Staring at your TBR pile like it's Mount Everest? Same. Let the dice decide your next read!
We've all been there – standing in front of our towering TBR (To Be Read) pile, completely paralyzed by choice. Do you go with the fantasy epic that's been calling your name? The romance everyone's raving about? Or maybe that thriller that's been gathering dust for months?
Enter the TBR Roll Challenge – the bookish solution to decision fatigue that's taking the reading community by storm!
What is TBR Rolling?
TBR Rolling is exactly what it sounds like: using dice to randomly select your next read from your TBR pile. It's like a surprise book recommendation from your future self. It's an oddly liberating way to let fate take the wheel for once.
(Example on the left)
How to Play: The Three-Dice System
I've created three different dice categories to help you narrow down your selection. Here's how it works:
🎲 Dice 1: TBR Chaos (Book Selection)
Roll to determine WHICH book you'll read first.
🎲 Dice 2: Mood Match (Reading Vibe)
Roll to match your current mood.
🎲 Dice 3: Genre Vibes (Book Category)
Roll to determine the genre.
My TBR Roll Experience
Last month, I decided to let the dice control my entire reading list. Here's what happened:
Roll 1: I rolled a 4, 5, 2.
I ended up with Assistant to the Villain (a five star read!).
Verdict: Sometimes the best reading experiences come from books we wouldn't have chosen ourselves. It feels like fishing a book out of your TBR. Loved the experience.
Tips for Successful TBR Rolling
Make it work for YOU:
- Don't have physical dice? Use a dice rolling app/website (or the google dice roller) or random number generator
- Adjust the categories to match your actual TBR (no horror books? Switch it to contemporary fiction!)
- If your roll doesn't spark joy, roll again. This should be fun, not stressful
Share your rolls on social media with #TBRRollChallenge
Find a reading buddy to roll together
Document your results for future reference!
Why TBR Rolling Actually Works
There's science behind why this method is so effective:
- Eliminates decision fatigue – No more staring at your shelves for 20 minutes
- Creates excitement – There's something thrilling about the unknown
- Reduces TBR guilt – You're finally reading those books you bought months ago
- Builds reading momentum – One decision leads to action, not more paralysis
Your Turn to Roll!
Ready to give it a try? Here's your challenge:
- Gather your TBR (physical books, e-reader list, or Goodreads TBR)
- Find three dice (or use a virtual dice roller)
- Roll all three and see what fate has in store. Keep rolling till you find a book you want to read
- Commit to reading at least the first chapter
- Share your results in the comments below!
Bonus tip: Create a reading journal to track your TBR roll adventures.
What's Your Roll?
What did you roll? Drop a comment and let me know your results!
And if you end up loving a book you discovered through TBR rolling, I definitely want to hear about it. Sometimes the best reads are the ones we never saw coming.
Want more bookish content and reading challenges? Follow along for weekly posts about all things books, from honest reviews to TBR chaos. Because if you're going to be obsessed with books, you might as well embrace the beautiful madness of it all!
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