Tackling My Physical TBR 

You have me laughing so hard! There is a reason you don't call me to talk you off the ledge because you know I would say "who cares! buy more books you can never have too many books" hehehe!

Of course I'd like to see an unhaul video!!!! The whole process! Can't wait!

I’m overwhelmed by my TBR. It’s “only” 70, but that will take me nearly a year to get through, which means that my excitement for most of them dwindles the longer they sit there. I can no longer comfortably fit all of them on my shelves. It helps that I share ONE bookshelf with my husband. My ongoing goal will be to bring home fewer books than I have read. So this month I’ve read three books from my shelf, and I brought home one new book today. If I keep up that pattern, I should be able to get it under control.

And let's not forget the 50 books you just brought in from your Advent project. Eek! I haven't done a count of my physical TBR in quite a while. I have one large bookshelf and it is PACKED. I have a second smaller bookshelf that I use for readathons and reading goals. Being unemployed for nearly 5 months put the brakes on the book buying. Thankfully I will be starting a new job shortly (yay!), but I'm hoping to put some smarter book buying habits into practice. I also collect series and I need to STOP that. lol. My Kindle TBR doesn't really bother me. Like you said, it doesn't take up physical space beyond the device itself. There are several hundred books on there. I would love to use my library more, I just don't get there very often. We may be moving soon, so that will give me a chance to go through my physical TBR again and hopefully unhaul some books that are no longer interesting to me.

I would love to see the entire process on video watching you go through your books deciding whether to unhaul it or not. I am not sure exactly how many physical books I have but it is in the thousands. My husband made me shelves in one of my closets and it is packed. I have books in plastic containers down in the basement and in cabinets down there also. I would guess that I have at least 4,000 physical books. I just checked my Kindle and I have 6,905 books on it. A lot of those were free because I am on a lot of email lists and you can get a lot of good free books or like you said inexpensive books. I have more books than I will read in my lifetime and I still keep buying. I just can't imagine not buying books. It is so awesome to get books in the mail or go to the bookstore.

Your video really resonated with me. I read 70-100 books a year and at the start of 2018, I worked out that I have 5 years worth of physical books on my shelves to read! That doesn't include any books on my kobo which is probably about 200 more. It's just a ridiculous amount of books. I actually stopped buying physical books mid 2018, so unless its a gift, I have just stopped letting physical books into my house. I also only keep books I think I will read again which helps with the space issue. If I hear about a book that sounds good, I keep a hand written list in a TN insert. Nine times out of ten, a week later, I have forgotten about wanting the book. The other thing I thought I would try in 2019 is to take a day and pull 20-30 books from my shelves, sit down and read the first chapter or 50 pages or so and if it isn't keeping my attention or doesn't appeal, then donating it. If I could do this a few times throughout the year then that would help reduce my books. I totally agree with you about the library - If I am desperate to read a new release or some other book, then I can get it from the library and If I adore it, I can buy it. I also love your sequel rule, I do that all the time - buy all the series or all the books from an author before I even know if I like their stuff. Good luck with tackling your tbr- would love to see what you unhaul - great video:-)

My gosh, I have about 20 books and that’s kinda stressing me out. Your honest self-reflection is really admirable. I look forward to seeing this process.

I think you’re my twin! I can 100% relate to everything you have said. I haven’t physically counted all my books but I’m pretty sure I’m in the same boat as you where I have enough books to keep me reading for the next 6 years. Coming January 1, I’m putting myself on a book buying ban.

Yes we want to see the process. It would be fun to see you go through each shelf and select the books you question and read a chapter or 2. We probably have some of the same books and would be fun to hear your perspective. I’m with you on using the library. I now try to only check books out from the library or atleast only buy books from the library sales so it benefits the library but it’s hard! The struggle is real! Good luck and can’t wait to see what you decide.

I have that cart too. I"m using it for my currently reading books. Since I read many books at once it certainly comes in handy next to my bed. My plan is to use the library too for new releases. My books are over flowing all over the house as well but I can't give them away until I try to read them. There is a blog that does this called Down the TBR Hole. She takes like 5 to 10 books at a time and she unhauls them. Yes would like to see your unhaul.

It's hard, I know, but good for you! I had to stop buying both physical books and nail polish. We can let ourselves go crazy until we are out of room in our homes and can't read or use what we already have. I have a large TBR list, but a list is not bought books, so I am ok with my list. Moderation is the key to everything, right? Good luck, Sarah. Love your channel!

I love your book shelves they are so unique.

I would love to see the whole process of the unhaul. I find that utilizing the library for books I t do not end up reading from my physical tbr, so I have had to put a freeze on my current holds at the library to be able to start tackling my physical tbr.

I think we may be related...I have been knocking my tbr shelves (and physical books in general) down for awhile now. My first rule for keeping a book is "will I reread it?" Not, oh it was great or I want to recommend it, or anything else. The second guideline is "does this book have something about it as a physical object that makes me want it on my shelves?" Is it very visual, signed, a special edition, given to me by a loved one, really beautiful (still has to fit rule one). Thinking about the book as an object has helped me weed out a lot of books. Many I have on kindle (those sales are useful!). My last trick is read a thons. I do not buy any new titles for read a thons, instead I use them as a reason to hunt through the tbr shelves. It is amazing how many books can get shuffled up from the bottom of the stack when putting together a tbr for different challenges. I am looking forward to seeing what works for you!

You may try reading the first book of series you own and if you do not like the first book, get rid of all the books in the series you have. Good luck with tackling your TBR.

I'd love to see the whole process. Why you would keep certain books and why you wouldn't.

I need to count my physical tbr because now I’m wondering how many I have! I know it’s a lot lol 😂 your video had me cracking up! I would love to see your unhaul the whole long process sounds good to me!! And omg I need a tbr cart! Love that idea!

I always love watching videos of Booktubers talking about managing their physical tbr! A few of my tips/rules I like to follow (this is kinda long sorry): I always stave off from buying sequels in a series I haven't started yet, which I feel like can be really helpful in minimizing book buying (it also helps if you only allow yourself to buy the book you are on in the series--i.e., if you only are on book 2, don't buy book 4 until you finish book 3). You could also do this for authors more generally, as I find it a waste if I own several books from an author I've never read before and then find I don't enjoy the first book I read from them (if you want to be super strict, you could limit yourself to one unread book per author, so you have to finish a book by Kristin Hannah for example before you can acquire another one). To combat both of these, I usually try to force myself to get the first book in a series or a new-to-me author's book from the library and, if I like it, then I will maybe purchase the second book in a series/another book by this author. I also find it helpful (you may already do this) to have an "own tbr" shelf on Goodreads so I can easily remember what books I own and how many I own. I have a much smaller owned tbr and I still get overwhelmed, but as with everything once you start getting into more sustainable book buying habits you will get used to them and end up really appreciating the books you do buy! Best of luck in your own-tbr journey!

good luck with these goals! you can do it :))

Girl I feel you. I’ve been dealing with this too. One of my New Years resolutions is to read more from my own shelves. I’m going to really put forth the effort to not buy as many books this (next) year. I’m going to concentrate on the Great American reads list more this next year, and you’ve inspired me to make a reading bullet journal! I’m hoping that keeps me focused on the books I already have. We can do this!✊🏻 And yes I would like to see an official unhaul video too!

Yes I would be interested to see how you tackle 2019 up hauls try a chapter etc xx

I will not buy a book unless I've read it and know I will definately reread it...I go to my library for my reads and if they don't have the book I'll request it...took me forever to do these things but honestly it's way easier on my pocket lol...would you maybe consider going through the books you have read already and unhaul any of those? Maybe that would be a help on the TBR books you have too...and YES I would like to see an unhaul☺👍

I think the key is to control my book buying, while reading mostly from my own shelves. I'm hoping to have a one in, one out policy this year. If I buy a book, I have to get rid of an unread book. Also, I'm participating in a goodreads group, Mount TBR 2019, which is all about reading the books you own. My goal is to read 75 of my own books in 2019. (I've read about 180 books this year, so that leaves me plenty of room to read from my library.) I own almost 600 unread books (including kindle and audiobooks), so if I can control my book buying, I can get through that stack over time. I cannot let myself increase that number by much if I want to get through them.

I would love to see an unhaul! One of my goals next year is to have my goodreads 'Read' list contain more books than my 'TBR' list. I'll have to rewatch your goodreads purge video and tackle it again. Something that really helps me read more is just not having a TBR. Having a list of books I've 'committed' to read makes me feel a little bit trapped and I end up dragging my heels and not reading any books because I've lost interest. I prefer to have a small list of specific books I would like to get to, but they aren't imperative, and have a separate number in mind for how many I want to read. That way I can pick up whatever I'm most interested in at the time and fly through books so much quicker. I was also getting really overwhelmed with the number of ARCs I had to read, I think I got a little bit caught up in the excitement of 'I have a book before anyone else!' and not really thinking about whether it was something I would be willing and able to review on time. Going forward I'm going to get my Netgalley percentage up as high as I can and then only request books that I would pre-order or buy on release, that way I know I'll be able to get to it and honour my obligations. That also leaves more time in the month for my physical books. I have a giant unhaul planned for early next year when I get more shelves and build a library corner, I hope to be absolutely ruthless and get rid of anything I'm not going to read or re-read, and lots of sequels where I haven't even read and don't own the first book. My library isn't very good, but I can keep an eye out for great deals or second hand books I really want to own. One day I plan to have an entire library in my home, but I currently live in such a small space and it just isn't feasible anymore to plan for that part of my future. This was a really great video for me right now, you had some ideas I can work into my own strategy and it's nice to know I'm not the only one seriously stressed about the size of my collection!

You have inspired me to go through my bookshelves. My bookshelves are overflowing with unread books that I’m no longer interested in reading. Thank you and good luck with your unhaul.

I set a number how many books I have to read before I can buy another, it helps me. Good luck

Wow! That's a lot of books! I have a lot of books also, so watching you go through the process will help to do it too.

I’m in the same boat my physical TBR is insane. I like some of your ideas for getting it under control. I am planning on going through my shelves and being super honest with what I will realistically read and getting rid of some things. I’m also putting myself on a book buying ban (with the only exception being if it’s a sequel I need for a series I am currently reading and enjoying). I’m also going to do a TBR jar with the books in it that have been on my shelf for more than a year and challenging myself to read 2 of them a month (I typically read 7-8 books a month so this should be easy). Good luck in 2019!

I can definitely relate to you I have a huge tbr! Could you please do a volge about you unhauling your books, and please share any tips.

I’m going to do a book balance sheet next year. Basically purchased books will be a + and read or unhauled books will be a - anything in the negative will be good at the end of the month!

OMG SARAH, THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!!! I am going through the same problem. And its hard bc i CRAVE going to Goodwill and thrift stores and buying books. And then, they go right on my shelf and sit there. And im like "why do I NEED to buy all these books just to sit there?" But i just keep brining home more and more books. Im going to do what you're doing and, start cleaning my shelfs out. You're not alone lol I'm gonna do this too!!

I can sense how overwhelmed you are, but thanks for doing this video. I just crossed over 100 books that I own and that is really high for me considering we live in a small house and I don't own an actual bookshelf. So you can probably imagine what my bookstacks look like. A lot I aquired when I started watching BookTube a couple of years ago. Back at the beginning of this year I did a purge of books I first bought and no longer interested in (Konmari inspired). It was a great relief. One of my reading goals this year was to read more from my shelf and I failed miserably. I think I only read like 3 or 4 books. I am setting a new goal for 2019 that is a little more specific. I am going to read at least one book from my shelf a month. My other goal is to read one book a month from my GR tbr. I'm starting to be a little more selective on what I add to my TBR list because it was getting very overwhelming for me to decide what I want to read. I'm really interested in your unhaul process, so I hope you film it. Good luck in 2019 and happy holidays.

Oh my goodness, I have a lot of the same problems. Buying complete series without reading the first book is an expensive habit that I'm trying to get away from. I have a lot of the same goals as you for the upcoming new year. Good for you for counting all your books, I haven't wanted to do that yet... If I did that it will make my spending more realistic. I've joined some blogging challenges for the upcoming year, reading books that were purchased before 2019 and a challenge to read borrowed books. I'm also utilizing the library and my kindle more. Good luck with your upcoming goals.

I love this and need to do this with you!!! I would love to see a video on the process and/or unhaul! You might have to make those videos in parts!!!

Yes for an unhaul video! I go to Goodwill, used bookstores and the library every single week looking for books. Ha! It doesn't matter if I already have a stack of books ready to be read, I have to look for more books. Clearly I have issues. Lol! I can't bring myself to purchase brand new books. They're so expensive and there's something about pilfering through used books and libraries that I just love. You never know what you're gonna find. It's like going on an adventure.

This video speaks to my soul! I literally have overflowing shelves and last night I was looking at my shelves, and thought I need to learn self control where books are concerned 😂 I did start the idea where the I only buy the first book in a series and read it before buying the next one, it has helped. Those sequels add up! P.S. I now want/need a book cart 😂🤦‍♀️

I'm going through the same thing right now and, because of you, I'm starting a "finish 35 books before I turn 35" but with a twist of that they all have to be books I already own. Hopefully that will put me into the habit of reading books from my own shelves more often. While I love using my library (and do so all the time), sometimes it prevents me from reading from my own collection. I wish you luck girl!!

I am also on the same boat as you. Was just looking at my bookshelves this morning and getting stressed out looking at the amount of unread books. I get rid of them as I’m done reading them but still have so many. This year I’ve utilized my library just a little too much putting holds on too many I couldn’t even get to. So for 2019, I’m only going to try and check one a month. 🤞🏻 I’m looking at unhauling some only if they are available through my library . I don’t even want to mention the amount on my kindle 🙀

I feel you it is also my problem having lot of books i own over 400 books and unhauled a bunch too so yeah its a physical problem so am with you Sarah feel you

That's quite a few books to go through how about scheduling a weekly or monthly unhaul RU-vid video? You could includes both books you have read before and books that you're parting ways with. I would love to see library hauls too! I forget sometimes how much is available at the library and through the library loan system.

I am dealing with the same struggle. Helpful to know I'm not alone.

And I would love to watch a big unhaul video.

I am with you Sarah...same here. I also unhaul books I have read. My goal this year is also to utilize the library. My library offers ebooks, audio books, well as, the physical copy. The ebooks and audiobooks usually expire at 21 days. The money I would save book buying would probably pay for a nice vacation, so it would pay to curb my candle and book addiction. I keep telling myself, new releases will be at the library in a physical copy, ebook, and audiobook, so it is also time to give up my book subscriptions. The state I live in has a full access library card which allows you to checkout ebooks or audiobooks from all over the entire state, plus I can checkout the books without even leaving my home. If the book is not available, I can even put myself on the waiting list. My other 2019 goal is to purge things I realistically can’t get to and is no longer bringing me happiness. Let’s face it, my entire house needs an enema! 📚😂📖

I'll be doing a similar project in 2019. I want to purge my TBR shelf: any book I bought before 2019 that is still unread at the end of the year (except books in series I already know I want to keep) will be unhauled. That gives me a year to filter through my TBR and decide if I'm still interested by those books (especially those I bought years and years ago). I have maybe 120 books on my TBR right now, and if I decide to skip a few, that's doable.

Yes do a video of your unhaul and the process of it. I reevaluate the books on my shelves about every 3 months to make sure I am still interested in them. I stopped buying books and check them out from my library to try it before I buy it. It's a budget friendly way to get my hands on new releases. My physical tbr doesn't really stress me out. Its the 800+ plus books on my Kindle lol ugh I get so overwhelmed trying to decide what to read next on it.

Yes I love ungainly videos I work in a library but I have probably over 600 or more on my physical tbr at home and my problem is that I read my library books first because they’re due back and then I don’t read my own books So this year I’m going to try to read more of my own books A colleague and I have imposed a new book ban for this year ( second hand charity stuff is ok) I feel your issues I freak out at wanting to get them all read and when I go to unhaul I’m just debilitated by indecisiveness . I have whole sets of Michael Connelly’s lee child etc I’ve never tried one so I think this year I will try to so if I don’t like them they can all go We need like a group 12 steps for tbr look after each other going through this 😃 Ps love the cart I want one where is it from

i use my library allll the time for books & then if they arent on the library & i really want to read it i will either buy it on my kobo or actually head to the library and see if they have the physical book to borrow. i hardly buy any physical books anymore.

I’m a reader and a collector of books. We have a library in our home. I only buy books that I would read but I know I won’t read all of them. If I didn’t have the space I wouldn’t do this. I love going into our library and just sitting enjoying looking at all the books. That being said, I don’t keep thrillers I read, won’t read them again. I also get rid of standalone contemporary books that don’t hit the best of the best for me. Please share your unhaul and reasons why.

I’ve just done the same thing and counted all my unread books. Yikes! 204!!! That’s crazy! And I know I will not stick to a book buying ban, I just won’t, I can’t, gah! I do have an idea to SLOW DOWN my book buying. ****I can buy 1 book for every 5 books read/unhauled.**** What do you think of that idea? I’m going to try this method and see how it works this next year.

What about getting rid of the books you've read? I hardly ever reread books, some I do want to keep though, they end up in storage where they will sit for the next decade or something. If it's not a book I want to keep for some reason I try and sell them or stuff it in the little free library close by, there i usually find nothing i like. For the next year I don't have books in my budget, good luck to me. Would be cool to see the whole unhaul process.

Unhaul YES please

Oh and ........GOOD LUCK

First world problems.