Finishing your TBR books

[Catlady]

For most of you, does the TBR pile = all owned and unread books? Or is it a subsection of such books?

I have thousands of unread books that I am happy to leave unread (e.g., many classics). Other unread books--a much smaller number--I fully intend to read ... someday.

[DrNefario]

For me it's all owned and unread books, even if I never intend to read them. Although now I think about it, I might have removed a few reference books and text books from the list.

I do want to filter it down a bit, and see how many books that I actually want to read are on the list, but whenever I try to do that I find it too difficult to make the decisions and end up abandoning the attempt.

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by Catlady

For most of you, does the TBR pile = all owned and unread books? Or is it a subsection of such books?

For me it's all bought and unread books, along with a select few freebies.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Catlady

For most of you, does the TBR pile = all owned and unread books? Or is it a subsection of such books?

I have thousands of unread books that I am happy to leave unread (e.g., many classics). Other unread books--a much smaller number--I fully intend to read ... someday.

The reason that "classics" ARE classics is because they're great books . Perhaps worth considering reading?

[DiapDealer]

My TBR List is a list of books that I'm fairly certain I want to read soon(ish). I may already own a few of those, but ownership doesn't make for automatic inclusion. I own many books that have fallen off of my TBR List. Conversely, there are many books on my TBR list that may fall off without ever getting read/purchased. Basically, my TBR List represents a snapshot in time of my current (and ever changing) tastes. It is independent of ownership.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by Catlady

For most of you, does the TBR pile = all owned and unread books? Or is it a subsection of such books?

I have thousands of unread books that I am happy to leave unread (e.g., many classics). Other unread books--a much smaller number--I fully intend to read ... someday.

My actual TBR is about 20% (possibly less) of the owned & unread count. It's more of an active desire to read the former vs a more passive "someday, possibly, or not" for the latter.

[NickyWithNook]

I have a huge TBR list and I know I'll probably never actually read them all. I like options. I want to be able to read what I feel like reading at that moment. I don't feel any obligation to read any or all of them. To me a TBR list is a list of choices, not a must-do list.

[treadlightly]

My TBR list includes books that I want to read that were recommended on Goodreads or MR or the latest novel of a favourite series that has not been released yet. If it is a new series, it only includes the first book.
I purchase books from my TBR list when there is a deal or I have a good coupon. I call this my "Purchased but Unread" list. I have accepted that the value of this list will never be zero, but as part of my Reading Challenge this year I'm working to get it below an acceptable balance.

[Yolina]

Originally Posted by Catlady

For most of you, does the TBR pile = all owned and unread books? Or is it a subsection of such books?

My TBR pile is all owned an unread. I wouldn't acquire any books (not even freebies) that I had no intention of reading.

I've said before, but I think mine is quite modest at around 200 as it's roughly what I go through in a year. My TBR pile has been at around that number for several years so at least I know that I read as much as I add to it

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The reason that "classics" ARE classics is because they're great books . Perhaps worth considering reading?

I've considered and then rejected them.

But don't worry, there are still plenty of classics on my "someday" list!

[Geralt]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

For me it's all bought and unread books, along with a select few freebies.

This is that which I noticed.

For me TBR is 99.9% books I want to read, but haven't bought yet.
That's why it's easy to keep piling up titles on it

[Mivo]

Originally Posted by HarryT

The reason that "classics" ARE classics is because they're great books .

Or had been, at a different time, in a different culture, under different circumstances (such as limited selection) when different preferences and tastes dominated.

Also, I sometimes feel that some books are only "classics" due to the repeated claims that they are, even by people who have not read them. There are aspects of alleged prestige, intellectual superiority, etc. that factor in, as well, though I want to exclude present company from this. I just know too many people who have shelves full of "classics" that they never opened, but which they will nevertheless talk about as if they had.

Of course, it's always a matter of preference. Personally, most classics I have read struck me as boring and dusty. I read books solely for entertainment, and so I prefer what you may think of as trash.

It's entirely possible that my brow is on a bronze age level.

[faithbw]

OT: some classics are overrated IMO but some are quite interesting and exciting! They're just like modern novels in that regard. I haven't read a classic in a while but I do want to read a couple this year and take them off my TBR.

[HarryT]

One of the problems with classics is that they are forced down our throats in school when we're teenagers, but most of them were not written for children. When I was in school I thought that Dickens was the most tedious writer imaginable, but when I "rediscovered" him when I was in my 30s I was just blown away by his writing. Very few teenagers have the maturity to be able to appreciate his wit and social satire - I know I didn't when I was that age. These are books written for adults, not teenagers, which is why I'd always suggest having another go at authors you did find dry as dust when they were forced on you in your schooldays.

[applesauce]

I keep finding new authors I like. My TBR list grows all the time. I read 100 books last year and would have added 200 plus to my TBR list. I am a lot better at not buying books on my TBR list unless it comes out on super special, or I run out of books by a particular author I can not put down. Even then I try and pick books on special.
When i find something I like I find it hard to stop.

applesauce