When my kids turned in their summer reading logs at the library, the girl helping us asked, “Do you want to keep your reading logs?”
I shrugged. Frankly, I find reading logs cumbersome. I make my kids fill them out every summer because I know it helps the library get funding.
But then the librarian said, “I have a list of every book I’ve read since the beginning of high school. It’s a long list.”
Maybe it was the competitive side of me that perked up. Or that controlling girl who likes to keep up with details. But suddenly, a book list sounded appealing.
We kept the reading logs.
Three reasons why you should keep a list of the books you read
- Pride Let’s be honest, if you love books and pride yourself on your ability to consume them, it’s nice to have a comprehensive list of every volume you’ve read. You’d have a record of all the classics and “must reads” you’ve devoured. For this mama who spends a lot of time doing things that have no material proof (parenting, laundry, dishes), a concrete list of accomplishments sounds lovely.
- Accountability Having a list allows you to analyse your reading habits. Maybe you read more science fiction than you realized. Perhaps you’ve read fewer classics than you thought. A record can help you fill in some voids (yes, that includes some non-fiction or biographies) or not – but at least you’d have a clear picture of your reading choices.
- Recommendations If you’re a book nerd and other people know it, chances are they will ask you for reading suggestions. If you keep a list and add a few notes for each entry or use a rating system, you’ll be better equipped to help people find good stuff to read.
Have I convinced you yet? Hope so! But now…
How should a reader set up a list of books read?
For the technology savvy, I recommend a Goodreads account. Using the site, or the Goodreads mobile app, you can set up a “Books Read” shelf and enter your books by:
- using your mobile device to scan the ISBN number on the back of printed books
- downloading your Amazon purchases
- using the Goodreads search function
- adding books manually
Goodreads prompts users to rate and review every book entered. This helps users to remember details about books. Unfortunately, with Goodreads, as well as most social media sites, you don’t own your content. So if Goodreads ever shut down, your list would disappear.
Another option is a file on your computer. You would always have it, especially if you save it in a cloud like Dropbox or a program like Evernote. My friend Rachel has kept a running list of our book club reads for years. Thank you, Rachel! However, sometimes digital devices and files aren’t handy.
That leaves good old pen and paper. You could buy a pretty notebook at Barnes and Noble and record your books. You’d always have a hard copy with space for notes and ratings. However, if your friend asks you for a mystery recommendation at lunch, and your notebook is sitting at home on your nightstand, you’re outta luck.
I haven’t mentioned a color coding system… Oh, the possibilities!
How do you keep track of books you’ve read? What is the benefit of doing so?
Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Julia
Tweetable: 3 reasons why you should keep a list of #books you’ve read via word nerd @juliatomiak #amreading
I’m late to this discussion, but I started tracking what books I’ve read about 5 years ago enjoy the sense of accomplishment in keeping track.
An Amazon search showed several results for different varieties of Book Lover’s journals. Also, there is a way to download your Goodreads lists in Excel format (My books, then click import/ export on the left side). Since they’re owned by Amazon, I don’t think GR will be going away any time soon though!
Thanks for the tip about Excel – I love spreadsheets! Glad you stopped by. 😉
I have a list of all the books I have read since Christmas 1959, when my parents gave me a ‘Books I Have Read’ thumb-indexed notebook. I’m now on my second ‘volume’. Does anyone know where I can now find such a notebook (labelled ‘Books I Have Read’) for my granddaughter?
What a fantastic gift idea! I will look for one to feature in my annual “Word Nerd Gifts” holiday post. If one doesn’t exist, somebody should design it! I’ll report back later. Thanks Sue.
I use Goodreads religiously, but I wish I had started keeping track back in high school! I will add books that I read a long time ago if I remember them, because I can relate to reason #1 – I’m proud of all the books I’ve read! I also love the Goodreads app on my phone, because I often get suggestions from friends and I can add them to my to-read list right away.
Yes, it’s very handy. I wish the list was downloadable somehow… I should check on that.
I got sidetracked by this great post. (I was heading for WWW.) One of my biggest regrets in life is that I haven’t kept a list of the books I’ve read. Now that my memory is not as sharp, I occasionally buy or check out library books only to discover I’ve already read them. That usually occurs about a chapter or two into the book. I love Goodreads for their ease with knowing and keeping track of books read and what I thought of them. Too bad I didn’t have Goodreads sixty years ago.
Thanks Margot for adding another great reason to keep a list! I love using Goodreads too, but my one concern is GR might not be here 50 years from now – then what will I do? Still pondering the spreadsheet idea.
Great post! I started keeping track about a year ago and just use a Word document that I keep on the desktop of my computer. I forget to add books now and then, but it’s a great way of checking in to see patterns in what I read and where I might add some genre diversity, etc. (it’s also a big reminder to me that maybe I should give an “adult” book a try once in awhile. My list is almost entirely middle grade books 🙂
I keep a spreadsheet on Dropbox of books I read, wishlist and on my TBR etc. I can read it on the iPad, mobile and any computer/laptop anywhere. It’s always with me so I hopefully don’t duplicate. Just in cast that fails I keep a notebook listing the books I have read.
I’m really liking this spreadsheet idea. Thanks!
I use Goodreads from my laptop. I don’t have the mobile app thing down yet. I also keep a list on Excel. Then I can organize by author or by title or genre and at least have a better chance of finding a particular book. I’m an old lady and kind of old school I guess. I used to keep a journal, but failed to keep up with it. *sigh*
I really like the idea of a spreadsheet and the ability to search/ sort based on author/ genre, etc. That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing. And that isn’t old school at all. 🙂
I love keeping a list but frequently forget to add bc I go back and forth with a system. Geez, I’d love a list of every book I’ve read since high school or junior high – will do better!
Some other comments have suggested a spreadsheet to sort and search by title, author, etc. Oh dear, another project!