I'm quitting Booktube TBR videos.

It's been a long time coming but we're making some changes over here, folks! I'm so excited to focus on some more deep dive content and really see what I can create once I break away from the TBR grind.

** I do want to clarify that what I'm saying in this video does not mean I have not been loving the books I've been reading. It's the process I want to change, not the books. :)

What is your reading process? Has it changed because of Booktube? How so?

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[christopherwarman]

As someone who has never done TBRs, who just likes to finish a book and then grab the next one off the shelf, I totally endorse this decision.

[EotuaDawnwalker]

I wish more booktubers just made unique content, instead of feeling like they have to fit the mold of what everyone else is doing. My favorite booktubers are people who just read what they want and make whatever videos they want. I love that you are so passionate about reading self published and indie fantasy. I’ve added so many cool books to my tbr because of you.

[Christopher_Navo]

😂 Same here! Except for confirmed buddy reads.

[Johanna_reads]

Yay, Tori! Definitely honor your personal boundaries and do what’s right for you. I’ve had a lot of thoughts about this topic recently, especially as it relates to fantasy BookTube. Your Felisin video is one of my favorites, by the way! ❤

[esmayrosalyne]

I am living for this dramatic intro hahaha 🤣😝
Honestly, thank you for making this video. I have been struggling with all the same things you mentioned here and I've noticed that reading started to feel more like a job than something that brought me joy, which is honestly something I am very sad about. I am so burnt out on keeping up with TBRs to read with others and get through my review copies... I am going to join you in this mood reading era friend!! Here's to going with the flow and listening to what our hearts desire 🥰

[readbykyle]

Hell yeah.

I still loosely have a TBR but I've become a bit better at sliding things onwards. But this year has been SO boxed in with buddy reads, tbrs, readalongs, arcs...I just miss reading whatever I want.

Good for you for taking that back for yourself!

[thatsci-firogue]

I hear ya, Tori.

I used to plan out my reads but about 2 years ago it dawned on me that booktube had influenced me to structure series into the one book per month and i realised I'd vastly more fun deviating from the plan and binge-ing a trilogy in a month etc.

Have i been burned because I'd become less structured?
Of course. But the rewards were more than worth it.

[Talking_Story]

After only a bit over 4 months I soooo feel this. Happy for you that you are moving onto what feels right for you plan.

[OnefortheBooks]

I think this makes total sense. Even when my favorite booktubers do a TBR video I usually skip it, because it does seem like "filler" (unless the TBR is really unique in some way). And I do wish booktube in general had more variety. But regardless of whether you go back to TBR videos again in the future, I think you can never go wrong with a decision that boils down to "quality over quantity."

[SteveTalksBooks]

I've been trying to slow down and finish a series, the need to get into a new series for content is real thing. More people care about the excitement and fun of starting a series and less people are interested in book 3 or 4 of a series. Being consistent is good, but like you said when you put more effort into making videos than the content or quality it can be overwhelming sometimes.

[BookishChas]

This was a great video Tori! I totally respect not doing TBRs. I don’t do them per se. My monthly updates replaced my TBR/Wrap-up videos. Best decision I ever made.

[BrianBell]

Pippen! Get that YT cash! Your contract clearly states if you make longer than a 5 second appearance, you are entitled to compensation. Tori, this video makes lots of sense to me. This is YOUR channel (minus Pippen's appearance fees) and you absolutely should be making what you like and not a generic model of what a BookTube channel is. I am positive it will even be more fun for you when you aren't tied to a specific TBR or reading something just because some madeup community standard says you have to to be "current with what's new" or what I call "resume books", books you aren't really wanting to read but think you are in some way supposed to. Glad to see you are journeying into territory you like!

[StaceyReads]

Even as someone who isn't a content creator I can relate to so much of this experience just being someone who watches booktube and wants to be apart of all the discord discussions and buddy reads and readathons! I find that I go through a pattern of following TBRs and buddy read schedules for about a year and a half and then completely rebel and do my own thing for 6 months but the issue is I'm really goal oriented so I miss the feeling of achieving that TBR finish or goal finish and end up in the same cycle again. 😂 I've been trying to limit the amount of buddy reads I do for sure and also never committing to buddy reads that only do book 1 of a series. I tell myself a lot that just because I want to read something, doesn't mean I want to read it in x month that whatever buddy read is happening. I have been actively working on reading more sequels when possible too (I like to do what I call Sequel September where I only do sequels and standalones this month) and all of those have been good for me! Over the last year and a half I've knocked about 20 series off my currently working on list (and to be fair it would be better if I'd quit starting new ones but that's soo hard haha!)

I also need to be less afraid to say nope I'm not gonna try or continue this massive series that everyone loves because I know it's not my thing. Those tend to be the series I start and then have on my actively working on list forever that just hang over me because i'm not super excited to keep going with them!

[MaedBetweenthePages]

I also always put so much pressure on myself to finish what I commit to even though no one-not a soul- is making me do it 😂

Stepping away from the booktube space for the last couple months has really helped me lean into mood reading and…I love it. Reading what you want when you want is so important to make space for.

I love this change you’re making for yourself 💕

[BeardofDarkness]

Also, this is so true with being a promoter. Like myself, I am always reading 3 or 4 books at a time rather than choosing what I want. I love doing it, but the pressure I have put on myself is why I love this idea.

[bardsandbooks]

This makes total sense and I’m glad you’re doing what you want to do! I quickly discovered these issues during the past few months, although it may also have just been my excitement at joining the community and wanting to buddy read everything with everyone 😅

[calebritywriter]

I'm a pretty new and small BookTube channel, and I have always HATED making TBR videos, but I felt like I had to because "that's what the community wanted." But each month I would come back for my wrap up to say "okay here's what I actually read instead of my TBR." I'm enjoying making my goofier videos, and like you I want to take more time to dig deep on books and topics I love. Great video!

[ginakammer]

Good for you! Deeper content is always my fave. 😊

[ColinsCornerYT]

I totally understand his and sometimes I wish my mind didn’t operate in such a way that most of the time I enjoy TBR’s. I feel like I am a more productive reader when I compile TBRs personally. But again I totally get where you’re coming from and support your decision! Excited for your future content regardless of what it is!

[OlivesThoughtsOnBooks]

Great perspective. Reason I don't do series. Too much of a commitment/pressure.