TBR Lists for Beginners: What They Are and Why You Need One

So you’ve been meaning to read more, right? Maybe you’re looking at your bookshelf or scrolling through your wishlist and wondering, ‘How am I ever going to get through all these?’

That, my friends, is where a TBR list comes in handy.

In this video, we’ll talk about how creating a TBR list can help you focus on your reading goals. Or just help you decide what to read next.

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Hey, I’m Gina 👋 If you like video commentary on books, you're in the right place!

I post videos on the world of books and reading. Including deep dives into reading psychology, and fun facts you probably didn't know.

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[hallohallucination]

personally, I like digital TBR's since they stress me out less XD Personally most TBR's form on their own as you read more/watch more content related to reading, separating by genre is simply genius! As a mood reader with an unstructured TBR I'm definitely going to start using this. One thing I would suggest for anyone who's looking to start out their TBR is that a TBR list doesn't always have to be in the form of books you've already bought.

It is really common (and something I've fallen victim to) to lose interest in a book once you actually start reading into the plot more or just simply not like writing and then feel like you are forced to read the book because, well, you've already spent your money on it haven't you? Which is why I'd suggest people do their research on books before they actually commit to them or add them to their TBR's. Great video :D it was nice to watch your channel after such a long time, I really like the little information boxes you've added in!

[nataliebaker]

I'm a stacker! And also use StoryGraph for books I don't physically own. I'm a mood reader..so am always starting a new book. Needless to say.. I then also have a stack of "need to finish" books😂

[ritawilbur]

I just today finished reading a book that has been on my TBR since I was in college -- which was almost FORTY YEARS AGO! I think I should get a sticker for that or something....

[viraswaggy]

i had an 800-book-long goodreads tbr ... and i just stopped even going there when i wanted smth to read bc it was so intimidating. but a few days ago, i decided i needed to make my tbr smth exciting rather than scary, and so i started decluttering it, removing all the books im never gonna read (life is too short) and i also started organising them in shelves based on genre and vibes so i can directly look in a certain shelf for when im in the mood !!! and i feel like ive let out a breath i didnt know i was holding lmao
also, doing this, i got reminded of so many interesting books that i just forgot ab bc they were buried with the mid books ... its reinvigorated my love for reading :)

[lmack]

Yes! I used to spend ages trying to find my next book too. But now, like you, I use goodreads, the story graph and a physical stack of books to keep a steady supply to select from.

Another advantage of having a TBR list - when there is a book sale, I can refer to it help me search out books I want to buy.

[sabine]

I have a lot of unread books (physical and digital). So this year I did the 52 Book Club Challenge. When the prompt list for 2025 comes out I will print it and write titles I own behind the prompts. When looking for the next book I choose a prompt I am in the mood for. This year I found for some prompts more than 1 book that fits, so I had different choices (length or genre). So it worked well for me. For prompts I didn't find a book easily, I found books during the year. So I finished in Oktober. I read older books I had on my shelfs for a long time I would have probably never touched without the challenge because I wasn't in the mood but I really enjoyed them. I will do the challenge in 2025 for sure because I bought new books this year and have a lot of older books left 😉

[KOMET]

My library is currently in a state of flux, for my apartment has been under renovation for the last 7 months. (I'm awaiting the green light as to WHEN I can move back in.) What remains of my library now is situated in my upturned oak bookcase, a small pile near my futon, in boxes, and in canvas bags (in the temporary apartment). Once I'm back in my apartment, I anticipate spending most of 2025 re-sorting my library.

My TBR List is highly flexible right now. While I love reading both fiction and non-fiction, I've noticed from my 2024 books read count that 3/4 of the books I've read thus far this year are non-fiction. I want to read MORE fiction next year. So, I anticipate between Xmas and the first week in January, creating a TBR list to contain the books I want to read during the first 3 months of 2025.

[RonaldReads]

TBR... For me that stands for mandatory reading, like homework, course related stuff, stuff I need to read to stay current in areas related to work etc. All books on that list I own. Want to read, like Goodreads has it, are just the books I want to read by the woodburning stove to relax, what I want to read someday etc., the fun stuff. I don't require myself to own them all unless they get bumped up to "next up" on my list. I don't need a digital list to motivate me to read. I love to stand in front of a bookshelf and just browse my books to see what I fancy reading. 

What I am curious about is how people enter the books they acquire without intending to read the thing, like reference books. I doubt most people read a complete dictionary for example. So it doesn't fall in the TBR category on Storygraph, but it's not a book you have read either. So where do people put that?

[gnine]

I read 10-16 books at a time so I keep my TBR going always have something to read

[Twiceborn_by_grace]

I don’t have enough books to have trouble choosing what to read, nor am I fast enough to complete multiple books in the month.

[tale]

sorry to trivialise awesome intellectual content but I love yr tee - where is it from?!