Do you ever stare at your bookshelf, paralyzed by too many choices? Enter the TBR (To-Be-Read) jar—a bookworm’s best friend for deciding your next read without the stress. Starting with Inimitable Books’ captivating titles, your TBR jar will hold unforgettable adventures and swoon-worthy tales. Ready to craft one? Let’s get started!
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Here’s what you’ll need to create your perfect TBR jar:
- A jar or container: Glass jars add a charming touch, but a decorative box works too. If you have any plastic containers around, feel free to clean them and then reuse them for this project to keep it out of a landfill.
- Paper strips: Use colorful paper for added flair.
- A pen or marker: To jot down your book titles.
- Optional: Washi tape, stickers, or anything you love to personalize your jar.
💡 Tip: Match your jar’s theme to your favorite Inimitable Books covers. Think deep blues for Heirs of Bone and Sea and A Diamond Bright and Broken or dark reds inspired by The Legionnaire and The Devil’s Waltz. If you can’t decide, you could always take a colored piece of paper and place it around the outside or inside the container (if it’s see-through) and swap it out for other colors whenever the mood strikes you.
Step 2: Choose Your Books
Fill your jar with the magic of Inimitable Books and other reads you’re excited about. Here’s how to curate a list that will make every pick feel like a treat:
- Add Inimitable Books titles:
- Fantasy
- The Legionnaire by Samantha Traunfeld: magic, political intrigue, action-packed, and thrilling.
- Down The Well by Veronica King: an Alice in Wonderland-like portal fantasy with talking animals and a murder mystery.
- The Storm Gathers by Maelan Holladay: a Game of Thrones-esque sprawling fantasy adventure with multiple POVs and morally gray characters (oh, and lots of magical creatures).
- Heirs of Bone and Sea by Kay Adams: dark magic, secrets, and revenge abound in this sea-faring fantasy adventure
- A Diamond Bright and Broken by Holly Davis: A tale of shattered beauty and resilience.
- From the Diary of Agnes Jaeger: The Secrets of Silver Leaf Academy by Veronica King: missing parents, strange school traditions, creepy teachers, and annoying roommates in a voice-y and beautifully illustrated middle grade dark academia novel (coming next year in 2025).
- Romance & Emotional Reads
- The Devil’s Waltz by Jessi Elliott: A seductive and high-stakes emotional rollercoaster (sequel, The Devil’s Trials, coming next year in 2025)
- Until The Last Page by Chantal Gadoury: A heartfelt romance and unforgettable journey paying homage to classic fairytales.
- Unique Adventures
- 1,000 Words to Get Started & 1,000 Words To Ignite Romance by Chandra Arthur and Natalie Locke: The perfect creative spark for writers.
- Enchanted Glass: An Inimitable Lenormand Deck by Veronica King: while not strictly a novel, the booklet still has text to read (and novel excerpts from some of Inimitable’s published titles) with the bonus of being able to use beautifully illustrated cards to divine the future.
- Fantasy
- Mix in genres or themes:
- Fantasy, romance, or otherwise—you decide!
- Create tropes like “Enemies to Lovers” or “Books That Will Break My Heart” for extra variety.
- Include surprise challenges:
- “Read a book by an author I’ve never read before.”
- “Pick a book with a character who shares my favorite hobby.”
Step 3: Write, Fold, and Add
Write the names of each book or category on individual paper strips. Fold them neatly and drop them into your jar. For an extra layer of fun, use different colored papers to represent genres, challenges, or special prompts.
Step 4: Decorate Your Jar
Personalize your jar to make it uniquely yours!
- Add a label: “My TBR Jar” or “Bookish Adventures Inside.”
- Decorate with stickers, doodles, or washi tape.
- Tie a ribbon or charm around the jar for a whimsical touch.
Step 5: Pick Your Next Read
Whenever you’re stuck, draw a slip from the jar and let fate decide! Whether it’s the dark allure of The Devil’s Waltz or the poignant journey of Down The Well, every pick will feel like an adventure waiting to unfold.
Creative TBR Jar Variations
Make your jar even more special with these fun twists:
- Seasonal TBR Jars: Rotate your books to match the season—cozy reads for winter, beachy books for summer.
- Inimitable Books Edition: Dedicate a jar exclusively to Inimitable Books titles or themed prompts inspired by their stories, like “Read a book with a morally gray character.”
- Buddy Reading Jars: Add books you and a friend want to tackle together and make it a fun shared experience.
Why a TBR Jar?
A TBR jar adds excitement and surprise to your reading life, encouraging you to explore titles you may have overlooked. By including Inimitable Books, you’ll guarantee that each pick delivers unforgettable characters, thrilling romances, and enchanting worlds.
Ready to create your TBR jar? Share a picture of your finished jar or your first pick using the hashtags #InimitableReads and #TBRJarChallenge. Let’s inspire each other to dive into more incredible books!
What would your first pick be? Drop it in the comments below!