The Essential Guide to Balancing Your TBR Pile with New Releases and Oldies But Goodies

Beyond the Hype: Why Your TBR Pile Needs a Mix of New Releases AND Oldies But Goodies

Okay, I admit it. I love scrolling through Booktok and getting swept up in the excitement of a new release. Those perfectly curated photos, the glowing reviews, the author Q&As – social media knows how to build anticipation. But lately, I've been feeling a little…I can't help but think of all the "oldies but goodies" I have read that should be recommended!

Sure, you might stumble across the occasional classic getting some renewed attention, or newly published books that relate to a classic, such as "James" by Percival Everett, a reimagination of the novel by Mark Twain, "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" to bring out those old reads. But what about those hidden gems from 15-20 years ago? The ones that haven't been rediscovered to be re-hyped?

Sometimes I just want to scream from the rooftops (or maybe just from my comfy reading nook) about some of the incredible books that time seems to have forgotten. You know the feeling, right? You're scrolling through your feed, and everyone's raving about the latest bestseller, and you're just sitting there thinking, "But have you guys read any of the following they are all SO GOOD!

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  • "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes

  • "The Road" by Cormac McCarthy

  • "Perfect Chemistry" by Simone Elkeles

Adding Oldies But Goodies to my recent TBR-

• It's like a literary treasure hunt.  Remember the thrill of digging through dusty boxes in your attic as a kid, hoping to find some forgotten treasure? That's what it feels like to browse the shelves of a used bookstore or scroll through online listings of older books. You never know what gems you might unearth! With the internet (and hopefully this blog) finding these gems has never been easier!

  
  

• It's a chance to connect with the past.  Reading books from 15-20 years ago is like taking a time machine back to a different era. You get to experience the world through the eyes of authors who were writing in a different time and place, with different perspectives and concerns. It's a fascinating way to broaden your horizons and gain a deeper understanding of the world around you. (Image a world without cellphones, social media, or the internet at your hands-the content in books will be different.

  
  

• Your favorite authors were creating back then, too!  While it's tempting to focus on the newest books from your favorite writers, remember that they were also producing incredible stories 15-20 years ago! Explore their earlier works and uncover hidden treasures you might have overlooked. You might be surprised by how their writing has evolved or how certain aspects have stayed the same! (Think of Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, James Patterson, among others.)

  
  

• It's a total blast!  Getting into older books is like going on an exciting adventure, discovering hidden literary gems like a real explorer. Plus, it's super fun to share those awesome finds with friends!

Ready to join me on this literary adventure?

Here are a few tips for finding great books from 15-20 years ago:

• Check out "best of" lists from that era.  (Try searching online for "best books of early 2000s" or "award-winning books of early 2000" to get started. Goodreads also lets you filter under years.)

• Ask your friends and family for recommendations. (Especially those who were avid readers back then!)

• Explore online book communities and forums. (You might be surprised at the passionate communities dedicated to older books.)

• Browse the shelves of your local library or used bookstore. (This is where the real treasure hunting begins!)

  
  

Dive into the world of older books. You might just be surprised at what you find! Leave a comment on one of your favorite "Oldies but goodies".

Check out our book genre blog for a few of my favorite oldies but goodies!"