Welcome back to My Jamaican Vignettes. Today I’m asking a simple question: are you a mood reader or a TBR list builder?
I’ve been both and I get the appeal of the two options. But let’s say you are a new reader or someone falling back in love with reading again and your romance of sorts is a slow burn, which should you choose?
Mood Reader or TBR List Builder
The mood reader
Whenever I’m in my mood reader space I pick up and start and stop several books at once. I am in this mode now and I will be honest I haven’t finished a book this month. I’ve hardly been reading at all.
But here’s the pros of being a mood reader you get to dive into something you know you will enjoy because you’re in the right mindset to receive that book and that experience is magical.
The TBR list builder
In my most humble opinion the TBR list builder gets more books read than the mood reader. When I built TBRs and had the time, energy and mental space to follow through and stick to my list I read four or five books for the month.
This approach ensured that I read the books I had both physical copies and digital books. I was organized and I got through the titles.
Here’s the drawback, sometimes that commitment to that TBR list meant that you didn’t leave room to just vibe with a story.
The middle ground and why you should try it.
If you are slowly falling back in love with reading give yourself some structure and room to vibe with what you’re feeling.
Decide what your top two or three genres are or what tropes or story plot points you enjoy and select two books per month that fit into those genres the also allow yourself the space to explore other stories in between or as the mood finds you.
Also reading isn’t a competition. Read for your own enjoyment, escape or self-improvement. Read at your pace and it doesn’t matter how long it takes for you to finish a book just keep reading.
Be well.
See you June.
