Is your to-read list too long?

Quick answer

One reader with 400 unread books asked how to get the list down to something they could read in a lifetime. The top reply: treat those 400 books as a suggestion list. Another was blunter: just stop buying books.

What 125x is: 125x is a web app at 125x.app. You connect your YouTube subscriptions, and it gives you a feed of the latest videos from the channels you follow, each with a summary: a verdict, the 5 key takeaways, and the spoiler, plus Actionable and Lessons tabs with more tips. You read that and decide what's actually worth opening.

Open 125x

Why a long list stresses you

It starts to feel like a to-do list.
Every new recommendation adds pressure.
You read to clear the list instead of for fun.

Fixes readers use

Rename it a suggestions list.
Keep a short must-read list of 10 to 30 books.
Delete books you no longer want.
Take a break from recommendation lists for a while.
Pause buying until you've read a few.

Our take

Nobody reads everything. Just pick the next book. See is a 52 book goal worth it.

FAQ: questions people ask

How do I make my TBR list less overwhelming?

Keep a short must-read list and treat the rest as suggestions.

Should I delete books from my TBR?

Yes, if you no longer want to read them.

How many books should be on a TBR?

Many readers find 10 to 30 on an active list manageable.