10 Signs a TBR List Is Slowly Becoming Book Hoarding

If your to-be-read (TBR) list is growing faster, maybe it’s time to determine whether it’s a case of actual interest or simply book hoarding.

Dearest gentle reader (read: hoarder), if your to-be-read (TBR) list is growing faster than the completed books, maybe it’s time to determine whether it’s a case of actual interest or simply book hoarding.

It always starts with the purest of intentions: a book declared a must-read, a curiosity waiting to be quenched, a love for reading, or even the desire to grow. But somewhere between “this is my next read” and “I’ll just add one more,” things begin to shift.

Suddenly, the well-loved muse becomes another book, or a list of books that have been collecting dust for over 10 years.

Disclaimer: This list is not about shame; it’s about awareness and knowing when to stop. Hopefully, this article doesn’t just end up in another to-be-read list.

The Psychology of Book Hoarding

The habit of storing books is not entirely new or particularly bad; in fact, there’s even a word for it: tsundoku.

It’s a Japanese term that combines tsunde (to stack things), oku (to leave for a while), and doku (to read).

So, book hoarding is not exactly a clinical situation that needs attention. According to psychologists, it’s closer to aspirational collecting.

Buying a book or adding to a to-be-read list is quite justified. It is a declaration of intent to read and a signal to the person you wish to become.

For example, business books symbolize ambition or a new strategy, and self-help books are a step towards healing or becoming a better person. So don’t feel bad if your list or shelf is much longer than originally planned.

Below are ten signs that a TBR list may have shifted from ambitious to overwhelming, along with insights to help you recognize the pattern.

1. You Buy Books Faster Than You Read Them

Every latest release, every must-read, every trending book makes it to your shelf. If the balance between the books read monthly and those added weekly is unequal, it’s a huge red flag. The fact is in the maths.

At this rate, the TBR becomes less of a reading plan and more of a hoarding situation. This is because too many unread books can create pressure rather than the inspiration they were meant for.

2. You Forget What You Already Own

The first tell sign of a book hoarding situation is forgetting what you already have available. This usually happens when your collection grows faster than memory can handle.

Going through a list is a surprise because one can’t remember the plot or why it was added in the first place. Probably because it has a cover change, or because there are so many.

3. Looking at the TBR gives you Anxiety.

Books are supposed to be a source of dopamine and a means of relaxation. If a TBR causes anxiety, it’s probably because there are too many books.

4. The TBR List Has Its Own TBR

It’s a list within a list. In your TBR pile, there are still different categories: “Priority TBR”, “Weekend reads”, “Research books”, “food for motivation“, “Books I swear I’ll read before the year runs out”.

This level of complexity is a huge indicator of early-stage book hoarding. Instead of helping to read more, this structure may make it even harder to decide which book to read.

5. The Pile Makes You Feel Guilty Instead of Inspired

Looking at a shelf no longer brings you joy or satisfaction, but makes one feel guilty about how much is left. It’s not a court case; a TBR should keep the reader excited for the next read, not scared.

6. Buying Books is More of an Emotional Comfort

Buying books whenever stressed, creatively blocked, lonely, or simply to feel motivated may not be a healthy habit. Your emotional position should not determine your next buy; while it may be comforting, this pattern can easily lead to book hoarding rather than genuine interest.

7. No room on your shelves for unread books.

When book hoarding becomes evident, messiness isn’t too far away. Physical clutter is equivalent to mental clutter. Donate books you know you won’t go back to and let your space breathe.

8. Every Purchase is justified as “Research.”

Most writers fall into this category; they justify every buy as necessary and convince themselves that it’ll be important to their craft and that a large collection signals they’re a serious writer. But research only works when reading actually happens. Otherwise, your resource library becomes a decorative archive.

9. Reading Tools Outnumber Actual Reading

Never running out of tools for reading, but the actual reading barely gets done.

There are about three reading apps, two tracking journals, multiple Goodreads challenges, and a color-coded spreadsheet, but with little reading progress.

At this stage, organizing books feels productive, even though it is replacing the real work of reading.

10. You Feel Personally Attacked by This List

If most of these signs feel uncomfortably familiar, your TBR list may have shifted into book hoarding territory. And that’s okay because awareness is the first step to progress.

Why This Matters for Writers and Creatives

For writers and other creatives, reading serves as a fuel, but excessive accumulation can be counterproductive.

Psychologists remind us that books, whether read or not, are more than objects. They’re symbols of ambition and memory. A shelf of untouched books can say as much about a person as a well-worn favorite.

For some, it’s a record of curiosity and hope. For others, it’s simply a reminder of futures never lived.

From Book Hoarding to Intentional Reading

Loving books is beautiful. Collecting books is not inherently wrong. But when a TBR becomes a source of anxiety rather than excitement, it may be time to reset. The goal is to be honest, not perfect. Loving books, even the unread, is still part of being a reader.

If you made it to this point, you’re already one step closer to breaking free from this habit. Congratulations!