How To Organize A Tbr Reading List By Genre?

Does anyone else struggle with balancing their fantasy series and contemporary fiction when setting up a tbr? I need a method that actually works for my chaotic book collection!
2025-08-21 02:23:10
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7 Answers

Best Answer
JordanBay
JordanBay
Reviewer HR Specialist
A simple method is to create a digital spreadsheet or use a notes app with columns for title, genre, and priority. You can sort or filter by genre when you're deciding what to read next. For example, I keep a separate fantasy tab, and I added 'Sinful Fantasies Collections' there because it bundles several dark romance arcs into one place—each story focuses on a different character's morally gray choices and the consequences that follow, which makes it easy to pick up based on my mood for that specific subgenre.
2026-08-02 09:39:40
115
Isaac
Isaac
Clear Answerer Firefighter
Organizing a tbr by genre is my favorite way to tackle my ever-growing pile of books. I begin by dividing my list into broad genres like fantasy, contemporary, historical fiction, and thrillers. Under fantasy, I’ll slot in epic tales like 'The Stormlight Archive' and cozy reads like 'Legends & Lattes'. For contemporary, I mix in uplifting stories like 'Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine' and heavier ones like 'A Little Life'.

I also add sub-genres for more precision. Under thrillers, I separate psychological thrillers like 'Gone Girl' from crime thrillers like 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'. This way, I can pick based on my mood. I also keep a separate section for short stories and poetry, like 'The Paper Menagerie', for when I need a quick read. Using apps like Goodreads or Notion helps me visualize and rearrange my list easily.
2025-08-23 06:19:37
13
Aiden
Aiden
Longtime Reader Journalist
I love organizing my TBR list by genre because it helps me match my reading mood. I start by listing all the books I want to read, then I group them into categories like fantasy, romance, sci-fi, and mystery. I use a simple spreadsheet or even sticky notes to keep track. For fantasy, I might include 'The Name of the Wind' and 'Mistborn'. Romance could have 'The Hating Game' and 'Normal People'. I also leave a little space for mood reads—sometimes I’m not in the mood for a heavy fantasy and just want something light. This method keeps my list flexible but structured.
2025-08-23 11:43:43
9
Grace
Grace
Book Clue Finder Driver
My tbr list is a chaotic mix, so organizing it by genre is a lifesaver. I start by sorting books into main genres—fantasy, romance, sci-fi, and mystery. Then, I get specific. Fantasy splits into high fantasy like 'The Way of Kings' and urban fantasy like 'Neverwhere'. Romance gets divided into sweet rom-coms like 'The Unhoneymooners' and steamy reads like 'The Kiss Quotient'.

I also consider themes. For example, under sci-fi, I’ll group dystopian books like 'The Hunger Games' separately from space operas like 'Leviathan Wakes'. This helps me avoid genre fatigue. I keep a physical journal to jot down titles and color-code them by genre. It’s satisfying to see the rainbow of options when I’m deciding what to read next.
2025-08-24 06:36:56
17
KateFinn
KateFinn
Expert Cashier
I assign each book a 'season' when I add it. Some books just feel like autumn reads (spooky, academic, melancholy) or summer reads (light, adventurous, beachy). I have four seasonal lists in my reading app. When that season arrives, that's the list I primarily pull from. It creates a nice synergy between my reading and the world outside my window. A frosty thriller in winter hits different. This method requires a bit of intuitive categorization, but it makes reading feel timely and connected to the rhythm of the year. Books that don't fit a season go into a 'Any Time' list.
2026-08-02 00:39:40
13
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How to organize a list of books I read by genre?

7 Answers2025-07-07 12:36:39
Organizing my book collection by genre has been a game-changer for me, and I love sharing my method. I start by creating broad categories like 'Fantasy', 'Romance', 'Sci-Fi', and 'Mystery'. Then, I dive deeper into sub-genres—for example, under 'Fantasy', I might have 'High Fantasy', 'Urban Fantasy', and 'Dark Fantasy'. I use a digital spreadsheet to keep track, with columns for title, author, genre, and my personal rating. For physical books, I arrange them on shelves by genre, then alphabetically by author. This makes it super easy to find what I’m in the mood for. I also tag books in apps like Goodreads or StoryGraph, which helps when I want recommendations based on my preferences. Another trick I’ve picked up is color-coding spines or using sticky notes for quick visual reference. It’s a bit extra, but it makes my shelves look vibrant and organized. If you’re into audiobooks or e-books, creating folders or playlists by genre works wonders too.

How can you organize your TBR list if you like book recommendations?

7 Answers2026-07-24 07:23:38
Keep it simple: a physical notebook. There's something about writing a title by hand that makes it feel like a real promise, not just another digital entry. I have sections for 'from Mom,' 'from Reddit r/Fantasy,' and 'prize winners.' When I finish one, I draw a little satisfying line through it. The tactile feedback is weirdly motivating. It's slower to update, but that's kind of the point—it forces me to be more selective about what gets added. If a recommendation doesn't stick in my memory long enough for me to walk over and write it down, was it really that compelling? The notebook acts as a natural filter.

Can I add custom categories or tags to organize my TBR list?

3 Answers2025-10-10 18:35:06
the TBR app allows users to create custom tags and categories for easy organization. You can group books by mood, genre, author, or even reading challenge goals. Each tag can be color-coded or reordered to match your personal style. This flexibility lets readers structure their library in creative ways, far beyond the standard “Read,” “Currently Reading,” or “To Be Read” lists.

What is a tbr reading list and how to make one?

3 Answers2025-08-21 14:10:29
A tbr reading list is just a collection of books I plan to read someday—it’s like a wishlist for my brain. I keep mine simple: whenever I stumble across a book that catches my interest, whether it’s from a friend’s recommendation, a TikTok review, or just a random bookstore browse, I jot it down in a notes app. Some people use Goodreads or spreadsheets, but I prefer keeping it low-key. The key is to not stress about it—it’s not homework. I organize mine by mood, so when I’m in the right headspace, I pick whatever fits. Sometimes I’ll even throw in a wildcard, like a genre I don’t usually read, just to keep things fresh. The list grows faster than I can read, but that’s part of the fun—it’s like having a personal library waiting to be explored.

How to organize books in my library by genre effectively?

9 Answers2025-08-03 19:57:15
I've always found organizing books by genre to be a mix of practicality and personal preference. Start by sorting them into broad categories like fantasy, romance, sci-fi, and non-fiction. Within each genre, I arrange alphabetically by author's last name for easy access. For series, I keep them together in order, regardless of author. I also use color-coded stickers on the spines to quickly identify genres. It's a simple system, but it works wonders for keeping my library tidy and making sure I can find what I want without a hassle. For kids' books, I separate them into their own section to make bedtime reading easier.

How to organize a journal for books read by genre?

10 Answers2025-08-13 13:06:07
Organizing a journal for books by genre is a fantastic way to keep track of your reading journey and discover patterns in your preferences. I love using a physical notebook with tabs or dividers for each genre, like fantasy, romance, sci-fi, and mystery. Each section starts with a brief overview of why I love the genre, followed by entries for each book. For every entry, I jot down the title, author, a short summary, my rating, and personal thoughts—especially how it made me feel or standout moments. Digital tools like Notion or Goodreads also work wonders; you can create custom tags or shelves. To make it visually appealing, I add color-coding or stickers for moods (e.g., heart stickers for tearjerkers). For deeper analysis, I include a monthly wrap-up comparing genres—like how many fantasy books made me cry versus sci-fi. This method turns my journal into a personalized literary map, and revisiting it feels like flipping through a scrapbook of emotions and adventures.
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