Conquer your TBR pile: Smart strategies for epic reading goals

For every book lover, it’s a familiar sight: a teetering stack of unread books on the nightstand, a digital library overflowing with titles, an ever-expanding list of recommendations. This is the mighty “To Be Read” pile, or TBR. While it begins as a collection of exciting possibilities, it can quickly morph into a source of anxiety, a monument to our literary ambitions that looms over us with a sense of guilt. But what if you could transform that pressure back into pure potential? This isn’t about speed-reading or sacrificing joy for a checkmark on a list. It’s about adopting smart, intentional strategies to finally make a dent in your TBR, turning your epic reading goals into satisfying realities.

The great TBR audit: Curate with intention

Before you can tackle the mountain, you need to know what it’s made of. The first step in conquering your TBR is a ruthless, yet liberating, audit. Many of the books in our piles were acquired on a whim—a sale, a friend’s glowing review, a sudden interest in a topic that has since faded. The key is to assess whether that initial spark of interest still exists. Go through your physical and digital shelves and ask yourself honestly: Why did I want to read this, and do I still feel that way?

Create three distinct piles or lists to sort your books:

• Read now: These are your priority reads. The books you are genuinely excited about starting today. They might be library books with a deadline, a book club pick, or simply a title that calls to you right now.

– Read later: This category is for books you are still interested in, but they don’t fit your current mood or priorities. Maybe it’s a dense historical non-fiction that you want to save for a quieter time, or a festive holiday read. Acknowledging “not right now” is different from “never.”

– Let go: This is the most crucial category. Be honest. If you’re keeping a book out of guilt or a sense of obligation, it’s time to let it go. Donate it, sell it, or delete it from your e-reader. This isn’t failure; it’s making space for a book you will truly love.

This audit transforms your TBR from a random accumulation into a curated, intentional library that reflects your current tastes and interests, making it far less intimidating.

Set realistic and motivating reading goals

With a newly curated TBR, you can set goals that inspire you instead of overwhelming you. While a numerical goal like “read 50 books this year” works for some, it can also create pressure to choose shorter, simpler books over a challenging tome you’re dying to read. The most effective goals are tailored to your lifestyle and reading habits. Move beyond a simple number and consider more nuanced approaches.

Think about setting goals such as:

• Time-based goals: Instead of one book a week, aim for 20 minutes of reading every day. This small, consistent habit is easier to build and sustain. It turns reading from a major event into a simple part of your daily routine.

– TBR-focused goals: A classic rule to shrink your pile is the “one in, three out” method. For every new book you acquire, commit to reading three books you already own. This directly combats the problem of a constantly growing pile.

– Variety goals: Challenge yourself to explore. For instance, “read one non-fiction book a month,” “try a new genre every quarter,” or “read a book by an author from a different country.” This keeps reading fresh and helps you discover new favorites hidden on your shelf.

By shifting your focus from a raw number to a sustainable process, you build momentum and derive more satisfaction from the act of reading itself.

Integrate reading into your daily life

One of the biggest myths about reading more is that you need to find large, uninterrupted blocks of time. The reality for most of us is that our days are filled with small pockets of “in-between” time. The secret to hitting your reading goals is to claim those moments. This is where integrating reading into your existing lifestyle becomes a game-changer, seamlessly weaving it into the fabric of your day.

Think about the moments you could reclaim. Your morning commute is a perfect opportunity for an audiobook. The ten minutes you spend waiting for your coffee to brew or for a meeting to start can be filled with a few pages on your phone’s Kindle app. Instead of scrolling through social media before bed, try reading one chapter of a physical book. This practice, known as habit stacking, is incredibly effective. Link your new reading habit to an established one: “After I brush my teeth at night, I will read for 15 minutes.” By strategically placing books—both physical and digital—in your path, you make reading the easy, obvious choice.

Embrace different formats and DNF guilt-free

To become a truly versatile reader, it’s essential to be flexible. Sticking to a single format can limit when and where you’re able to read. By embracing a mix of physical books, e-books, and audiobooks, you can tailor your reading to any situation. A physical book is perfect for a cozy evening at home, an e-book is ideal for travel or reading in the dark, and an audiobook can turn chores or exercise into a story-filled escape. Having a book going in multiple formats means you’re never without something to read.

Even more important is giving yourself permission to DNF—Did Not Finish. Life is too short and your TBR pile is too long to waste time on a book you are not enjoying. Pushing through a book out of obligation is a surefire way to get into a reading slump, which only makes your TBR pile more daunting. Frame DNFing not as giving up, but as a strategic choice. You are an active curator of your own reading life, and by setting aside a book that isn’t working, you are freeing up precious time for one that will captivate you. It’s the ultimate act of respecting both your time and the many wonderful books waiting for you.

Conquering your TBR pile isn’t about winning a race; it’s about shifting your mindset. By trading guilt for intention, you can transform your relationship with the books you own. It starts with a thoughtful audit, clearing out the clutter to reveal the gems you truly want to read. From there, you can set motivating, process-oriented goals that fit your life, rather than trying to fit your life around an arbitrary number. By integrating reading into small, daily moments and giving yourself the grace to switch formats or stop reading a book that isn’t sparking joy, you take back control. Your TBR pile can once again become what it was always meant to be: not a source of stress, but a treasure chest of future adventures waiting to be discovered.

Image by: Anna Nekrashevich
https://www.pexels.com/@anna-nekrashevich