Whenever I walk into a bookstore I always have to look at every book possible in my allotted time slot (always too short for me). Naturally, during the last few minutes, I stress myself out looking for that one book that I am going to buy and end up buying one I didn't actually want. Over the years, I have gotten good at discovering strategic ways to reduce this last minute panic, and so I have compiled a list of things to help you pick out the book you want.

1. Create a Wishlist

A wishlist is a great thing to have. Writing down titles of books you want helps you keep track. I use Goodreads to keep my book wishlist. When I'm in the bookstore, I open the app and scroll through that list.

2. Mark Your Favorites

I use favorites loosely here. You may have a favorite book that you don't own yet, so mark that one on your list. Or you just may want a book more so than others--mark that one down too. Keep the ones that you really want marked for easy access later on.

3. Search a Genre

Usually everyone has a favorite genre anyway, but some days you may crave the complete opposite. Figure out what you are looking for before you enter the store. Do you want a romance? How about sci-fi? Maybe non-fiction? If you have an idea of what you are eager to read, focus on looking at those books when you get in the store. That limits you down to just one section. Not a whole store load.

4. Narrow It Down

Pick out three or four books that you have seen and pick from those. Now that's a hard thing to do, but it will help in the long run. Walk around and pick out just a few, and then make your decision from there.

Overall, wouldn't it just be great to be able to own the bookstore itself? If only...