It’s once again time for my favorite feature: Tackling the TBR! There’s nothing I love more than picking out which books to read next, and this slightly organized method of reading has really amped my enjoyment to the next level. Bring on the mantras!
Read the best books first.
&
Life is too short to read books you’re not enjoying.
However you put together your TBR for the next month, the goal is to reduce the amount of obligation in reading and increase the fun.
Here’s a look at how the system works:
1. Identify the titles that take top priority in your TBR.
2. Combine them all in your own Tackling the TBR post.
3. Throughout the month pick from that pile as the mood strikes you.
Here’s what mine looks like:
TBR Tackler Shelf:
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- The Crown by Kiera Cass
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- Hyperion by Dan Simmons
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- The Witch With No Name by Kim Harrison
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- Skin Games by Jim Butcher
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- Foreigner by C.J. Cherryh
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- Blood Song by Anthony Ryan
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- A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
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- The Falcon Throne by Karen Miller
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- A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton
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- Sheepfarmer’s Daughter by Elizabeth Moon
Obviously I’m geeking out about the final Selection book. In fact, I can’t believe I haven’t finished it already… I’m kind of trying to savor it. This month is devoted to clearing out some of the random titles in my audible TBR, and it’s a hodgepodge.
What I did last month:
Of all the titles listed last month, I read 7 1/2 of them. :-)
Now, I can tell you from experience that this Tackling the TBR experiment is so much more fun and rewarding when there’s more than one person (me) participating. Does anybody want to play along?
Even if you don’t specifically use my system, feel free to share your versions of how you manage your TBR pile (and the links to your posts if applicable) in the comments!
Maybe we can help make each other’s systems even better. :)
What books are you Tackling this month?
The Obsessive Bookseller 
This is a great idea. I agree–picking out the books I’ll read next is so much fun. :D And I love your mantras! Now I’m inspired to create my own monthly TBR pile.
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Thank you!! It’s easily my favorite post to compose and I’m glad you agree about how much fun it is to pick out the TBR rather than giving me weird looks. ;) I have to say, it took me several months of practice to get used to following those mantras, but they seriously have made for the most enjoyable couple years of reading I’ve ever had. If you do create your own TBR, I’d love to see it! :)
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Looks like a great list for the month! I have a very specific way of choosing my next books, which frustrates my friends to no end when they want to recommend something to me. :P Let me know how you like Hyperion — I’ve been meaning to read that for ages.
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Thanks! I’m excited for most of them. I love to hear about your very specific way of choosing your books!
As for Hyperion, I’m more than halfway through it and it’s really conceptual and gut-wrenching. Very well written though. I’d recommend it if you’re in the mood for something a little heavier and provoking…
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This is a good, I often start lists then get bored and just read whatever takes my fancy at the time. Wish I had your will power. :)
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Haha I do that too, but fortunately my boredom kicks in after about a month, so it has been okay. Don’t tell anyone, but I do occasionally add in a few extras when something shiny comes along. :)
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Lol I am like that too, got enough books already to last me years yet i keep buying new ones, don’t think I’ll ever learn.
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Ugh the curse of the TBR! I loved your rationale for tackling it, all too often I put the “should” read above the “want to read”. Result: nothing gets read at all!
Sam
http://www.sexualityandthecity.wordpress.com
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Hey! Sorry it took me so long to respond to your comments – I’ve been away on maternity leave. :-) Seriously though, once I made the “want to read” books a priority, not only did I read a lot more often, but it seems like my average rating increased as well.
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