The TBR Tag

/ Eve Messenger

TBR Tag pic

Hello, fellow book junkies! Today I’d like to discuss that three-letter acronym so often bandied about in the reading world, the “To Be Read” (TBR) list. Specifically, my TBR list. 😀 I first noticed this tag on Irena @ Book Dust Magic ‘s blog and believe it was originally created by Rachel from A Perfection Called Books and Dana from Dana Square. Thanks for the great tag, ladies!

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

Like a lot of people, I track books on Goodreads, but my main TBR list is on my home computer. I have probably way more fun than I should marking books as “read” and shuffling around promising upcoming reads.

Is your TBR mostly print or e-books?

Interesting question. A year ago I would have answered without hesitation, print books. But ebooks are growing on me. Currently, my TBR is approximately 60% print, 30% Ebooks, and 10% audiobooks.

How do you determine which book from your TBR to read next?

Most of my reading choices are based purely on mood–and that’s how I like it. If reading started to feel like a chore, I’d be doomed. Sure, my TBR has gotten heavy with “required” reads like Netgalley ARCS, beta reads for writer friends, and the occasional buddy read, but after my kid-in-a-candy-shop introduction to Netgalley (“I’ll take that one, and that one, and that one. . . “) I’ve learned to keep ARCs and other “obligatory” reads down to 3 or 4 a month.

A book that’s been on your TBR list the longest?

Moby-Dick.

A book you recently added to your TBR pile?

 Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo — I couldn’t believe it wasn’t already on the list, especially after how much I enjoyed Bardugo’s amazing world building and characters Inej and Nina in Six of Crows.

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A book on your TBR strictly because of its beautiful cover?

I appreciate beautiful covers, but books don’t make it onto my TBR purely for that reason.

A book on your TBR that you NEVER plan on actually reading?

Moby-Dick. (Probably.)
But seriously, I’m pretty honest with myself about my TBR. I remove an average of 2-3 books from my TBR every month.

An unpublished book on your TBR that you’re excited for?

I’m dying to read A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab , the final installment of the Shades of Magic trilogy. I think there will be a HUGE revelation about Lila Bard. Also, Schwab has hinted she’ll be killing off many characters in book three. Hence, I’ll be reading with one eye closed–and one eye very open–to see who those fatalities might be.
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A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you?

 The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh.  I own a copy but still haven’t read it. The reason? Most likely Fear of Hype syndrome.

A book on your TBR that everyone has read except you? 

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A book on your TBR that you’re dying to read? 

Sooooo many!

The Number of Books on your Goodreads TBR shelf?

 208.

Hmm, that last question was a bit anticlimactic, wasn’t it? Well, thanks for reading my post about one of my favorite subjects, my beloved TBR list. It’s a pretty fun tag, so if you’d like to give it a try. . .

I TAG YOU.

Happy reading!
— Eve Messenger

20 thoughts on “The TBR Tag”

  5. I must confess that I’m really low-tech and I have an actual bookshelf rather than electronic means of tracking. Two shelves are TRB. Most of these are used books from various sources, so they’re older. I stick them all on there, sort of with newer books on the right, so gradually they move over and the ones on the left have been there longest. I try to look at that end of the shelf first, but who knows.

    I alternate between new books, which I purchase or borrow from the library, and older books from the TBR shelves. Like everyone, I spend way too much time playing video games and remind myself to read, instead. No particular order or plan, I just go pick what appeals to me at the time.

    When I actually have it ready to read, then I put it on Goodreads as TBR. Also, sometimes friends publish books and I’ll put those on Goodreads as TBR, more to boost signal than actually to read. Although I do try to get to them sooner because reviews are so important.

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  6. Hi Eve,
    I enjoyed this post! I am still very much a physical book reader, probably more so now that the only way I can read my ebooks is on my laptop because I don’t have a Kindle. I have a Kindle app on my Android tablet which worked fabulously for two or three years, and now all of a sudden, no longer functions. When I called the Kindle people about it I was told that they updated the app and my Android was “too old” for the app, and I refuse to buy a new tablet or Kindle reader, when my tablet functions just fine because to me, that would be a waste of money. 😦

    I, too, choose what book to read next from my TBR according to my mood. 🙂

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    • Mood readers unite! That’s unfortunate about your Android Kindle reader app. When you buy something you should be able to use it! Unfortunately, electronics gurus are the masters of planned obsolescence.

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  7. LOL! Seems like you have a love-hate relationship with the idea of reading Moby-Dick!! Honestly, I don’t know if I’m ever gonna plan on reading that one. I mean, I love classics, but I sure know that they can be horrendeously slow and descriptive. Reading Dracula was a pain in the ass, though it feels good to finish a classic, you know?

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    • Yes, yes, that’s it exactly. I mean, I’ve read a lot of classics, and enjoyed them–hmm, maybe partly because had to work at understanding them. But Moby-Dick, I dunno. I’ve read the first couple of chapters and had to admit that Melville’s writing is pretty incredible, but it’s just. not. a story. Not really.

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  9. Pingback: The TBR Tag | elena johansen

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