I originally wrote this post back in March of 2018 and having it brought to my attention thought it was high time it was updated. I hope this answers all your questions!
Most generally in Bookish Terms, TBR means “To Be Read.” Continuing with that wildly general term could mean anything from the print books on your list or shelf (shelves) or eBooks and audiobooks. It’s assumed these contain books that you added either by buying a print or digital book or by borrowing one of your favorite formats from your library.
Your TBR list may be a detailed Excel spreadsheet of all the books you want to read, perhaps in chronological, alphabetical, author, or genre order including print, ebook, or audio editions. However, I maintain the TBR meaning is those books currently in your possession in one format or another.
There might also be a specific list of those few next up in your queue. Mine consists of the latter, usually dictated by publishing date and rotated in and out of my Goodreads list. It’s impossible for me to schedule a month out as I never know what gorgeous cover will catch my attention, or if I see a thriller that I must have. That said—my TBR changes often—as books are read and new books are added. That said–here is a sample of this week’s books: (Title links are to Goodreads.)
- All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee – Released October 1, 2024. Southern United States Fiction ASIN: B0CW1M4P8D
Half Moon Bay: A Novel by Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman – Released July 21, 2020. Crime Thrillers ASIN: B0863359SD
- To Die For (6:20 Man) David Baldacci – #1 Best Seller in Suspense Action Fiction Released November 12, 2024 ASIN: B0CW1KRXY2
What is your definition of TBR? Maybe you haven’t thought of that stack of books you want to read as a TBR. But organized or not, you have one. Is it totally out of control with every book that caught your eye on Giveaways or favs at the library? Now you have a name for it!
© 2025 V Williams
Rosepoint Publishing 
My TBR is books I own – paper or Kindle – that I haven’t yet read or want to re-read within the next few months. Currently 218! But I have an expanded TBR (nearly twice as long) that includes books on my wishlist. I cull that one regularly to try not to let it get too ridiculous! What you call your TBR, I call my Reading List – a rough idea of what I’ll read over the next three months. But it changes all the time…
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Yes, I see many on the Goodreads TBR are books on a wishlist, but they never came up later. I’ll have to cull. You are right, however, about my TBR, it is definitely a CURRENT Reading List and yes, it changes all the time. Fun, right?!
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I seem to have started keeping different TBRs. There’s the ‘master’ one with all the books I want to read whether I own them or not and the books I’ve agreed to read. Then there’s the monthly TBR. I try to get through my monthly list and then add anything new that I really want to read that may have popped up during the month. It’s also nice to see the list of books ;)
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Yes, thank you, realized I was being a total hypocrite when I went into Goodreads and noticed all the books I wanted to read that looked good, but never went to a freebie. (I’m on SocSec–not a lot of extra money for books.) So really, you are right–I do have a long term (prolly never) TBR, and a weekly TBR–but sometimes that seems to change to a DAILY TBR–cause a new one just popped up–and it’s a delight! Will have to join Lynne at fictionophile and take a hatchet to my long term GR’s TBR.
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Ah yes… the Goodreads mountain. I’m trying to keep all the books I’m interested in listed on there. But I know there are many more to add. Far less that I’ll probably read too.
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I have my “want to read” list – combination mental, Goodreads, Amazon wishlist, and screenshots of reviews, but my official TBR is what I’ve started reading and ARCs to review. Those are more organized on Goodreads and in a notebook. It’s a “must read” list. Both lists are a bit out of control and I have to stop reading more than 3-4 books at a time, it makes it so hard to finish anything!
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HA! Tried two at a time more than once, just messed up my mind when it came time to review. I’m at the age when I must keep these things simple, but I’m impressed you take screenshots of reviews!
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I take notes. 😉
Since I started blogging and following other bloggers, I’ve come across so many great reviews that I want to be able to get back to the person who recommended them. There’s a spot to add this in Goodreads, if you’re on the full site but I’ve also got a spreadsheet I’m starting for all sorts of book stats and want to put recommendations in there too. Screenshots are the easiest way to have the info and plug it in later.
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Screenshots sound like a very smart way to track those recommendations. I’m currently noting recommendations of books I’d like in my calendar but find many times they are no longer available (as on NG–archived). humbug Thanks for the comment!
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You’re welcome! Great post!
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Thank you!
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I literally have 8 books going (just finished one this morning) and two in the mail… 😰😰😰
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I have no idea how you do it, but am totally impressed and think it’s awesome!
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I’m cutting back (I swear!) but thank you. 😊
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