Tending to Your TBR
A more mindful way to choose your next book without the stress
Happy Friday, friends!
Today we are going to tackle the towering TBR pile. You know the one - it’s growing on your shelves, perhaps starting to feel unmanageable.
If that sounds like you, don’t fret. I have a system for picking my next book that never leaves me overwhelmed. If anything, I get over-excited. There are so many books worthy of our time!
Let’s start with discovery. I love staying plugged into what’s new and noteworthy, but I understand a towering to-read pile can start to feel like a chore. The first step is to let go of that pressure. Reading stops being fun the moment it becomes a should rather than a want. If a book catches my eye, I file it under “to-read” on Goodreads and move on. This is where my full TBR list lives. I consider it my cluttered, yet comprehensive map of book curiosity.
When it is time to select my next read, I sort my list by date added. I am typically more excited by new releases so scrolling from top helps me zero in on what’s fresh in my mind. That means I have had some titles on my back list for years. Maybe I will get to them when the moment is right or maybe they will continue to collect digital dust. That’s okay too.
This is also where mood reading comes into play. I do a pulse check: what headspace am I in? What kind of story do I need right now? Lately, I’ve been reaching for back-to-back romances because I’ve craved the comfort of a happy ending. If I’m feeling contemplative, I’ll nudge myself toward something more literary or layered. There’s a bit of personal reflection that is required to determine what’s going to be the best reading experience right now.
To narrow it down further, I sometimes sort by average rating. I don’t always let others’ reviews influence (or de-influence) me, but it’s a quick way to filter the list when I’m stuck. Finally, I look at page count. If a book tips over 400 pages, I’m less likely to pick it up, especially in these warmer months where I’m drawn to breezier reads.
By this point, I have a shortlist of a few contenders. Then it comes down to availability. I do a first-pass on Libby.1 There’s usually a waitlist so I place a few holds and treat it as a gift to my future-self to avoid this process down the road.
If nothing is available, I check price on my Kindle and buy what’s cheapest. Maybe not the most romantic approach, but hey I read a lot! Practical rules keep the joy intact.
There is a separate rulebook for physical books. I save those for the ritual of visiting a local bookstore, where choosing a story is as much about feel as it is about title. Those decisions are made by heart, not by algorithm. That’s what the in-store experience means to me; a quiet magic that reminds me why I fell in love with reading in the first place. That can’t be replicated online.
At the end of the day, there’s no perfect way to tackle a TBR pile - just the one that keeps you curious, delighted, and turning pages. My system isn’t about reading faster or checking boxes; it’s about savoring the process, trusting my mood, and making space for stories that meet me where I am. However you choose your next book, I hope it brings you exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
Next week’s post will include recommendations for every type of book club, so come back then if you’re still feeling stuck.
Until next time,
Stephanie
I don’t have Kindle Unlimited because I felt I was limiting myself to that selection, but if you do I would check there first.