We all have one. That black hole where books go to hibernate before we’re ready to read them. Sometimes it’s just a day, sometimes weeks, sometimes years. I was recently asked how many books I have in my TBR stack and what is the longest a book’s stayed there. It got me thinking – should there be limits to your TBR stack? How do you track them? Is there an expiration date on when a book MUST move out of TBR to the currently reading pile?
Limits
I can’t believe I’m about to say this….yes. There should be limits to your TBR stack for your own sanity and finances. What that actual number is isn’t something I can give you though. For me, I have two shelves dedicated to TBR paper copies. That number varies, but right now, there’s around 50 books on those shelves. Confession: there’s actually another 2 shelves of TBR dedicated to my Jack Ryan books. It is decieving to say my TBR stack is only 50 books though. I have an entire library of books in my Kindle waiting to be read, too.
Have you ever bought another copy of a book currently sitting in your TBR stack because you forgot you already owned it? I did that….twice. I ended up with 3 copies of the same book – I already had the paperback, then downloaded an ebook…then grabbed a hardback copy at the used bookstore. For your sanity: please limit your list! Also, you will thank me if you ever have to move – books are heavy to pack!
In terms of finances, unless the books you buy are special editions or signed copies likely to sell out for good, you’re just creating a savings account in your book collection. And it’s not a savings account that will work the way you think – most of those books won’t be worth what you paid for them when you go to resell them later. It’s just not worth it. Wait to purchase your books until they are on a REALLY good sale or you’re ready to read them to help you stay financially sound.
Limits
As I mentioned, I’ve purchased the same book 3 times because I forgot I already owned it. Do you keep a list of the books in your TBR stack? I’ve tried the Goodreads Want to Read list feature, but forget to update it and when I enter a giveaway, it adds it there, too. I utilize the Bookly app to track my reading time and ratings. I tried loading all my TBR stack in there, but again, it’s cumbersome and easy to forget to update.
Now, before I head to the bookstore or think it might come up, I’ve been snappnig a phone pic of my TBR shelves to reference when I’m shopping. Again, not foolproof, but so much easier to manage!
Longevity
I realized earlier this year that I’ve had a couple of books in my TBR stack for well over 7 years (how old my youngest is). I’m instituting an expiration date on my TBR stacks moving forward. No more than a year! So many of the great books I have were hot new releases I picked up…and then never read! My goal is to have all fresh books on these shelves by this time next year. With our upcoming Read With Lindsey 2024 Reading Challenge, I think I’ll be able to make it happen!
I’d love to see your TBR stack! Post your picture on Instagram and tag me!
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Triptych, Karen Slaughter
- Current audio book: The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Book Lovers, Emily Henry
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Mine is huge both on my kindle and in physical form. I have a list that I write at the start of the year of absolutely must reads though and try to do those before I begin something else; but often I see recommendations or browse bookclubs online and whoops there are more
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Me, too! I see so many great recommendations in the chats for my book groups. It doesn’t help that I can’t turn down a book sale – on Kindle, Audible, or at my local independent store!
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I have 410 books on my TBR in physical form. That’s after I donated around 100. I keep a physical list of them in a binder that I update every 6 months, but I write books in when I get new ones and add them to Goodreads. It hasn’t kept me from buying the same book twice, but it’s only happened 2 or 3 times.
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