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If you’re anything like most readers, your To Be Read (TBR) pile has become less of a stack and more of a literary mountain range. You buy new books with the best intentions, but somehow, the titles you’re interested in reading end up collecting dust while your attention gets pulled elsewhere—work, life, Netflix, that new hobby you swore you’d stick with.
The good news? Reading doesn’t have to feel like another item on your to-do list. Here are some fun, low-pressure, and even slightly sneaky ways to finally make a dent in your TBR pile.
1. Create a TBR Jar (with a Twist)
Write the titles of your unread books on slips of paper and place them in a jar. When it’s time for a new read, draw one at random!
The twist?
Color-code the slips based on genre, mood, or length. Feeling drained? Pick a short or cozy title. In an adventurous mood? Go for sci-fi or fantasy.
2. Use the “Try a Chapter” Rule
Sometimes the pressure to commit keeps us from starting. So instead of reading the whole book, promise yourself just one chapter. If it doesn’t grab you, you’re free to set it aside guilt-free (or DNF it entirely). If it hooks you—voilà, you’re off and reading.
3. Make It Social
- Buddy Reads: Choose a book with a friend and check in on each other’s progress.
- Readathons: Join an online or local readathon with specific themes or prompts that fit your TBR.
- Bookstagram / BookTok: Share your TBR pile and reading progress online. Accountability + fun aesthetic = motivation boost.
4. Turn Reading into a Game
Create a reading bingo board or use apps like StoryGraph’s Reading Challenges. Reward yourself for each book you finish—a fancy coffee, a new bookmark, or even . . . another book (go on, you deserve it).
5. Make Your Books Visible
Out of sight, out of mind. Reorganize your shelves so your unread books are front and center. Even better—stack a few near your bed, couch, or wherever you’re most likely to reach for one.
6. Try a Format Swap
Got a paperback that’s just not clicking? Try the audiobook version! Or switch from digital to print. Sometimes the format makes all the difference—especially if you’re multitasking or battling screen fatigue.
7. Set the Mood
Create a cozy or themed reading environment. Light a candle that matches the book’s vibe (ocean breeze for fantasy? leather and spice for historical fiction?), grab your comfiest blanket, and make reading a whole experience.
8. Use the 20-Minute Rule
Reading doesn’t need to be a marathon. Set a timer for 20 minutes a day—morning coffee, lunch break, right before bed—and just read. You’ll be surprised how fast you make progress when it becomes a habit.
9. Let Go of Guilt
If a book has been sitting on your TBR for five years and still doesn’t appeal to you . . it’s okay to let it go. TBR doesn’t mean obligation. Give yourself permission to curate your pile to match who you are right now.
10. Celebrate Every Finish
Whether you post about it online, check it off a list, or treat yourself, make finishing a book feel good. The more satisfying the experience, the more you’ll want to repeat it.
Rediscover the Joy of Reading!
Your TBR is meant to excite you, not stress you out. With a little playfulness and intention, you can rediscover the joy of reading—and maybe even see the top of that stack someday. (Okay, probably not. But hey, it’s the journey that counts.)
What book will you be reading from your TBR pile next? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy reading.
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