Do you have a TBR, Reader?

By TBR, I mean "to be read"— a list (or pile) (or teetering stack) (or imaginary shelf overly crammed with more books than you could ever remember) of books you want to read.

There's that expression I'm sure you've heard: So many books, so little time.

I simultaneously don't like that quote and also FEEL IT in my bones.

I don't like it because the idea of "so many books, so little time" doesn't make me feel more delighted by my reading life. It makes me feel like reading is *one more thing* on my never-ending to-do list.

I... do not need that. I bet you don't either. 😅

But there are so many things I'm dying to read! So I do understand it.

I love the way Oliver Burkman talks about his TBR. In his newest book (Meditations for Mortals, which I loved), he writes:

He goes on to say:

(all of that bolding is mine)

(I actually double-underlined that last one in my copy of the book, and added a bunch of stars to the margin. That's Sarah shorthand for: YESSSSSS! 😆)

Our TBR is a river.

It's not "so many books, so little time" because you aren't supposed to read it all. So just pick up a floating leaf or twig as it floats by and read it for the sheer delight of reading it.

Not to empty the bucket. Not to check it off your list.

But just because reading makes us feel wholly, gloriously, completely alive.

xo, Sarah Mackenzie

P.S. If you need me this month, I'll be waist-deep in the river, enjoying the entire Emma M. Lion series on audio.

It. is. superb. Truly, I cannot remember a series I've enjoyed as much as this one. 😍