How to Track Your TBR (To Be Read) List Efficiently

Every reader has one thing in common: a To Be Read (TBR) list that seems to grow faster than it shrinks. The excitement of discovering new titles is great, but without a system, that list can quickly become overwhelming. The good news? With the right approach, your TBR can turn from a source of stress into a well-organized library of future adventures.

Here’s how to manage your TBR list like a pro and how Book Tracker makes it easier.

1. Choose the right tool

You can keep a TBR list in a notebook, spreadsheet, or bullet journal, but a dedicated app saves time and effort.

With Book Tracker you can:

• Add books instantly by scanning a barcode or searching by title/ISBN.
• Mark them with the status To Read so they don’t get lost in your main library.
• Keep your list synced across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iCloud.
• Rely on automatic backups so your growing pile of future reads is always safe.

2. Organize by category

Not all TBR books serve the same purpose. Some are for fun, others for work or study, and some for long-term challenges like classics to read before 30.

Book Tracker helps you keep order with:

• Tags (e.g., Professional Development, Recommended by Friends, Summer Reads).
• Smart Lists that automatically group books by genre, author, or year.
• Series management, so if your TBR includes a saga, you’ll know exactly which book comes next.

3. Set realistic goals

A never-ending TBR can be intimidating. Instead of trying to read everything, create achievable milestones.

For example:

• 2 TBR books per month.
• Finish a trilogy before the end of the year.
• Alternate between fiction and non-fiction.

With Book Tracker, you can link your TBR to the Reading Challenge and track how many of your yearly goals come from your pile of unread books.

4. Review and refresh regularly

Your reading taste evolves. A book that felt urgent six months ago may no longer appeal. Checking your TBR every few months keeps it relevant and inspiring.

Book Tracker makes this simple:

• Edit or remove books you’re no longer interested in.
• Reorganize with new tags or Smart Lists.
• Use the Currently Reading status to pull books straight from your TBR into your active reads.

5. Keep it fun

Tracking your TBR shouldn’t feel like homework. With Book Tracker you can:

• Enjoy browsing your list with cover images.
• Use the random book picker to let chance decide your next read.
• Add widgets to your Home Screen to see what’s waiting on your TBR without opening the app.

Final thoughts

A TBR list is more than just a backlog, it’s a reflection of your curiosity and your future reading journey. By organizing it with Book Tracker, you’ll always know what’s next, keep your goals realistic, and maintain the excitement of discovering new books.

Take control of your TBR today, and turn it into a source of inspiration instead of overwhelm.