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.
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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:
March 2017 TBR Tackler Shelf:
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- The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
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- Traitor’s Blade by Sebastian De Castell
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- Fairest by Marissa Meyer
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- Winter by Marissa Meyer
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- Stars Above by Marissa Meyer
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- Brayan’s Gold by Peter V. Brett
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- The Great Bazaar by Peter V. Brett
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- The Desert Spear by Peter V. Brett
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- Foreigner by C. J. Cherryh
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- Skin Games by Jim Butcher
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- The Operator by Kim Harrison
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- Demon Spirit by R.A. Salvatore
The Demon King and Traitor’s Blade are both Buddy Reads with my Goodreads group, which should be fun (come join us!). You may have noticed that instead of the usual hodgepodge, I have several books by Marissa Meyer and Peter Brett. I’ve been in the mood to really immerse myself in series lately, which to me is an all-or-nothing venture including short stories out the wazoo. Of all the things on my list this month, I’m most excited to start Winter (Cress was amazing!).
Tackler Carry-overs:
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- Assassin’s Fate by Robin Hobb
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- Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews
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- Cursor’s Furey by Jim Butcher
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- Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan
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- Naamah’s Kiss by Jacqueline Carey
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- Twisted Citadel by Sara Douglass
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- Sandrunners by Anthony Ryan
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- A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
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- Long Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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- Redwall by Brian Jacques
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- Starflight by Melissa Landers
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- Neverwinter by R. A. Salvatore
I decided to expand my TBR tackler selection list to include titles on previous Tackling the TBR posts that I either didn’t have a chance to get to or am currently part way through. It gives me a more accurate snapshot of my progress over time and more potential high-priority titles to choose from each month. Up until this point, there have only been about five or so carryover titles, but as I am trying to be conservative by relying on the library for a lot of these books, I fell victim to the endless waitlist in January and still haven’t caught up. That said, many of these books are in “currently reading” status.
So many books!!! So little time.
Niki’s Incomplete Series Challenge [Via Fantasy Buddy Reads]
January 2017 Titles Tackled:
Finished Series: 0
Series Brought UTD: 3
Series Progressed: 3
New Series Started: 2
Abandoned: 0
Overall I didn’t do too bad in February, but as I’m planning on starting a bunch of new series over the next couple of months, my numbers aren’t going to look that stellar going forward…
2017 YTD Tracker:
Finished Series: 1
Up To Date Series: 6
Series Progressed: 4
New Series Started: 7
Abandoned: 1
Last year I had a goal to finish a lot of high-priority series, and I did just that with 14 series finished (some of them with 10+ books that I’d been working on for ages) and 18 brought up to date. I wanted to keep the momentum going in 2017 with this nifty little tracker added on to my monthly TBR. I might make it it’s own feature, but for now, let’s go team for 2017!!!!
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 
Oh my gosh, Nikki. I haven’t finished ANY of my 2017 tbrs, haha. So you’re doing a lot better than I am, even if you are feeling beind 😅 I’m halfway through listening to Chima’s 2nd Seven Realms novel, but I was listening to it in the car, and then I got sick and haven’t been able to listen to the cds in a while. Sad face! But I’m confident that by next month, I’ll have at least 2 or 3 of these done. *crosses fingers* I can’t believe it’s already March! 😵
I saw on Goodreads that you enjoyed Ivory and Bone :D That one looks so cool- I ended up buying it for my library. Are you planning to review it? And I’m soo happy you enjoyed Cress and Fairest. Meyer writes so quickly and just gets better and better!
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Haha that’s okay! The year is young – you still have plenty of time!! But I do feel pretty good about my progress, now that you mention it ;)
Oh no!! I hope you feel better soon. It’s the worst when you’re sick enough to not be able to enjoy reading.
As I know you’ve seen – I just started that series!!! I’m guessing the first one is worthwhile since you continued on?
I’m totally writing a review for Ivory and bone – it’s just percolating at the moment lol. It’s definitely as cool as it looks – I’d recommend it for sure. :)
You work for a library??!! Or did I already know this haha. I’m so sorry if I did. Another goal of mine this year is to focus better and regain that good memory college sucked away from me haha. How do you like it?
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The Seven Realms series has a lot going for it! Great maps and worldbuilding and a truly “series wide” level of plotting. Are you enjoying it so far? I’ve been wanting to finish the series ever since hearing about the “second” series set in the same world. It looks so good *crosses fingers*
Yay, can’t wait to read your review of I&B! :D
Yes, I work part time at a library! I work the circ desk, teen summer reading program and ya & sff acquisitions. It’s the best job ever! Getting the job has been a big blessing because CA libraries can’t afford to hire very many employees.
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This is what I get for getting behind the ball in commenting Haha. You already know how it turned out for me… I’m bummed!
That sounds like an amazing job and perfect for your book loving/writing self! It sounds so similar to what I did as a bookseller – I put myself in charge of sci-fi fantasy acquisitions while there haha. It must be fun ordering and receiving the new titles!! Like Christmas lol
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Yeah, I’m so sorry to hear that it didn’t work out! There are lots of other great series, thankfully ;)
That’s awesome that you “put yourself in charge” of it, haha. That’s kind of what I did, too. Nobody exactly said, “Now you are in acquisitions for these genres,” but I just jumped in. It’s enormous fun to pick things out and get them in the mail 🤓
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Haha exactly!! I just always found myself organizing stuff over there and engaging customers. It became official after I started setting up recommendation endcaps. I loved every moment! I love that you did something similar. I wish my library had an acquisitions person like you. I’ve put in a ton of requests, so I guess I’m sort of taking that role lol.
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Oh, end caps, what a good idea! That would actually be fun to do in a library. Wonder why I’ve never thought of doing it? :D
Okay, it’s on the list!! I love doing displays, but “staff recommendations” would be an awesome little extra. Thanks for the great idea!
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Awesome!! I’m very curious to see which titles you pick to go on it! Glad to provide inspiration haha.
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And yes it’s EXACTLY like Christmas haha
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Good luck! I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time. You’re right, life is too short to read books you’re not enjoying, and sometimes I really feel the need to prioritize my reading and increase the fun.
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Thank you! You totally should – especially since you have so many arc obligations. I’ve found it useful in looking ahead to see how my arc to backlist ratio is looking every month. I’d love to see what you come up with if you do adopt a system. :)
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I read ‘The Demon King’ last year. I didn’t think I’d like it so much, it was pretty easy to read and didn’t get boring. I am still not sure if I should continue with the series though.
Skin Game – wow, you read so many Dresdens already! I gave up in the middle of ‘Blood Rites’ but want to pick it up again at some point. I really like Harry and the first 2 books but was disappointed by book 3-5. I heard it’s getting a lot better again though. I wish Murphy wouldn’t have such a big role, I really can’t stand her….
I started reading ‘Arcanum Unbounded’ today :)
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I can’t pinpoint anything wrong with demon king, but so far it’s not grabbing me. I think I may just be in the mood for something more robust. I hear it gets better with each book, for what it’s worth. :)
I know – I’m almost caught up! And lmao I’m the exact opposite of you – I love Murphy and can clearly remember not liking some of the books in the middle because they didn’t feature her enough hahahaha. So you should be good for a couple of books at least. ;P what about her puts you off?
And OMG AU was awesome – I can’t wait to hear which novella is your fav!
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