How to track our book reading

Looking to the group for inspiration. How do you track your reading? I have been using Apple notes with a new note for each calendar year. I would like something more, but not too time consuming to keep up with. Welcome all suggestions, Norma

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Good question, @Norma_R! I’ve always used an Excel spreadsheet, although over time what I’m tracking has changed. At one point I was recording number of pages or minutes (audio version), for example, but that become too arduous. I’m down to title, author, genre, format (Kindle, hard copy, audio, etc.), my rating, and a short note about it.

My public library keeps a “Browsing History” of the books I’ve checked out.
Also, I’ve been using Goodreads since 2012 (the first novel I entered was The Handmaid’s Tale). It helps me remember what I’ve read and whether I liked the novel and its author.
Good reading to you, Norma!

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Hi Norma and welcome back :blush: Like Louis H, my public library also offers a history of materials that have been checked out. In addition to using that for tracking, I also use the Timeline function in Libby, which is great for providing not only when the book was read but also a quick link to the description of the book, the narrator if it is eAudio, publication date etc.

I do it online at LibraryThing.

Thanks. I use Libby a lot and never noticed the timeline feature. Very helpful

Somewhat similar to @Kim.kovacs in that I track author, title, rating, date (month/year), whether fiction or nonfiction, and a one sentence note about the book. Okay…make that two sentences for a really complex book. One category I which I’d included was topic so that I could quickly see how many years ago a new interest caught my attention.

You are most welcome! :blush:

Call me, old-fashioned! In addition to having a landline, playing albums and CDs, only reading a paper book in my hand, I also keep a written reader’s journal in my bedside drawer since the late 90’s. I write down the title of the book, the author, the year I read it as well as a few sentences about the plot and my impressions of the book. It has not failed me yet! I love going back through it and seeing my thoughts. The less technology I am required to use, the better!

@Elizabeth_L great that you have such history

BookBrowse has a simple reading list here and I know people also like Storygraph.

I use Fable and love it. It’s quick and easy to add books, track your reading, and you can leave a review if you want.

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I am abysmal at tracking my reading to the extent I have several duplicates. But, I’m okay with that. I read what I like and feel no need to track my reading. I have no reading goals other than pleasure. I’ve also reached a place in my life whereby I will toss a book aside if it does not engage me.

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