NO MORE TBR'S!
**The End of TBRs: A Journey Through Reading Slumps and Mood Reading**
Hello everyone! Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s been on my mind for quite some time—TBRs, otherwise known as "to be read" lists. If you don’t know, on my channel for years now—many, many years—I’ve been doing TBR videos every month. These videos typically come out at the beginning of each month, and in them, I share with you what I plan to read that month. It’s been a staple of my content for ages.
But this month is different. As you can see by the title, I’m not doing it—and I don’t think I’ll be planning to do it for the rest of the year either. There are many reasons why I’ve come to this decision.
First and foremost, as I’ve talked about in my previous videos (and I apologize for repeating myself), I’m currently in a big reading slump. And with that comes the realization that I don’t really plan what I’ll read because my TBR just gets thrown out the window. It’s hard for me because I’m such a scheduled and organized person. I like knowing what I’m going to do at certain times, where to go, things like that. And I like knowing what I plan to read in a month—I enjoy following those guidelines.
But here’s the thing: whether monthly TBRs are relevant or beneficial really depends on the person and the day. Some people thrive on the structure and organization that TBRs bring, while others feel bogged down by them. For me, though, it’s been a different story.
I’ve been doing TBR videos for many years—what I like to call "many moons"—and now I’m stopping because I want to see if this change will help me break out of my reading slump. Here’s the truth: I have a little book cart where I set out what books I plan to read that month, and all too often, when I look at them, I don’t feel any connection or desire to pick them up. So, I decided to try something different—I’m not setting any TBRs for the rest of the year. Instead, I’ll be practicing mood reading.
Mood reading is something I’ve been doing for a couple of years now. It means picking up whatever book you feel like reading in that moment—be it history, historical fiction, romance, or anything else. There’s no need to follow a strict guideline, and it’s all about letting your current mood dictate your choice.
But here’s the thing: saying goodbye to TBRs is hard for me. I’ve been so used to structuring my reading around these lists, not just for personal satisfaction but also for creating content. For example, I’d plan to pick three romances to feature in a recent reads video or three young adults’ books for another video. The TBR was essentially the backbone of both my reading habits and my video creation process.
So, this change will affect more than just my reading—it’ll also impact how I create content moving forward. Instead of sticking to a rigid structure, I’ll be doing recent reads videos based on whatever three or four books I happen to read each month, regardless of genre or category. It’s a shift, but one that I hope will bring some flexibility and joy back into my reading routine.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! Do you set yourself a TBR, or do you go with the flow? Do you thrive on the structure that TBRs provide, or does it feel more freeing to pick up whatever book strikes your fancy in the moment? Have you changed your approach over time—maybe you were once a TBR person and now you’re not, or vice versa?
As I grow older, my reading patterns, video habits, and even my approach to TBRs have evolved. It’s fascinating to see how this journey is shaping me and what new directions it might take.
So, if you feel like sharing your thoughts on TBRs—whether you love them, loathe them, or are somewhere in between—I’d be thrilled to hear from you in the comments below. Your insights could provide some much-needed perspective as I navigate this new chapter without TBR videos.
And a quick note: while I won’t be posting monthly TBRs for the foreseeable future, rest assured that I’ll still be sharing recent reads with you. Reading—and getting out of my current slump—means a lot to me, and I’m determined to keep pushing through.
Thank you so much for watching, and I hope to see you in the next video, whenever that may be! Bye for now!