This week on No Shelf Control, we’re tackling a topic that every reader has wrestled with at some point: the dreaded (but kind of delightful) TBR pile.

Whether yours looks like:

• A towering stack of unread books on your nightstand 📚

• Hundreds of Kindle downloads you swear you’ll get to someday 📱

• Or an ambitious monthly TBR that you immediately ignore 🙈

…you’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

• The different types of TBRs (physical, digital, fantasy).

• Why mood readers (like me!) struggle to stick to them.

• The systems I’ve tried—what works, what fails, and what just adds to the chaos.

• Fun ways to embrace your TBR instead of feeling guilty about it.

💬 Plus, I want to hear from you:
Do you actually stick to your TBR, or do you mood-read your way through life like me? Hit reply to this email or drop your thoughts in the comments—I’ll be sharing listener replies in a future episode.

🎧 Listen now: [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify] | [YouTube]

📚 Join the No Shelf Control Book Club

We’re currently reading The Love of My After Life by Kirsty Greenwood together over on Fable, and the discussions have been so much fun. Come join in—you can start anytime!

👉 [Join the Book Club on Fable]

💌 In Case You Missed It

• Last week’s episode: Let’s Talk About Book Clubs (a cozy dive into in-person, virtual, and everything in between).

• September reading wrap-up is coming soon!

Thanks for being here, besties. TBR chaos is better when we embrace it together. 🩷

Until next time,
April

Happy September! I’m so excited to share today’s brand-new episode of No Shelf Control because it’s a double feature:

✨ Part 1: August Reading Wrap-Up
I read four books in August that gave me everything from gothic thrills to emotional rollercoasters. Here’s the lineup:

• The Only One Left by Riley Sager – spooky, gothic fun (4.5⭐)

• My Good Side by Scheana Shay – reality TV meets memoir (4⭐)

• Love, Mom by Iliana Xander – heartfelt & emotional (5⭐)

• The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros – absolutely wrecked me 😭 (5⭐)

✨ Part 2: How to Start a Book Club
I’m sharing my favorite tips for building a book club that feels fun, cozy, and low-pressure—whether it’s in-person, virtual, or a mix of both. I’ll talk about why book clubs are so magical, the different ways to set one up, and little touches that make them special.

🎉 And of course… this week also marks the launch of the No Shelf Control Book Club on Fable!
Our very first pick is The Love of My After Life by Kirsty Greenwood. You can join us on Fable here to read along and take part in the discussion threads.

Listen Now:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Can’t wait to hear what you think—reply and tell me what you’re currently reading, or if you’ve ever thought about starting a book club of your own! 💌

xo,
April

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The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
📖 Genre: Romance / Contemporary Fantasy

A heartwarming and whimsical romance that asks: What happens when you meet the love of your life… after you die? This one’s full of humor, emotion, and just the right sprinkle of magical chaos.

🗓️ Reading Timeline

• Start Reading: September 1

• Discussion Night (Live): Thursday, September 26 @ 8PM

• Podcast Wrap-Up: Tuesday, October 7

💬 Discussion

• Join the conversation in our Fable group —> click here!

• We’ll also gather for a live chat on 9/26 @ 8PM — mark your calendar!

🎙️ Podcast Tie-In

Don’t forget — Episode 5 of the No Shelf Control Podcast is out today! 🎧 I’ll be chatting about this pick throughout the month and sharing a full wrap-up in the October 7th episode.

🍷 Cozy Pairing

Pair this read with a glass of rosé bubbles (playful, light, and just a little magical) ✨ or a sparkling lemonade if you’re keeping it non-alcoholic.

✨ Who’s joining me in September? Comment below if you’re in — let’s read together!

Subscribe now

If you’re new here → I’m April, host of the No Shelf Control Podcast. This is our cozy little corner for episode updates, book club news, extra reviews, and maybe a sprinkle of real-life chaos (because mood readers know balance is… questionable 🫠).

🎙️ New Episode: Real Life Gets in the Way – Reading in Busy Seasons

This week’s episode is live! We’re chatting about what it’s really like to balance reading with the chaos of work, parenting, and life in general. Sometimes you fly through books, sometimes you can’t finish a chapter—and that’s okay.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for not reading “enough,” this one’s for you. 💕

👉 Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts
👉 Watch on YouTube

📚 Big News: The No Shelf Control Podcast Book Club

I am SO excited to officially announce the launch of our podcast book club! 🎉

Here’s the vibe:
✨ Free + casual → read what you can, when you can.
✨ Hosted on Fable → spoiler-safe chats, easy to use.
✨ Monthly pick + group discussion (our first read starts in September!).

This book club is meant to fit into real life busy seasons—no pressure, just a fun way to read together and connect.

👉 Join the Book Club on Fable

✍️ Extra Bookish Bit

My current read this week: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros. I have owned this book for a while but never had the courage to pick it up - I know I will need a box of tissues by my side. Even when I just started and was 30 pages in, I already felt the emotions consuming me. What are you currently reading? Hit reply—I’d love to feature some of your answers in a future newsletter.

☕ Cozy Life Lately

This newsletter is coming to you between toddler nap time + podcast editing, with an iced latte in hand. Sometimes that’s just what “reading life” looks like in a busy season. 😅

Thanks for being here, book besties—it truly means the world. 💕 Don’t forget: new episodes drop every Tuesday, and now we’ve got a book club to keep the chaos going together.

Talk soon,
April
Host of No Shelf Control 🎙️