How to pick from massive TBR pile

[Noisyneighneigh]

I saw a meme the other day. It said: I've come to the conclusion that buying books and reading them are two entirely different hobbies.
This is me. I'm not as bad as I was but now I have a long and overwhelming TBR pile. I just don't know how to pick so then I read nothing. I only managed 12 books last year Does anyone have a method?

If you’ve got something that is part of a series, read that, then you can follow it with the rest of the series.

If there is anything by an author you’ve read and enjoyed, read that because you’ll probably enjoy it too.

If there is something being talked about, eg it’s won a prize or been made into a film, read that so you can join in with the chat.

If there is one set in a place you know, read that as it will be easy to visualise and interesting to see the place from another point of view.

Failing all that, and assuming they are physical books not ebooks, pick the one with the best cover.
Or list your books and ask MN to help you chose.

Good idea to list them so mumsnetters can help choose. Thank you.

When my TBRs got out of hand I sorted them into categories and cycled through them, reading one from one category, then one from the next. The books in each category were ordered roughly in order of how long ago I bought them so I was mostly reading the older ones first and not leaving them languishing for years while I read newer ones. Once they were organised it meant I never had to spend time thinking about what to read next, and because of the different categories I was getting lots of variety and didn't end up reading loads of samey stuff together.

These were my categories, in case it helps you:

Children's and YA
Classics
Crime and thriller
Easy reading
Modern literature
Non fiction
Science fiction and fantasy
Short stories

I have a very scientific method. I'm aiming to read 50 books this year. The last one I read was very long, so I've just started reading a short one

I'd make a list of what books you have (or a spreadsheet if tht's your kind of thing). Then categorise them in some way - by subject, genre, author, etc, so that it's easier to see what you have.

Think about what's stopping you reading. Could you set aside a certain time each day, or read on your commute, etc, so it becomes a regular habit?

If you're put off by long books, try having a long and a short book on the go at once, and just read a chapter of the long book a couple of times a week, but otherwise stick to the short books.

A few years ago I realised that I'd got a lot of 'to read' books which I didn't really want to read any more because my tastes and interests had changed, so I gave them to a charity shop. It's worth looking through your pile and really thinking about whether they still appeal to you. Reading ought to be pleasurable, so if you are not interested in the books you have, don't feel bad about passing them on and trying different authors/genres/subjects.

@Redshoeblueshoe

I have a very scientific method. I'm aiming to read 50 books this year. The last one I read was very long, so I've just started reading a short one

Can't argue with that solid science.

Wow, I think you're me. I've always read 50 a year until last year where I got a bit paralysed by indecision and read 15.

And not one yet this year.

Someone on the 50 Books Thread numbered their books and used a random number generator to pick. I thought that was smart; you just read whatever the machine tells you too.
I just go with whatever seems most appealing. I too have a problem with unread books as a result. I have occasional moratoria on new book buying and aim to get through a few of the to read pile before buying new, but the habits of years are evident from my book shelves.

I'd pick 3 out and just start reading the one you fancy the most!

I try and put them in am order (no logarithm, or scientific method) and plough through them. Sometimes a book jumps the queue, sometimes I buy a book and read it immediately.

But if you've a massive pile, I'd get 2 piles on the go and put the three that you fancy at the top of the pile. The other pile can go away and when your favourites like gets depleted, restock that pile from your other pile.

@PepeLePew

Someone on the 50 Books Thread numbered their books and used a random number generator to pick. I thought that was smart; you just read whatever the machine tells you too. I just go with whatever seems most appealing. I too have a problem with unread books as a result. I have occasional moratoria on new book buying and aim to get through a few of the to read pile before buying new, but the habits of years are evident from my book shelves.

I'm going to do this. Got a lot to number though!

Start out with the shortest and the easiest reads so you'll feel you're really cruising and you'll stop feeling ashamed about your list.

Tackle the longer and less attractive titles later.

As an easier variation of the numbering them, I just send my children to pick one if I'm struggling. Minimal effort from me but same result!