Like all avid readers, there’s way more books that I want to read than I possibly have time to complete. Here’s how I make my TBR.
With so many choices, it can be really challenging to get around to everything! On top of that, I love to read books in so many different genres, spanning both fiction and non-fiction. With so many diverse interests and great books to read across so many genres, it became really challenging to stay focused and make my way through all of the different books I would love to read.
Challenges
Choosing my next book can be quite challenging, often leading to paralysis or difficulty in making a decision.
- Genre/Series Fatigue: If I read too many books in one genre, whether fiction or non-fiction, it starts to feel repetitive. My interests are varied, so I get tired of a single genre quickly. When I binge a series, I sometimes abandon it prematurely because I crave something different.
- FOMO: With a long list of books I want to read, it’s hard not to get distracted by the latest buzzworthy release. I often find it challenging to return to classics or books that have been on my list for ages.
- Emotional Hangovers: After finishing a great book, I often feel an emotional hangover. It’s like coming back from an intense adventure, and I need time to recover. I get so attached to the characters that saying goodbye can be tough. Sometimes, I just sit there wishing I could keep reading their story, which makes it hard to jump into something new. I worry I won’t feel the same excitement with the next book, so I take a break to clear my mind.
- Too Many Options: Sometimes I look at my bookshelf and feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of unread books! Browsing bookstores or websites can be both exciting and stressful. With so many genres and authors, I often think, “Which one should I choose?” This abundance of choices can leave me feeling stuck.
My Cycle System for Making my TBR
So, earlier this year I tried to develop a TBR system that structured my reading a little more. I didn’t want something overly forced, but I wanted a better system than “books I will read this month” – i often feel using months or weeks are too arbitrary and don’t help with some of the challenges I mention above.
I ended up coming up with a system that I call it the “Cycle System”. It’s probably not unique, but this isn’t something I spent a ton of time researching – it’s just a system that naturally made sense for me. So, instead of creating a “September TBR”, I create cycles. Each cycle, I pick books that I plan to read in each of the following genres, in this order:
- Biography
- Fantasy
- U.S. History
- Science Fiction
- World History
- Horror
- Self-Improvement
- Thriller
- General Non-Fiction
- General Fiction / Classics
- Graphic Novel
- Theology / Religion
- Young Adult
- Children’s Fiction
- Business / Professional
- Poetry / Theater
- Mystery / Legal Thriller
Once I complete an entire cycle, I repeat from the beginning.
Advantages
It’s not perfect, but it works for me. Some things that work well for me about this system are:
- Reading variety – it keeps my reading fresh and exciting. I love the variety, and switching genres helps me avoid getting bored with the same type of story. Each genre brings its own flavor, making it feel like I’m always starting a new adventure. This variety keeps me engaged and stops me from getting bored with my reading choices.
- Opportunity to discover new authors and works – sometimes, I find an amazing book in a genre I wouldn’t typically read. For example, I might pick up a historical fiction novel and end up loving the author’s voice. This opens up a whole new world of books I wouldn’t have explored if I only stuck to one genre. I get to broaden my horizons and find hidden gems along the way!
- Emotional variance – reading across genres allows me to connect with different emotions and experiences. One day, I might want to feel the thrill of a suspenseful story, while another day, I might crave the comfort of a cozy romance. This variety helps me enjoy a range of feelings and perspectives through my reading. I appreciate how different genres can evoke different emotions, and I love being able to switch it up based on my mood.
Disadvantages
As I said, it’s not a perfect system. The most important thing is flexibility! Here’s some things I’ve run into that and some work arounds I’ve used as I’ve continued to tweak things:
| Disadvantage | My Work Around(s) |
|---|---|
| Stalling a series – by restricting myself to genres, I can delay the time it takes me to read a series of related books. | When this happens, I let myself have space to read multiple books in that genre before moving on to the next genre in the cycle! |
| Regret a choice – sometimes, I get to a genre in the cycle and I’m just not feeling it for whatever reason. | Make a swap! YOLO, right? If something else is really much more interesting to me in the genre slot, I’ll swap it out. No biggie! |
What do you think?
What do you think? What system or systems do you use when making your TBR?
