The Never-Ending TBR Pile: Why I Keep Buying Books Even Though I Haven’t Finished the Ones I Have

Let’s be honest—my to-be-read (TBR) pile is out of control. It’s teetering on the edge of my nightstand, spilling over onto the floor, and threatening to take over my entire living space. And yet, I can’t stop buying more books. I know, I know, I should probably finish the ones I have first, but where’s the fun in that? There’s something about the promise of a new book that’s just too tempting to resist.

So, why do I keep adding to the pile when I already have enough unread books to last me a lifetime? Let me try to explain this (totally logical) phenomenon.

The Thrill of the Hunt

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of discovering a new book. Whether it’s stumbling upon a hidden gem in a used bookstore, getting a recommendation from a friend, or just browsing the “New Releases” section online, finding a book that piques your interest is like striking gold. And once I find one, I can’t just leave it there! What if it’s the next great love of my reading life? Into the cart it goes.

The Dream of Future Reading

When I buy a new book, I’m not just buying a collection of pages—I’m buying the dream of future reading. In my mind, I’m already curled up on a rainy day, lost in the pages of this amazing new find. Never mind that I have at least ten other books I had that same fantasy about last month. It’s the idea that this book could be the one that I can’t put down, and that’s worth adding it to the pile.

Different Books for Different Moods

Here’s the thing: I’m a mood reader. Sometimes I’m in the mood for a heart-pounding thriller, other times I want a cozy romance, and then there are days when only a deep, thought-provoking nonfiction will do. So naturally, I need a wide selection to choose from at any given moment. My TBR pile is like my personal library—a little bit of everything, ready to cater to whatever mood strikes.

The Eternal Optimism of a Book Lover

Every book lover I know has an eternal optimism that one day they’ll get through their entire TBR pile. We believe that we’ll have that magical weekend where we do nothing but read, or that a sudden urge will hit, and we’ll just devour book after book. And hey, maybe it will happen! But even if it doesn’t, that optimism keeps us adding to the pile, convinced that we’ll get to them all eventually.

The FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is Real

Let’s not forget about the fear of missing out. Book lovers are bombarded with recommendations, book club picks, and award winners, and it’s hard not to feel like you’re missing out on something amazing. What if everyone is talking about this one book and I haven’t read it yet? The FOMO is real, and the only solution is to grab that book and add it to the TBR pile—just in case.

Final Thoughts

So, will I ever conquer my TBR pile? Probably not. But honestly, I’m okay with that. There’s something comforting about knowing I’ll never run out of new books to explore, and that my reading journey is always evolving. Besides, a towering TBR pile is just a sign of a well-read life in progress, right?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a new book delivery to unpack. (Yes, I know I still haven’t finished the last one I bought, but let’s just keep that between us.) Happy reading, fellow book lovers!