How to Make a TBR List

Let’s talk about TBR lists! I am so excited to be exploring this topic today. Making a TBR is one of my favorite things to do because it feels like a mini reading reset every time. It’s such a fun way to challenge yourself each month, season, or year. Light a candle, grab a blanket, and get your stack of unread books ready, because we are about to dive into the world of TBR.

What is a TBR List?

If you have never heard of a TBR before, let me fill you in. TBR stands for “To Be Read,” and it’s essentially a list of books that you want to read soon. Some people make a yearly TBR (I made one for 2025, but I haven’t checked it since March LOL), while others make seasonal TBRs like a fall or summer reading list. Personally, I like monthly TBRs. They’re short, easy to put together, and give me some direction without feeling overwhelming.

The important thing to remember is that your TBR is supposed to help you, not stress you out. I think of mine as a guide instead of a strict checklist. That way, if I don’t get to a book one month, I just roll it over or set it aside for later.

Where to Start: Your Own Shelf

Making a TBR list can feel overwhelming because there are so many books out there, so a good place to begin is with what you already own. My personal physical TBR is 43 books (yikes), and I set a goal this year to shrink that number. That’s why I always start with my shelf.

Take a look at your unread books and ask yourself which ones are calling your name. Sometimes it’s the book you bought months ago and forgot about, sometimes it’s the one you’ve been saving for the perfect mood. I even theme my shelf picks by season. For example:

  • Romance in the summer (light, fun, easy reads)
  • Mystery in the fall (cozy thrillers and spooky vibes)
  • Fantasy in the winter (big, immersive worlds)
  • Contemporary or literary fiction in the spring (fresh and inspiring)

This helps me narrow down choices and keeps reading exciting.

I also keep a small “TBR shelf” with all my unread books in one spot. It makes browsing easier and reminds me what I already own. For my monthly TBR, I try to pick at least three books from that shelf to chip away at my goal.

Finding TBR Ideas Online

Sometimes nothing on your shelf feels right, and that’s okay. The internet is full of recommendations. A few of my favorite resources are:

  • Google: Simple but effective. If I want a cozy mystery or a fantasy romance, I just search “best [genre] books” and there are endless lists to choose from.
  • Goodreads: My number-one tool for book discovery. Goodreads has a whole recommendation section based on your past reads, plus featured lists like “Best Books of the Decade” or “2025 Contemporary Romance Releases.” I love scrolling through these when I’m in a slump.
  • YouTube: BookTubers give the best recommendations. They also show their TBRs every month, which makes it easy to get inspired. Some of my favorites are Destiney Sidwell, Sara Carrolli, Haley Pham, and Steph Bohrer. Once you find creators with tastes like yours, their recommendations become gold.
  • Pinterest: Yes, even Pinterest. Search for “TBR ideas” or “books to read this fall” and you’ll find pretty graphics with tons of book inspiration.

Between your shelf, Goodreads, and YouTube, you’ll never run out of ideas.

Fun Ways to Create Your TBR

TBR lists don’t always have to be serious. Sometimes the most fun part is coming up with a creative way to choose your books. Here are some ideas:

  • Color themes: Pick books with covers in a certain color. One month I did only green covers and it made my shelf look so aesthetic.
  • Ask friends and family: Let them each pick one book for you. It’s fun because you’ll end up with books you might not have chosen yourself.
  • A TBR jar: Write prompts on little slips of paper and draw them out. For example:
    • A book over 400 pages
    • A book with an orange cover
    • A romance set in another country
    • A book with a three-word title
    • A book you think will be five stars
    • A book with a pretty cover

This is such a fun way to gamify your reading. You can also do this with book titles instead of prompts.

  • Spin the wheel: Use an online wheel spinner, add book titles or prompts, and let fate decide.
  • Mood boards: Create a Pinterest board of vibes you want for the month (cozy, dark academia, beachy) and match books to the mood.

Keep Your TBR List Realistic

One of the biggest mistakes people make is building a TBR that’s way too big. If you know you only read three books a month, don’t make a TBR of fifteen. You’ll end up feeling guilty, and reading should never feel like homework.

For my monthly TBR, I try to stick to 5–10 books depending on:

  • How busy I am
  • My yearly reading goal progress
  • Whether I’m in a reading slump
  • Any new releases I can’t wait for

It’s better to start small and finish everything than to aim too high and feel pressured. Remember, your TBR is yours. Make it work for your pace and lifestyle.

How to Track Your TBR

Once you’ve chosen your books, it’s time to track them. There are so many ways to do this, and you can make it as simple or as creative as you want.

  • Phone Notes app: Quick, easy, always accessible.
  • Notebook or planner: Great if you like pen-and-paper lists.
  • Goodreads: Create a custom shelf for your TBR. I love this because I can move books between “to read,” “currently reading,” and “read.”
  • Reading journal: My personal favorite. Decorating a TBR spread each month makes it feel special. Plus, you can look back on old TBRs to see how your reading tastes have changed.
  • Bullet journal spreads: Draw bookshelves, stacks of books, or use habit trackers to color in titles as you finish.
  • Pinterest boards: Yes, you can even make a TBR board. Pin each book cover and check it off once you’re done.

If you want to try journaling your TBR, I created a free printable TBR tracker you can get by signing up for my newsletter here.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few things I’ve learned from making TBRs that might help you:

  • Don’t pick books just because they’re hyped. If you’re not actually excited about it, you’ll put it off.
  • Don’t compare your TBR to anyone else’s. Everyone reads at a different pace.
  • Don’t force yourself to finish a book you’re not enjoying just because it’s on your TBR. Reading should be fun! Put it in your DNF (did not finish) pile and move onto your next read.

My End of Year TBR List

To give you a little inspiration, here’s my personal TBR for the end of 2025. I’ve been in a slump lately, so I picked books by authors I love (hi Fredrik Backman) and series I want to continue. Fingers crossed one of these will get me out of my slump and fall in love with reading again!

  • A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
  • Beartown by Fredrik Backman
  • Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
  • Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (as much as I can manage)
  • Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
  • Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
  • Love Arranged by Lauren Asher
  • The Alchemy of Secrets by Stephanie Garber
  • Twisted Lies by Ana Huang
  • Redeeming 6 by Chloe Walsh
  • Powerless by Lauren Roberts
  • Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Ready, Set, Read!

TBR lists are such a fun part of being a reader. They give you direction, they help you stay excited about your books, and they can even connect you with other readers. One of my favorite things is buddy reading with a friend and putting the same book on our TBRs. It’s like having a mini book club.

If you are unsure of where to start, START NOW! There is no time like the present, especially with a new years approaching us. I always get so excited to create my yearly TBR list, and I’ve been eyeing up a few options for 2026. 

The main thing to remember is that a TBR should work for you. Whether you make it big or small, themed or random, what matters most is that it makes reading more fun. And if you don’t finish it, that’s okay. Books will always be there waiting for you.

I’d love to see what books are on your TBR right now. Send me a message of your top picks or share them on Pinterest! I love getting new book ideas. And if you want to follow along with my end-of-year reading, subscribe to my newsletter for biweekly updates on books, crafts, and hobbies! 

Talk soon!

xoxo, 

Kayla Mae🫶🏻

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