If you are an ardent reader, a die-hard bibliophile and a typically obsessed book-nerd, you’re probably dealing with a to-be-read (TBR) list which is most certainly multiplying like a forest fire. We don’t blame you for being tempted by the books that are super hyped on the internet, books your friends can’t stop talking about, the latest releases by your favorite authors, books that you have been wanting to read ever since you can remember and have finally decided to do it, the six extra books you couldn’t help yourself from buying when you went to the book store for just one, a handful classics you stumbled upon on the internet when you had this urge to buy a few more, the best sellers, the award winners and whatnot.
Beware, booklovers, it’s a trap!
We know you want to read nearly everything and you don’t find living years enough to finish all the good reads on this planet: a massive tragedy for every bookworm. As appealing, personal and provocative as your TBR list appears to be, the key to maintaining a healthy relationship with your TBR pile is prioritizing. Easier said than done? Well, we got your back.
We solemnly swear that we have compiled a few tips for managing your mischievous TBR list here, have a look:
- Carve your list
Let’s be honest, there certainly are books that you read but forgot to check on your TBR, books you wanted to read but have eventually lost interest, books that you just bought because it got everyone talking but are at the bottom of your list.
Step away from them.
While it could a little daunting to remove titles from your TBR without reading them, there’s only so much time and there are more intriguing, wonderful, life-changing reads out there than we could ever read. Besides, these books have been on the list for years now, who are we kidding, you are going to read them anyway.
Deleting entries, initially, could feel burdensome, but believe us, you’re only taking some load off and liberating yourself.
- Put it together
It’s very important to select the right tool in order to organize your TBR list. You could use a physical or a digital sticky note to list the names down. Well, it works for a smaller TBR list but in case you have a larger pile, you could try using a spreadsheet. You can keep multiple lists organized by distinguishing the books through different tabs like publishing dates, genres, authors, etc.
Apart from these, you can always use what’s considered the best platform for all the bookworms to gather together – Next Big Idea Club! Besides allowing you to connect socially with an online community of readers like yourself, Next Big Idea Club also provides you with a platform to input your past reads, feed reviews on the books you’ve read, add books to your reading list and it creates suggestions based on your previous selections.
Your list could be as detailed as you wish it to be but it’s your choice how simple or complex you want it.
- Set some ground rules
Let’s face it, with easy accessibility to so many wonderful books by wonderful authors out there, it’s quite easy to add up more and more names to your reading list at an alarming pace. If you don’t set some ground rules, you’ll be back to square one before you know it.
Add books mindfully and make peace with the fact that not every book is made for you. Just because the internet loves it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to read it too.
Maybe, you can make a rule where you only add books with an average of four stars on amazon or maybe, only those books that are recommended by the readers with preferences similar to yours.
While sticking to these rules may not be an easy feat, you’ve got to be stubborn and give it a try to keep your unruly list under control.
- Diversify your choices
While it’s true that not every book is your cup of tea, it is also true that you must keep discovering new interests when it comes to reading. You can try adding new authors, new genres, books in translation, etc. But before you take that note, promise yourself to be discerningly choosy, otherwise, no point in any of this!
- How about reading?
Cribbing about having no time to read the gazillions of books out in the world is not going to help you. So how about you actually start taking out time to read and make it your priority? Make books a part of your routine, your everyday life.
Make it a point to never leave your house without a book in your hand. You can read while you’re traveling on the bus or waiting at the station. You can listen to audiobooks while taking a stroll or running errands. There are thousand other ways to take out a little time in 24 hours to just read if you really want to do it.
- Ditch the list
Well, if things are getting really out of hands, ditch that list. It may sound a little unconventional but if having an orderly list of everything you haven’t read and everything you.
