A TBR list works best when it is short. Keep two lists: “now” with three to five titles and “someday” for everything else. Once a month, move one book from the long list to the short one, and once a quarter, prune both. Below you will find what to note for each title, how to pick your next book in a minute and where a to-be-read list is easiest to keep.
What TBR means
TBR stands for “to be read”. Readers use it for the list or shelf of books they plan to get to. The TBR pile is the stack of bought or borrowed books still waiting their turn, and for many of us it grows faster than we read.
That is normal and nothing to feel bad about. People have always bought books faster than they read them. A list is there to help you choose, not to remind you how much is left.
Two lists instead of one
One long list soon turns into a wall of titles. You look at it and have no idea where to start. Split it in two:
- “Now”: three to five books. What you will realistically pick up in the next few weeks. These are within reach: on the shelf, on your e-reader, on hold at the library.
- “Someday”: no limit. Everything that sounds interesting. Friends’ tips, titles from reviews, books you spotted in a shop.
When you finish a book from the “now” list, you choose the next one from what is already there. The long list stays in the background and does not overwhelm you.
What to note for each book
A bare title means little six months later. Three short notes are enough:
- Why you added it. “Sam recommended it, apparently the dialogue is great.” One line reminds you what caught your interest.
- Where you heard about it. A podcast, a friend, an article. Over time you will see whose tips land most often.
- Format and access. Paper on your shelf, ebook, library. It is easier to choose something you can open right away.
If you like writing more down, pair the list with a journal. We explain how to keep one in reading journal. Once a book moves from the list to your hands, a progress log helps: see how to track reading progress.
How to pick your next book
When you finish a book and face the list, ask yourself three questions:
- What am I in the mood for? Something light, something gripping, something to think about. The same book can hook you in July and drag in November.
- How much time do I have? Before a busy month, go for a thinner book or short stories. On holiday you can take the doorstopper.
- Does anything have a deadline? A library book that is due back, or the pick for your book club, goes first.
Usually only one title survives the third question. If you are still torn, take the one that is physically closest. After a long break, go for something easy and familiar, and there is more on that in how to get back into reading.
You don’t have to pick just one. If you like having a change on hand, see how to read multiple books at once without mixing up the plots.
Prune the list every quarter
Every three months, go through the “someday” list. For each title ask: do I still want to read this? If the honest answer is “well, maybe one day”, delete it.
A few rules that make pruning easier:
- Can’t remember why it is on the list? Delete it. If it mattered, it will come back.
- It has sat there for a year and never tempted you? Delete it or move it to the bottom.
- Started and abandoned? Decide: it goes back on the “now” list or it goes. The rule of 50 makes that call easier.
A shorter list means fewer decisions and more time for reading. It is one of the simple changes in how to read more books.
Paper, notes app or reading app
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Paper notebook | Pleasant, always visible on your desk | Moving titles between lists is fiddly |
| Notes app on your phone | Always with you, easy to add a tip in a bookshop | Needs your own structure, gets messy fast |
| Reading app | Lists built in, a book moves straight into progress | You depend on the app’s catalogue |
In Talemi, the “someday” list is simply the Want to read list that every reader starts with. You can make the “now” list a custom list and order the books the way you plan to read them. When you start a book, it goes on your shelf as being read and you log pages from day one. How to choose an app that fits your reading is covered in our guide to the reading tracker app. See how it looks on the virtual bookshelf page.
Turn the list into a challenge
A long list makes a good excuse to read with friends. Agree that by the end of the month everyone reads two books from their “now” list, and see who gets further. More ideas like this are in reading challenge ideas.
Want your Want to read list, custom lists and progress in one place? See how Talemi works and join early access.
FAQ
What does TBR mean? It stands for “to be read”: the list or shelf of books you want to read.
How many books should be on a TBR list? Three to five on the “now” list. The “someday” list can be as long as you like, as long as you prune it every quarter.
Is it OK to remove books from my TBR? Yes. The list is there to help you choose. If a title no longer interests you, it does not need the space.
