To Be Read was not a concept I knew about before I started blogging. Or maybe it was before I started writing seriously – if you can call what I do ‘serious writing’. I bought books, I put them on my shelf, and I got around to reading them eventually.
I think the problem came when I started getting free books for my Kindle. Then came storybundles (bundles from storybundle.com), and now I also use Net-Galley. Somewhere in the middle of all that I met people online who were writing fab stories, and put them on my To Be Read, or to-read, list.
A couple of years ago I put all my books on my shelves at home, the ones I hadn’t read yet, into my TBR, and was shocked how many there are. I find more occasionally, so I couldn’t have been very diligent.
The first time I mentioned the length of my TBR list on this blog, it was 225 or thereabouts. At the start of 2016 it was 420+. I’ve been doing the Goodreads Reading Challenge to get through these books at a reasonable rate, yet started this year at 520 (although I did get seven books for Christmas).
Can you reduce your To Be Read list?
I’d like to know if anyone manages to get through more books in a year than they add to their list. If I stayed off-line for a year I think I’d achieve a massive reduction. That’s not likely to happen unless I have a major illness; now I have my iPad as well, even that is unlikely to keep me away from new titles.
I do a TBR Challenge to make sure I’m not just reading the new books added this year.
I sometimes do one of the monthly reading binges like the Clean Sweep Challenge or the Tackle TBR Read-a-thon, but it puts me ahead on my annual total rather than getting even more off my list. Then again, is it important to reduce one’s list?
At this rate, without adding more, I reckon it’s going to take me ten years. If I continue to add one hundred a year to the list, it will never end. If I add forty a year, it will take me 50 years to complete it. Either I need to give it a drastic pruning, or I need to just stop worrying about it.
Are you on my To Be Read list?
If you are, I’m glad. You probably know whether I’ve reviewed one of your books. If I’ve reviewed (or read) one of your books I am highly likely to read another one, or three, or five…. So if you haven’t been reviewed by me yet*, and you know your book is on my list, leave a comment and I’ll try to boost it up to nearer the front! Although – you might like to look at my post on series to see the competition you’re in!
How many books do you have on your To Be Read list, or yet to be read on your shelves?
*If you haven’t seen a review on my blog, scroll down to the bottom and enter your author name in the Search box. I always tag authors on my posts.
Hi Jemima – I’m not on your TBR list, nor you on mine – I’m afraid to say. I have a monumental amount of books to read and a constant adding to Wish List – will I ever reduce it – not at the rate I’m going… when I had my hip done – my cards hid most of the books …so I forgot they were there and never settled to read! Dumb me … perhaps in the coming year I’ll sort more reading out … cheers Hilary
I wonder why I haven’t got your books on my list? Must check them out!
Hi Jemima. My problem is often not being able to get the books I want to read. My ‘To Be Read’ list is long and looks like staying that way for a long time.
I probably prune books off if I haven’t managed to find them, unless I *really* want to read them!
I only have 150 on my TBR list, but that doesn’t include the ones I have on my bookshelves at home, for the most part. And honestly? I make very little progress on my TBR list from Goodreads, because I have a whole library full of books that I wallow in 3 days a week. Most of the time I can’t even keep up with the books I bring home with me after every shift!
But your books always land at the top of the pile, and I’m honored that you’ve read and reviewed mine.
Yes, I always admire the occasionally odd options you are able to bring home from your library 🙂
Hi! I’m also burdened by my TBR. Those books have a way of multiplying, like rabbits!
I saw a lovely graphic a while ago about books multiplying like rabbits. I think I might have done a flash fiction inspired by it. Yes, here it is – and only last January! The Bookfeet
Haven’t a clue! Sorting out the piles around the house is one of those tasks that keeps getting put off. The occasional duplicate surfaces and Oxfam benefits.
Ah, yes. Books I have/had two copies of. Like Halitor the Hero. But one copy went to a ten year old friend in my village (and hopefully all round the county now!)
I don’t have any booFinding Elizaks on my TBR list. I just keep reading the same ones over and over. Maybe I need to get out of the rut.
But there’s comfort (and new things) inside rereading books. I sometimes wish I had enough time to reread, rather than just read. Then again, rereading some have made me wish I hadn’t e.g. White Fang.
You ARE on my TBR list, which unfortunately has to be reduced in between reviewing for Rosie Amber – with a few of my favorite author’s new mystery books wedged in. Give the furry wonders a cuddle for me – the A-Z challenge makes me feel like I know them.
Will do, Noelle! Kevin says ‘Mwah’ back <3