Friday, 6 June 2014

TBR Jar

According to the most recent count (aka on Monday), I have 64 unread books on my (physical) bookshelf. This number isn't 100% accurate because I didn't count sequels in series where I haven't read the first book. (If I did, the number would probably be closer to 70.)

It's kind of getting embarrassing. Especially given the lack of actual room on my bookshelf. I live in a small apartment by myself and there is legitimately no room for another bookshelf. So I have to make due.

Despite the problem, it can be difficult to actually walk up to that bookshelf and physically pick a book. Because the options are at times overwhelming. Especially when I have no clear reading mood.

I've seen the idea of a TBR Jar floating around the blogosphere for some time now, and in a fit of boredom and inspiration (funny how those seem to go hand-in-hand) I decided to make my own. 

I started a simple table in a blank Word document and parked myself near my bookshelf and started typing. Then, I made the font a reasonable size. After printing and some cutting (and a little bit of creativity for lack of an actual jar) I was ready to go.

As I was cutting up my TBR list, I had several moments of doubt. As certain titles popped up, I was thinking, "I hope I don't pick that one..."

Woah. Wait. Hang on a second! That shouldn't be right. Why is that book on my shelf in the first place if I didn't want to read it?

As I examined my feelings, I realized the books fit into two categories: "I don't know if I'm in the mood for that right now" and "I don't know if I want to read that".

I decided that if I picked a book I wasn't in the mood for (and I have a few massive epic fantasies on the shelf) that could be forgiven. But if I had lukewarm feelings in general, then I really needed to think about why it was on my shelf in the first place. And maybe I needed to donate it.

Despite all this, I was still really excited to pick a book. And the random pick was just as thrilling. I bounded over too my bookshelf to grab it.


And, of course, I documented the process. (And yes, that is the lid of a CD spindle, in case you were wondering.)

I'm about halfway through Sabriel as of this writing (with Lirael and Abhorsen ready to go!) and I'm loving it.

I almost can't wait until the next time I don't know what to read, because I know my TBR Jar is waiting for me. (And yes, I plan on buying an actual jar this weekend. There is possibly even decorating in its future.)

What do you think? Do you have a TBR Jar? How do you pick what to read next? (Especially when you're not lacking for options!) Let's chat in the comments.

Comments (2)

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I have the same problem you do; too many unread books. I made a TBR-jar in April, and while I've only used it once so far, just having it around makes me more exited to read some of the books I never seem to get around to, and leaving which one I must read next to faith is also quite nice.

I felt that I won't read a lot of the unread books I have (some of them I bought seven years ago, and tastes change and develop and they might not be right for me anymore), so I made the rule that I can draw a book and put it back in the jar, but only three times. If I draw it a fourth time and still don't want to read it I won't ever be in the mood and so it must leave my shelf and hopefully find someone who will read it.
I can totally relate! I finally went through my bookshelves this week, and I realized I have 75 books on my physical shelves that I haven't read yet, not counting anthologies or the Collected Works of Oscar Wilde or the books my sister gave me that aren't on my shelves yet. Plus the four library books I got recently.

Anyway, I love the idea of a TBR jar! I don't yet need help picking a book, but I have a feeling I will once I finish the library books. I might work on a jar this weekend. I have an empty coffee can I've been trying to think of something to do with - I think that will work perfectly. Thanks for the idea! :)

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