I am always revamping how I keep track. But the most consistent method for me seems to be wishlists. Wishlist with my library and retailers where I purchase books.
I use Pinterest. Like Amelia's system, it's great for recognizing covers and I do cull titles regularly. I purposely don't leave notes which means why I included certain books is sometimes forgotten and they get ditched (it's ruthless, but there's just too many books!) Books need additional reinforcement to stay on my Pinterest board.
Ruthless!!! You absolutely have to be! And, in a way, the very fact that some books remain on the list even if they don't get read is a testament to how serious one is about them!
I also use my Notes app! Right now, I only have a single “Book Journal” note where I track every book I am currently reading, what I’ve read each month for the past two years, the total number for each year, as well as an emoji key to mark books by themes and key topics (makes it easier to recommend books to friends and family). I used to track my TBR here too but the note eventually became overwhelming. I like your idea of separate notes so I am going to make one for my TBR / books I want to purchase! Thanks for the idea.
What has been helpful for me is to release the need to be TOTALLY comprehensive. Also, as far as the actual TBR note is concerned, I found that keeping track of Authors is less stressful because it still allows me to be spontaneous in choosing the specific title.
Very interesting. And amazingly, although I have been using it for years to add parts of interesting articles, I never realised you could create folders in Notes. Thanks a lot.
I am a new member of the Notes App Cult. I used to create notes willy-nilly but I got organized recently and, without exaggeration, it's changed my life. I am basically using the notes as reminders to my future self.
Also an apple notes tracker. I find that easiest to quickly reference when purchasing a new book in particular. Otherwise I'm pretty mood/season/whim driven when plucking things from my existing TBR pile.
Also use notes to keep track of all sorts of other things. The amount of lists I have in my notes of movies, hikes, restaurants, wardrobe gaps etc... I'd be lost without my notes, ha.
I definitely prefer StoryGraph to Goodreads because of the vibes-analysis. But I am having a hard time maintaining it for some reason. I do reference it a lot when I am trying to research books in order to decide if they are for me.
23 hrs ago·edited 23 hrs agoLiked by Petya K. Grady
As a voracious but (mostly) unintentional reader, I use GoodReads. It provides a very easy to use digital interface accessible from anywhere, connects to my Amazon purchases, updates from Audible listens, allows me to connect with friends to see what they're reading, provides suggestions based on my reading habits, and I love that it allows me to create "shelves" to "set" my books upon (I love that I can label and "shelve" books from different book clubs to reference back to what we've read with that group, the infamous and always growing TBR shelf, etc). There are a lot more options that I love but this might turn into a book itself if I go on and on...
(I also take photos or screen shots of books I see at book store or recommended on BookTok, then I add them to my Goodreads TBR list) :D
Blows my mind how much effort/energy you and others put into their reading life. :) It's impressive.
I love it so much, and the thing I love about it the most right now is that it is the ONE place I go to check first. I am not perfectly organized and/or consistent but it's much simpler than it used to be.
minimalist is great, minimalist is the ideal. unfortunately, my brain now has a notes app folder with subfolders, a goodreads, a storygraph, a todoist list, and a massive 12 tab spreadsheet to try to track everything I read, mention, review, plan to read, anything on the content calendar, etc. etc. s
I strongly relate. I have a tendency to go over-board on systems and organization. For me, it's a thing I do when I feel dissatisfied with how I am actually DOING - when I am not reading as much as I like, when my work output is not of the quality I aspire to... I used to think that I was super organized. But then realized that, actually, I aspire to be organized. In reality, I am easily excitable and easy to distract. So, consolidation and simplicity actually makes sense.
Do you like doing all the tracking and all the different places, or does it stress you out? Maybe it's just part of the fun and it's fun to spend all the time tweaking.
I think part of it is not wanting to repeat myself here on Substack (like what if i accidentally had the same books and restacks and articles in all these posts!!! how does one prevent that??), and also having too many ideas and shiny things to distract me that I cant seem to get a grip. you are right its part of a procrastination though. i need to simplify
This is my brain. And every time I need to shake myself free of those silos of brain file cabinets or open doors in my mental house... I whisper... "remember bullet journaling?" *
And I immediately close some tabs/doors.
I spent 100s of $$$ and untold amounts of time researching, only to decide 3 months in that it was WAY more work than it was worth. I had more fun thinking about it and planning than the doing.
Love your ideas and those of the other contributors!! I am hopeless at this stuff...despite being somebody who writes about books and writers...
I think part of my issue is that I get perfectionism-itis. I am toying with the idea of having a Field Notes book to carry around with whatever book I'm reading (I think you mentioned this idea in an earlier post) as I really want to move away from the digital a bit. But atm, I have a list saved in a Drive document so that I can access it on my phone, because let's face it- we always have that on us! I like the idea of texting myself book titles, and taking a photo of a book cover is really calling to me! :)
I get it. That's why I keep trying to force myself to keep it simple. Otherwise, I start tweaking and perfecting. I think so much of it is online sharing culture - which, obviously, I am currently participating in. I keep having to remind myself that I am not doing this in order to appear on a random stranger's pinterest board. I am doing this for me, so as long as it makes sense to me... it's working.
Honestly, Kate, a doc file that you can reach from your computer or your phone sounds great to me. And then a single small notebook as a place to throw things in as they cross your path.... that's awesome. You just do that and every once in a while, go through the notebook... transfer titles to your Doc where applicable... and that's that. Simple is GOOD.
This is one of my favorite topics to chat about with fellow readers! I love getting a glimpse into someone's mind. I love your minimalist approach and how it allows for the ones you aren't truly excited about to naturally fall through the cracks. "If everything is on the list, nothing is on the list" - yes!!
Petya you’re the second one to mention Building A Second Brain. That one is on my library request list. Doing this forces me to read it because I only have it for a limited time.
Which is separate from the habit of buying it now for “when I have time” and it sits on my shelf… mocking me.
I keep track of what I want to read by downloading a sample to my Kindle. That way I have the cover to remind me and every once in a while I revisit my samples to see if I still want to read or remove the ones I have read.
I used to track my read books, but at some point that fell off.
this is so so helpful! i feel like i've been searching for a way to mentally and physically categorize my reading that is both simple yet effective and this greatly struck a cord with me! you're an absolute gem, thank you for sharing this!! i feel like an itch in my brain has been scratched haha
I am always revamping how I keep track. But the most consistent method for me seems to be wishlists. Wishlist with my library and retailers where I purchase books.
That's smart, have it ready WHERE you are going to need it!
The library is where I pull up my list the most.
I use Pinterest. Like Amelia's system, it's great for recognizing covers and I do cull titles regularly. I purposely don't leave notes which means why I included certain books is sometimes forgotten and they get ditched (it's ruthless, but there's just too many books!) Books need additional reinforcement to stay on my Pinterest board.
Ruthless!!! You absolutely have to be! And, in a way, the very fact that some books remain on the list even if they don't get read is a testament to how serious one is about them!
I also use my Notes app! Right now, I only have a single “Book Journal” note where I track every book I am currently reading, what I’ve read each month for the past two years, the total number for each year, as well as an emoji key to mark books by themes and key topics (makes it easier to recommend books to friends and family). I used to track my TBR here too but the note eventually became overwhelming. I like your idea of separate notes so I am going to make one for my TBR / books I want to purchase! Thanks for the idea.
What has been helpful for me is to release the need to be TOTALLY comprehensive. Also, as far as the actual TBR note is concerned, I found that keeping track of Authors is less stressful because it still allows me to be spontaneous in choosing the specific title.
Very interesting. And amazingly, although I have been using it for years to add parts of interesting articles, I never realised you could create folders in Notes. Thanks a lot.
I am a new member of the Notes App Cult. I used to create notes willy-nilly but I got organized recently and, without exaggeration, it's changed my life. I am basically using the notes as reminders to my future self.
Also an apple notes tracker. I find that easiest to quickly reference when purchasing a new book in particular. Otherwise I'm pretty mood/season/whim driven when plucking things from my existing TBR pile.
Also use notes to keep track of all sorts of other things. The amount of lists I have in my notes of movies, hikes, restaurants, wardrobe gaps etc... I'd be lost without my notes, ha.
That's me, 100%.
Just the other day I made a note of my measurements (to reference when deciding on sizes while online shopping) and I blew my own mind. 😂
I used to use Goodreads but moved to StoryGraph this year and I love it!
I do a declutter on there once a month when I go through and order new books
I definitely prefer StoryGraph to Goodreads because of the vibes-analysis. But I am having a hard time maintaining it for some reason. I do reference it a lot when I am trying to research books in order to decide if they are for me.
As a voracious but (mostly) unintentional reader, I use GoodReads. It provides a very easy to use digital interface accessible from anywhere, connects to my Amazon purchases, updates from Audible listens, allows me to connect with friends to see what they're reading, provides suggestions based on my reading habits, and I love that it allows me to create "shelves" to "set" my books upon (I love that I can label and "shelve" books from different book clubs to reference back to what we've read with that group, the infamous and always growing TBR shelf, etc). There are a lot more options that I love but this might turn into a book itself if I go on and on...
(I also take photos or screen shots of books I see at book store or recommended on BookTok, then I add them to my Goodreads TBR list) :D
Blows my mind how much effort/energy you and others put into their reading life. :) It's impressive.
I love the Shelves feature on Goodreads!!!
Are we being intentional or are we actually procrastinating?
Hmmm... a good question but I don't think they are mutually exclusive. :)
Looooove the organization of your Notes app!!! I’ve been meaning to make folders for so long, thank you for this reminder 😍😍😍
I love it so much, and the thing I love about it the most right now is that it is the ONE place I go to check first. I am not perfectly organized and/or consistent but it's much simpler than it used to be.
minimalist is great, minimalist is the ideal. unfortunately, my brain now has a notes app folder with subfolders, a goodreads, a storygraph, a todoist list, and a massive 12 tab spreadsheet to try to track everything I read, mention, review, plan to read, anything on the content calendar, etc. etc. s
send help
I strongly relate. I have a tendency to go over-board on systems and organization. For me, it's a thing I do when I feel dissatisfied with how I am actually DOING - when I am not reading as much as I like, when my work output is not of the quality I aspire to... I used to think that I was super organized. But then realized that, actually, I aspire to be organized. In reality, I am easily excitable and easy to distract. So, consolidation and simplicity actually makes sense.
Do you like doing all the tracking and all the different places, or does it stress you out? Maybe it's just part of the fun and it's fun to spend all the time tweaking.
I think part of it is not wanting to repeat myself here on Substack (like what if i accidentally had the same books and restacks and articles in all these posts!!! how does one prevent that??), and also having too many ideas and shiny things to distract me that I cant seem to get a grip. you are right its part of a procrastination though. i need to simplify
This is my brain. And every time I need to shake myself free of those silos of brain file cabinets or open doors in my mental house... I whisper... "remember bullet journaling?" *
And I immediately close some tabs/doors.
I spent 100s of $$$ and untold amounts of time researching, only to decide 3 months in that it was WAY more work than it was worth. I had more fun thinking about it and planning than the doing.
OMG..... planners and notebooks are a whole other thing! lol
omg bullet journaling dont even get me started lol
Love your ideas and those of the other contributors!! I am hopeless at this stuff...despite being somebody who writes about books and writers...
I think part of my issue is that I get perfectionism-itis. I am toying with the idea of having a Field Notes book to carry around with whatever book I'm reading (I think you mentioned this idea in an earlier post) as I really want to move away from the digital a bit. But atm, I have a list saved in a Drive document so that I can access it on my phone, because let's face it- we always have that on us! I like the idea of texting myself book titles, and taking a photo of a book cover is really calling to me! :)
I get it. That's why I keep trying to force myself to keep it simple. Otherwise, I start tweaking and perfecting. I think so much of it is online sharing culture - which, obviously, I am currently participating in. I keep having to remind myself that I am not doing this in order to appear on a random stranger's pinterest board. I am doing this for me, so as long as it makes sense to me... it's working.
Honestly, Kate, a doc file that you can reach from your computer or your phone sounds great to me. And then a single small notebook as a place to throw things in as they cross your path.... that's awesome. You just do that and every once in a while, go through the notebook... transfer titles to your Doc where applicable... and that's that. Simple is GOOD.
Great article. Most important thing is there is no single right answer. Experiment and find what works best for you.
Exactly! And the actual trial-and-error is where the learning happens! Thank you so much for sharing so generously!
This is one of my favorite topics to chat about with fellow readers! I love getting a glimpse into someone's mind. I love your minimalist approach and how it allows for the ones you aren't truly excited about to naturally fall through the cracks. "If everything is on the list, nothing is on the list" - yes!!
Petya you’re the second one to mention Building A Second Brain. That one is on my library request list. Doing this forces me to read it because I only have it for a limited time.
Which is separate from the habit of buying it now for “when I have time” and it sits on my shelf… mocking me.
I keep track of what I want to read by downloading a sample to my Kindle. That way I have the cover to remind me and every once in a while I revisit my samples to see if I still want to read or remove the ones I have read.
I used to track my read books, but at some point that fell off.
this is so so helpful! i feel like i've been searching for a way to mentally and physically categorize my reading that is both simple yet effective and this greatly struck a cord with me! you're an absolute gem, thank you for sharing this!! i feel like an itch in my brain has been scratched haha