5 Ways to Organize Your TBR List: Digital, Printable, and Visual Options
Ah, the beloved TBR list. 📚 That never-ending, ever-growing “to be read” stack that somehow grows five more titles every time you finish one book (or even just think about reading). If you’ve ever lost track of what’s on your list, double-bought a title, or scrolled aimlessly trying to choose your next read… friend, you are not alone.
But good news! Organizing your TBR can actually be fun, satisfying, and super aesthetic—especially when you bring in a mix of digital tools, printable trackers, and visual layouts that fit your reading style.
So today, I’m sharing 5 easy and creative ways to keep your TBR list organized, inspiring, and 100% personalized. Whether you're a spreadsheet queen, a visual learner, or a printable planner lover—there’s something here for you.
Let’s turn that towering TBR into something you can actually enjoy. 💛
1️⃣ The Digital List: Simple, Searchable, & Always With You
Sometimes, digital is just the easiest. If you want a clean, searchable, always-on-you kind of list, try:
Notion (with custom databases and tags for genre, mood, or length)
Trello (great for organizing into "Want to Read," "Currently Reading," and "Read")
Google Sheets (add columns for title, author, owned/not owned, page count, rating, etc.)
💡 Bonus tip: Use emojis or color codes for genres! A little flair makes it more fun to update.
2️⃣ The Canva TBR Tracker: A Stylish, Custom Reading List
Want a tracker that’s as beautiful as your bookshelf? Make a custom TBR list in Canva!
You can:
Design a bookshelf layout with space to “fill in” each book
Create a printable list with checkboxes or star ratings
Add space for reviews, quotes, or reading dates
🎨 Canva gives you full control over the aesthetic—whether you’re into cozy cottagecore, dark academia, or bright and bold layouts.
👉 Visit A Rea of Treasures on EtsyI’ve created ready-to-use Canva reading templates you can customize in minutes!
3️⃣ The Printable Planner Page: Perfect for Pen & Paper Readers
If you’re a paper planner person (same 🙋♀️), there’s something special about writing your TBR list by hand.
Print a page to:
Track monthly or seasonal reads
Keep a “Books to Buy” section
Record release dates of upcoming titles
Make mini genre-specific lists (summer romances, thrillers, faith reads, etc.)
📌 Pin it in your reading journal, planner, or on your wall—and update as you go!
4️⃣ The Visual Bookshelf: For the Artsy & Inspired
Want to see your progress in a way that’s playful and fun? Try a visual bookshelf!
Draw or print a bookshelf graphic and fill in each book as you read it. You can:
Color in book spines
Add titles as you go
Use symbols or doodles to represent genres or moods
📚 It’s such a fun way to reflect on your reading year—and a great tool for kids or visual learners too!
5️⃣ The Reading App: Goodreads, StoryGraph, or Kindle
Apps like Goodreads and The StoryGraph are great for tracking what you’ve read, what you’re reading, and what’s up next.
Easily search & add new books
Join reading challenges
Track page count & completion stats
Discover new books based on your taste
📱 Bonus: If you’re reading digitally, apps like Kindle let you sync notes, highlights, and bookmarks across your devices!
💌 Want to Stay Inspired All Year Long?
If you’re loving this kind of creative bookish content, come join my email list!
When you sign up, you’ll get:
Free reading trackers + printable planners
Canva design tips for creatives
Updates on new Etsy product drops
Encouragement to help you stay consistent and creative
Let’s organize your reading life—beautifully.
📖 TBR, But Make It Joyful
🌟 Final Thoughts
Your TBR list doesn’t have to feel like a mountain of guilt. Let it be what it should be—a treasure trove of stories you’re excited to explore.
So choose the method that fits your style (or mix a few together!), and start tracking your way toward your next favorite read. You deserve to enjoy every step of the journey.
Rea 🌻Creator of A Rea of Treasures
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