I read 9 books in the month of June. Here's what I thought of each…
The Read With Us Lounge: What Makes It To My TBR
When it comes to choosing what I’m going to read next, I have just one word: Libby. That’s right. Libby chooses my reading order because I’m constantly coming up against return dates and making sure I read a book before it is whisked away from my Kindle.
But, when it comes to actually building my TBR, that’s a bit of a different story.
My first consideration is the author. Some are going to automatically go on my list: Ann Patchett, Elizabeth Strout, Douglas Stuart, Maggie O’Farrell, Abby Jiminez. And I usually try and get those from NetGalley. I do this for a couple of reasons. One, so that I can recommend it to library patrons. Two, so that I don’t have to wait in the queue with everyone else.
My next consideration is genre. I am a sucker for literary fiction so there’s always a fair amount of that on my TBR. But not all of it and not automatically. I’ve read a couple of Lauren Groff books and I’m not likely to add her books in the future. Daniel Mason isa maybe. Barbara Kingsolver is automatic. I also enjoy women’s fiction and historical fiction. I’m not a big fan of science fiction or the ever popular romantasy, but if it’s a very popular title (Fourth Wing, Project Hail Mary) I might add it just to see what the fuss is about.
I also take into account the popularity of a book. The bestseller lists, the buzzy ones that everyone is talking about (ummm, Yesteryear anyone?) and those often go on my list. I want to be “in the know” for both professional and personal reasons.
And then there’s everything else: book reviews, recommendations from friends, prize lists, and the actual story. If you’re surprised to see the plot itself come at the end of my reasons then you’re probably not someone who attends the Read With Us zooms.
As a librarian, I am constantly receiving information on new books coming out, sometimes months in advance, and it can be overwhelming. It’s really helpful for me to narrow things down and I do that by acknowledging what I like and what I don’t like. And because of all of these reasons, my TBR is a carefully built and ever evolving list.
How do you decide whether you want to read something or not?
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The number one way that books get onto my TBR list is from recommendations from friends and relatives. I also read book reviews in various magazines (The New Yorker for one). Like you, certain authors are a “given” for me (and some are a certain no — hahaha). My TBR list is very long and it was started years ago – I should go through it and cull some because my tastes have changed. And some authors I was very fond of are no longer appealing to me (loved their earlier books, not so much the later ones).
This is quite interesting! I use reviews, recommendations, and books that NetGalley sends me. There are some authors that are automatic for me (Elizabeth Strout, Barbara Kingsolver, and now maybe Maggie O’Farrell) but it’s also nice to discover new-to-me books and authors (like The Correspondent). This summer I’ve been checking out books from the library based on availability. My hold queues are always full so it’s nice to read a book that I haven’t waited months to get. It seems like I’m adding to my TBR almost every day!
I love this peek into your reading, Carole! So much! I, too, utilize Libby as my first line into reading (sometimes I have good luck on Hoopla, but not all the time.)
Yes, there are author’s who I absolutely will read everything they write! But I am with you, that some genre’s really are not something I am interested it… and that is okay! Because there is not a shortage of books available!
The main thing that moves books to my TBR list is the reviews of friends… you, Bonny, and Kym (as well as Katie, Sarah, Jane, and Vera) all make my TBR list longer and longer! Having good Book Buddies is the best thing ever!
Oh, man . . . great topic, Carole. When I was younger, I just wandered the shelves at my library and pulled off book titles that sounded interesting to me. Or sometimes even intriguing book covers that I liked. I just didn’t have the reading-experience to even know which authors I particularly liked at that point! I always think of those days as my “halcyon days” of reading . . . when I didn’t go to the library with a TBR “list” of books to look for on the shelves, or a HOLD to pick up! I just wandered and let my curiosity guide me.
Now, my number one priority is . . . author. Like you and the others who’ve commented so far, I have certain must-read authors and I will pick up their newest books no matter what. After that, it’s genre. Then book reviews from trusted readers (either people I actually know or “professional” reviewers I trust). And I still do check out books based on title or cover-art. 😉 (Or anything about art theft for some reason.)
I feel like there are too many recommendations from too many sources and too many “best of lists” out there these days. I think of them as “noise” and I don’t tend to pay attention to them at this point in my reading-life. (True confessions. . . ) I think all these recommendations take away the curiosity-factor of reading — and contribute to decision fatigue and overwhelm for readers. But then, that’s just me.
Ah, my ever growing TBR. Yes, Libby! I love reading backlist books as they are often available right away on Libby. For more popular books I can wait weeks and then they all roll in at once. I buy a fair number of favorite authors, too. I love a good home library. Lately I’ve been reading more translated titles or books in general from other cultures. It makes the world feel smaller and the stories are so different than my own experiences.
Like Kym, before internet, I would peruse the stacks in the library and bring home what was new or sounded good, but the internet has brought books to my attention in many different ways. I love the variety of reviewers– press or bookstagram, friends or bookstores, and my own digging through the stacks. What’s that saying about so many books, so little time. 😀
If it’s a new book by a favorite author, it automatically goes on my list. But I also trust my reader friends’ recommendations a lot. Sometimes I’ll add a book because I heard about it on a podcast or because it’s on a major prize list.
I agree with Kym about the excessive “noise” factor about books. I find it is like everything these days, too many options and too much marketing. So, I generally pick a book by author, genre, and setting. I have read quite a number of books in my life that took place in a foreign country or in another time. I have lots of curiosity about other places and times. I think it helps me keep things in perspective. I also am a dedicated series reader. If I find a book that has great writing (to me) and great characters along with an appealing plot, then I am in for the long haul.
I try to really be picky about what I add to my list when if you saw my TBR on Goodreads you would laugh as it looks like I add anything. I tend to read blogs and follow some people on Instagram and that helps me learn about what new books are coming. I use NetGalley but am trying not to just add anything offered to me anymore. There are a few authors that I get an email when they have a new book out and I do read them as it’s authors I like and would read anyway and I do like to try out new authors that seem interesting. I do get the Book of The Month club and some months have skipped and I also follow Read with Jenna as I usually tend to like her books. I will admit to watching 2 interviews with in the last week with Ann Patchett and ordering some back list books from Thriftbooks to add to my growing pile of her books.
Great post! Definitely author, often buzz and many times when I’m looking around…it’s you! 😉
Hmm – I make a short TBR list for each of the four seasons. Genre, author, and recommendations/reviews from thoughtful readers guide my choices. I tend more toward women authors who write strong women characters. I prefer quiet books and look for nonfiction concerning topics that interest me.