How to Create an Effective Reading List
Curating a reading list, or a "TBR" that we'll genuinely enjoy and actually follow, isn't as easy as any of us wish it was. . . Especially for a mood-reader, like me.
So, I'm proposing a different plan for mood readers: a "book menu."
I've noticed other mood readers online calling their TBR a "menu," rather than a to-do list, and I thought I'd run with it. Having the mindset alone can be helpful, but tools are always a welcome addition to ideas.
Also, as I'm discovering more and more about Attention Deficit Disorder, I become increasingly convinced it plagues me. Whether that's the reason for my TBR problems or not, I've purposely tried to make this method accessible for readers with ADD. If you have ADD and you'd change this method, please tell us what would change in the comments!
Without further ado, let's chart our steps!
Step One: Gathering the Materials
If you gather nothing else, simply remember to collect titles. Utilize tools wherever you find your book recs. For example, I will save a post on Instagram if I think the book it features looks good, but you can use your notes app, a physical notebook, a YouTube playlist, a quick napkin scribble, etc.
A couple notes: 1) You don’t have to pick books you’ve never read; I firmly believe rereads should count towards whatever brand of reading goals you subscribe to. 2) Give yourself some wiggle room so you have options. If you’d have a reading goal for the rest of this year and there’s only 5 books left to go, don’t pick only 5 books. Otherwise it starts to feel like a rigid list of tasks.
Other tools you might need are:
a Canva account (basic is fine)
a printer or a library (they have printers)
assorted art supplies (if you prefer to make it by hand)
Step Two: Determining Your Categories
I chose to go by genre and simple note how long each book was so I would be aware while picking. If you’d like to organize the books by length, by importance, or by how excited you are to read it, do so! What matters is that it works for you!
It’s also important that you don’t have too many categories. Stick to 2-5 so your final menu doesn’t feel crowded or hard to navigate.
Step Three: Picking/Making a Template
Canva basic has a ton of beautiful templates for “menus” to pick from, which is what I used. Another option might be laying it out yourself. You can use any assortment of physical art supplies to do this; do what makes you like looking at the menu.
Some simple styling tips:
Make sure the books titles will be legible
Add relevant icons or pictures (to taste)
Make sure colors contrast each other
Add check boxes (IF that motivates you; if it stresses you out, SKIP IT)
Step Four: Filling It In
Replace the title first. You can use the frame, “(Your Name’s) Book Menu,” like I did, or you can come up with something completely unique to your menu.
Now, replace the headings with the categories you sorted your TBR books into. I wouldn’t recommend creative names in this case, unless it’s VERY clear which category you mean. The prospect is tempting, but if it’s too obscure, it could inhibit future ease of choice.
Now, all you have left is your books! If you plan on borrowing your books from the library or buying them ahead of time, be sure to include the author. That way, you’ll be able to find your title easier.
Step Five: Printing and Using!
There are three pathways from here:
Print your book menu at home
Print your book menu at the library
Finish your handmade piece
No matter how you’ve made your book menu, you now have a tool perfect for getting through your TBR without ignoring your mood! Hang it up! Laminate it if you’d like! You can even cross stuff off as you go!
If you make your own book menu or you have ideas for making mine better, let me know in the comments below!
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