager to read and color-coded nominated titles. I also kept a dedicated tab for nominated books, where I recorded my thoughts to share during committee meetings.

Reading and Reviewing
As a committee member, I read a staggering number of books throughout the year, assessing each one for quality, appeal, and relevance. I always carried a book with me and, being a naturally fast reader, made steady progress. While I’m not someone who can juggle multiple books simultaneously, I did discover that I could read a physical book while listening to a completely different audiobook—and keep them straight.

Audiobooks were a lifesaver. I listened during my commute, while cleaning, and even at work with one earbud in when supervising students in the library. My secret weapon? Speeding up the playback. I gradually increased the speed, starting at 1x and working my way up. Depending on the narrator, I often landed at 1.75x or 2x, cutting a 10-hour audiobook nearly in half.

To maximize my access, I took advantage of several libraries in my state that offered free library cards, allowing me to borrow both ebooks and audiobooks.

Rating and Recommending
Our committee used a shared Google Sheet to track a preliminary “soft vote” for each book: Y (Yes), N (No), or M (Maybe). The soft vote didn’t influence the final list but gave us a sense of overall interest. Surprisingly, some books that seemed like clear contenders based on the soft vote didn’t make the final cut.

Discussion and Debate
We met once a month to discuss the books we’d read, advocate for our favorites, and sometimes engage in lively debates over titles that sparked differing opinions. We aimed to read a set number of books between meetings, but it wasn’t the end of the world if we didn’t finish them all.

Final Selection Process
Our committee of nine members made the final selections through a voting process. A book needed at least six “yes” votes to secure a spot on the list. During the final push, we passionately defended our personal favorites. Books with unanimous approval were set aside for a separate vote to determine the Top Ten. Fortunately, we didn’t have a cap on how many books could make the final list, giving us flexibility to include a wide range of titles.

Final Thoughts
Serving on a reading committee was both rewarding and demanding. I discovered hidden gems and lesser-known titles that hadn’t yet gained mainstream attention. I also had the privilege of working alongside a remarkable group of librarians. While we didn’t always agree, our discussions were thought-provoking and enriched by diverse perspectives.

There were challenges, too. Keeping up with the reading load was no small feat, and it was disheartening when a book I adored didn’t make the final list. Still, the experience was more than worth it.

Tips for Anyone Considering a Reading Committee
If you’re thinking about joining a reading committee, here are a few tips:

  • Be Ready to Read—A Lot: You’ll need the time and energy to read dozens of books throughout the year.
  • Stay Organized: Use spreadsheets or tracking tools to keep your reviews and ratings organized. It makes final discussions much smoother.
  • Keep an Open Mind: You’ll read outside your comfort zone, and you may discover unexpected favorites.
  • Speak Up: Your perspective matters. Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts, even if they differ from the majority.

Would I do it again?
Without a doubt! Being on a reading committee gives you the chance to promote books that inspire, challenge, and entertain readers. It also offers a platform to advocate for diversity and inclusion in literature, ensuring more voices and stories are represented.

If you’ve ever considered joining a reading committee, I highly recommend it. It’s an incredibly rewarding way to contribute to the literary world—one book at a time.