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:
September 2017 TBR Tackler Shelf:
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- The Shadow of What was Lost by James Islington
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- Heart’s Blood by Jane Yolen
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- Within the Sanctuary of Wings by Marie Brennan
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- Apex by Mercedes Lackey
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- Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
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- A Dragon of a Different Color by Rachel Aaron
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- Zoe’s Tale by John Scalzi
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- Magician’s End by Raymond E. Feist
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- A Sending of Dragons by Jane Yolen
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- Naamah’s Blessing by Jacqueline Carey
Just looking at my Tackler list this month makes me happy. It really highlights in my mind why it’s important for me to prioritize and read the best books first. I’m no longer wasting time on books I’m not enjoying, and that is a truly liberating feeling. :) I have been waiting on Apex for what feels like ages (though it’s only been a year since Elite), but the one that has me chomping at the bit most this month is the conclusion to the Memoirs of Lady Trent series.
Tackler Carry-Overs
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- A Crown Imperiled by Raymon E. Feist
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- Bride of Death by T.A. Pratt
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- Knight’s Shadow by Sebastien De Castille
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- Demon Spirit by R.A. Salvatore
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- The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince by Robin Hobb
Niki’s Incomplete Series Challenge [Via Fantasy Buddy Reads]
August 2017 Titles Tackled:
Niki’s August 2017 Progress Update:
Series Finished: 4
First Lord’s Fury – Jim Butcher
The Stone Sky – N.K. Jemisin
Buried Heart – Kate Elliott
The Fall of the Dagger – Glenda Larke
Series Brought UTD: 1
An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors – Curtis Craddock
Series Progressed: 8
The Ghost Brigades – John Scalzi
Magic Rises – Ilona Andrews
An Ill-Advised Rescue – Ilona Andrews
Rise of Empire – Michael J. Sullivan
The Churn – James S. A. Corey
The Last Colony – John Scalzi
In the Labyrinth of Drakes – Marie Brennan
The Butcher of Anderson Station – James S. A. Corey
New Series Started: 2
An Alchemy of Masques and Mirrors – Curtis Craddock
Abandoned: 0
YTD Totals:
Finished Series: 12
Up To Date Series: 17
Series Progressed: 40
New Series Started: 17
Abandoned: 4
Here’s my full Incomplete Series list, in case anyone is curious.
My Goal is to be under 20 series by July 1, 2018.
What books are you Tackling this month? 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. :)
The Obsessive Bookseller 
Very nice! As you saw on Goodreads, I’m tackling Apex right now and happy that it counts towards finishing a series. I’m not doing nearly as well as you in the series challenge, because I keep getting recommended new series! It’s terrible. :p Let me know what you think of the Jacqueline Carey book when you get to it!
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Haha I have been trying really hard not to be enticed by new series. I’m currently doing a 5 for 1 mini challenge that’s helping me curb the impulse to pick up new things and it’s actually helping.
I’m excited you got to start apex! I need to get ahold of my copy first, but I can’t wait! I’ll let you know about the Carey book. :)
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Lol, my TBR is basically just my bedroom. I keep all the books I haven’t read in my room. Ones I have read live on another bookshelf in the living room. Current series is right by my bed, along with other stuff I am partially through (like a memoir or poetry book). And generally I have a stack on a dresser right by my door of stuff I need to review and put away on my finished bookshelf. When I don’t know what to read next, I grab a family member and tell them to pick one for me!
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Your systems sound so much more manageable than mine haha. Nothing beats having the books on a easy to access shelf! I discovered that when I have too many titles to pick from, I end up starring at my shelves for hours every time I need a new book. I wish I had thought of having someone pick one for me! O_o
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I am really glad you are sticking to your system. I think that finding what works for you, and then staying with it, is what allows a good reader to keep on chugging…
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I can’t believe I’ve only been doing it for 2 years. I wish I’d had it up until that point – it really revolutionized how I read. I definitely have a higher likelihood of enjoying books with it. I don’t remember asking: do you have a system?
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I do have a system, thankfully. I’m planning on doing a post about it in the next week or two. It basically boils down to only adding books I know I’m going to read, not books I’m only interested in :-D
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Ooh!!! That sounds promising. I’m looking forward to the details! :)
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I just bought both Nevernight books, and I’m dying to start them. They’re literally staring at me right now, calling my name!
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Nice!!! Read them now haha. I can’t wait to see what you think. I’ve been resisting the urge to pick them up, myself.
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Ah, so you haven’t read them either? I couldn’t resist them at the bookstore. They’re so gorgeous!
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Glad to see The Shadow of What Was Lost is at the top of your TBR this month! I bought that book when it was first released and I still haven’t picked it up yet (shame). Maybe this blog post has encouraged me to finally dig in!
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