5 Reasons Every Book Lover Needs a Books To Be Read List Template

If you’re anything like me, your bookshelf, Kindle, and library holds list are overflowing with books you “swear you’ll read someday.”

One glance at my nightstand tells the whole story: Atomic Habits by James Clear stacked on top of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, with It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover squeezed in the middle.

I love books.

I love shopping for them, talking about them, wandering through Barnes & Noble or Powell’s Books for hours… But here’s the truth: loving books and actually reading them are two different things.

That’s why I started using a Books To Be Read List Template (aka TBR list). And honestly?

It changed my reading life.

Today, I’m sharing 5 reasons every book lover (yes, you!) needs one too, plus some real-life stories of how this simple printable saved my sanity—and my bookshelf.

Reason 1: It Stops the Overwhelm

I used to feel overwhelmed every time I walked into Barnes & Noble.

Surrounded by bestsellers, staff picks, and those cozy tables stacked with new releases—my brain screamed: “I want them all!”

But the reality was, I couldn’t remember which ones I’d already promised myself to read.

That’s where my Books To Be Read List came in. I started writing down every book that caught my eye, instead of impulsively buying it.

Suddenly, I didn’t feel overwhelmed—I felt organized.

And when I did buy a book, it was intentional.

My list reminded me: “Hey, you’ve been waiting to read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Go grab that one!”

Reason 2: It Saves Money (Yes, Really!)

Confession: I’ve spent way too much money at Books-A-Million.

And don’t get me started on my late-night Amazon cart full of books.

Before I kept a TBR list, I’d buy duplicates. More than once, I came home excited about a new book only to realize… it was already sitting on my shelf. Oops.

Now, with my Books To Be Read List Template, I track what I already own versus what I still want to buy.

No more duplicates, no more wasted money.

It’s super satisfying to check off a book after I finally read it—like crossing something off my bucket list.

Reason 3: It Helps You Actually Read More

Here’s what shocked me: the simple act of writing down books made me actually read more.

When I kept The Midnight Library and It Ends With Us on my TBR list, I could see them staring at me every time I opened my planner.

It was like they were whispering: “Read me next!”

And guess what? I did.

My reading pace doubled because I always had a clear next pick.

No more standing in front of my shelf wondering what to read. My Books To Be Read List decided for me.

Reason 4: It Makes Book Shopping Fun Again

Walking into Strand Bookstore in New York used to be both magical and stressful. With floor-to-ceiling shelves, I wanted everything.

But now, I go in with my TBR list in hand.

Instead of buying randomly, I hunt for the specific books on my list—like Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros or Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

It feels like a treasure hunt. And when I finally find one, it’s like crossing something off a scavenger hunt.

Shopping is still fun, but now it’s intentional and way more rewarding.

Reason 5: It Turns Reading Into a Journey

The biggest reason I love my Books To Be Read List? It’s not just a list—it’s a story.

Looking back, I can see my reading seasons:

• My self-help phase (Atomic Habits, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*)
• My fantasy binge (A Court of Thorns and Roses, Fourth Wing)
• My romance obsession (It Ends With Us, Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation)

Each title carries memories: the summer I read Evelyn Hugo on the beach, the winter I devoured The Midnight Library in cozy cafés.

And keeping it all in one place—my Books To Be Read List Template—means I’m not just tracking books. I’m tracking pieces of my life.

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Extra Tips for Using Your Books To Be Read List

1. Separate Owned vs. Wishlist → Mark what you already have and what you still want to buy.
2. Add Ratings & Notes → Jot down thoughts when you finish. Future you will thank you.
3. Use Categories → Divide by genre: romance, fantasy, nonfiction, classics.
4. Take It Book Shopping → Bring your printable when you hit Barnes & Noble or indie stores.
5. Make It Fun → Use stickers, washi tape, or highlighters. Turn your list into art.

Books will always be magical. But let’s be real—without a plan, that magic can turn into a messy pile of unread novels.

That’s why I swear by my Books To Be Read List Template. It keeps me organized, saves money, and makes reading more intentional (and fun!).

So if you’re a book lover who dreams of finally tackling your TBR pile—do yourself a favor.

Grab this template, write down your list, and start turning those bookish dreams into reality.

Get your Books To Be Read List Template here