Whether you’re a reader who is looking for prompts to fill your TBR jar or if you’re thinking about making a TBR spreadsheet like I use, dozens of prompts are needed to make things interesting. This week, I’ve compiled 100 TBR prompts to help you choose your next read.

Please note that I did not make up every single one of these prompts. I made up some of them, but others were found in different areas of the reading community online. This is just a compilation of TBR prompts that I found interesting, and I don’t claim to have come up with all of these on my own.

100 TBR Prompts to Help You Choose Your Next Read:

1 | A reread you’ve been needing an excuse to revisit.

2 | A book you bought this year.

3 | A book with a seven word title.

4 | The author has a first name that could be a last name.

5 | An author’s debut novel.

6 | A genre you don’t typically read.

7 | Scroll on Instagram until you find an unread book you own. Read that.

8 | A book with a character who is in the military.

9 | A book with water on the cover.

10 | A 5-star prediction.

11 | A memoir.

12 | A book with a town or state name in the title.

13 | The book that’s been on your TBR/unread shelf the longest.

14 | A book that is over 100 years old.

15 | A book with more than 500 pages.

16 | The author’s name includes a middle initial.

17 | A book featuring a character with a disability.

18 | A book you’ve been saving for a rainy day.

19 | A book under 250 pages.

20 | A book with a number in the title.

21 | Reread an all-time favorite.

22 | A book based on a true story.

23 | A book that was published the year you were born (or closest).

24 | A retelling of a classic.

25 | A Rory Gilmore book. (Hint: There are lists on Goodreads that can help you find books for this prompt!)

26 | A book set in the south.

27 | A book with a character’s name in the title.

28 | A book that includes rich people drama.

29 | A book with an animal on the cover.

30 | Christian nonfiction about theology.

31 | A book that you think will make you cry.

32 | A banned book.

33 | A book with an illustrated cover.

34 | A book that’s been marked as “to-read” on Goodreads since you first made your account.

35 | The most recently released book on your TBR.

36 | A book that includes a wedding.

37 | The author has the same last initial as your aunt.

38 | A book about a social media influencer.

39 | Read a Jane Austen book.

40 | A book title with a “v” in it.

41 | The cover includes illustrations that make letters in the title. (Hint: Like the cover of Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner).

42 | Another book by an author who wrote one of your favorite books of last year.

43 | A classic.

44 | The cover art includes books.

45 | The first word in the title starts with “M”.

46 | A Goodreads Choice Award Winner (or Nominee if a winner is not available).

47 | A Christian thriller.

48 | Have a friend or family member pick a book for you.

49 | A book with a monochromatic cover.

50 | A book that is over 10 years old.

51 | A book set in the 20th century.

52 | The next book in a series that you haven’t finished.

53 | A book written by two or more authors.

54 | An epistolary novel.

55 | A book with a cover the color of the shirt you’re wearing.

56 | A book by a new-to-you author.

57 | A sweet and fluffy romance.

58 | A book with a circle on the cover.

59 | A book you started but never finished.

60 | A book that was published the year you graduated high school (or will graduate).

61 | A book set somewhere you’ve visited (can be a reread).

62 | A book about music (*Coughs unsubtly* May I recommend The Ballad of Emery Brooks trilogy? 😉 )

63 | A book that has a movie/TV adaptation.

64 | A book set at the beach.

65 | A popular book you haven’t read.

66 | A book someone you know in person has read (as in not a Bookstagram/BookTube/Goodreads friend).

67 | A book set in a different country.

68 | A book you received as a gift.

69 | A book you’ve been avoiding.

70 | A book you bought because of Bookstagram.

71 | A book that includes twins. (Hint: Goodreads lists can help with this too!)

72 | A romcom with an illustrated cover.

73 | Read one of your most anticipated books of the year.

74 | The cover is your favorite color.

75 | The author’s last name starts with “L”.

76 | A middle grade book.

77 | A young adult thriller.

78 | The cover art includes a car, truck, boat, or plane.

79 | Read that one book you wanted to fit your TBR prompts last month. (You’re welcome! XD)

80 | A nonfiction book that has been on your unread TBR the longest.

81 | A book with a flower name in the title. (Examples: Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney or Shattered Rose by Tammy L. Gray)

82 | A book with an animal in the title.

83 | A book that involves a road trip.

84 | Has been a celebrity book club pick. (Hint: Again, check out Goodreads lists!)

85 | A book whose main character has the same first name as you (or a character you’ve written, if you’re a writer!).

86 | A book of short stories.

87 | A book involving a natural disaster.

88 | A book written by an author when they were over 50 years old.

89 | A book you think you’ll binge read.

90 | A book with a title that uses alliteration.

91 | Read a book with subject matter that intimidates you.

92 | A book written by a TV star.

93 | “We are the pirates who don’t do anything!” AKA, a book that includes a pirate. (Shoutout to VeggieTales for the idea!).

94 | The author has the same first name as a cousin (or another family member if you don’t have cousins).

95 | A book that has the closest plot to a movie or TV show you love. (Example: Last year, I had a prompt that made me pick “The closest book on my TBR to the show Bull, and I picked Never Lie by Freida McFadden).

96 | A book set in your home state.

97 | A book recommended by a friend/family member/acquaintance.

98 | A book featuring a cat or a dog.

99 | A book with less than 100 ratings on Goodreads.

100 | A book published in your birthday month.

Talk to Me, Arrowheads!

And there we have it! Please let me know if I accidentally repeated a prompt, and I’ll be happy to replace the duplicate with a new one.

Do you have any other TBR prompt ideas to share? Drop them in the comments!

Aim high, stay strong, and always hit your mark.

-Allyson 😀