TBR: To Be Read or To Be Removed? 

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As the new year approaches, I like to reflect on my year and make changes that set me up for success in any goals I set for myself. This year, like years past, I have multiple reading goals, including reading more books on my TBR. To start the year off on the right foot, I’ve decided to go through my Goodreads TBR to find the books that have been on it the longest. 2025 is the ten year anniversary of my Goodreads account, so I looked through books added to my “Want to Read” shelf in 2015 to decide if I’m still interested in reading them or not. Here are 15 books I added to my TBR in 2015. 

1. The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick 

As a contemporary romance, I am sure twelve-year-old me would have loved The Boy Most Likely To. I’ve also always loved companion novels because I can get a glimpse of characters I’ve liked without ruining their story, so I think it’s safe to say this book just escaped my radar. I really enjoyed My Life Next Door, the first in the collection, and the plot of The Boy Most Likely To seems like it could be a cute read to pick up casually whenever I have some time. It’s easy to say this will continue to be on my TBR. 

2. Poison Study by Maria V Snyder

A super interesting concept about a teenage girl becoming the poison tester for a king as a punishment, Poison Study is a book that was published 20 years ago and still seems interesting to my romantasy-loving self. There’s no doubt in my mind that I am still interested in reading this one. 

3. Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi  

Added to my TBR during the peak of my dystopian fiction obsession, Under the Never Sky is a book that follows a disappearance and a mysterious outsider. After looking through some reviews of the book from reviewers I trust, it seems to me that this is not something I am interested in any longer. Featuring some alleged insta-love and plot holes that take away from enjoyment, I know I’d rather focus on reading other books on this list. 

4. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson 

Dealing with the important topic of sexual assault and rape, Speak is a book I know I am still interested in but have put off simply because of the dark theme. 

5. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge 

Marketed as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty features one of my favorite fantasy tropes: falling in love with someone you’re meant to kill. After re-reading the synopsis, I think this has skyrocketed to the top of my TBR for this year. 

6. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir 

An Ember in the Ashes is a book I’ve actually started to read at least three separate times. Each time I’ve been interrupted while reading and had to put it down. The plot sounds interesting, the writing is beautiful, and I am interested in reading more from Sabaa Tahir. My final verdict? This will be read this year. 

7. A Thousand Nights by E.K. Johnston 

This is the first book on the list that I actually own. A Thousand Nights was about to be kicked off of my TBR until I read a review from one of my favorite reviewers, Emily May, that convinced me to continue giving it a chance. 

8. The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan 

As a lover of mythology and a kid that grew up on Percy Jackson, there is little doubt in my mind that I will love this book. The only reason I’ve put this off is because I’d like to do a reread of the Percy Jackson series before diving into this and the rest of Riordan’s more recent works. 

9. Echoes by Laura Tisdall 

An interesting concept involving a hacker, Echoes is a book I’ve been meaning to read for ages but could never find and couldn’t afford to buy. Recently added to kindle, I started to read it but the writing style seemed a bit too juvenile for my tastes. I think I might consider pushing through a bit more to see if the plot can outweigh the writing, but if not, this book will not survive my TBR. 

10. Every Last Word by Tamara Stone Ireland 

Following a teenage girl with OCD, this book deals with a mental health issue that is not often represented in many types of media. While the premise is interesting and something I’d like to read more of, I’m torn between reading this one or not. On the one hand, Every Last Word tackles a topic I’d love to read more about. On the other hand, the focus on poetry as a way to express emotions is not something I’m particularly interested in reading about. For now, Every Last Word will stay on my TBR. 

11. The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand 

Another book dealing with a dark topic, The Last Time We Say Goodbye grapples with the aftermath of losing a loved one to suicide. It’s clear this book will be emotional and will most likely make me cry, which is why I’ve been putting it off for so long but I’m  definitely still interested in reading it. 

12. I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios 

I’ll Meet You There is a book I’ve wanted to read because of its setting in a motel off Highway 99. Another young adult romance, I think this book is something I’m still interested in as a lover of slow burn romances. 

13. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray 

About a plane crash that leaves teen beauty contestants stranded, this book has been reviewed as incredibly funny and unique by many people I trust. This is another case of a book having slipped under my radar, as it’s a bit older and is something I just don’t think of when I’m looking for a new read. Regardless, this is another book I’m going to try to prioritize this year. 

14. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli 

Yet another book I’ve started to read but haven’t finished, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda almost fell off my radar years ago until I saw the movie Love, Simon, though it certainly does take some creative liberties and isn’t necessarily an accurate adaptation. Despite this, I am still interested in continuing the book because of it! 

15. The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye 

The main thing that has put me off reading this one is the love triangle, which I’ve found I have no interest in and can no longer tolerate as I get older. Additionally, while the premise sounds interesting, I’ve read some similar books before. This is definitely one I would’ve read (and most likely enjoyed) had I read this even just 5 years ago, but it’s not something I see myself ever actually getting to. 


After going through a good chunk of the books that I added to my TBR in 2015, it’s clear that there are two main reasons for not reading those books for so long; the first being wanting to be in the right headspace to read a book with a darker topic. Many of these books are about mental health, and I understand my younger self waiting until I was absolutely ready to be reading them. The second reason (which isn’t one just reserved for books) is that I have the tendency to save books (and other things) for the perfect moment. Many of these romance, fantasy and dystopian novels would have been enjoyed and loved by teenage me, but I never found the “perfect” moment to read them and now so much time has passed that I’m no longer the target audience for these books. That’s not to say I won’t enjoy them—but I do know I won’t experience some of these books in the ways that I could have if I hadn’t waited for an occasion to read them. This year, and every year going forward, I want to prioritize doing and reading things that make me happy. Each moment is the perfect moment to read a book I’m saving for a certain occasion. 


Vanshikha Vij, Pine Reads Review Writer

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