There are so many amazing books out there that it can be almost overwhelming at times. I try to only add books to my TBR that I am truly interested in reading, and I thought it might be fun to share some of the reasons why I might add a book to my TBR shelf. I
Reviews
This is probably to most obvious! I will look at a book’s star rating and read a few spoiler-free reviews (both positive and negative) before I add it to my TBR. I do take the average rating on Goodreads with a grain of salt because it is so subjective. I think reading reviews from readers with similar readings tastes as me is very helpful. There are definitely a few reviewers on Goodreads who I trust.
Example: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Fellow Blogger Recommendations
Since I started blogging, recommendations from fellow bloggers and people in the comments are probably the main reason that my current Want to Read shelf on Goodreads is sitting at 461 books. I love that I am recommended books that I never would have found on my own and it has lead me to find new favourites!
Example: Sweetpea by C.J. Skuse
Gut Instincts
I am definitely a believer in following your gut. There are some books that I come across that stick out to me for reasons that I can not put my finger on. Usually when I end up reading books like this, I really enjoy them. This was the case for both Swimming Lessons by Clare Fuller and The Lonely Heart’s Hotel by Heather O’Neill. They are two books I knew nothing about but I was compelled to by them, and they have become two of my favourite books of all time.
Example: The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
Gorgeous Cover
I am not going to lie- I judge a book by its cover! There are definitely books on my TBR that I know little to nothing about but the cover is so stunning that I instantly clicked the ‘Want to Read’ button. I am not ashamed!
Example: The Psychology of Time by Kate Mascarenhas
Author I Love
There are a few authors that I just adore and I will read absolutely anything that they write. These authors include Mitch Albom, Khaled Hosseini, and Lisa Genova, just to name a few. I am also more compelled to add a book to my TBR if I have enjoyed a book by the author in the past. It means that I enjoy their writing style and their characters, so there is a good chance I will enjoy their other books as well. This is definitely not fool-proof because I have been let down in the past.
Example: Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
The Hype
If there is a book that I am not particularly interested in but it seems as though everyone is talking about it and raving about, there is a good chance I will still add it to my TBR. I have found amazing books this way but I have also been burned by this. I have come to the conclusion that I should not give in to the hype if it is a book that I really do not think is for me. I am looking at you City of Bones!
Example: We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson
Podcasts
I have really been in to bookish podcasts lately, particularly the Book Riots ones and Anne Bogel’s What Should I Read Next. They share so many intriguing recommendations and I just sit there listening to them with my Goodreads open. This has been one of my main sources of recommendations lately!
Example: Trail of Lightening by Rebecca Roanhorse
My Buzzwords
I am thinking about writing a separate post all about my buzzwords, but there are certain words that if they are used to describe a book make it instantly appeal to me. A few of those words are atmospheric, 1920’s, gothic, circus, and friendship. Is there are book that has all of those things because if there is I need to read it ASAP. I will definitely elaborate more on this in a future post.
Example: Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford
These are just some of the reasons that will compel me to add a book to my TBR! The examples that I shared are books that are currently on my TBR. If you have read any of them, please let me know whether or not you enjoyed them! I would also love to know what makes you want to pick up a book!
I add books for the same reasons too. And sometimes it’s because I like a title or think the title sound’s interesting, like the Song of Kali by Dan Simmons. I thought the book title sounded interesting and was glad that the story was gripping and unsettling when I read it.
I didn’t even think of that but it is so true. I am convinced I bought The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle just because it sounds so close to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I am so curious!
Love this post! I add books for all these reasons as well! But especially because of how much I keep with new releases for my posts… and seeing them on Netgalley. That is huge!
That makes a lot of sense! I do not write new release posts but I certainly read them and I know that is how I find a lot of books. I avoid Netgalley for this reason!!
I totally agree about the hype. There have been so many books that I wasn’t initially interested in but then added to my TBR because I caved to the hype monster. I used to avoid hyped books, but then I end up reading and liking a lot of them so now I tend to give in to it sooner.
Every since I started blogging I have given in to the hype a lot more! I just want to be part of the conversation!
I love your post! I can’t remember how many books I’ve added just on reviews and recommendations alone.
Thank you!! Me too! There are so many amazing reviews out there. I feel like I am constantly adding books to my TBR!
I honestly think my tbr list will last longer than I do 😂
I love all of these reasons! I relate to so many of them, especially reviews, hype, and covers! Haha ❤️
Those were definitely the first reasons that came to mind! Glad you can relate!
Ohh I also get so many recommendations from podcasts! And I’m pretty sure I’ve added books for every reason you list here ☺️ Blogging in particular gives me so many new books to add to the tbr!
I have really been loving bookish podcasts lately. They are so fun! Blogging has done a number on my TBR and I love it!
I add books for pretty much all the same reason!
There are so many things that make me want to read books! I feel like I am constantly adding them to my TBR!
Hmm this is interesting. I think I mainly add because of blogger reviews or reading the back cover at the bookstore or because it’s part of a series I am reading.
That makes sense! I used to read the back cover a lot more but haven’t as much since I started blogging. I really need to start browsing more at bookstores!
The bookstore is one of my calming places so I can’t give it up:)
Book Riot’s podcast(s) are always so fun, and adds so many good recommendations.
I always look forward to their podcasts- especially All the Books!
ooh i love this! i’m a real sucker for the Author I Love one, even though it lets me down a LOT. i’m planning to read Bridge of Clay too just because Zusak is an auto-buy author for me!
It is so disappointing when that happens. I have faith is Zusak though!!
Ahhh this is such a great post and I can relate to all of your points here. I tend to add some books to my TBR almost automatically, obviously when they are from an author I love, but also when some bloggers recommend them to me and I know I can trust their recommendations 200%. I also happen to have some key words and things I love to see in books, like sisters and the childhood friends trope, haha, I have a weakness for these kind of books, too 😀
Thank you! It is so great to find bloggers who you trust. Sisters and childhood friends are such great buzzwords. There are not enough books like that!
I’ll add everything to my TBR. For all the reasons you listed and just because I’m afraid otherwise I’ll forget the book and I might want to get to it someday 🙂
Haha I can so relate to that!
Most of these are my reasons as well! Though I haven’t looked much into book podcasts! I didn’t even know there was such a thing until last well LOL. But I think I’ll check out the ones you mentioned! And I definitely agree with buzzwords. Descriptions that include the words carnival or circus, Victorian, steampunk, and friendship always pique my interest.
I think you’re going to fall in love with book podcasts. They are so great!! Those buzzwords are everything. I love Victorian novels.
I’m definitely a sucker for beautiful book covers too
Yes! And there are so many gorgeous covers out there these days.