i basically do a very similar version to this! mine is in my google doc book journal and it’s usually a monthly / seasonal list. i just collapse the list when i’m done with that mood or month but i don’t usually delete, especially for seasonal , because then i can come back to the books i felt were summer books when it’s that time again, or when i’m just needing a dose of summer in my reading life.
I really like this approach. I'm a massive mood reader and I work in a bookshop so I'm always finding something new I want to read! I think the format thing is interesting to consider too as I'm often reading something on my ereader (maybe at night when my husband is asleep), in physical and something else on audio but I always forget this when I'm thinking about what I'd like to read next.
I love this system, Sara! So basic and effective. I think the idea of curating a small list you're excited about is so smart because it truly does give you permission to miss out on everything else at the moment and focus on what you're interested in.
I think through/plan my monthly reading in almost this exact way, right down to the Post-it note. I first write books I need to read for book clubs or my literature class, then other books I've been meaning to or wanting to read. I think my brain figures if it's on a list, it's a priority and, as you said, it helps me keep them top-of-mind. Sometimes I wish I was more of a "free-spirit" in terms of my reading, but ultimately this method really works for my and my reading life. And, really, I'm not at all a "free-spirit" in any other way, so it makes sense for me. Thanks for sharing how you think this through; it's so fun to see how others organize their reading lives.
This helps me so much! I have a similar version, where I just keep a stack of about 10–15 books on my dresser. No, it's not ~aesthetic~ or whatever, but this helps me have a much smaller pool to choose from than my full TBR stack, and it's fun to "go shopping" in my own shelves when I need to replenish my stack!
I track my reading in a Notion spreadsheet but in the top left corner, I have a running list of books I'd like to get to planned out by month. I try to look at that list first when I finish a book. A similar system, just digital!
I love this super simple TBR management system! It's refreshing to see a practical approach that doesn't overcomplicate things. The idea of jotting down a handful of titles you want to read "soon" on a post-it note is brilliant. And the flexibility to adapt the list based on mood or unexpected book arrivals is a great feature. Thanks for sharing this easy-to-follow system! 📚✨
Explore captivating Contemporary, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Horror, and more stories on my Substack for FREE at https://jonahtown.substack.com
Love this low-tech option! So simple, yet I see how it would be effective in many ways. I usually keep this TBR-soon sort of list in my head, but of course that's not best practice. Writing it down would be so much better! I too feel frustrated when those books I'm excited about (or excited about once upon a time, at least) get crowded out by new pub buzz. So many of us say we want to prioritize backlist books and I think this whole situation (gestures towards your post) is a big part of what we're really attempting to get at. Thanks for sharing!
i basically do a very similar version to this! mine is in my google doc book journal and it’s usually a monthly / seasonal list. i just collapse the list when i’m done with that mood or month but i don’t usually delete, especially for seasonal , because then i can come back to the books i felt were summer books when it’s that time again, or when i’m just needing a dose of summer in my reading life.
I really like this approach. I'm a massive mood reader and I work in a bookshop so I'm always finding something new I want to read! I think the format thing is interesting to consider too as I'm often reading something on my ereader (maybe at night when my husband is asleep), in physical and something else on audio but I always forget this when I'm thinking about what I'd like to read next.
Love this!! So simple & so smart ☺️
I love this system, Sara! So basic and effective. I think the idea of curating a small list you're excited about is so smart because it truly does give you permission to miss out on everything else at the moment and focus on what you're interested in.
I think through/plan my monthly reading in almost this exact way, right down to the Post-it note. I first write books I need to read for book clubs or my literature class, then other books I've been meaning to or wanting to read. I think my brain figures if it's on a list, it's a priority and, as you said, it helps me keep them top-of-mind. Sometimes I wish I was more of a "free-spirit" in terms of my reading, but ultimately this method really works for my and my reading life. And, really, I'm not at all a "free-spirit" in any other way, so it makes sense for me. Thanks for sharing how you think this through; it's so fun to see how others organize their reading lives.
This helps me so much! I have a similar version, where I just keep a stack of about 10–15 books on my dresser. No, it's not ~aesthetic~ or whatever, but this helps me have a much smaller pool to choose from than my full TBR stack, and it's fun to "go shopping" in my own shelves when I need to replenish my stack!
Great system! My current problem is that I’m letting my Libby list control my life! Ha. You’ve encouraged me to take back my TBR list❤️
I track my reading in a Notion spreadsheet but in the top left corner, I have a running list of books I'd like to get to planned out by month. I try to look at that list first when I finish a book. A similar system, just digital!
I love this super simple TBR management system! It's refreshing to see a practical approach that doesn't overcomplicate things. The idea of jotting down a handful of titles you want to read "soon" on a post-it note is brilliant. And the flexibility to adapt the list based on mood or unexpected book arrivals is a great feature. Thanks for sharing this easy-to-follow system! 📚✨
Explore captivating Contemporary, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Horror, and more stories on my Substack for FREE at https://jonahtown.substack.com
Love this low-tech option! So simple, yet I see how it would be effective in many ways. I usually keep this TBR-soon sort of list in my head, but of course that's not best practice. Writing it down would be so much better! I too feel frustrated when those books I'm excited about (or excited about once upon a time, at least) get crowded out by new pub buzz. So many of us say we want to prioritize backlist books and I think this whole situation (gestures towards your post) is a big part of what we're really attempting to get at. Thanks for sharing!