How to Keep Track of the Books You Read: Journals, Apps, and More

If you’re an avid reader, you’ve probably found yourself asking, “How do I keep track of all the books I’ve read?” Whether you’re juggling multiple books at once, trying to hit a reading goal, or just want to remember that amazing novel you finished two months ago, having a system to organize your reading life is essential.

In this guide, I’ll share some of the best ways to keep track of the books you’ve read—whether you prefer the tactile feel of pen and paper or the convenience of apps and digital tools. Let’s explore the options and find out what works best for you!

1. The Classic Book Journal

There’s something special about physically writing down the books you’ve read. A book journal allows you to capture not just the titles, but also your thoughts, favorite quotes, and personal reflections on each book.

How to start your own book journal:

• Get a notebook dedicated to your reading (or buy a pre-designed book journal).

• Create sections for title, author, date finished, and your review or thoughts.

• Include a rating system to remind yourself how much you enjoyed (or didn’t enjoy) the book.

• Add personal touches like quotes that resonated with you or lessons learned.

Why it works:
Writing things down makes the experience more personal. Plus, flipping back through your journal at the end of the year is a fun way to relive your reading journey.

2. Bullet Journaling for Book Lovers

If you’re into organization and creativity, bullet journaling might be your new best friend. It’s a mix of a planner, diary, and to-do list, but with endless customization options.

How to create a book tracking bullet journal:

• Start with a blank dotted notebook.

• Create reading logs where you list the books you’ve finished, or try a reading tracker where you color in a square or shape each time you finish a book.

• Add creative elements like book cover drawings, reading goals for the year, or bookshelf illustrations to track how many books you’ve read.

Why it works:

Bullet journaling is perfect for readers who love a blend of creativity and structure. You can make it as simple or artistic as you want, plus it gives you a clear visual of your reading progress.

3. Book Tracking Apps for Digital Lovers

If pen and paper aren’t your thing, there are plenty of book tracking apps that make it easy to log your reads on the go. These apps come with cool features like recommendations, book reviews, and the ability to set reading goals.

Popular book tracking apps:

• Goodreads: The most popular option for readers. You can log books, rate them, write reviews, and even join reading challenges.

• StoryGraph: This app gives you detailed reading stats and allows you to track books by mood, pace, and genre.

• Bookly: A fun app that lets you track reading time, set daily reading goals, and get personalized book stats.

Why it works:

Apps are perfect for readers who like convenience and real-time tracking. Plus, they often include social features where you can see what friends are reading, share recommendations, or join book clubs.

4. Create a Digital Spreadsheet

For readers who love organization and data, a simple spreadsheet can be the perfect way to keep track of your reading. You can customize it exactly how you want and add different columns to reflect your unique reading habits.

How to set up your spreadsheet:

• Use programs like Google Sheets or Excel.

• Create columns for title, author, date started/finished, rating, and even genres or themes.

• Use color-coding to organize your list by year, genre, or completion status.

Why it works:

A spreadsheet allows you to see your entire reading history at a glance, and you can even use formulas to count how many books you’ve read each year or calculate your average book rating

5. Using Social Media to Share Your Reading Journey

Another fun way to keep track of what you’re reading is by using social media. Whether it’s posting about the books you’ve finished or creating dedicated posts, social media adds an interactive element to your reading life.

Platforms to share your reading journey:

• Instagram: Bookstagram (the book community on Instagram) is a great place to post pictures of your current reads, share mini-reviews, and discover new books through hashtags like #bookstagram.

• TikTok: BookTok has become a huge trend, with readers posting creative short videos reviewing books, showing their reading setups, or sharing book recommendations.

• Pinterest: You can create reading boards to organize book lists, inspiration, and quotes from books that touched you.

Why it works:

Sharing your reading journey online helps you connect with other readers, get new book ideas, and stay motivated to keep reading.

6. Try a Reading Challenge

Reading challenges are a fun way to keep track of your books while setting goals for the year. You can find ready-made challenges online or create your own based on the types of books you want to read.

Ideas for reading challenges:

• Goodreads Reading Challenge: Set a yearly goal for the number of books you want to read and track your progress as you go.

• Genre-based challenge: Commit to reading a certain number of books from different genres.

• Alphabet challenge: Try to read one book for each letter of the alphabet (by title or author’s last name).

Why it works:

Challenges keep you motivated and give you a sense of accomplishment as you check books off your list. It’s also a great way to diversify your reading and explore new genres.

7. Join a Book Club

Keeping track of books doesn’t always have to be a solo activity. Joining a book club allows you to discuss the books you read with others, and many clubs have book lists that help you stay organized.

Where to find book clubs:

• Local libraries often host book clubs that meet in person.

• Online book clubs like Reese’s Book Club or Oprah’s Book Club offer virtual discussions and reading lists.

Why it works:

A book club adds a social aspect to your reading and helps you keep track of your books through shared lists and discussions.

Conclusion: Find What Works for You

Keeping track of your books doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re into the classic feel of a handwritten journal, the convenience of an app, or the creativity of bullet journaling, there’s a method out there that will fit your style. Choose the one that feels the most fun and natural for you, and enjoy looking back at your growing list of reads!

Now that you know how to track your books, grab a notebook, download an app, or open a spreadsheet, and start organizing your reading adventure today!

Happy reading!