TBR stands for ‘to be read’ — a reader's list (or, very often, physical pile) of books they intend to read but haven't got to yet. It's a piece of everyday shorthand in the book-loving community, from bookshops to online reading circles.
For many readers the TBR is part real list and part running joke, because it has a habit of growing far faster than they can actually read — every recommendation, intriguing review and irresistible bookshop find adds another title. An ever-expanding TBR is a badge of honour among keen readers rather than a problem to solve.
A useful habit is to note which TBR books you already own (and read those first, to clear the pile and save money), which to borrow, and which are still on the wishlist. Our free TBR list keeps it organised, and pairing it with a yearly reading challenge helps you actually work through it. Happy reading!