5 Ways to Select Books from Your TBR Shelf

Raise your hand if you own books that you haven’t read!

My hand is up in the air. I don’t think it comes as a surprise for me to say that I love books. A lot. And I love owning books. I was one of those girls who dreamed of acquiring a Beauty and the Beast-style library one day. When I see photos of rooms that are wall-to-wall books, I want to move in and never leave. So I guess it’s not completely surprising that sometimes I buy more books than I’m able to read before my next trip to the bookstore.

But! This year, one of my goals to read all of the books that I buy and to get through the books on my shelves that I haven’t read. If this is one of your goals too, here are a few ways to start working your way through the books on your TBR shelf.

CREATE A TBR JAR

Write down the titles of all of the books you haven’t read on strips of paper and put them in a jar. When you need a book to read, pull a strip out and read the book that’s listed on the strip.

READ YOUR BOOKS ALPHABETICALLY

Organize your books on your shelf in alphabetical order (by author or title) and start reading your books in order.

READ YOUR BOOKS BY CATEGORY

Create a list of categories to read, or find a book reading challenge, and find books on your shelves that fit the categories you select.

HAVE YOUR FRIENDS SELECT A BOOK

Have your friends go through your TBR shelf and select a book that they find interesting, then read it. Who knows? Maybe they’ll ask to borrow it when you’re finished and the two of you can discuss!

DONATE ANY BOOKS YOU DON’T THINK YOU’LL READ

Okay, so I guess this isn’t really “selecting” a book, but it will help you clear your shelves. If you bought a book once that you really don’t think you’ll read, let go of the guilt of buying something that you’re not going to use or the guilt of “not respecting” someone’s writing (which is one of my problems). If the book isn’t for you, move it on. Give it to a friend or family member who will enjoy, donate it to a library, or take it to a secondhand bookstore. Let someone who will appreciate the book enjoy it.

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