The "To Read" Shelf

[Gabriel]

There is always a danger of ticking off potential readers who truly do intend to read one's book when discussing this topic, but this is a question I have already asked myself. I had a giveaway for five copies of my book The Guilty earlier in the spring and several hundred people entered the contest. Of these, almost 300 people marked my book as to read. And they're still marked as to read to this day. We are months later and as far as I know not a single person who marked my book to read has actually bought it. (Although they still have the book marked the same way.) It's all well and good to say that this is still exposure for the book, and eventually some may buy it, or the to read listing may encourage others to buy the book, and so on. This all strikes me as so much wishful thinking. I for one am convinced that to read really means "to read only if I get a free copy."

[Denise]

I know you asked for authors perspective on this function but I would really like to contribute as a reader.

When I add a book to my to-read list, I fully intend to read it at some point. When I buy books I buy from my to-read list. The only time I don't is when I see a book in a bargain bin that looks interesting.

If I enter contests for books, I don't add it to my to-read list unless I really want to buy it (unless I win it, then I will add it). I tend to enter contests for books that I wouldn't normally buy simply because it is the only way I will find out if I like other genres.

I recently asked members of a group I am in how they use the to-read shelf. Many members stated that they buy from their to-read list. And that there is no particular order they follow when deciding what book to read first off their list. I have books on my to-read shelf that have been their for two years and I still want to read them.

I have also received messages from authors who's books were on my to-read list. I have to say that this made them stand out in my mind and I did buy their books on my next shopping trip.

I also check my friends to-read lists to see if there is anything I would like to read on them. So they do offer exposure to other potential readers.

I hope this was a bit of help for you, from the perspective of the buyer.

[Deborah]

Denise wrote: "I know you asked for authors perspective on this function but I would really like to contribute as a reader.

When I add a book to my to-read list, I fully intend to read it at some point. When I ..." Thank you Denise! That was a great piece of information. As the author of a book, newly launched, I often wonder about those who are continuing to add my book to their to read list and what it all really means. I have confidence in my book, but not in the "to read" process. Clearly, if Bad Girls was actually being read, there would be some reviews racked up. But sadly, not. Maybe you would be interested in taking a look www.deborahdoucette.weebly.com Available on Amazon. Thanks again!

[Deborah]

Gabriel wrote: "There is always a danger of ticking off potential readers who truly do intend to read one's book when discussing this topic, but this is a question I have already asked myself. I had a giveaway for..."

Thank you Paul and Gabriel for asking the question that is the elephant in the room. I keep seeing people add my book to their to read list, but no reviews forthcoming. Very frustrating. "Bad Girls" is a great read, but someone has to crack a book!

[G.G.]

As a reader, I tend to add books that I find interesting. The order they find their way there is irrelevant. If they are there, it means I WANT to read them at some point, and the to-read helps me keep them afloat. Right now, I have tons of unread books in my library that I already own: paper, hardcover, and ebooks. Of course, it makes more sense (to me at least) to finish what I already have before buying even more and yet sometimes I forget myself and buy another one. (Shame on me!)
Now will I ever find time to read them all before I die, only God knows, and the Devil well, I am pretty sure he has a good idea.
When I responded to R&R, it's not because they are free (although of course it can't hurt) but it's because the books appeal to me AT THAT MOMENT. If they don't, they might find their way to the to-read list but I will NOT ask for a free copy. So to answer the question: Do I put them there in the hope I get them free? The answer is NO. Having them free on amazon.com might make them find their way into my library but it won't make me read them faster.

[Melissa]

I do read from my TBR list, at the beginning of each month I pull books from the list to read throughout the month. I also use it as a wish list when I buy books.

There are books on my TBR list that may be on there for a long time before I actually get around to reading them, some are books I have already purchased and some are ones that I would like to buy at some point.

[Diane]

Great discussion. I have had the same experience with my giveaway, the volume of to-reads, and the lack of reviews or ratings. I think this all boils down to "too many books, too little time." Right now I have three going at once.

[D.C.]

I tend to use the TBR shelf as a place to put books that have yet to be released, but are books in series that I read. That way I get a notice from GR that the book is out, which jogs my memory to get it. Of course, there are books in there that have caught my attention as well and I would like to read, but that is not what I primarily use it for. I guess you could say the TBR shelf is a backup for my upcoming books database.

[Loretta]

I would love to contact in a nice way, not in a nagging way, the people who have put my book on their "To Read" shelves, but Goodreads specifically suggests that authors don't contact people who entered the giveaways in case we get reported for spam. I guess I'm just not enough of a rebel, or maybe too much of a 'fraidy-cat.

On the shelving side, I only enter competitons to win books I think I'll like, and I add them onto my "To Read" shelf as a) I may well get around to reading them - my list isn't huge, and b) at least the author then has the book on a shelf somewhere. I would rather people shelve my books and forget to read them than never even shelve them - although I would really like it if they read them, even better if they like and review them. There are so many tempting books that if I read a review about a book which someone else has read I may forget to visit my "To Read" shelf and buy on impulse. That seems to happen a lot. However I intend to get some of the "To Read" ones at some point.

Sadly, once you start writing books too much of your time is given to marketing and there is less time to read.

[Ann]

Love this discussion, and as a reader on Goodreads, totally agree that my "to-read" shelf is exactly what I want - probably a lot of dreaming that I will eventually get to them all before I die. I do use this list when I am shopping, and often refer to them to remind myself of all the fun ahead!

[Cheryl]

I only add books to my "to-read" list when I have actually purchased them. Those books I fully intend to read. Other books that sound promising and might be future buys, I add to my "wish-list". That way, I can keep better track of those books that are languishing on my bookshelves or in my Kindle and need reading as opposed to potential reads.

[Yzabel]

Cheryl: ...Now why haven't I thought of doing this? I tend to add books I'm interested in to my TBR list, no matter whether I own them or not. It's especially useful in the case of books that haven't been published yet. But as a result, I never see it going down, and it feels more and more daunting to wade through it (and yet, it's a small list, compared to that of others'!).

So, yes, a wishlist. It totally makes sense. I should try to do things this way, too.

[Cheryl]

Thanks, Yzabel and Paul! :)