What does your TBR book stack say about you?
[Shared from the Archive.] Read today's post to explore what your TBR book stack says about you (for fun!), then scroll to the bottom to see today's writing prompt.
TBR (to-be-read) book stacks come in all shapes and sizes, and likely say a lot more about you as a person than you realize.
Today's post is not about criticisms or judgments, rather, I want it to offer a fun way for us to better understand ourselves as book readers and collectors. Full disclosure: nothing in this post is scientific, and it’s just for fun! What's discussed in this post should only offer a fun way for bookworms like you and me to be a bit introspective and exploratory when it comes to our reading and book-procuring habits.
So, let's get to it.
Which of the following best describes you and your relationship with your TBR book stack? (Chances are good that you’re likely a mixture of two or more, so let us know in the comments!)
Hardback Hyped
If you only have hardback books in your TBR stack, this could indicate that you like everything neat and orderly. You probably also like having some sort of control over your environment most of the time, and are more inclined to appreciate the quality of your possessions rather than the quantity of your possessions. You tend to like keeping up appearances for the most part, follow bookish trends, and enjoy beautiful things. Or buying hardback pre-orders and new releases on Amazon, or from your local indie bookstore, is your favorite form of self-care. Nothing is more therapeutic or intoxicating to you than the smell of a brand-new book. And you might even color-code your bookshelves or have thought about doing it before.
Classics Connoisseur
If most of the books on your TBR shelf are classics, you likely studied literature or creative writing in college, or wish you did. Whether you'll read those classics on your TBR shelf is another story altogether, as you probably prefer learning more about their authors and their literary legacies (and talking about those details) than you do unpacking their literary works individually. But you do tend to use a highlighter or mark passages and take notes as you read, regardless of what you're reading. Your TBR shelf is likely displayed in one of the front rooms of your house and/or is in your personal library. You also take reading seriously and probably read less than fifty books per year because you like to read slowly and savor every word on the page when you read, regardless of what you're reading. Your favorite genre of book is probably literary fiction, poetry, or historical fiction, although you also read nonfiction from time to time. And you probably like going to art museums or art galleries and might even have an art museum membership. There is a chance you have a small collector’s edition of your favorite classics, too.
Used Bookstore Junkie
You don't care about the condition of the books on your TBR shelf if they have interesting blurbs and don't cost much (just in case you aren't a fan when you're done reading them). You frequent your local used bookstore at least once a month, if not once a week, and likely trade books you've read for their current inventory on store credit. You always have a book with you wherever you go, and it's usually a paperback. You also probably read at least two books a week, if not more. However, you likely read things that are obscure or not as popular so may not have too many bookish friends to talk about what you've read with, unless you are part of a quirky book club or social media book lovers’ group. You're probably also an introvert and enjoy solitude, that is until you’re around your bookish friends, whom you love having endless chats about books with. You likely have a favorite IPA, organic tea, or coffee brew you drink all the time, and or you listen to obscure rock, punk, ska, or indie bands (some of them are likely even from different countries). You may have even participated in a political demonstration or protest at some point in your life, or have considered doing so.
Series Stacker
You have box sets of all your favorite series on your TBR shelf, including special editions of your favorite series that you will definitely read again, although you'll likely reread them via your paperback copies that aren't on your TBR shelf but in a closet somewhere because you don't want to ruin your special collector's editions. You likely read a lot of fantasy and or science fiction, especially when you were a child or pre-adolescent (and the habit stuck). You either wait until a series is fully released to acquire all the copies in the series for your shelf or you pre-order each book as they're released. You likely devour books and read at lightning speed. You'll often finish a series even if you don't enjoy it, simply because you must finish what you started. And you might have a special reading nook you've designed with knick-knacks or fan art from your favorite series. You have an obsessive streak when it comes to the things or people that catch your interest, and you’re incredibly loyal to your close group of friends. You may have gone to Comic Con in the past or have considered going. And you’ve likely started writing your own fantasy or sci-fi series at some point, although you haven’t told too many people about it, unless you’ve already published it or converted it into some type of fan fiction.
Book Club Based
All or most of the books on your TBR shelf are based on book club picks from all sorts of book clubs. You probably follow celebrity book clubs online and try to read what they read each month, although you likely have a backlog of books you still need to read from their picks. You might even be a member of one or two in-person book clubs or have tried to start your own book club at some point. Most of your TBR stack is probably digital (e-books) and you likely enjoy audiobooks. But you also love physical copies of books. You probably don't mind lending out your books before you've read them, as you love discussing books and hearing about books you'll love reading or definitely want to avoid reading. You might even be a part of a book-swapping club. If one of your friends recommends a book, there's a 50-50 chance you'll acquire it without knowing much about it because you love reading recommendations. If you don't have to search for what to read next, you have more time to read. You probably enjoy drinking wine or margaritas and can be fairly extroverted, especially when discussing books or hanging out with your friends. And you likely enjoy binge-watching shows or movies based on the books you’ve read or want to read.
Nonfiction Maven
Most if not all the books on your TBR shelf are nonfiction. You likely have a slew of them that focus on a particular topic, such as the U.S. Civil War. Maybe you change the topic of your nonfiction TBR stack from time to time, but you have one topic you could read about forever. Maybe you like biographies, autobiographies, philosophy, memoirs, history, or travel writing—either way, you tend to stay loyal to your favorite nonfiction genre or topics even if you venture from them from time to time. You also likely have a reading schedule that you stick to, a favorite beverage you drink as you read, and a favorite reading spot. And you love it when you get the opportunity to mention a fact or story from something you're reading in everyday conversation or at a dinner party. You have people who rely on your steadfastness, whether at work or at home. And you might have been called an ‘old soul’ or ‘incredibly responsible’ at least once or twice in your life. You also likely collect something besides books, as well, or have an eclectic and unusual hobby you don’t tell too many people about. And you likely enjoy liquor on the rocks, like bourbon or scotch, or iced tea, and the cooler months of the year. Â
Virtual Viking
Your TBR stack is in your e-reader or whatever app you use to listen to audiobooks. You love books and collecting books, but you want everything to be digital. Most of your e-books are acquired via online sales for cheap. And you read a lot of new releases via your library app, as well as books that have received a lot of recognition in the past. You base a lot of your selections on online reviews and sales, but not always. You likely also have a particular genre that you read the most on your e-reader, like romance, historical fiction, thrillers, and or contemporary fiction. But you're probably a mood reader, meaning that what you read next depends on your current mood. Wherever you go, you have access to a book because you have at least two or three apps on your phone that let you access books. For this reason, you might also stay up late reading more than you'd like to admit. And you probably have a busy lifestyle and always feel like you are on the go, which is another reason you like to have your books in an app that’s easy to access whenever you have a spare moment.
Library Liaison
Your TBR stack consists of whatever becomes available at your local library. You place holds on books and read them as they become available. For this reason, you likely stay up late or neglect household responsibilities from time to time because you must finish a book before it's due back to the library— especially because you feel bad when you prevent others from being able to read a book because you're taking too long to read it. You likely access library books in person and through your digital library app, and you like visiting your library often like it's your local bookstore. You could spend hours searching shelves for hidden gems to read next. And you're always scanning the library shelves for new releases you haven't heard of, or for librarian recommendations. You're likely on a first-name basis with one or more of the librarians at your local library. And you probably love peace and quiet when you read and have a handful of favorite reading spots that you frequent. It’s possible you’re involved in your local community or want to become more involved. And you likely have a frugal streak and take full advantage of free samples wherever you go.
Pre-Order Pro
You treat adding books to your TBR stack like it's a small business, although you may not mean to do that. You're always looking at lists for what books are coming out in future months so you can pre-order the ones that sound interesting to you and will be easy to sell again later. The books you end up loving, however, you keep on your shelf. You're also likely to pre-order books from your favorite authors when you hear about their newest book, without even reading its blurb. You probably also have one-click purchasing activated on Amazon and love saving money and getting random ‘surprise’ deliveries because you often forget about what you pre-ordered months ago. You have a lot of similarities to the Hardback Hyped TBR book stacker, too (see above).
ARC Expert
Most of the books in your TBR stack are ARCs (advance reader copies). You love reading books before they're released so that you can figure out what you think about them long before they're released to the public. Plus, you love free books in all their forms, which means your TBR stack is likely a mixture of physical books and e-books. Like the Pre-Order Pro, you tend to think of your TBR stack as a business venture and likely have a professional blog dedicated to writing book reviews and have close relationships with one or more publishers or indie authors. You're probably a fast reader and devour books, and it's not uncommon for you to break plans to stay home and read. And you likely have a decent social media following on at least two or three platforms.
Paperback Addict
For the life of you, you can't justify spending a small fortune on a hardback book, no matter how interesting it sounds. You believe if a book is good enough, it will be released as a paperback within a year anyway, so what's the rush to buy it in hardback? Plus, isn't that what the library is for, to offer hardback books, so you don't have to go bankrupt? So, you wait to acquire books when they come out in paperback, especially the ones that have won awards or that you'll want to reread. You probably share a lot of characteristics with the Used Bookstore Junkie and Library Liaison (see above). And you might not even have a bookshelf in your house, or at least, not a large one. You likely have random stacks of paperbacks anywhere and everywhere around the house or have a dedicated closet or space under the bed for them. You probably also love going to used book sales hosted by your local library, and or love getting books from your local Free Little Library or garage sales in your neighborhood.
Genre Guru
You have a favorite genre, and it is obvious when looking at your TBR stack. If you love romance or historical fiction, you likely have hardbacks, paperbacks, and e-books, in that genre all over the place. You probably like following some of your favorite genre authors on social media, even if they aren't well known. Sure, you try to venture out of your genre comfort zone from time to time, but you always go back to your preferred genre, whether it's horror or romance or memoirs or paranormal mysteries. You probably share a lot of characteristics with the Series Stacker and Nonfiction Maven (see above). You view reading as a self-care habit and always have a book with you, even if it's in an app. It's also highly likely that you read fast and devour books. And you've probably tried to write a book in your favorite genre if you haven't already.Â
If I'm being honest, I am a bit of all the above. How about you? Is there anything else you would add to this list? Leave a comment to join this dialogue.
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Today’s Writing Prompt
Writing Prompt: TBR Stack
Write a few paragraphs about your current TBR stack and how it came to be. Or write about your reading habits, then share what you write with others to see who has the same reading habits as you.
Be sure to share what you write for any of the daily writing prompts in a subscriber chat thread so we can read and discuss what you wrote.
