How to Use a Notion TBR Template for Managing Your Reading List, Book Recommendations, and Literary Interests

Managing your reading list and keeping track of book recommendations can be challenging without a proper system. Notion, a versatile productivity tool, offers a great solution by allowing you to create a comprehensive TBR (To Be Read) template. With a Notion TBR template, you can organize and prioritize your reading list, track your book recommendations, and explore your literary interests effectively. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to create and utilize your Notion TBR template using current features and best practices.

Creating a TBR Template

Before you begin, make sure you have a Notion account and are using the latest desktop or web version of Notion.

1. Creating a New Page:
   Start by creating a new page in your Notion Workspace. Click the "+" button in the sidebar and select "Page" to begin.

2. Choosing a Template:
   Once your new page is created, you'll be prompted to choose a template. In the search bar, type "TBR" or "Reading List" to explore the available templates provided by the Notion community. Select a template that suits your needs and click "Use this template."

3. Customizing the Template:
   With your chosen TBR template as a starting point, customize it to match your personal reading habits and interests. Consider making these adjustments:

• Sections and Properties: Decide which details you want to track for each book—such as "Book Title," "Author," "Genre," "Publication Date," and "Rating." Add these properties using the options provided (for text, number, date, select, etc.).
• Views and Filters: Notion now offers multiple views like gallery, list, table, and board. Experiment with these to determine which best suits your workflow. You can also create filters to organize books by genre, publication year, or any other property.

1. Adding Books:
   Populate your TBR list by adding entries for each book. Fill in the details for each field, and feel free to include additional notes, reviews, or personal comments. You can quickly select text with Ctrl + A if you need to edit section content swiftly.

2. Utilizing Additional Features:
   Notion has several enhanced features to refine your TBR template:

• Tables and Databases: Group books by criteria such as genre, author, or publication year using database properties. This makes it easier to sort and review your collection.
• Linked Pages: Create linked pages within your template to store more in-depth information about a book, such as extended reviews, summaries, or external recommendations.
• Tags: Use tags to further categorize your entries—for example, "Must-Read," "Non-Fiction," or "Classics"—to quickly filter and retrieve information later.

Managing Your TBR Template

Now that your TBR template is ready, here are some tips for keeping it current and useful:

1. Updating Your TBR List:
   Regularly update your template as you discover new book recommendations or decide to start a new read. Add new books, mark books as read, and adjust details as necessary.

2. Setting Reading Goals:
   Use your TBR template to set and track reading goals. Create a dedicated section to monitor your progress, specify the number of books you wish to read within a given timeframe, or prioritize certain titles.

3. Exploring Recommendations:
   If you've created linked pages or notes within your TBR template, use them as a resource to explore additional book recommendations. These pages can include curated lists, summaries, or reviews that help you decide what to read next.

4. Sharing Recommendations:
   Notion supports collaboration and sharing. You can invite friends, book clubs, or online communities to view and contribute to your TBR template. This collaborative approach can generate fresh ideas and enrich your reading experience.

5. Using Integrations:
   Benefit from Notion’s growing number of integrations with apps like Goodreads and other reading communities. These integrations can help you import book details or recommendations automatically, keeping your TBR list up to date without manual entry.

Conclusion

A Notion TBR template is an efficient way to manage your reading list, track book recommendations, and delve deeper into your literary interests. By customizing the template to your personal needs and leveraging Notion’s powerful features and integrations, you can stay organized, set meaningful reading goals, and explore new books with ease. Whether you’re an avid reader or just beginning your literary journey, a Notion TBR template can become a valuable tool in your reading endeavors.

Happy reading!