A new month in the book blogging community often brings book hauls, the previous month’s wrap-ups, and of course, to-be-read posts for the month. Let me start by saying that I commend anyone who creates monthly TBRs.
GIVE ME YOUR MAGICAL PLANNING POWERS, PLEASE. AND EXTRA HOUSE POINTS TO THOSE WHO STICK WITH THEIR MONTHLY TBRS.
But Fangirl Fury, you always refer to your organization and planning skills when giving advice about blog scheduling. You’re absolutely right, as I live by Leslie Knope’s matra of “Jammin’ on my planner!”.
However, I have the hardest time choosing and planning out all the books I want to get to within a month. The reason why? I’m a moody reader.
By moody reader, I mean that I tend to pick up books that I am specifically in the mood to read. I’m in the mood for a British contemporary? Then I’ll be picking up Sophie Kinsella or Jenny Colgan. I’m craving a Marissa Meyer book? Then I guess it’s time yo read Renegades! My point is that by not setting a list of books that I need to get to, I give myself more freedom to choose what I want to read. And I realize that most people’s TBRs are composed of books that they want to read, not books that their TBR magically spits out at them. I feel like that could be a book lover’s dream or worst nightmare.
Another aspect of creating monthly TBRs that keeps me away is the pressure of sticking to your TBR. Creators tend to feel stressed about hitting all the books on their TBR if they’ve shared their list with their audience. Insert overdramatic example here:
WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DIDN’T READ SIX OF CROWS THIS MONTH! HAVE YOU NOT READ HARRY POTTER EITHER? BUT IT’S MY FAVORITE!! WHY? WHY?
A bit of a drastic example, but there’s a certain pressure when sharing your monthly reading goals. There’s been a lot of discussion in the book community about this feeling, the main point being that READING SHOULD NEVER STRESS YOU OUT. I’ve recently seen bloggers, especially larger-scale creators in the Booktube community, stray away from sharing monthly TBRs to alleviate some of this stress.
I am not saying that monthly TBRs are pointless. People enjoy creating monthly TBRs so they can stay on track with their personal reading goals and have an idea of what they want to get to in a certain month. When it comes to planning my own reading, I tend to plan when I need to read advanced readers’ copies by so I can have a review ready for release day, or when I want to reread series by in time for the next installment or film adaptation- To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is definitely my summer rereading goals.
What do you think of monthly TBRs?
Do you create monthly TBRs? If you do, do you find yourself stressing out over getting to all your books? Share in the comments!
Fangirl Fury 
I’m so bad at setting monthly TBRs. I generally just have an idea of what I want to read and then go from there, and read whatever I want to
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Sounds like me!
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I always set myself a monthly TBR because I like having goals each month. In some ways, I am a mood reader too because I usually read books that aren’t on my TBR. Depending on how I feel each month, I try not to overwhelm myself with books on my TBR because I’ll get a little stressed.
For the most part, I usually read all the books on my TBR but if I don’t, no big deal. I guess I’m sort of in the middle somewhere?? Lol
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That’s awesome though!! I’ll go to write down all the books I want to get to in a set amount of time and I end writing down my entire TBR 😅
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Lately I’ve been trying to theme my TBRs, but that never seems to work for me haha. Maybe next month, I will stick but we’ll see lol 😛
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I wish I could plan and stick to a TBR, but I just can’t! Once it’s on my TBR my brain automatically rejects the idea of reading it.
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Glad I’m not the only one!
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I’ve had to take a break from doing TBR posts as I’ve been in a slump for a couple of months now. I’m starting to slowly break it but I don’t want to be extra pressure on myself so I’ve continuing to stay away from TBRs for a little longer.
I do like having TBRs because I’m very goal oriented but I’m also a mood reader as well so I’m stuck in the worst of both worlds ahaha.
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I don’t blame you! I wish you luck combatting your reading slump!
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Thank you!
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[…] Haley @ Fangirl Fury is a Moody Reader and Proud in her post talking about why she doesn’t create public monthly TBRs. I’ve had to refrain from making my own TBR posts lately because I’m worried I’ll scare myself off and find myself in the slump again! I’m not even completely out yet, I’m not reading anywhere near as much as I once was. […]
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[…] Monthly TBR Discussion Fangirl Fury […]
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[…] I’m a Moody Reader and Proud: Monthly TBR Discussion […]
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[…] Haley @ Fangirl Fury is a Moody Reader and Proud in her post talking about why she doesn’t create public monthly TBRs. I’ve had to refrain from making my own TBR posts lately because I’m worried I’ll scare myself off and find myself in the slump again! I’m not even completely out yet, I’m not reading anywhere near as much as I once was. […]
LikeLiked by 1 person