# Book Tracker > Your Library, Always with You with Book Tracker for iPhone, iPad and Mac. --- # What's included in the free version vs Pro? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/whats-included-in-free-vs-pro/ Book Tracker is **free to download and try**, with a generous set of features unlocked from day one. **Pro** removes the 5-book limit and unlocks a few power-user features. It’s a **one-time purchase per platform**, no subscription, all future updates included since 2019. ## Free vs Pro — at a glance FeatureFreeProMaximum library size**5 books**UnlimitedAdding books: search online, manual entry, barcode scan (camera + Bluetooth)✅ *(up to 5)*✅Reading Statuses, Reading Timer, Live Activity, Dynamic Island✅✅Notes, quotes, ratings, OCR for quotes✅✅Reading Challenge & all statistics✅✅Series, Tags, Categories, Positions (Location/Bookcase/Shelf)✅✅Smart Lists✅✅Widgets, Shortcuts, Siri, Control Center✅✅Apple Watch app✅✅Automatic + manual backups✅✅iCloud sync across devices✅✅**Import** library from Goodreads, StoryGraph, CSV, etc.❌✅**Export** library to CSV, PDF, or backup file❌✅**Restore** a backup✅✅**Custom app icons**❌✅Some advanced sidebar customizations✅✅ The free tier is enough to **test the app for real** with a small selection of books. Once it fits your needs, Pro is the natural next step. ## How to upgrade to Pro Open Book Tracker → **Settings** → **Upgrade to Pro** (or tap any locked feature, like Import). The App Store purchase sheet appears with the price for your region. After purchase, all locks are removed immediately. ## Tip Jar (optional) If you’d like to support development beyond the Pro purchase, Book Tracker also includes a **Tip Jar** with five levels of optional one-time tips. Tips are entirely optional — none of them are required to unlock any feature. They’re a way to say “thanks” and help keep Book Tracker independent, ad-free, and subscription-free. ## Related - [Why do I need to buy Book Tracker separately on iOS and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-do-i-need-to-buy-book-tracker-separately-on-ios-and-mac/) - [I bought Pro, why isn’t it unlocked on my other device?](https://booktrack.app/faq/i-bought-pro-why-isnt-it-unlocked-on-my-other-device/) - [Is Family Sharing supported?](https://booktrack.app/faq/is-family-sharing-supported/) - [The Book Tracker Manifesto](https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/) --- # How does Book Tracker handle my privacy? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/ Book Tracker is designed around a simple principle: **your reading life belongs to you, not to the app**. There are no accounts to create, no advertising, no tracking, and no data sold to third parties. This page summarizes how that works in practice. ## What Book Tracker does not do - **No accounts** — you never need to register, log in, or provide an email address. - **No advertising** — there are no banners, pop-ups, or sponsored content anywhere in the app. - **No tracking** — Book Tracker does not include third-party analytics, usage trackers, or behavioral profiling. - **No data sale or sharing** — your library, reading statistics, notes, and quotes are never sold, rented, shared, or made available to advertisers. ## Where your data is stored WhatWhereNotesYour library (books, statuses, progress, notes, quotes, statistics, tags, series, positions, purchases)**Locally on your device**Stored in Book Tracker’s local database.Automatic daily backups**Locally on your device**The most recent backups are kept; older ones rotate out automatically.Manual backups**Locally** (and anywhere you export them to: Files, AirDrop, iCloud Drive…)You choose where they go.iCloud sync**Apple iCloud, under your Apple ID**Encrypted and managed entirely by Apple. Book Tracker does not have access to this data. Book Tracker does **not** run any servers that store your library data, and does **not** build user profiles. The only third-party service involved is Apple’s own iCloud, which operates under your Apple ID and Apple’s privacy guarantees. 👉 Apple’s documentation: [Where iCloud data is stored and how it’s protected](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202303) ## What about online book search? When you add a book by searching online (by title or ISBN), Book Tracker queries public book databases (such as Google Books, Open Library, and Apple Books) to fetch metadata and cover images. These are public APIs and the only data sent is the search query itself: no personal information, no identifier tied to you. If you prefer to skip online lookups entirely, you can [use Book Tracker fully offline](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-use-book-tracker-offline/) and add books manually. ## Why this matters Most book-tracking apps make money from advertising, subscriptions tied to your data, or by selling reading habits to third parties. Book Tracker has rejected that model from day one: it’s a **one-time purchase**, supported directly by the people who use it. This is the structural reason there are no ads and no tracking. It’s not just a promise, it’s how the business works. You can read the full philosophy behind this choice in [The Book Tracker Manifesto](https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/). ## Related - [The Book Tracker Manifesto](https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/) - [Privacy Policy](https://booktrack.app/privacy/) - [Do I need an account to use Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/do-i-need-an-account-to-use-book-tracker/) - [Can I use Book Tracker offline?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-use-book-tracker-offline/) --- # Which apps can I import my library from? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/which-apps-can-i-import-my-library-from/ Book Tracker can import your existing library from many other apps. Whether you’re coming from a popular tracker like Goodreads or StoryGraph, a Mac-only catalog like Delicious Library 3, or any spreadsheet-based collection, you have a path in. For every supported app listed below, Book Tracker provides a **dedicated import format**. You just export the library file from your source app and pick the matching format in Book Tracker. The columns are mapped automatically, no manual work needed. If your app isn’t on the list, you can still import its data: export a CSV from it and select **Other** as the import format in Book Tracker. You’ll see a field-mapping screen where you can match each column to a Book Tracker field manually. ## Supported sources Source appHow to import**Goodreads**Follow the [dedicated guide](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/) to export your library, then in Book Tracker select **Goodreads** as the import format.**Bookpedia**Follow the [dedicated guide](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-bookpedia/) to export your library, then in Book Tracker select **Bookpedia** as the import format.**Delicious Library 3**Follow the [dedicated guide](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-delicious-library-3/) to export your library, then in Book Tracker select **Delicious Library 3** as the import format.**StoryGraph**Export your library normally from the StoryGraph, then in Book Tracker select **StoryGraph** as the import format.**BookBuddy**Export your library normally from BookBuddy, then in Book Tracker select **BookBuddy** as the import format.**Reading List**Export your library normally from Reading List, then in Book Tracker select **Reading List** as the import format.**Book Crawler**Export your library normally from Book Crawler, then in Book Tracker select **Book Crawler** as the import format.**Bookmory**Export your library normally from Bookmory, then in Book Tracker select **Bookmory** as the import format.**Another Book Tracker installation**Export your library as a CSV from the source Book Tracker, then in the destination Book Tracker select **Book Tracker** as the import format.**Any other app**Export your library as a CSV from your app, then in Book Tracker select **Other** as the import format and map the columns manually. ## How to start an import - Export the library file from your source app. If a dedicated guide is available (Goodreads, Bookpedia, Delicious Library 3), follow it. The export needs to be done in a specific way to be compatible with Book Tracker. - Open Book Tracker on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. - Go to **Settings → Import**. - Select the import format that matches your source app from the list. If your app isn’t listed by name, select **Other**. - Select the file you exported in step 1. - If you chose **Other**, confirm the column mapping. For all other formats, the columns are mapped automatically. - Start the import. 👉 Full step-by-step: [How to import your library into Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-import-your-library-into-book-tracker/) ## What gets imported Most imports include: - Title, author, publisher, language - Format (paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook, etc.) - Reading status and reading dates - Rating - Tags / shelves (mapped to Book Tracker tags) - Purchase date and price (when available) - Notes (when available) Covers are downloaded automatically when the CSV contains an ISBN or an image URL. If covers are missing after import, see [Why are some covers missing after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-covers-missing-after-import/) ## What does not transfer - Reading progress entries day-by-day (only the current status and completion date) - Social / community data (friends, comments, reviews on other users’ books) ## Before you import We recommend: - **Back up your current Book Tracker library first** ([How to back up your library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/)). - Make sure the source file is **the most recent export** from the other app. - If your source app exports several files (Goodreads gives a `goodreads_library_export.csv`, for example), use only the main library export. ## Troubleshooting - Books showing **0 pages** after import → [Why are some books showing 0 pages after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-some-books-showing-0-pages-after-import/) - Missing covers → [Why are some covers missing after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-covers-missing-after-import/) - Other CSV problems → [How to fix common CSV import issues](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-fix-common-csv-import-issues-in-book-tracker/) ## Related - [How to import your library into Book Tracker (full tutorial)](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-import-your-library-into-book-tracker/) - [Can I import my Kindle library into Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-my-kindle-library-into-book-tracker/) - [Can I export my library from Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-export-my-library-from-book-tracker/) --- # Why are some of my daily progress entries missing? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-some-of-my-daily-progress-entries-missing/ If you notice that some days appear empty in your reading statistics, even though you logged progress, the issue is usually related to **time zones**. ## Why this happens - When you log progress in Book Tracker, the app saves the **date and time according to your current time zone**. - If you travel to a country with a different time zone, the same reading session may appear as belonging to a different day. - This can make it look like some entries are missing, even though they are still stored in your library. ## Example - You log progress in **London (GMT)** at **00:30 AM on March 1st**. - Book Tracker saves the entry with your local time: **March 1st, 00:30 GMT**. - If you later open the app in **New York (EST)**, that same timestamp corresponds to **February 28th, 7:30 PM EST**. - As a result, the entry will appear under **February 28th** in your daily statistics instead of March 1st. ## Will I lose my data? No, your reading progress is safe. When you return to your original time zone, all progress will display under the correct days automatically. ## Best practices - Don’t worry if you see gaps while traveling, it’s only a matter of time zone differences. - To verify, you can open the **Reading Status detail page** of a book: all progress entries are listed with their exact timestamps. - If you want consistency while traveling, you can manually adjust the date when logging progress. ✅ Book Tracker never deletes progress entries. Time zone differences may shift the display by a day, but your logs remain intact and will align correctly once you return to your home time zone. --- # Can I share my library with friends? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-share-my-library-with-friends/ Currently Book Tracker is designed as a **private library manager**. There is no built-in feature for sharing your entire library with other users. - You can export your library as a **CSV** and share that file. - You can also send a **backup file** that another user can import, but this will replace their existing library. --- # Can I add quotes, notes, or personal thoughts for books? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-quotes-notes-or-personal-thoughts-for-books/ Yes. You can add notes or quotes from a book’s detail page. Quotes can be typed manually or captured with the camera. Both are also accessible in widgets and via Shortcuts for faster entry. 👉 Full guide: [How to add notes and quotes to books](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-notes-and-quotes-to-books-in-book-tracker/) --- # Can I export my library from Book Tracker? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-export-my-library-from-book-tracker/ Yes, you can export your library as a **backup** (full database), **CSV** (spreadsheet-friendly), or **PDF** (shareable list). Each serves different purposes. 👉 Full guide: [How to export your library from Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-export-your-library-from-book-tracker/) --- # How do I sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/ Book Tracker syncs your library (books, reading statuses, progress, notes, quotes, statistics) across iPhone, iPad, and Mac through Apple’s iCloud. No extra account, no login, no subscription. To enable it: - **iPhone / iPad:** Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Show All → make sure **Book Tracker** is ON. - **Mac:** System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → make sure **Book Tracker** is ON. All your devices must be signed into the **same Apple ID**. Once enabled, sync is automatic in the background. Changes appear on your other devices within a few minutes. 👉 Full tutorial: [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/) 👉 Sync not working? See [iCloud sync is not working — how do I fix it?](https://booktrack.app/faq/icloud-sync-is-not-working-how-do-i-fix-it/) --- # How do I backup and restore Book Tracker data? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-back-up-book-tracker-data/ The app creates daily automatic backups stored locally (last 7 days). You can also create manual backups from Settings → Backup & Restore and export them. Restoring is done from the same section. 👉 Full guides: [How to create and manage backups in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/) [How to restore your library from a backup](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-restore-a-backup-in-book-tracker/) --- # How do I set a Reading Challenge in Book Tracker? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-set-a-yearly-reading-goal-in-book-tracker/ You can create a **Reading Challenge** from the Statistics section → tap *Add Reading Challenge* and select the number of books you want to read in the current year. Progress updates automatically as you finish books. 👉 Full guide: [How to create and track a Reading Challenge](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-set-and-follow-your-yearly-reading-challenge/) --- # How do I add a book to Book Tracker? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-add-a-book-to-book-tracker/ You can add books in different ways: manually, by scanning a barcode (camera or Bluetooth reader), or by searching online with title or ISBN. By default, a format is assigned automatically, but you can edit it later in the book detail page. 👉 Full guide: [How to add a new book to your library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-a-new-book-in-book-tracker/) --- # What is Book Tracker and how does it work? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/what-is-book-tracker-and-how-does-it-work/ Book Tracker is a library catalog and reading log for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With it you can: - Add books by scanning a barcode, searching by title or ISBN, or entering details manually. - Organize your collection using **Libraries**, **Bookcases**, **Shelves**, **Positions**, **Tags**, and **Series**. - Track your reading with states like *To Read*, *Reading*, *Read*, or *Abandoned*. - Set a yearly reading challenge and view detailed statistics on books and pages read. Unlike other apps, Book Tracker is **privacy-first**: there are no accounts, ads, or external servers. Your data stays on your devices and iCloud only. 👉 Learn more about Book Tracker features on the [official website](https://booktrack.app). --- # Where are my backups stored? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/where-are-my-backups-stored/ Book Tracker gives you **two storage destinations** for backups, and you choose which one to use. Both work identically for restore. The difference is in where the `.zip` file actually lives. ## The two destinations ### 📱 Local storage (on this device) Backups are stored only on the device that created them. They’re not shared with your other iPhones, iPads, or Macs. **Pros:** - No iCloud account or quota required. - Backups remain accessible even if iCloud is temporarily unavailable. - Privacy-conscious: the files never leave the device. **Cons:** - If you delete and reinstall Book Tracker, **all local backups are gone**. - Other devices can’t see or restore from them, you’d need to export them manually first. ### ☁️ iCloud Drive (recommended for multi-device users) Backups are saved in the Book Tracker folder of your iCloud Drive. All your devices signed into the same Apple ID can see and restore from them. **Pros:** - Available on every device. - Survive the app being uninstalled and reinstalled on any single device. - You can browse the backup files in the Files app on iPhone/iPad or in Finder on Mac. **Cons:** - Counts against your iCloud storage quota. - Needs iCloud Drive to be enabled and working, though backups fall back to local storage if iCloud Drive is temporarily unreachable. ## How to choose the destination Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore → Backup destination** and pick one. You can change it at any time. Changing the destination only affects **future** backups, existing backups stay where they were created. ## Each device manages its own list This is an important detail for multi-device users. When you’re on iCloud Drive destination, the backups you see in the list include backups created by **every device**, but the **rotation** *(how many backups are kept before older ones are deleted)* applies **per device**. For example, with rotation set to 7: - Your iPhone keeps its 7 most recent backups. - Your iPad keeps its 7 most recent backups. - Your Mac keeps its 7 most recent backups. You may see more than 7 backups total in the list when you’re synced through iCloud Drive, that’s expected, and each device’s own count is still 7. Each device only deletes its own old backups; it never touches another device’s. ## You can also export a backup outside the app Regardless of the destination you’ve chosen, you can **export** any backup to Files, AirDrop, email, or an external disk: - Open **Settings → Backup & Restore**. - Long press *(or right-click on Mac)* the backup. - Tap **Share**. This is the most portable option, perfect for archiving or for moving to a different Apple ID. ## What’s inside a backup file A backup is a `.zip` file containing: - `backup.json` with your entire library data (books, statuses, progress, notes, quotes, ratings, tags, smart lists, positions, challenges, loans, purchase info). - A `files/` folder with the binary files of all custom covers. It’s a complete snapshot, a restore brings the library back exactly as it was at the moment the backup was created. ## Related - [How to back up your Book Tracker library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/) - [How to restore a backup (and recover deleted books)](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-restore-a-backup-in-book-tracker/) - [How do I move my library to another device or Apple ID?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-move-my-library-to-another-device-or-apple-id/) - [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/) --- # Can I re-read the same book and track each reading? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-re-read-the-same-book-and-track-each-reading/ **Yes, Book Tracker is designed for re-reading.** A book can have any number of **Reading Statuses** over time, each one a separate record with its own dates, progress, and reading time. The **Reading history** section on the book detail page keeps every past read together, in chronological order. This means a book you read in 2018, re-read in 2024, and started re-reading again in 2026 has three Reading Statuses on the same book, each contributing to its respective year’s statistics and Reading Challenge. ## How re-reading works in practice - Open the book you want to re-read. - Scroll to the **Reading history** section on the detail page. - Tap the **+** button to create a new Reading Status. - Choose **Reading** as the status. That’s it, you’re now logging a new read, completely independent from any previous Reading Status of the same book. The new Reading Status joins the others in the Reading history list. ## What stays the same, what gets recorded fresh Each Reading Status records its **own** data: - Start and finish dates. - Tracking type (you can re-read a book by Pages this time, even if you read it by Percentage last time). - All progress entries (the day-by-day log). - All reading sessions (Reading Timer recordings). - Time spent reading. The book’s metadata (title, author, page count, cover, tags, series, notes, quotes) is **shared**, there’s still only one book in your library, even with 5 readings of it. ## Why this matters for statistics - The **Yearly Reading Challenge** counts every completed Reading Status with a finish date in the current year. So if you re-read 3 books *and* read 12 new ones in 2026, your challenge progress is 15: both are valid reads. - **Yearly statistics** show the books that have a Reading Status finishing that year, including re-reads. ## A worth-knowing edge case: “I changed my mind, I just want to update the existing status” If you marked a book as *Read* by accident and want to start reading it now (not as a re-read, but because you genuinely haven’t read it yet): - **Delete** the wrong Reading Status from the Reading history *(long press → Delete)*. - Create a fresh one with the **Reading** status. Use re-reading when you actually want to track multiple separate reads; use delete-and-recreate to fix a wrong entry. ## Related - [How to use Reading Status](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/) — the foundation. - [How to track detailed reading progress with pages, time, or percentage](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/) - [How to set and follow your Yearly Reading Challenge](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-set-and-follow-your-yearly-reading-challenge/) --- # Which platforms is Book Tracker available on? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/which-platforms-is-book-tracker-available-on/ Book Tracker is available on the entire Apple ecosystem: - 📱 **iPhone** *(iOS)* - 🖥️ **iPad** *(iPadOS)* - 💻 **Mac** *(macOS)* - ⌚️ **Apple Watch** *(watchOS, paired with the iPhone)* Your library is the same across all of them and stays in sync through iCloud, no account required. ## How purchases work Book Tracker is sold as a **one-time purchase per platform**, not a subscription: - One purchase covers the iPhone + iPad + Apple Watch apps *(they all live in the same iOS/iPadOS app)*. - A separate purchase is needed for the Mac app. Both are available on the App Store / Mac App Store. Once you’ve purchased Pro, all future updates on that platform are free, as they have been since 2019. For more on the model and why iOS and Mac are sold separately, see: - 👉 [What’s included in the free version vs Pro?](https://booktrack.app/faq/whats-included-in-free-vs-pro/) - 👉 [Why do I need to buy Book Tracker separately on iOS and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-do-i-need-to-buy-book-tracker-separately-on-ios-and-mac/) - 👉 [Is Family Sharing supported?](https://booktrack.app/faq/is-family-sharing-supported/) ## A note on Apple Watch The Apple Watch app is included with the iOS purchase, there’s nothing extra to buy. It mirrors a subset of your library from the paired iPhone and lets you: - See what you’re currently reading - Start, pause, and stop a Reading Timer from the wrist - Log reading progress The Apple Watch app needs the iPhone app to work, it’s not a standalone app. ## Related - [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/) - [How do I sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/) --- # Can I import my Kindle library into Book Tracker? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-my-kindle-library-into-book-tracker/ Unfortunately, Amazon does not allow third-party apps to access Kindle data directly. This means Book Tracker cannot connect to your Kindle account or import books from it automatically. However, Amazon owns **Goodreads**, which has the ability to read data from your Kindle account. By first linking your Kindle account to Goodreads, you can make your Kindle library available for export and then import it into Book Tracker. Here’s how: ## Link your Kindle account to Goodreads Follow the official steps provided by Amazon: [How to connect Kindle to Goodreads](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=TMUrqljDc09Dzy5FUM). ## Import your Goodreads library into Book Tracker Once Goodreads has synced your Kindle data, you can use our step-by-step guide to import everything into Book Tracker: [How to migrate your library from Goodreads to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/). ✅ This two-step process lets you move your Kindle library into Book Tracker, keeping your collection organized and accessible, even though direct Kindle integration isn’t supported. --- # Can I add Kindle books to Book Tracker? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-kindle-books-to-book-tracker/ Yes, you can add Kindle books (or any eBooks you own) to your Book Tracker library. The app does not connect directly to Amazon Kindle, but you can manually add your Kindle titles and manage them just like any other book. ## How to add a Kindle book - **Search online by title or ISBN** Open Book Tracker. - Tap **+** → **Search online**. - Enter the book title or ISBN and select the correct edition. - When you add a book, Book Tracker automatically assigns the **default format** (set in the app settings). - To change it, open the **book detail page**, tap **Edit**, and in the **Format** field select **eBook**. 👉 See also: [How to change the default book format in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-change-the-default-book-format-in-book-tracker/). - **Add manually** Tap **+** → **Manually insert**. - Enter the book’s details (title, author, publisher, etc.). - Set the **Format** to **eBook**. ## Tracking Kindle reading progress - Once added, you can manage Kindle books like any other in Book Tracker. - Create a **Reading Status** and choose how you want to log progress: **Percentage** → useful if you follow the Kindle app’s % indicator. - **Pages** → if you know the total page count. - **Time** → if you’re tracking an audiobook edition linked to your Kindle book. ## Best practices - If you want to distinguish Kindle books from other eBooks, add a **Tag** (e.g., “Kindle”) for easy filtering. - Notes and quotes should be added manually if you want to save highlights from your Kindle app. ✅ Book Tracker doesn’t sync directly with Kindle, but by marking your Kindle books as *eBooks* (and optionally tagging them), you can keep your digital and physical library organized in one place. --- # Can I import notes or highlights from Kindle? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-notes-or-highlights-from-kindle/ No, Book Tracker cannot automatically import Kindle highlights or notes. - A workaround is to copy/paste your highlights into the **Notes** or **Quotes** section of each book in Book Tracker. - Some users automate this using **Apple Shortcuts**: export Kindle highlights, then create a Shortcut to automatically add the exported highlight using the integration of Book Tracker with Apple Shortcuts. --- # How do I change the default book format in Book Tracker? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-change-the-default-book-format-in-book-tracker/ - Open **Book Tracker > Settings > Configurations**. - Find **Default format**. - Choose your preferred format (Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook). - From now on, all new books will use this format automatically. You can still change the format manually when editing a book. --- # The Save button is disabled when I try to update reading progress. Why? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/the-save-button-is-disabled-when-i-try-to-update-reading-progress-why/ This usually happens if the book has a **reading status created with 0 pages**. In that case, the app doesn’t know how to calculate progress. To fix it: - Open the book. - Long press the current reading status and choose **Delete**. - Tap **Add Reading Status** and enter the correct number of pages. - Save again, the Save button will now work. --- # iCloud sync is not working: how do I fix it? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/icloud-sync-is-not-working-how-do-i-fix-it/ If your library isn’t matching across iPhone, iPad, and Mac (books missing on one device, a status not updating, recent changes not appearing) almost every case can be fixed with the right procedure. This guide takes you from the quickest checks to the full multi-device recovery. The most important thing before anything else: > ⚠️ **On the device that has your complete, up-to-date library, create a manual backup right now.** > > > > > > Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore → Create Backup**. > > > > > > The procedures below are safe **only if** you’ve done this. Don’t skip it. ## 🆘 Quick fix: try these first Most sync problems are solved within 60 seconds by checking three things: - All devices are signed into the **same Apple ID**. - **Book Tracker is enabled for iCloud** on every device (path below in Step 0). - **Wi-Fi is on and stable.** iCloud doesn’t sync well over a weak network. If everything looks right but the library is still out of sync, leave Book Tracker open in the foreground on each device for 2–3 minutes. iCloud sometimes just needs time to catch up. If that doesn’t help, the rest of this article walks you through everything. ## The Sync Status screen: your dashboard Before doing anything else, **open Book Tracker on every device** and go to the iCloud Sync section in **Settings → iCloud Sync**. This screen is your dashboard: it tells you exactly what each device is doing right now. You’ll see three rows: - **Setup** — the initial handshake between Book Tracker and iCloud. - **Read** — downloading changes from iCloud to this device. - **Write** — uploading changes from this device to iCloud. Each row can be one of three colors: - 🟢 **Green** — that step is healthy. Sync is working. - ⚪ **Grey** — that step is in progress. Just wait; nothing is broken. - 🔴 **Red** — there’s a problem. The row tells you which one. **A device is healthy when all three rows are green.** If a device shows grey, it’s working and you should give it a few minutes. If a device shows red, that’s the device you need to look at and the red label tells you *what* the problem is. Knowing this changes everything: instead of running a reset blindly, you fix only the devices that actually need fixing, and you leave the healthy ones alone. The rest of this article is built around that idea. ## iCloud Drive vs iCloud sync: a key distinction Before troubleshooting, it helps to know that two different features both use the word “iCloud”: - **iCloud sync** *(what this article is about)* — the real-time mirroring of your library across devices. Enabled in **System Settings**, not in Book Tracker. - **iCloud Drive backups** — backup files Book Tracker can save to your iCloud Drive folder. Enabled in **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore**. If your *backups* aren’t appearing on another device, that’s an iCloud Drive backup destination issue, not a sync issue. See the [backup tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/) instead. If your *library content* (books, reading statuses, notes, …) isn’t matching, you’re in the right place. Continue. ## Errors that only require patience (don’t reset!) Some red errors on the Sync Status screen are **not real failures**. They are the system telling Book Tracker to slow down, and they will go away on their own. **Don’t reset, don’t reinstall, don’t take any action**. Just wait, and check the Sync Status again in a few hours. These are the known “just wait” errors: ### CKErrorDomain 6 (“Service Unavailable”) iCloud has temporarily stopped accepting uploads from your device. This is called *throttling* and it’s a protection that Apple’s servers apply when an app tries to push a lot of data at once, most often **after a big import** or **after restoring a backup**. iCloud lifts the limit automatically after some hours; sync resumes by itself. ### CKErrorDomain 7 (“Request Rate Limited”) Too many sync requests in a short time. Same idea as error 6, with a slightly different threshold. Same answer: wait, don’t reset. ### Cocoa Error 134419 This is an internal Core Data error meaning the system has *deferred* (paused) Book Tracker’s sync because it was using too many resources. It appears most often after importing or restoring a large library. The data is **not lost**. iCloud will retry automatically when the system has resources available. ### What to do for any of these three errors - Don’t reset and don’t reinstall Book Tracker. That can make things worse. - Close Book Tracker and check the Sync Status screen again **in a few hours**. - Keep the device on Wi-Fi (not Low Power Mode) so the system can retry in the background. - If you imported or restored a very large library, give it **at least 6–12 hours** before worrying. Most of the time, by the time you check back, the Sync Status will be all green and you’ll have done nothing. ## Diagnosing your situation: which devices need fixing? Open Book Tracker on **every** device, go to **Settings → iCloud Sync**, and look at the three rows on each. Then check the chart below: What you seeWhat it meansWhat to doAll devices show all green ✅Sync is working everywhere.Nothing. You’re done.One device has grey rowsThat step is in progress.Wait a few minutes, then re-check.One or more devices show red, but the error is **CKErrorDomain 6**, **CKErrorDomain 7**, or **Cocoa Error 134419**The system is throttling. Not a real failure.Wait several hours; don’t reset.One or more devices show red with a **different** error message, while at least one other device is all greenSome devices have a real sync problem; others are healthy.**Do the reset procedure below, but only on the red devices**. Don’t touch the green ones.**All** devices show red with non-recognized errorsA wider problem.Follow the reset procedure starting from the device with your most up-to-date library. > 🚫 **Important rule:** never run the reset procedure on a device that already shows all-green Sync Status. You risk forcing the healthy device to re-download everything from iCloud, slowing things down and potentially overwriting recent changes. ## Step 0 — Make sure iCloud is enabled for Book Tracker Before resetting anything, double-check that iCloud is actually enabled for Book Tracker on every device: - **iPhone / iPad:** Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Show All → Book Tracker must be **ON**. - **Mac:** System Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → iCloud Drive → Options → Book Tracker must be **checked**. If iCloud is disabled on any device, that device cannot sync. Enable it and wait a few minutes; in most cases, that alone fixes the problem. ## Step 1 — Reset on a device that’s out of sync (red Read or Write) > ⚠️ **Apply this only to devices that show a non-recognized red error in Read or Write** in the Sync Status screen. Do **not** apply it to devices that are all green or that show one of the “just wait” errors above. The reset re-builds the connection between Book Tracker on this device and iCloud: - On the **out-of-sync device**, open **Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Show All**. - Find **Book Tracker** and turn it **OFF**. - Open Book Tracker. Its library will clear locally. This is expected. *(Your data is safe in iCloud and you’ve already taken a backup of any device that has the complete library.)* - Go back to **Settings → iCloud → Show All** and turn **Book Tracker** back **ON**. - Open Book Tracker and wait while it downloads the library from iCloud. - Re-check the **Sync Status** screen on this device. If everything is green, you’re done. If you have more than one device showing a non-recognized red error, repeat Step 1 on each of them (one at a time, waiting for each to finish before moving on). ## Step 2 — Reset on the main device (only if Step 1 wasn’t enough) If you ran Step 1 and the affected device still can’t pull recent changes, the upload from your *main* device (the one with the complete library) is probably stuck. You’ll repeat the same toggle, but on the main device. > ⚠️ **Reminder:** you should already have a manual backup of this device from the very top of this article. If you don’t, **stop now and create one** before continuing. - On the **main device** (the one with the complete library), go to **Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Show All**. - Turn **Book Tracker** **OFF**. - Open Book Tracker. The local library will clear — this is expected. - Turn **Book Tracker** back **ON**. - Open Book Tracker and wait. The app will reconnect and start re-uploading your library to iCloud. - Watch the **Sync Status** screen on this device. When Setup, Read, and Write are all green, the upload is complete. ## Step 3 — Restore the manual backup safely (multi-device procedure) After Step 2 the main device’s library might temporarily look incomplete: some recent changes may not have made it to iCloud before the reset, so the version downloaded back is older than what you had locally. This is exactly why you took the manual backup at the start. Restoring is straightforward, but because iCloud will propagate the restore to all your other devices, **a small multi-device dance is needed** to avoid surprises: ### 3.1 — Before restoring, close Book Tracker on every other device On every iPhone, iPad, and Mac **other than** the one where you’ll restore, fully close Book Tracker. (On iPhone/iPad, swipe up from the bottom and flick Book Tracker off the App Switcher. On Mac, choose Quit Book Tracker from the menu.) This way they won’t try to read from iCloud while the main device is still uploading the restored library, which would otherwise show them an inconsistent half-state. ### 3.2 — Restore the backup on the main device - On the main device, open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore**. - Select the backup you created at the very beginning of this procedure. - Tap (or click) **Restore** and confirm. - Open the **Sync Status** screen on this device. ### 3.3 — Wait for the sync to complete Keep Book Tracker open in the foreground on the main device, with the Sync Status screen visible. Setup will turn green first, then Read, then Write. That order means iCloud has accepted everything and the upload is finished. **This step can take a while**, especially for large libraries. Several minutes is normal; with thousands of books, it may take much longer. During the upload it is **completely normal** to see one of the “just wait” red errors appear on the Sync Status screen: - **CKErrorDomain 6**, **CKErrorDomain 7**, or **Cocoa Error 134419**. These mean iCloud is throttling because the upload is large. **Don’t reset.** What to do: - Close Book Tracker. - Wait **a few hours** (longer for very large libraries, overnight is safe). - Reopen Book Tracker and check the Sync Status. Usually you’ll find all-green by this point. - If you still see one of those three “wait” errors, close again and try again later. iCloud will eventually resume. Repeat as needed until **Setup, Read, and Write are all green** on the main device. ### 3.4 — Bring the other devices back, one at a time When the main device shows all green: - Open Book Tracker on **one other device** — just one. - Go to that device’s **Sync Status** screen and watch. - Setup will turn green first, then Read will work through what’s new, then Write will catch up. - Wait for **all three rows to be green** on this device before moving on. - Once this device is fully green, repeat on the next device. Again, one at a time. Bringing devices back one at a time prevents them from competing for iCloud bandwidth at the same time, which is what otherwise triggers the throttling errors all over again. When every device shows all-green Sync Status, your library is fully restored and consistent everywhere. You’re done. ## Tips for syncing large libraries Libraries with hundreds or thousands of books need a little more patience than smaller ones. - **Give iCloud time after big imports.** If you just imported a library from Goodreads or another app, leave Book Tracker open and connected to Wi-Fi for several minutes. Possibly longer for very large imports. - **Open the app on every device.** After a big change on one device, opening Book Tracker on the others triggers them to check iCloud for updates. - **Avoid force-closing the app during a long upload.** Background uploads continue silently; force-quitting can pause them. (The Step 3.3 procedure above explicitly closes the app. That’s different: it’s *after* throttling appears.) - **Keep devices on Wi-Fi during heavy sync.** Cellular sync works but is slower and more interruptible. - **Update to the latest iOS / iPadOS / macOS.** CloudKit reliability improves with each Apple update. - **Manual backups are your friend.** Before a large import or bulk edit, create a manual backup. Both as a safety net and as a faster way to bring a new device online (a restore is often quicker than waiting for iCloud sync from scratch). ## Extra tips - Keep Book Tracker in the **foreground** and connected to **Wi-Fi** until syncing completes. - Disable **Low Power Mode** on iPhone/iPad. It can pause background data transfers. - After enabling sync on a new device, the first sync downloads the entire library; on large libraries this can take several minutes. - If you regularly switch between two Apple IDs (e.g. personal and work), each Apple ID has its own separate library in Book Tracker. - The **Sync Status** screen is the truth. If it says all green, sync is working, even if you don’t yet see a change you made elsewhere. Give it a couple of minutes. ## What to do if nothing above worked If you’ve followed everything above and your library is still wrong: - Take a fresh manual backup on the device with the most up-to-date library. - Wait a few hours (iCloud sometimes resolves issues on its own). - If still broken, contact us at [support](https://booktrack.app/contact/) with: which device is out of sync; - which error appears on its Sync Status screen (Setup / Read / Write, and the exact error label); - whether you’ve already restored a backup; - the size of your library (approximate book count). We’ll help diagnose further. 👉 Apple’s general iCloud troubleshooting: [If iCloud isn’t working](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204247). ## Related - [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/) - [How to back up your Book Tracker library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/) - [How to restore a backup (and recover deleted books)](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-restore-a-backup-in-book-tracker/) --- # Why do I need to buy Book Tracker separately on iOS and Mac? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/why-do-i-need-to-buy-book-tracker-separately-on-ios-and-mac/ Book Tracker is sold as two separate apps: one for iPhone/iPad and one for Mac. ### Why two purchases? - Each app is developed and maintained independently, optimized for its platform. - By keeping them separate, you pay only once per platform with a **lifetime purchase**. - There are **no subscriptions**, no hidden costs, and no forced upgrades. ### How Book Tracker differs from other apps Many popular book apps use a different model: - They often **require an account**, which means your reading data is stored on their servers. - They may show **ads** or sell aggregated user data. - They usually work with **recurring subscriptions**, so you pay every month or year to keep using them. Book Tracker is different: - **Privacy-first**: your data never leaves your devices or your private iCloud. - **No ads, no tracking, no selling of user data**. - **One-time purchase** per platform, with unlimited access. - **Free updates since 2019**, including all major features released so far. --- # Can I track audiobooks differently from books? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-track-audiobooks-differently-from-books/ **Yes.** Audiobooks are tracked **by listening time** instead of pages, and Book Tracker treats them as first-class citizens: separate format, separate metadata source, separate statistics. ## How audiobook tracking works When you add a book and set its **Format** to **Audiobook**, Book Tracker automatically suggests: - **Tracking type: Time** — you log progress in HH:mm (hours and minutes) instead of pages. ## What you log for an audiobook Each progress entry has: - **Time elapsed** *(your current listening position in the audiobook)*. - **Date** *(when you listened)*. Total listening time for the audiobook is calculated from these entries. ## Listening statistics Audiobooks contribute to a **separate set of statistics** so reading and listening don’t get mixed up: - **Today’s listening time** *(Inline Lock Screen widget)*. - **Audiobooks listened per month** *(charts)*. - **Listening streaks** *(consecutive days with at least one logging entry)*. You can put any of these on a widget. See [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/). ## Statistics and the Reading Challenge Audiobooks **count toward your Yearly Reading Challenge** when you finish one, exactly like any other format. The Reading Challenge doesn’t distinguish between reading and listening. ## Tip: switching tracking type if you change your mind Started tracking an audiobook by Time but realize you’d rather use Percentage? Open the book → Reading Status → three-dot menu → **Convert progress**. The existing progress is converted automatically. ## Related - [How to track detailed reading progress with pages, time, or percentage](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/) - [How to use the Reading Timer + Live Activity + Dynamic Island](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) - [How to use Smart Lists in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-smart-lists-in-book-tracker/) - [How to view and understand your reading statistics](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-view-and-understand-your-reading-statistics/) --- # What's the difference between Library, Wishlist, and Not Owned? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/library-wishlist-not-owned-difference/ Every book in Book Tracker belongs to exactly **one of three sections**: Library, Wishlist, or Not Owned. They have very specific meanings, and using them well makes the rest of the app (statistics, Smart Lists, the Reading Challenge) much more accurate. ## Library The books you **own**. This is the default when you add a book. Hardback, paperback, eBook on your device, audiobook in your account. If it’s something you have access to as part of your collection, it goes in Library. Library is what most people think of as “my collection”. ## Wishlist The books you **want to acquire**. Books you don’t have yet but plan to buy, borrow, or download in the future. A Wishlist book is **not in your library** until you move it to Library or Not Owned. Use Wishlist for: - Books you’ve heard about and want to remember. - Future birthday gifts or holiday reading. - Series you plan to start once another volume is released. Wishlist books are included the Home/Sidebar so you see them every time you open the app, or hide them entirely. See [How to customize Book Tracker with Configurations](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-book-tracker-with-configurations/). ## Not Owned Books you’ve **read but don’t own a copy of**. For example: - Library loans you returned. - A friend’s book you finished. - An audiobook subscription title that left your account. - A textbook you used at school. Not Owned books **are part of your reading history** and **count toward your statistics and Reading Challenge**. The only thing they don’t do is live in your physical/digital collection. This section keeps your Library tidy (no need to delete a book just because you returned it to the library) without losing the reading record. ## A book can move between sections A book’s section isn’t fixed. You can change it at any time: - **From the book detail page:** tap the icon on the left of the **Edit** button and select **Move to** → pick the new one. - **From the book list:** long press a book (or right-click on Mac) → **Move to** → pick the new one. - **In bulk:** [How to use Bulk Edit in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-bulk-edit-in-book-tracker/) can move many books at once. ## Common patterns SituationWhere the book goesYou buy a bookLibraryYou finish reading a library loan and return itMove from Library → Not OwnedYou see a book recommended online and want to remember itWishlistA Wishlist book finally arrivesMove from Wishlist → LibraryYou gave away a book but want to keep the reading recordMove to Not OwnedYou’re tracking digital books you no longer have access to (e.g., a canceled Kindle Unlimited title)Not Owned ## Related - [What are Tags, Categories, Series, Smart Lists, and Positions?](https://booktrack.app/faq/tags-categories-series-smart-lists-positions-glossary/) - [How to track Borrowed and Loaned Out books](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-borrowed-and-loaned-out-books/) - [How to customize the Home on iPhone and the Sidebar on iPad and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-the-home-on-iphone-and-the-sidebar-on-ipad-and-mac/) --- # Why are covers missing after import? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-covers-missing-after-import/ CSV files cannot contain images directly. For this reason, most CSV imports will show books without covers. ### When covers can be imported - If the CSV includes a valid **image URL**, Book Tracker will try to import that cover. - If the CSV contains a valid **ISBN**, Book Tracker will attempt to fetch additional information online during import, including covers. ### When covers are missing - If the CSV has **no ISBN**, Book Tracker cannot fetch covers from online databases. - If the CSV has no image link, or the link is broken, no cover will be imported. - In these cases, the book will appear without a cover. ### How to fix it - **Manually add a cover** Open the book detail page. - Open the edit page. - Tap on **Edit image** button. - Select an image from your photo library or files. - **Re-import with ISBNs** Make sure your CSV has an ISBN column filled. - Re-import: Book Tracker will automatically try to fetch covers online. ⚠️ Without ISBN or a valid image URL, covers must be added manually. --- # Why are some books showing 0 pages after import? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-some-books-showing-0-pages-after-import/ This usually happens because the **CSV file** you imported is missing information or the data is not formatted correctly. ### Pages showing as “0” - If the *Pages* column in your CSV is empty, Book Tracker will import the book with **0 pages**. - If a reading status is created with 0 pages, you won’t be able to update progress correctly. - To fix this: During import, make sure the *Pages* column in your CSV is correctly mapped. - If a book already shows 0 pages, open the book in Book Tracker, edit the page count manually, then delete the incorrect reading status (long press > Delete) and create a new one. --- # How do I move my library to another device or Apple ID? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-move-my-library-to-another-device-or-apple-id/ If you’re switching devices or Apple IDs, you can move your entire Book Tracker library using **backups**. ### Move your library with a backup - On your old device, open **Settings > Backup & Restore**. - Create a manual backup. - Long press the backup file and select **Share**. - Send it via AirDrop, Mail, or a cloud service. - On the new device, go to **Settings > Backup & Restore > Select file**. - Choose the backup and restore it. ⚠️ Restoring a backup **replaces your current library**, so make sure to save a copy first if you want to keep the data already on the new device. ### What about my Pro purchase? - If you’re keeping the same Apple ID, your Pro purchase will unlock automatically. - If you’re switching to a new Apple ID, you have two options: **Apple Family Sharing** – share your purchase with the new account ([how to set up Family Sharing](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201088)). - **Transfer purchases between Apple IDs** – Apple now allows you to move eligible purchases to another Apple ID by following this official guide: [Transfer your purchases to a different Apple ID](https://support.apple.com/en-ca/117294). --- # I bought Pro, why isn’t it unlocked on my other device? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/i-bought-pro-why-isnt-it-unlocked-on-my-other-device/ If you already purchased Pro and it’s not unlocked on another device, try these steps: - Make sure you are signed in with the **same Apple ID** you used for the original purchase. - Open Book Tracker on the other device and go to the **Purchase screen** (the page where you normally upgrade to Pro version). - Tap **Restore Purchase** at the bottom of that screen. - If it doesn’t work right away, uninstall the app, install it and try again. ### Using different Apple IDs? If your iPhone, iPad, or Mac are set up with different Apple IDs, you have two options: - **Transfer purchases between Apple IDs** – Apple now allows you to transfer eligible purchases from one Apple ID to another. 👉 See Apple’s guide: [Transfer your purchases to a different Apple ID](https://support.apple.com/en-ca/117294). - **Apple Family Sharing** – Share your purchase with family members or across multiple accounts. 👉 Apple explains how to [set up Family Sharing](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201088). --- # Do I need an account to use Book Tracker? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/do-i-need-an-account-to-use-book-tracker/ No. Book Tracker does not require creating an account or sharing personal data. - Your information is stored **locally on your device**. - If you enable iCloud on your device, it uses only your **private iCloud** connected to your Apple ID. - No external servers, no analytics, no data selling. 👉 You can read Apple’s overview of [iCloud and how it protects your privacy](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202303). --- # Is Family Sharing supported? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/is-family-sharing-supported/ **Yes.** Book Tracker Pro supports Apple’s [Family Sharing](https://support.apple.com/family-sharing) on both iOS/iPadOS and macOS. One purchase covers everyone in your Family Sharing group (up to 5 family members) at no extra cost. ## How it works - Set up Family Sharing on Apple if you haven’t already — [Apple’s guide](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201088). - Whoever purchases Book Tracker Pro must have **Purchase Sharing turned on** (Settings → your name → Family Sharing → Purchase Sharing). - The other family members will see Book Tracker Pro as already purchased when they download the app on their devices using their own Apple ID. This works for both the **iOS/iPadOS** purchase and the **macOS** purchase. They’re separate Family Sharing entitlements, so a family member who wants Book Tracker on both platforms is covered automatically when you buy each. ## What family members get Each family member uses Book Tracker with **their own Apple ID and their own library**. Family Sharing only shares the **purchase**, not the data. This means: - Their library, reading statuses, notes, and statistics are completely separate from yours. - iCloud sync works on their Apple ID, not on yours. - You can’t see each other’s reading data, which is the right outcome for privacy. ## Related - [What’s included in the free version vs Pro?](https://booktrack.app/faq/whats-included-in-free-vs-pro/) - [Why do I need to buy Book Tracker separately on iOS and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-do-i-need-to-buy-book-tracker-separately-on-ios-and-mac/) - [I bought Pro, why isn’t it unlocked on my other device?](https://booktrack.app/faq/i-bought-pro-why-isnt-it-unlocked-on-my-other-device/) - [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/) --- # What are Tags, Categories, Series, Smart Lists, and Positions? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/tags-categories-series-smart-lists-positions-glossary/ Book Tracker gives you five different ways to organize your library. They overlap a bit on purpose. Pick the ones that match how *you* think about your books. Here’s what each one is, with an example. ## Tags **What they are:** free-form, colored labels you create. There’s no fixed meaning: you decide. A book can carry as many Tags as you want, and the same Tag can be applied to any number of books. **Concrete example:** you can tag a book as *Signed by author*, *Borrowed*, *Comfort read*, *Holiday read*, *Gift from Mom*. None of these would make sense as Categories or Series. 👉 Learn more: [How to use Tags in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-tags-and-smart-lists-to-organize-your-collection/) ## Categories **What they are:** the **genre or topic** of the book: *Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Memoir, Self-help, Science*. Categories usually come automatically from the online sources (Google Books, Open Library, Apple Books) when you add a book. You can also edit them by hand. **Concrete example:** *The Hobbit* gets the Categories *Fantasy, Adventure* automatically when you add it from online search. You don’t need to invent them. **Tags vs Categories — what’s the difference?** - **Categories** describe the book *objectively* (genre/topic, the same for every reader). - **Tags** describe the book *as it relates to you* (signed, borrowed, gift…). The two coexist. Most books end up with a few Categories and a few Tags. ## Series **What they are:** a named, **ordered collection** of books. Perfect for sagas, trilogies, manga, or any sequel chain. **Concrete example:** you create a Series called *Harry Potter*, then assign each of the seven books to it with the right number. Book Tracker keeps them in the correct order and lets you see at a glance which ones you’ve already read. 👉 Learn more: [How to manage Series and sort books](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-manage-series-and-sort-books/) ## Smart Lists **What they are:** **dynamic groups** of books defined by filters. You set the rules; Book Tracker keeps the list up to date automatically. **Concrete example:** create a Smart List called *Unread Audiobooks Tagged “Comfort Read”* with these filters: - Reading Status = *Unread* - Format = *Audiobook* - Tags = *Comfort Read* From then on, any book that matches all three rules appears in the list. Any book that stops matching disappears. You never have to add or remove books from it by hand. 👉 Learn more: [How to use Smart Lists in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-smart-lists-in-book-tracker/) — 17 different filter criteria are supported. ## Positions (Location → Bookcase → Shelf) **What they are:** a **three-level hierarchy** that mirrors the physical placement of a book in the real world. *Location* is the top level (a room or a house), *Bookcase* and *Shelf* are optional refinements within it. **Concrete example:** you live in two places and have books in both. You create Locations *Home* and *Country house*, then under *Home* you add Bookcases *Living Room*, *Office*, *Bedroom*, and under each Bookcase a few Shelves. Now when you wonder *“where did I leave my copy of Dune?”*, Book Tracker tells you exactly. You can stop at *Location* if you want. Bookcase and Shelf are optional. 👉 Learn more: [How to organize books with Positions](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-organize-books-with-positions-location-bookcase-shelf/) ## Which one should I use? You don’t pick one, you mix and match. The five tools cover different questions: QuestionUseWhat kind of book is this? *(genre, topic)***Categories**Is it part of a saga? Which volume?**Series**Anything I want to remember about it?**Tags**Where is the physical book?**Positions**Can I get all the books that match these specific criteria?**Smart Lists** The most powerful combinations come from layering Tags into Smart Lists. That’s where Book Tracker really shines. ## Related - [How to use Tags in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-tags-and-smart-lists-to-organize-your-collection/) - [How to use Smart Lists in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-smart-lists-in-book-tracker/) - [How to manage Series and sort books](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-manage-series-and-sort-books/) - [How to organize books with Positions](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-organize-books-with-positions-location-bookcase-shelf/) - [What’s the difference between Library, Wishlist, and Not Owned?](https://booktrack.app/faq/library-wishlist-not-owned-difference/) --- # Is Book Tracker free? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/is-book-tracker-free/ You can download Book Tracker for free and try all its features with a limited library (up to 5 books). - To unlock unlimited books and features, you can upgrade to Pro with a one-time payment. The payment is per platform, which means that if you want to use the app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, you need to purchase the Pro version separately on iOS and on macOS. - There are no subscriptions and no ads. - Book Tracker launched in 2019 and, since then, all updates have been free for existing customers. 👉 Download Book Tracker for [iPhone and iPad on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) or for [Mac on the Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200). --- # Can I scan barcodes? Does Book Tracker support Bluetooth scanners? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-scan-barcodes-bluetooth-scanners/ **Yes.** Book Tracker supports two complementary barcode scanning paths, both useful for adding books quickly without typing: ## 📷 Camera scanner Use the device’s built-in camera to scan a book’s ISBN barcode (the usual 13-digit EAN-13 on the back of any modern book). - Available on **iPhone**, **iPad**, and **Mac** *(if your Mac has a built-in or external webcam)*. - Open Book Tracker → tap **+** → **Scan barcode** (camera). - Hold the barcode in the camera frame; the scan happens automatically. - The book is added immediately if found in the online databases. **Continuous scan:** the camera scanner stays open after each successful scan, so you can scan a whole shelf of books in a row without tapping anything in between. Great for setting up the app from scratch. ## 📡 Bluetooth / hardware scanner Book Tracker also supports **dedicated barcode scanners**, the kind that connect over Bluetooth (or USB on Mac) and look like a pen or a small handheld device. - Pair the scanner with your iPhone, iPad, or Mac through the system Bluetooth settings, as you would any other accessory. - Open Book Tracker → tap **+** → **Scan with barcode reader**. - Use the physical trigger on the scanner to scan each book. **Why use a Bluetooth scanner?** Two reasons: - **Speed.** For a large library (hundreds of books), a dedicated scanner is much faster than the camera. - **Convenience.** You don’t need to hold the device steady or align the barcode, the dedicated scanner handles awkward angles and bad lighting better than a phone camera. Most generic USB-HID Bluetooth barcode scanners work, including the cheap ones widely available online. ## Where Book Tracker looks up the scan Once the ISBN is captured (via either method), Book Tracker queries the online book databases and adds the book with its full metadata: title, authors, publisher, cover, page count, language. You don’t need to fill anything in manually. If the ISBN can’t be found online (rare books, very old editions, self-published titles), see [Can I add a book that isn’t found online?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-a-book-that-isnt-found-online/). ## Related - [How to add a new book in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-a-new-book-in-book-tracker/) - [Can I add a book that isn’t found online?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-a-book-that-isnt-found-online/) - [How to use Control Center widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-control-center-widgets/) — *Scan book barcode* is one of the Control Center widgets available. --- # Can I use Book Tracker offline? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-use-book-tracker-offline/ Yes. Book Tracker is designed to work fully offline. You don’t need an internet connection to add books, edit details, track your reading, log progress, take notes, or save quotes. Everything you do with your existing library works without a connection. ## What works offline - **Adding books manually** — title, author, format, all metadata. - **Editing any book detail.** - **Managing Reading Statuses** — set status, log pages, percentage, or time. - **Running the Reading Timer** — including Live Activity on iPhone and iPad. - **Adding notes and quotes** (including OCR via camera). - **Organizing your library** — Tags, Series, Positions (Location/Bookcase/Shelf), Smart Lists. - **Viewing statistics** — all charts and breakdowns based on data already in your library. - **Creating and accessing backups** stored locally on the device. - **Using widgets** that show data from your library. ## What needs internet Only the features that talk to external services require a connection: - **Online book search** — adding a book by title or ISBN queries online databases. - **Cover image downloads** — when a book is added, the cover is fetched online. - **iCloud sync** — your changes are uploaded the next time the device is online. ## What happens when you come back online If iCloud sync is enabled, all the offline changes you made are uploaded automatically to iCloud as soon as your device reconnects. You don’t need to do anything: there’s no manual “sync now” step. ## Related - [How to use Book Tracker offline (full tutorial)](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-offline/) - [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/) - [How do I sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/) --- # Can I add a book that isn't found online? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-a-book-that-isnt-found-online/ **Yes.** Book Tracker includes a full **manual entry mode** for books that don’t show up in online databases. Use it for: - Rare editions, out-of-print books, or vintage hardbacks without a modern ISBN. - **Self-published** books that haven’t been catalogued by Google Books or Open Library. - **Pre-ISBN** books (anything published before 1970 may not be in online databases). - **Untraded** or limited-edition prints. - **Foreign-language** books not in the main databases. - Personal documents, theses, manuscripts, family papers: anything you want to track as a “book”. ## How to add a book manually - Open Book Tracker. - Tap **+** → **Manually insert**. - Enter the book’s details: **Title** (required). - **Authors** — type a name and pick or create. - **Format** — Paperback, Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook, and 11 more specialized formats (Manga, Graphic Novel, Box Set, Reference Book, Leather Bound, …). - **Publisher**, **Language**, **Release year** — optional but useful. - **Page count** — important if you want to track progress by pages. - **Description**, **ISBN-10 / ISBN-13**, **Categories**, **Series**, **Tags**, **Position**, **Notes** — all optional. - Save. The book is added to your library, indistinguishable from a book you added by scanning. You can edit any field later from the book detail page. ## Adding a cover for a manually entered book Manual entries don’t get a cover automatically. You have three options: - **Search online for a cover** — open the book → **Edit Image** → **Search Online**. Book Tracker queries online databases for cover art that matches the title and author, even if the book itself isn’t found. - **Take a photo** — point your camera at the physical book and use the photo as the cover. - **Pick from Photos** — choose an existing image (you can crop in-app). The manually picked cover is stored in your library and synced to your other devices. ## Setting the page count correctly If you’re going to track reading progress, **enter the page count when adding the book**. It’s the single most useful piece of metadata for statistics, the Reading Challenge, and the Reading Timer. Look at the last numbered page of the book itself; don’t include unnumbered front matter or appendices unless you want to. If you forget and add a Reading Status with 0 pages, you’ll hit a known issue. See [Why are some books showing 0 pages after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-some-books-showing-0-pages-after-import/) for the fix. ## Related - [How to add a new book in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-a-new-book-in-book-tracker/) - [Can I scan barcodes? Does Book Tracker support Bluetooth scanners?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-scan-barcodes-bluetooth-scanners/) - [What to do if a book has the wrong page count](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/what-to-do-if-a-book-has-the-wrong-page-count/) - [Why are some books showing 0 pages after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-some-books-showing-0-pages-after-import/) --- # Can I organize books into series and set a custom order? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-organize-books-into-series-and-set-a-custom-order/ Yes. Book Tracker lets you group books into **series** and decide the exact reading order. This is perfect for sagas, trilogies, manga, or any collection where order matters. ### How to assign a book to a series You can add a book to a series in different ways: - **From the book list** On iPhone/iPad: long press a book. - On Mac: right-click a book. - Select **Assign Series**. - **From a book’s detail page** Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. - Select **Assign > Series**. - **From the edit page of a book** Tap **Edit**. - Scroll to the **Series** section. - Tap **+ Add** and choose an existing series, or create a new one. ### How to set a custom order in a series Once books belong to a series, you can arrange them in the right sequence: - Open the **Series page** from your library. - Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner. - Select **Order series**. - Assign a number to each book (1, 2, 3…). - Save — the books will now display in that order. 👉 This way, your library always reflects the correct order for reading sagas, book collections, or multi-volume works. --- # Can I add shelves or locations in Book Tracker? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-shelves-or-locations-in-book-tracker/ Yes. Book Tracker lets you organize your physical library by assigning books to a **Position**. A *Position* is a structured system that contains three levels: - **Location** → for the place where the library is (e.g., Home, Office, Vacation House). - **Bookcase** → for a specific piece of furniture within that location. - **Shelf** → for a shelf inside the bookcase. ### Why use Positions? - Helps you locate a book in your real collection quickly. - Perfect if you manage multiple spaces (home, office, storage). --- # How can I mark a book as To Read, Reading, Read, or Abandoned? URL: https://booktrack.app/faq/how-can-i-mark-a-book-as-to-read-reading-finished-or-abandoned/ Every book can have a **Reading Status**, so you always know whether it’s unread, in progress, read, or abandoned. You can set the status from the book detail page (using the buttons “Start Reading” or “Mark as Read”) or from the contextual menu with a long press. Reading Statuses also let you log progress in pages, percentage, or time. 👉 Full guide: [How to track books and reading progress with Reading Statuses](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/) --- # Getting started: your first 5 books URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/getting-started-your-first-5-books/ Just installed Book Tracker and not sure where to start? This 5-minute walkthrough gets you up and running with the essentials. By the end, you’ll have your first 5 books in the library, your first Reading Status set, your first reading session recorded, and a clear picture of how the app fits into a daily reading habit. You’ll need: - An iPhone, iPad, or Mac with Book Tracker installed *(the free version is enough to get through this whole tutorial. The 5-book limit kicks in only after these 5)*. - 5 minutes. If you’ve never set up iCloud sync for the app, do it now in **Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Show All → Book Tracker** *(or System Settings on Mac)*. Your library will sync automatically to your other devices as you go. ## Step 1 — Add your first 5 books The fastest path to 5 books uses three different methods so you know all of them. ### Pick a book you have nearby and scan its barcode - Tap **+** → **Scan barcode**. - Hold the back cover of the book in the camera frame. - The book is added automatically with title, author, cover, page count, and publisher. This is the **fastest** way once you’ve tried it, no typing required. You can keep scanning to add several books in a row. ### Search by title for a book you don’t have at hand - Tap **+** → **Search online**. - Type a few words of the title *(or an ISBN if you have it)*. - Pick the right edition from the results. The book lands in your library with full metadata. ### Add a book manually For a book that isn’t in online databases (a self-published title, a vintage edition, a thesis, anything personal): - Tap **+** → **Manually insert**. - Fill in **Title** and **Author** *(the only required fields)*. - Add page count if you want to track progress. Recommended. - Save. See [Can I add a book that isn’t found online?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-a-book-that-isnt-found-online/) for the full picture. ## Step 2 — Mark what you’re reading right now Of the books you’ve just added, pick **one** that you’re currently reading. - Open that book. - Tap **Start Reading** under the title. Done, that book is now in *Reading* status, and it’ll show up in the **Currently Reading** section on the Home (iPhone) or Sidebar (iPad / Mac). ## Step 3 — Pick the right tracking type When you start reading, Book Tracker asks how you want to track progress: - **Pages** — for printed books and eBooks. - **Percentage** — for eBooks without consistent page numbers (e.g., comics, manga). - **Time** *(HH:mm)* — for audiobooks. Pick the one that matches your current book and tap **Save**. The app auto-suggests the right type based on the book’s format, so most of the time you can just confirm. ## Step 4 — Record your first reading session Now you’ll record some reading. - Open the same book → tap the active Reading Status. - Tap **Start Timer**. Read a few pages, then come back: - Tap **Stop & save**. - Enter how far you got *(last page reached, percentage, or listening time depending on the tracking type)*. - Tap **Save**. You’ve just logged your first reading session: pages read, time spent, average pace. That data flows into your statistics, Reading Challenge, and Year in Review. If you want to log without timing, you can also tap **+ Add progress** at any time. See [How to track detailed reading progress](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/). ## Step 5 — Capture a quote or a note Reading is rarely just about progress. If you came across a sentence you want to remember: ### From a printed book - Open the book → scroll to the **Quotes** section → **+ Add quote**. - Tap the camera icon and snap a photo of the page. - Book Tracker uses OCR to read the text — review and edit. - Save. ### From any source - Open the book → **+ Add quote** (or **+ Add note** for a thought rather than an excerpt). - Type or paste the text. - Save. Quotes can show up on a Lock Screen widget for daily inspiration. See [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/). ## Step 6 — Set a Reading Challenge A small commitment goes a long way for habit-building. - Statistics → **+ Add Reading Challenge**. - Pick a realistic number of books for the year *(if you don’t know, start with 12)*. - Save. Every Read book you mark with a finish date in the current year automatically counts toward this challenge. You can see progress at any time. ## What to explore next You now know enough to use Book Tracker every day. When you’re ready to go deeper, here are the next things worth exploring, in roughly the order most users find them useful: ### Organization - **[Tags](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-tags-and-smart-lists-to-organize-your-collection/)** — labels you create for any criteria you invent *(Comfort read, Gift, Signed, …)*. - **[Smart Lists](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-smart-lists-in-book-tracker/)** — dynamic groupings based on filters. - **[Series](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-manage-series-and-sort-books/)** — for sagas, trilogies, manga. - **[Positions](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-organize-books-with-positions-location-bookcase-shelf/)** — track where your physical books are. ### Integrations - **[Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/)** — 14 widgets for the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Mac desktop. - **[Control Center widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-control-center-widgets/)**— 17 one-tap shortcuts into the app. - **[Apple Watch app](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-on-apple-watch/)** — track from the wrist. - **[Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/)** — 95+ automation actions and 9 ready-made Siri phrases. ### Safety - **[Backup your library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/)** — turn on automatic backups so you’re always protected. ### Migrate from another app If you have an existing reading log elsewhere, you can bring it in: - **[Import your library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-import-your-library-into-book-tracker/)** — Goodreads, StoryGraph, Bookpedia, Delicious Library 3, BookBuddy, Bookmory, and any CSV. ## Free vs Pro You’ve just used some of the features that are limited to **5 books** in the free version. To go beyond 5 books, plus unlock Import, Export, Restore, custom app icons, and a few advanced features, see [What’s included in the free version vs Pro?](https://booktrack.app/faq/whats-included-in-free-vs-pro/). Pro is a one-time purchase per platform: no subscription, all future updates included since 2019. If you’ve been able to follow this tutorial all the way through, you already know if Book Tracker fits how you read. ## Related - [Which platforms is Book Tracker available on?](https://booktrack.app/faq/which-platforms-is-book-tracker-available-on/) - [What are Tags, Categories, Series, Smart Lists, and Positions?](https://booktrack.app/faq/tags-categories-series-smart-lists-positions-glossary/) - [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/) - [The Book Tracker Manifesto](https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/) --- # How to add notes and quotes to books in Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-notes-and-quotes-to-books-in-book-tracker/ Books are more than just titles on a shelf. They’re filled with thoughts, reflections, and memorable passages. Book Tracker lets you attach **personal notes** and **favorite quotes** directly to each book, so you always have them at hand. ## Adding notes to a book Notes are useful for jotting down: - Personal reflections. - Study highlights. - Reminders about characters, themes, or context. ### How to add a note - Open the **book detail page**. - Scroll to the **Notes** section. - Tap **+ Add Note**. - Type your text and save. Notes support multiple entries, so you can create as many as you need for each book. ## Adding quotes to a book Quotes help you capture and revisit passages that inspire you. ### How to add a quote - Open the **book detail page**. - Scroll to the **Quotes** section. - Tap **+ Add Quote**. - Choose how to save the quote: **Type manually** → copy the text directly. - **Snap a photo** → take a picture of the passage; Book Tracker will transcribe it into text automatically. - Save the quote. Quotes appear in the book detail page and can also be shown in **widgets** on your Home Screen. ## Adding notes and quotes with Shortcuts Book Tracker integrates with Apple’s **Shortcuts app**, making it easy to automate note and quote management: - Create shortcuts to **import multiple notes or quotes at once**. - Add a shortcut to **quickly save a quote** whenever you select text in another app. - Use Siri to trigger shortcuts with voice commands (e.g., “Add a new quote to Book Tracker”). This is especially powerful if you often annotate eBooks or academic articles outside Book Tracker. ## Managing notes and quotes - Long press (iPhone/iPad) or right-click (Mac) on a note or quote → **Edit** or **Delete**. - Notes and quotes remain permanently attached to the book, even if you edit other metadata. - Browse all entries directly in the **Quotes** sections of the app. - Display favorite quotes in widgets to keep inspiration visible at all times. ## Best practices - Use **Notes** for personal reflections, research insights, or ideas. - Use **Quotes** for memorable passages, and showcase them with widgets. - Combine both: a quote for the text, plus a note to explain why it matters to you. - Leverage **Shortcuts** for faster input and automation. - Back up your library regularly to preserve annotations. ✅ With notes and quotes in Book Tracker — enhanced by Shortcuts and widgets — your library becomes a true personal reading journal you can access and update from anywhere. --- # How to import your library into Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-import-your-library-into-book-tracker/ Switching to Book Tracker doesn’t mean starting from scratch. The app imports your existing library from many popular tracking apps, directly via a dedicated format for each app, or from any generic CSV file by mapping the columns manually. This tutorial gives you the full picture: which apps are supported, how the in-app import flow works, what gets imported, and what doesn’t. ## Supported import sources For every supported source below, Book Tracker has a **dedicated import format** that maps the columns automatically. You just export the file from the source app and pick the matching format in Book Tracker. For the three sources with the most complex export procedure, we also have a step-by-step guide on a dedicated page. SourceHow to importDedicated guide?**Goodreads**Export the library file from [goodreads.com](http://goodreads.com/), then in Book Tracker select **Goodreads** as the import format.[Yes →](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/)**Bookpedia**Export the library from Bookpedia, then in Book Tracker select **Bookpedia** as the import format.[Yes →](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-bookpedia/)**Delicious Library 3**Export the library from Delicious Library 3, then in Book Tracker select **Delicious Library 3** as the import format.[Yes →](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-delicious-library-3/)**StoryGraph**Export the CSV from the StoryGraph, then in Book Tracker select **StoryGraph** as the import format.—**BookBuddy**Export the CSV from BookBuddy, then in Book Tracker select **BookBuddy** as the import format.—**Reading List**Export from Reading List, then in Book Tracker select **Reading List** as the import format.—**Book Crawler**Export from Book Crawler, then in Book Tracker select **Book Crawler** as the import format.—**Bookmory**Export from Bookmory, then in Book Tracker select **Bookmory** as the import format.—**Another Book Tracker installation**Export a CSV from the source Book Tracker, then in the destination Book Tracker select **Book Tracker** as the import format.—**Any other app**Export a CSV from your app, then in Book Tracker select **Other** as the import format and **map the columns manually**.[See generic guide →](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-other-apps-via-csv-import/) > ℹ️ The “Other” option is the universal fallback. Any app that lets you export a CSV file is supported in some form. ## How to start an import The Import flow lives inside Book Tracker’s Settings: - **First, create a backup** of your current library — [How to back up your Book Tracker library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/). This is critical: an import is hard to undo without a backup. - **Export the library file from your source app.** Follow its export instructions (or the dedicated guide for Goodreads, Bookpedia, Delicious Library 3 if applicable). - Open **Book Tracker** on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. - Go to **Settings → Import**. - Select the **import format** that matches your source app. If your app isn’t listed by name, select **Other**. - Select the **file** you exported in step 2. - If you chose **Other**, you’ll see a **field mapping** screen. Match each column of your CSV to a Book Tracker field. For all other formats, this step is skipped because the mapping is automatic. - Review the **preview** of the books that will be imported. You can spot obvious problems here (missing pages, wrong format) before confirming. - Tap **Confirm** to start the import. For large libraries, the import can take a few minutes. After it’s done, Book Tracker shows a summary of what was imported. ## What gets imported Most imports include: - Title, author(s), publisher, language. - Format (Paperback, Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook, Manga, and the other 11 specialized formats Book Tracker supports). - Reading Status and reading dates. - Rating. - Tags / shelves (mapped to Book Tracker Tags). - Purchase date and price when present. - Notes when the source includes them. **Covers** are downloaded automatically when the imported file contains a valid ISBN or an image URL. If covers are missing after import, see [Why are some covers missing after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-covers-missing-after-import/) for how to fix them. ## What does NOT transfer Some data simply can’t cross apps: - **Kindle highlights and notes** — Amazon doesn’t expose them via export. See [Can I import notes or highlights from Kindle?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-notes-or-highlights-from-kindle/) - **Day-by-day reading progress entries** — most source apps export only the current status and completion date, not the timeline of progress. - **Social or community data** — friends, comments, reviews on other users’ books are tied to the source platform. - **App-specific UI customizations** — your shelves’ order or display preferences in the source app don’t carry over. ## After importing — review and clean up Right after a large import, take a moment to: - Spot-check 10–20 books to make sure title, author, and format look correct. - See [Why are some books showing 0 pages after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-some-books-showing-0-pages-after-import/). - Check covers. For any that are missing, you can fetch them automatically from Settings or add them manually. - If something went wrong, **don’t panic**: you have the backup you took in step 1. ## Best practices - **Always back up first.** It’s the single most important step. - **Use the dedicated format** when one is available. Automatic field mapping means fewer mistakes. - **For Other**, take 30 seconds to verify the field mapping screen before confirming. - **Wait a few minutes** after a big import before triggering iCloud sync to other devices. See [Tips for syncing large libraries](https://booktrack.app/faq/icloud-sync-is-not-working-how-do-i-fix-it/#tips-for-syncing-large-libraries-in-book-tracker) in our iCloud troubleshooting FAQ. - **Don’t re-import the same file twice**. You’ll get duplicates. If you need to re-do an import, restore the pre-import backup first. ## Related [How to export your library from Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-export-your-library-from-book-tracker/). [Which apps can I import my library from?](https://booktrack.app/faq/which-apps-can-i-import-from/) — short version of the table above. [How to fix common CSV import issues](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-fix-common-csv-import-issues-in-book-tracker/) — troubleshooting for the Other / CSV path. [How to back up your Book Tracker library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/) --- # How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/ Book Tracker uses **Apple’s iCloud** to keep your library (books, reading statuses, progress, notes, quotes, ratings, statistics, smart lists) in sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. There’s no account to create and no separate login: as long as you’re signed into the same Apple ID on every device, everything works automatically. This guide explains how to enable iCloud sync and what to expect once it’s running. If sync isn’t working as expected, see [iCloud sync is not working — how do I fix it?](https://booktrack.app/faq/icloud-sync-is-not-working-how-do-i-fix-it/). ## How to enable iCloud sync on iPhone and iPad - Open the **Settings** app on the device. - Tap your name at the top to open the **Apple ID** screen. - Tap **iCloud**. - Scroll to **Apps using iCloud** and tap **Show All**. - Find **Book Tracker** in the list and make sure the toggle is **ON**. (It’s enabled by default after the first launch.) Repeat on every iPhone and iPad you want to keep in sync. ## How to enable iCloud sync on Mac - Open **System Settings**. - Click your name at the top of the sidebar (the **Apple ID** section). - Click **iCloud**. - Open **iCloud Drive → Options** (or scroll the list of apps, depending on your macOS version). - Make sure **Book Tracker** is selected. ## Things to know about iCloud sync ### Same Apple ID required All your devices must be signed into the same Apple ID. If you have multiple Apple IDs (work / personal), only the devices using the same one will share the library. ### Sync is automatic, not instant After you enable it, changes propagate in the background. A small edit on your iPhone usually appears on your iPad and Mac within a minute. Larger changes (like an import of hundreds of books) can take several minutes, especially the first time. ### No account required There’s no Book Tracker account, registration, or login. Sync goes entirely through your private iCloud account and Book Tracker has no access to that data — it’s a private storage between your devices and Apple. ### iCloud Drive ≠ iCloud sync The word “iCloud” appears in two different places in Book Tracker, and it’s a frequent source of confusion: - **iCloud sync** *(this article)* is the automatic, real-time synchronization of your library across devices. It uses CloudKit under the hood. You enable it in System Settings, not inside Book Tracker. - **iCloud Drive backups** *(see [the backup tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/))* are explicit backup files that Book Tracker can save to your iCloud Drive folder. You enable this in Book Tracker’s **Settings → Backup & Restore**. The two are independent. You can have sync ON and backups in local storage, or sync OFF and backups in iCloud Drive. Any combination works. ## What gets synced Across all your iPhone / iPad / Mac devices: - Books and all their metadata - Authors, translators, illustrators, narrators, publishers - Reading Statuses and reading history - Reading progress (pages, time, percentage) - Reading sessions - Notes, quotes, ratings - Tags, Categories, Series - Positions (Location, Bookcase, Shelf) - Loans and contacts - Smart Lists - Reading Challenges - Purchase data (date, price) - Custom covers ## What does not sync via iCloud - **Backup files** — those are governed by the Backup destination setting (Local vs iCloud Drive), not by iCloud sync. - **App settings** like Configurations, default format, Home/Sidebar customization. These are stored per-device. - **Pro purchase** — handled by App Store, not iCloud. Each platform (iOS/iPadOS vs macOS) is a separate purchase. ## Best practices - Enable iCloud sync **before** adding lots of books on a new device, so everything goes up to iCloud as you work. - After a big import, **leave the app open** for a few minutes so iCloud can upload all the new data. - Open Book Tracker on each device regularly. Sync starts when the app launches. - Take a **manual backup** before troubleshooting sync issues, so your data is safe no matter what. ## Related - [iCloud sync is not working — how do I fix it?](https://booktrack.app/faq/icloud-sync-is-not-working-how-do-i-fix-it/) - [How to back up your Book Tracker library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/) - [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/) --- # How to back up your Book Tracker library URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/ Backing up your library is the simplest way to protect your data from accidental loss, device changes, or reinstalls. Book Tracker creates **automatic backups** in the background and lets you create **manual backups** whenever you want, both on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This guide explains how backups work, where they are stored, and how to manage them. If you need to **restore** a backup, see [How to restore a backup (and recover deleted books)](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-restore-a-backup-in-book-tracker/). ## How automatic backups work Book Tracker checks every 12 hours whether a new backup should be created, according to the frequency you’ve chosen. Backups are created silently in the background; you don’t need to do anything. You can configure two things from **Settings → Backup & Restore**: ### Backup frequency - **Daily** — a backup is created once per day (default). - **Weekly** — once per week. - **Monthly** — once per month. - **Never** — automatic backups are disabled. You can still create manual backups. ### Backup limit (rotation) How many backups to keep before older ones are removed: - **3, 7, 10, 30, or Unlimited.** The default is 7, enough to recover a mistake made up to a week ago. If you have multiple devices syncing backups to iCloud Drive, this limit applies **per device**: each device keeps its own slice of the list. ## Where backups are stored You can choose the destination from **Settings → Backup & Restore**: - **Local storage (on this device)** — backups stay only on the device that created them. They are not synced. If you delete and reinstall the app, local backups are gone. - **iCloud Drive** *(recommended if you use multiple devices)* — backups are saved in the Book Tracker folder of iCloud Drive. All your devices signed into the same Apple ID can see and restore them. If you choose iCloud Drive but the service is temporarily unavailable, Book Tracker automatically falls back to local storage so the backup is never lost. The app will retry iCloud on the next cycle. > 💡 **Per-device tracking:** every device “tags” its backups internally. When the rotation limit kicks in, your device only deletes its own old backups. Those of other devices are kept according to their own rotation. ## Create a manual backup Use a manual backup before any risky operation: a large import, a bulk edit, a factory reset, switching Apple ID, or troubleshooting. ### On iPhone or iPad - Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore**. - Tap **Backup**. - A new entry with the current date and time appears at the top of the list. ### On Mac - Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore** (from the menu bar). - Click **Backup**. - A new entry with the current date and time appears. ## Export a backup file Backups live inside Book Tracker (locally or in your iCloud Drive folder). If you want a copy outside the app (e.g., to send to another device, save on an external disk, AirDrop to your Mac, or email to yourself) you can **share** any backup: - Open **Settings → Backup & Restore**. - **Long press** the backup on iPhone/iPad (or **right-click** on Mac). - Tap **Share**. - Choose a destination (Files, AirDrop, email, etc.). > ⚠️ **Before changing or uninstalling the app:** if your backups are stored locally and you plan to delete Book Tracker or replace the device, export at least one backup first. Local backups are removed with the app. ## What’s inside a backup? A Book Tracker backup is a single `.zip` file containing: - A `backup.json` with every item in your library: books, authors, publishers, translators, narrators, illustrators, series, tags, categories, locations, bookcases, shelves, reading statuses, reading progress, ratings, notes, quotes, loans, contacts, smart lists (filters), challenges, purchase data. - A `files/` folder with the binary copies of all custom covers and attached files. Backups are **full-fidelity**: a restore brings the library back exactly as it was at the moment the backup was created. ## Backup vs CSV: which one should I use? Use **backups** when you want to restore or migrate your full library. Every detail is preserved. Use **CSV** when you want to analyze data in a spreadsheet, share a snapshot of selected fields, or archive a lightweight version of your collection. CSV doesn’t carry everything (no quotes, no notes, no progress timeline, no covers). For details, see [How to export your library from Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-export-your-library-from-book-tracker/). ## Best practices - Let **automatic daily backups** run. They’re your safety net. - Create a **manual backup** before large imports, bulk edits, or troubleshooting. - If you have multiple devices, choose **iCloud Drive** as the destination so any device can restore from any backup. - Periodically **export** an extra copy to Files or AirDrop if you want long-term safety outside iCloud. ## Related - [How to restore a backup (and recover deleted books)](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-restore-a-backup-in-book-tracker/) - [How to transfer your library to a new device or Apple ID](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-move-your-library-to-another-device-or-apple-id/) - [How to export your library from Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-export-your-library-from-book-tracker/) --- # How to track detailed reading progress with pages, time, or percentage URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/ Once you’ve created a Reading Status for a book in Book Tracker, you can log how much you’ve read in three different ways depending on the book’s format: by **Pages**, by **Time**, or by **Percentage**. This tutorial covers all three plus how to log, edit, and convert progress. > 💡 If you haven’t created a Reading Status yet, start there: [How to use Reading Status](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/). This tutorial picks up from there. ## The three tracking types Book Tracker suggests the most suitable tracking type automatically based on the book’s format (for example, *Time* for audiobooks), but you can choose any of the three. ### Pages Best for printed books and eBooks. - When creating the Reading Status, select **Pages**. - Enter the total number of pages. - Optionally add a **Start page** and **End page** if you don’t want to count introductions or indexes. - Log progress by entering the last page you reached. Book Tracker calculates the percentage automatically. ### Time Best for audiobooks. - When creating the Reading Status, select **Time**. - Enter the **total duration** in HH:mm format. - Log progress by adding how much listening time you’ve completed. ### Percentage Useful for formats without consistent page numbers (some eBooks, comics, manga). - When creating the Reading Status, select **Percentage**. - Enter the **total number of pages** anyway so statistics remain accurate. - Log progress by entering the percentage completed. ## Manual entry — logging progress by hand If you didn’t use the [Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/), you can log progress manually at any time: - Open the Reading Status page of the book. - Tap the **+** button in the progress list. - Enter the pages or percentage read, and optionally the time spent. Manual entries appear in the same progress list as timer-recorded sessions. There’s no functional difference. ## Editing or deleting a progress entry If you made a mistake (wrong number of pages, wrong time, wrong date): - **Long press** the progress entry (or **right-click** on Mac). - Select **Edit** to adjust the values, or **Delete** to remove the entry. This is also how you fix progress entries that were created with a wrong total length. See the next section. ## Changing the tracking type or total length You can change the tracking type or fix the total length of a book at any time, even after you’ve started logging progress. - Open the book. - Open its **Reading Status**. - Tap the **three-dot menu** in the top-right. - Choose one of: **Convert progress** — switch tracking type (e.g., from Pages to Percentage). Existing progress is converted automatically. - **Edit total length** — fix the total number of pages or audiobook duration if it was entered incorrectly. If you increase the total length and the book was marked as *Read*, Book Tracker moves it back to *Reading* so you can continue logging progress. If you decrease the total length, you may need to delete progress entries that exceed the new total. See [What to do if a book has the wrong page count](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/what-to-do-if-a-book-has-the-wrong-page-count/) for the full procedure. ## Time + Pages: tracking both When you use **Pages** or **Percentage** as your tracking type, you can also record the time you spent reading. There are two ways: - **Automatic** — start the [Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) while you read. Book Tracker records both the pages and the time. - **Manual** — when you tap **+** to add a progress entry, fill in both fields. This is how Book Tracker can show you stats like *“average reading pace: 32 pages/hour”* and *“estimated time to finish”*. ## Why detailed tracking matters Detailed progress doesn’t just look good in statistics. It enables: - A realistic **estimated completion time** for any book you’re reading. - Accurate **yearly reading challenges** by pages read, not just books finished. - Insight into your **reading habits** — average session length, books per month. - A complete **reading log** you can look back on years from now. ## Best practices - Verify the **total length** (pages or HH:mm) before starting to log progress. - Use **Pages** + Reading Timer if you want the richest statistics. - For audiobooks, use **Time**. - For comics, manga, or eBooks without page numbers, **Percentage** is the most honest choice. - If you forget to start the Timer, **add a manual entry** at the end of your session. Better an estimate than nothing. - Edit progress entries immediately when you spot a mistake; it keeps your historical data clean. ## Related - [How to use Reading Status](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/) — set up the Reading Status this tutorial builds on. - [How to use the Reading Timer + Live Activity + Dynamic Island](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) — log time automatically while you read. - [What to do if a book has the wrong page count](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/what-to-do-if-a-book-has-the-wrong-page-count/) - [How to view and understand your reading statistics](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-view-and-understand-your-reading-statistics/) --- # How to organize books with Positions (Location, Bookcase, Shelf) URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-organize-books-with-positions-location-bookcase-shelf/ Book Tracker helps you keep your digital library organized in the same way you manage your physical one. This is done through **Positions**, a system that groups books into **Location, Bookcase, and Shelf**. With Positions, you can replicate the structure of your real library, whether it’s spread across different rooms, bookcases, or even multiple homes. ## What are Positions? A **Position** in Book Tracker is a hierarchical structure made of: - **Location** → the top level, e.g., *Home, Office, Summer house, Public library*. - **Bookcase** (optional) → the specific bookcase within a location. - **Shelf** (optional) → the shelf within a bookcase where the book is placed. You can choose to use only **Location**, or add **Bookcase** and **Shelf** for more detail. ## How to assign a Position to a book There are several ways to set a Position: - **When editing or adding a book** Open the **book detail page**. - Tap **Edit** (top of the page). - Scroll to the **Position** section. - Select **+ Add**. - **From the book detail page (quick assign)** Tap the **three-dot menu** (top-right). - Select **Assign → Position**. - **From the book list** Long press a book (on iPhone/iPad) or right-click (on Mac). - Select **Assign → Position**. ## How to create a new Location, Bookcase, or Shelf To create a new element of the Position hierarchy: - Open a book’s detail page and tap **Edit**. - Go to the **Position** section and tap **+ Add**. - From the context menu, choose **Create**. - Enter the name and confirm. The new Position is saved and immediately available for any other book. ## How to edit an existing Location, Bookcase, or Shelf You can rename a Position in two ways: - **From the home (iPhone) or sidebar (iPad and Mac)** Long press on a Location, Bookcase, or Shelf (right-click on Mac). - Select **Edit**. - **From the list view of a Location, Bookcase, or Shelf** Open the list of books for that Position. - Tap the **three-dot menu** (top-right). - Select **Edit**. The new name applies automatically to all books assigned to that Position. ## How to delete a Location, Bookcase, or Shelf If you’ve created a Position by mistake, or if you no longer need it, you can delete it in two ways: - **From the home (iPhone) or sidebar (iPad and Mac)** Long press on the Location, Bookcase, or Shelf (right-click on Mac). - Tap **Delete**. - **From the list view of the Position** Open the list of books for that Location, Bookcase, or Shelf. - Tap the **three-dot menu** (top-right). - Select **Edit** → **Delete**. ### Important notes about deletion - Books assigned to a deleted Location, Bookcase, or Shelf **remain in your library**. They simply lose their Position information. - Deletion is **permanent**: a deleted Position cannot be restored. - If a Bookcase contains Shelves, deleting the Bookcase also removes its Shelves. ## Why Positions are useful - **Large libraries** → organize hundreds or thousands of books across multiple rooms. - **Multiple locations** → separate collections (home, office, vacation house, storage). - **Detailed cataloging** → replicate your physical shelves digitally if you want precise tracking. - **Flexible** → keep it simple with only *Location*, or add *Bookcase* and *Shelf* for more granularity. ## Best practices - Start by creating **Locations** that reflect real-world places (Home, Office, etc.). - Add **Bookcases** only when you need to distinguish between multiple bookcases in the same room. - Use **Shelves** for maximum detail if you want to mirror your library exactly. - Keep naming consistent — for example, *Living Room → Main Bookcase → Shelf 1*. ✅ With Positions, Book Tracker lets you decide how detailed your catalog should be, from a simple list of locations to a full digital replica of your library. ## Related - [How to use Bulk Edit in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-bulk-edit-in-book-tracker/) — assign or change Positions on many books at once. - [How to use Tags and Smart Lists](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-tags-and-smart-lists-to-organize-your-collection/) — complementary ways to organize books beyond physical placement. --- # How to use Book Tracker offline URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-offline/ Book Tracker is designed to work fully offline. Unlike many apps, it doesn’t require you to create an account or stay connected to the internet. This makes it perfect for reading on the go, whether you’re traveling, commuting, or simply in a place without Wi-Fi. ## What you can do offline When offline, you can still: - Add new books manually. - Search for books already in your library. - Edit book details (title, author, description, format, etc.). - Manage **Reading Statuses** and track your reading progress. - Use the **reading timer** and log progress sessions. - Add **notes** and **quotes**. - Organize books into **series**, **tags**, or **positions** (location, bookcase, shelf). - View your **statistics** based on the data stored locally. - Access your **backups** saved on the device. ## What requires internet Some features depend on being online: - **Online book search** → when adding a new book, searching by title or ISBN requires a connection to query online databases. - **Cover downloads** → Book Tracker fetches cover art online. - **iCloud sync** → your changes will sync across devices once you reconnect. ## Using Book Tracker during travel - If you want to add books while offline, use **manual entry**. - Any progress you log while offline will be stored locally and synced to iCloud once your device reconnects. - You can keep reading and annotating freely, knowing nothing will be lost. ## Privacy advantage Because Book Tracker stores your library **locally by default**, you remain in full control of your data even without an internet connection. Your information is never sent to external servers or shared with third parties. ## Best practices - Before going offline, create a **backup** so you have an extra copy saved on your device. - If you plan to add books, prepare their details in advance (e.g., ISBNs), so you can quickly update covers once online again. - Don’t worry about syncing — iCloud will automatically upload all your offline changes when you reconnect. ✅ Book Tracker works anywhere, even offline, giving you a complete reading log and library manager with or without an internet connection. --- # How to fix common CSV import issues in Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-fix-common-csv-import-issues-in-book-tracker/ Book Tracker allows you to import libraries from other apps using **CSV files**. While powerful, CSV imports sometimes cause problems: wrong formats, missing page counts, or books appearing incomplete. This guide explains the most common CSV import issues and how to fix them. ## 1. Missing or incorrect formats (everything shows as Paperback) **Cause**: the CSV didn’t include a valid format field, or the values weren’t recognized. **Fix**: - Make sure the **Format** column in your CSV uses one of the following exact values: PAPERBACK → Paperback edition - HARDCOVER → Hardcover edition - MASS_MARKET_PAPERBACK → Mass-market paperback - SPIRAL_BOUND → Spiral-bound edition - LEATHER_BOUND → Leather-bound edition - EBOOK → Digital eBook - AUDIOBOOK → Audiobook - MAGAZINE → Magazine - COMIC_BOOK → Single comic book - GRAPHIC_NOVEL → Graphic novel - MANGA → Manga - BOX_SET → Box set collection - OMNIBUS → Omnibus edition - REFERENCE_BOOK → Reference book (e.g., dictionary or encyclopedia) - OTHER → Other format - If the field is missing or invalid, Book Tracker assigns the **default format**, which is **Paperback** (unless you change it in **Settings → Configurations → Default Format**). 👉 More info: [How to change the default book format in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-change-the-default-book-format-in-book-tracker/). ## 2. Page count is 0 **Cause**: the CSV didn’t include the total page number, or the value was invalid. **Fix**: - Open the book in Book Tracker and manually edit the **page count**. - If the book is already in a Reading Status, see [What to do if a book has the wrong page count](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/what-to-do-if-a-book-has-the-wrong-page-count/). ## 3. Covers are missing **Cause**: CSV files cannot include images. Covers are imported only if the file includes a valid **ISBN** or an **image URL**. **Fix**: - Make sure the CSV has an **ISBN** column. Book Tracker uses it to fetch covers during import. - If no ISBN is available, you’ll need to add covers manually.👉 See [Why covers may be missing after import](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-covers-missing-after-import/). ## 4. Wrongly mapped fields **Cause**: the CSV columns weren’t matched correctly during import. **Fix**: - When importing, carefully review the **field mapping screen**. - Make sure columns like *Title*, *Author*, *Format*, *Pages*, *ISBN* are assigned to the correct fields. ## 5. Import stops or fails - Large libraries may take several minutes to import. - Avoid force-quitting the app during import. ## Best practices before importing - Clean your CSV file in a spreadsheet app (Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets) to ensure columns are correct. - Always create a **backup** of your current Book Tracker library before importing new books. - After importing, sample a few books to confirm that formats, pages, and covers look correct. ✅ With the right CSV setup and field mapping, you can import your library smoothly into Book Tracker and avoid common pitfalls. --- # How to restore a backup (and recover deleted books) URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-restore-a-backup-in-book-tracker/ A Book Tracker backup is a full-fidelity snapshot of your library. Restoring one brings everything back exactly as it was: books, authors, reading statuses, progress, notes, quotes, positions, tags, series, smart lists, ratings, purchases, custom covers: every detail. This guide covers both common scenarios: - **Restoring a backup** after a problem, a fresh install, or to undo bulk changes. - **Recovering deleted books** (which is just a special case of restoring). If you need to **create** a backup first, see [How to back up your Book Tracker library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/). ## Before you restore: important warnings Read this section once, even if you’re in a hurry. - **Restoring replaces your current library** with the contents of the chosen backup. Anything you added or changed *after* that backup was created will be lost. - **If iCloud sync is enabled, the restore propagates.** When you restore on one device, the restored library will sync to all your other devices signed into the same Apple ID. This is what you want when you’re recovering data on a single iCloud setup, but be aware it’s not local. - **Take a manual backup first.** Before any restore, tap **Backup** to capture the current state. That way you can always roll back if the chosen backup isn’t what you expected. ## Use cases: when to restore ScenarioWhat to doYou accidentally deleted a book todayRestore from the most recent automatic backup.You deleted a book a few days agoRestore from the automatic backup of that day (kept for as long as your rotation allows. Default 7 days).You did a bulk edit / import that went wrongRestore from the manual backup you took before the change.You’re moving to a new deviceRestore on the new device from your iCloud Drive backups, or from an exported backup file you saved before.The app is misbehaving and you want a clean stateRestore the most recent good backup. ## How to restore on iPhone or iPad - Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore**. - You’ll see the list of available backups, automatic ones plus any manual backups, each labeled with date and time. - Tap the backup you want to restore. - Tap **Restore** and confirm. - Wait for the app to reload. Your library will appear exactly as it was when that backup was created. ## How to restore on Mac - Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore** (from the menu bar). - Select the backup you want to restore. - Click **Restore** and confirm. - The app will reload with the restored library. ## Restoring from an exported backup file If you previously [exported a backup](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/#export-a-backup-file) to Files, AirDrop, iCloud Drive, or an external disk, you can import it on any device: - Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore**. - Tap **Select File**. - Choose the exported `.zip` backup file. - Confirm to restore. This is the standard way to move a library between two different Apple IDs, since iCloud Drive backups don’t cross Apple ID boundaries. ## What happens to books added after the backup? They are **not preserved**. The backup captures the library at a single moment in time, so anything added or modified afterwards is replaced when you restore. If you’ve added books between the last backup and now and you want to keep them: - Create a **manual backup first** (this captures your current state including the new books). - Then restore the older backup if you really want to roll back. - If you change your mind, restore the manual backup you just made to come back to the present. ## After restoring - Open your main screens to confirm books, reading statuses, notes, and quotes are back. - If you use iCloud sync, give it a few minutes to propagate to your other devices. - If one of your devices doesn’t update, open Book Tracker on it so it reconnects. See [How to fix iCloud sync problems](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-fix-icloud-sync-problems-in-book-tracker/). ## Best practices - Take a **manual backup before every restore**, in case you change your mind. - When recovering a single deleted book, pick the backup **closest to the deletion** to minimize the loss of other recent changes. - After a successful restore, create a fresh backup of the restored state, so you don’t depend on the source backup any longer. - If your rotation is set to 7 days and you only realize a deletion later, this is the moment you’ll want a longer rotation in the future. See the [backup tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/) for changing the limit. ## Related - [How to back up your Book Tracker library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/) - [How to transfer your library to a new device or Apple ID](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-move-your-library-to-another-device-or-apple-id/) - [How to fix iCloud sync problems](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-fix-icloud-sync-problems-in-book-tracker/) --- # What to do if a book has the wrong page count URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/what-to-do-if-a-book-has-the-wrong-page-count/ Sometimes a book may have an incorrect page count or audiobook length. This can happen if the metadata is incomplete or if the information was entered manually. Book Tracker lets you correct the total length of a book at any time, whether you are currently reading it or have already finished it. ## If the book has never been read - Open the **book detail page**. - Tap **Edit**. - Update the **page count** field with the correct number. - Save your changes. From now on, every new Reading Status you create for this book will use the updated page count. ## If you are currently reading the book If you are already reading the book, you can quickly correct its total length directly from the reading status. To do this: - Open the book. - Open its **Reading Status**. - Tap the **three dots** in the top right corner. - Select **Edit Total Length**. - Enter the correct number of pages or the correct audiobook length. This updates the length used to calculate your reading progress. ## If the book is already marked as Read You can also change the total length of a book that has already been marked as read. The process is the same: - Open the book. - Open its **Reading Status**. - Tap the **three dots** in the top right corner. - Select **Edit Total Length**. - Enter the correct value. What happens next depends on the new length you enter. ### If the New Length Is Greater Than Before If the new total length is **greater than the previous one**, the book will automatically move back to the **Reading** status. This allows you to continue tracking progress correctly. ### If the New Length Is Smaller Than Before If the new total length is **smaller**, you can still update it, but any progress that exceeds the new length must be removed. To do this: - Open the reading status - Perform a **long tap** on the progress that exceeds the total length - Tap **Delete** Once the extra progress is removed, the book’s length will be consistent again. ## Best practices - Always verify the page count when adding a book, especially if you’re planning to track progress by pages or percentage. - For audiobooks, double-check the total duration in HH:mm format. - If you catch an error after starting, correct it immediately to avoid skewed statistics. ✅ By correcting page counts promptly, you’ll ensure your reading progress, challenges, and statistics remain accurate in Book Tracker. --- # How to manage Series and sort books URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-manage-series-and-sort-books/ Many readers own books that belong to a saga, trilogy, or other type of series. With Book Tracker, you can group books into a **Series** and even define their order, so you’ll always know which book comes first and where you left off. ## How to assign a book to a Series There are three ways to add a book to a Series: - **From the book list** Long press a book (or right-click on Mac). - Select **Assign Series**. - **From the book detail page (three-dot menu)** Open the book. - Tap the **three-dot menu** (top-right). - Select **Assign → Series**. - **From the Edit page of a book** Open the book detail page. - Tap **Edit** (top of the page). - Scroll to the **Series** section. - Tap **+ Add** and choose or create a Series. ## How to sort books within a Series Once books have been added to a Series, you can set their reading order: - Open the **Series page**. - Tap the **three-dot menu** (top-right). - Select **Order Series**. - A list of all books in the Series will appear. - Assign a number to each book to define its order (e.g., Book 1, Book 2, Book 3). This order will then be reflected when you view the Series in your library. ## Why Series are useful - Keep trilogies, sagas, or manga collections together. - Always know the correct order before starting a new volume. - Easily filter and view all books in a specific Series. - Track progress across long-running sagas without confusion. ## Best practices - Assign books to a Series as soon as you add them to your library to keep everything organized. - Use clear naming for Series (e.g., *Harry Potter* instead of abbreviations). - Double-check the order if the Series includes prequels or spin-offs. - For manga or comics, numbering is particularly helpful to avoid duplicates. ✅ With Series, Book Tracker makes it easy to organize sagas and long collections, so you’ll always know which book comes next. --- # How to add a new book in Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-a-new-book-in-book-tracker/ Adding books is the essential first step to building your **personalized digital library** in Book Tracker. The app offers four flexible and accurate methods for adding your titles, making the process easy whether you prefer searching online, scanning barcodes, or entering data manually. ### 1. Search Online: Title or ISBN This is the most common method for adding titles available in public databases. - Tap the **`+` button** on the Home screen or in any book list. - Select **`Search online`**. - **Type the book’s title or its ISBN.** > **📌 Important Note on Author Search:** Currently, the online search **does not support** entering the author’s name alone to retrieve all their books. For optimal and specific results, it is recommended to enter the **book’s title** or, alternatively, **the title followed by the author’s name** (e.g., “The Name of the Rose Umberto Eco”). Using the **ISBN** always ensures the most accurate match, including metadata and cover art. - Choose the correct result from the search list and add it to your library. ### 2. Scan Barcode (Using Camera) Use your device’s camera to add books instantly. - Tap the **`+ button`**. - Choose **`Scan barcode (camera)`**. - Use your iPhone or iPad’s camera to scan the barcode. - Book Tracker will automatically retrieve the book details and cover. ### 3. Scan Barcode (Using External Reader) If you need to quickly catalog a large number of volumes, support for external readers is the fastest solution. > **💡 Barcode Reader Compatibility:** The Book Tracker app natively supports **Bluetooth barcode readers**. You can pair your Bluetooth reader with **iPhone, iPad, and Mac** devices. - Pair your Bluetooth scanner via the iOS and macOS **`Settings > Bluetooth`**. - In Book Tracker, tap **`+`** and select **`Scan barcode (reader)`**. - Scan barcodes directly with the reader for high-speed entry, perfect for building large libraries quickly. ### 4. Manually Insert This method is useful for rare, out-of-print, or vintage books that are not available in online databases. - Tap the **`+ button`**. - Choose **`Manually insert`**. - Fill in the book’s details: title, author, publisher, genre, page count, etc. - You can also upload a cover manually from your photo library. ### Editing Book Details After adding a book, you can always refine or correct its information (metadata). - Open the book detail page. - Tap the **`Edit` **button at the top. - Update any field (description, format, page count, etc.). ### Tips for Efficient Book Adding - **Speed:** If you have a large collection, the **Bluetooth barcode reader** is the fastest method available. - **Accuracy:** Prefer **ISBN-based searches** for the most accurate metadata and cover art. - **Rare Books:** Manual entry is often the only option for vintage or out-of-print editions. With these powerful tools, you can quickly and accurately build and personalize your digital library in Book Tracker. --- # How to customize your app with Widgets URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/ Book Tracker provides **14 widgets** that you can place on the Home Screen, Lock Screen, in StandBy, and on the Mac desktop. They show what you’re reading, your statistics, random quotes, and your Reading Challenge.** Two of them are interactive**, so you can start and pause the Reading Timer directly from the widget without ever opening the app. This tutorial covers the full lineup, what each widget does, and where you can put it. > ℹ️ **Three different widget systems, one app.** Book Tracker also has **Control Center widgets** (iOS 18+) and **Apple Watch complications** — those are covered in their own tutorials: > > > > > > > > - 👉 [How to use Control Center widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-control-center-widgets/) > > > > > - 👉 [How to use Book Tracker on Apple Watch](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-on-apple-watch/) ## The 14 widgets ### Reading-focused widgets WidgetDisplay nameWhat it showsSizesConfigurableInteractive**Currently Reading Books**“Currently reading books”Books currently in *Reading* status, with cover and progressSmall · Medium · Large · Lock Screen rectangleAutomatic✅ Play/Pause**Book**“Book”A specific book of your choice (default: currently reading)Small · Medium · Large · Lock Screen rectangle✅ Pick a book✅ Play/Pause Both of these widgets have an **interactive Reading Timer button** on iOS 17+ and macOS Sonoma+. Tap the play icon to start the timer, tap pause to pause, tap resume to continue, all from the Home Screen, no need to open the app. The button can be hidden in **Settings → Reading Timer** if you don’t want it. ### Statistics widgets WidgetDisplay nameWhat it showsSizes**Statistics**“Statistics”One specific stat (today’s pages, today’s listening time, reading sessions, streaks, …)Lock Screen circular · Lock Screen rectangle · Home Small**Statistics (Chart)**“Statistics”A chart visualization (e.g., reading heatmap, pages over time)Home Medium**User Progress**“Reading progress”Heatmap of pages read this year vs previous yearExtra Large (iPad only) The Statistics widget asks you which metric to show during configuration. Available metrics include: - Today’s pages read - Today’s listening time - Today’s reading sessions - Reading streaks (consecutive days) - Listening streaks ### Five Inline statistics widgets These are tiny **Lock Screen inline widgets**, one line of text under the time, on iPhone Lock Screen and Apple Watch face complications. Each one shows a single metric: - Today’s pages read - Today’s listening time - Today’s reading sessions - Reading streaks - Listening streaks Pick the one that matters most to you, most readers prefer pages or streak. ### Reading Challenge widget WidgetDisplay nameWhat it showsSizes**Reading Challenge**“Reading Challenge”Current Yearly Reading Challenge progress (books read vs target)Lock Screen circular · Lock Screen rectangle · Small · Medium You can target the current year’s challenge or pick a specific one if you’ve created multiple. ### Quote widget WidgetDisplay nameWhat it showsSizes**Book Quote**“Book”A random quote from your library, or quotes from a specific bookMedium · Large The quote refreshes automatically over time. Configure it to show: - Random from any book, or - Random from a specific book you pick. ### Quick action widgets These open a specific Book Tracker screen with one tap. Useful for fast actions when adding new books: WidgetDisplay nameWhat it doesSizes**Online search**“Online search”Opens the online book search screenLock Screen circular · Small**Scan barcode**“Scan barcode”Opens the barcode scanner (camera)Lock Screen circular · Small ## Where you can place widgets SurfaceAvailable?Notes**iPhone Home Screen**✅All widgets, all sizes**iPhone Lock Screen**✅Circular, inline, and rectangular widgets**iPhone StandBy**✅Home Screen widgets work in StandBy too**iPad Home Screen**✅All widgets — `Extra Large` for the User Progress heatmap**iPad Lock Screen**✅ (iPadOS 17+)Same as iPhone Lock Screen**Mac desktop / Notification Center**✅All widgets **except** *User Progress* (Extra Large is iPad-only)**Apple Watch face**➡️ separate complicationsSee [the Apple Watch tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-on-apple-watch/)**Control Center (iOS 18+)**➡️ separate widgetsSee [the Control Center tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-control-center-widgets/) ## How to add a widget The procedure is the standard iOS / iPadOS / macOS one: ### iPhone & iPad - Long press an empty area of the Home Screen or Lock Screen. - Tap **+** in the top-left to open the widget gallery. - Scroll or search for **Book Tracker**. - Pick the widget you want, choose the size, and tap **Add Widget**. - For configurable widgets (Book, Statistics, Reading Challenge, Quote), long press the widget after adding it and choose **Edit Widget** to pick the book, the stat, the challenge, etc. ### Mac - Click the date/time in the menu bar to open Notification Center, then click **Edit Widgets** at the bottom. - Or long press the desktop (macOS Sonoma+) and select **Edit Widgets**. - Find Book Tracker, drag the widget where you want it. - Configure with Edit Widget the same way as on iOS. ## How to configure a widget Most widgets let you customize what they show. - **Long press** the widget. - Tap **Edit Widget**. - Set the parameters: **Book widget** → pick a specific book. - **Statistics widget** → pick the metric. - **Reading Challenge widget** → pick which challenge (current is the default). - **Book Quote widget** → random or specific book. - Tap outside the popover to save. Widgets with **no configuration** (Currently Reading Books, the Inline statistics, the Quick action widgets) work immediately after adding. ## On older iOS versions If you’re on **iOS 15 or 16**, you’ll see slightly simpler versions of the same widgets. The same features are available (book progress, quotes, reading challenge, statistics) but without the interactive Reading Timer button. iOS 17+ is required for interactive widgets and for the modern designs. ## Best practices - **Place a Currently Reading Books widget** on your Home Screen, it gives you a one-tap path back into what you’re reading. - **Use the Lock Screen inline statistics** for an at-a-glance reading streak that you see every time you check your phone, a small daily nudge. - **Pair a Book Quote widget with a Statistics widget** for a balance of inspiration (quote) and accountability (numbers). - **On Mac**, put a Statistics widget in Notification Center, perfect for desk-based reading sessions. - **Don’t add the same configurable widget twice with the same configuration**, instead, add it twice with different parameters (e.g., one Book widget for your fiction, another for your non-fiction). ## Related - [How to use Control Center widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-control-center-widgets/) — 17 additional Control Center widgets for one-tap actions. - [How to use Book Tracker on Apple Watch](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-on-apple-watch/) — complications for your wrist. - [How to use the Reading Timer + Live Activity + Dynamic Island](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) — the interactive widget button leverages this. - [How to view and understand your reading statistics](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-view-and-understand-your-reading-statistics/) — the data behind the Statistics widgets. --- # How to export your library from Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-export-your-library-from-book-tracker/ Book Tracker allows you to export your library in different formats depending on what you want to do: - **Backups** → to fully restore your data on the same or another device. - **CSV export** → to view or edit your library in a spreadsheet or move it to another app. - **PDF export** → to share a printable version of your library. This guide explains the differences and shows how to export step by step. ## Exporting a backup (full database) Backups include **all details**: books, reading statuses, progress, notes, quotes, positions, series, tags, purchases, etc. Use this method if you want to keep a complete copy of your library safe or restore it later. ### iPhone / iPad - Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore**. - Long tap on the backup you want to export. - Select **Share**. - Choose the destination (Files, iCloud Drive, AirDrop, Mail, etc.). ### Mac - Open **Book Tracker → Preferences → Backup & Restore**. - Right-click on a backup. - Select **Share**. - Save the file to your preferred location. 👉 Use exported backups when you want to move your library to a new Apple ID or reinstall the app. ## Exporting as CSV CSV exports are ideal if you want to: - Open your library in Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets. - Analyze or filter your books outside the app. - Import your library into other software that supports CSV. ### How to export CSV - Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Export**. - Select **CSV**. - Apply a filter (if needed). - Save or share the file via Files, AirDrop, or Mail. ⚠️ Note: CSV files do not include all details such as quotes or progress logs. Only backups contain the full database. ## Exporting as PDF PDF exports give you a clean, shareable document of your library. This is useful if you want to: - Print your collection. - Share it with friends. - Keep a quick offline reference. ### How to export PDF - Open **Book Tracker → Settings → Export**. - Select **PDF**. - Apply a filter if needed. - Save or share the PDF file. ## Best practices - Use **backups** for safety and restoring your data. - Use **CSV** when migrating to other apps or doing spreadsheet analysis. - Use **PDF** when you want a simple, visual copy to share or print. - After exporting, keep a copy in **Files, iCloud Drive, or external storage** for extra safety. ✅ With export options in Book Tracker, you can always back up your data, analyze it outside the app, or share it in the format that works best for you. --- # How to move your library to another device or Apple ID URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-move-your-library-to-another-device-or-apple-id/ If you change device or Apple ID, you don’t need to rebuild your Book Tracker library from scratch. Using backups, you can safely transfer your entire collection — books, reading statuses, progress, notes, quotes, positions, tags, series, purchases — from one environment to another. ## Moving your library to a new device (same Apple ID) If you’re staying on the same Apple ID and have **iCloud sync enabled**, your library will sync automatically. - Install Book Tracker on the new device. - Open the app and make sure **iCloud is enabled** in system settings (see [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/)). - Your library will appear after iCloud completes its sync. If you’re not using iCloud sync: - On your old device, open **Book Tracker → Settings → Backup & Restore**. - Create a **manual backup**. - Long tap/right click on the backup -> **Share** → send with AirDrop, Mail, or save to Files. - On the new device, install Book Tracker → **Settings → Backup & Restore → Select File**. - Import the backup you exported. ## Moving your library to a new Apple ID Apple does not allow iCloud sync across different Apple IDs. To transfer your library: - On your old device, go to **Settings → Backup & Restore**. - Create and **export a backup file** (e.g., save it to Files, AirDrop to the new device, or email it to yourself). - On the new device, install Book Tracker using your new Apple ID. - Open **Settings → Backup & Restore → Select File**. - Import the exported backup. Your full library will be restored on the new Apple ID. ## Transferring Pro version to another Apple ID Purchases are tied to your Apple ID. If you switch Apple ID, your Pro purchase cannot be transferred. Apple provides a [purchase transfer procedure](https://support.apple.com/en-ca/117294) in some cases — review this guide if you believe you qualify. Otherwise, you’ll need to unlock Pro again on the new account. ## Best practices - Always create a **manual backup** before changing devices or Apple ID. - Export the backup to **Files or external storage** before wiping your old device. - If possible, test the restore on the new device before erasing the old one. - If you’re only upgrading hardware and keeping the same Apple ID, iCloud sync is the easiest way. ✅ With backups and exports, moving your library to a new device or Apple ID is quick and safe — your data stays in your hands, never on external servers. --- # How to set and follow your Yearly Reading Challenge URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-set-and-follow-your-yearly-reading-challenge/ Book Tracker includes a **Yearly Reading Challenge** that lets you set a goal for how many books you want to finish in the current year. The challenge updates automatically as soon as you complete books with a finish date in the current year, helping you stay motivated and track your achievements. ## How to create a Reading Challenge - Open the app. - Go to the **Statistics** section from the home screen (iPhone) or sidebar (iPad and Mac). - Tap **Add Reading Challenge**. - Enter the number of books you want to read this year. - Save the challenge. Your challenge will now appear in the statistics view with a progress bar. ## How books are counted in the challenge A book is included in your yearly challenge when it has a **Reading Status** marked as finished with a **completion date in the current year**. This can happen in two ways: - You use **Mark as Read **and set a start and end date. - You start a Reading Status and track your progress over time (pages, time, percentage). When you mark it as finished, the app records the end date and counts it toward the challenge. ⚠️ If a book is marked as *Read* without a date, it will not appear in your statistics or Reading Challenge. ## Where to track your progress - In the **Statistics section**, you can see how many books you’ve completed compared to your yearly goal. - If you tap the Reading Challenge, you can view the **list of all books** that contributed to your progress. - In the **bar charts by month**, tapping on a bar reveals which books were finished in that specific month. - On iPhone, iPad, and Mac, you can also use **widgets** on the Home Screen, Lock Screen, or desktop to keep your challenge visible at a glance. ## Best practices - Always make sure a completion date is recorded for finished books. - Use the challenge not only to set a goal but also to review your reading patterns month by month. - Keep the widget active to stay motivated throughout the year. - Adjust your pace during the year by checking both the progress bar and the monthly breakdown. ✅ With the Yearly Reading Challenge, Book Tracker helps you set meaningful goals, monitor your progress, and explore your completed books in detail, both yearly and monthly. --- # How to use Tags in Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-tags-and-smart-lists-to-organize-your-collection/ **Tags** are simple, flexible labels you can attach to any book. Unlike Series, Positions, or Reading Status, which have a fixed meaning, Tags let you organize books by any criteria you invent. You can assign as many Tags as you want to the same book, and use them as filters in Smart Lists for dynamic, automatic groupings. ## What you can do with Tags A Tag is just a label. The power comes from how you use them. Common patterns: - **Personal status:** *Signed by author, Gift, Book club* - **Themes or moods:** *Cozy, Comfort read, Page turner, Slow burn* - **Source or context:** *Library loan, Kindle, Holiday read, Travel pick* - **Granular categorization:** *Fantasy ↔ Hard Sci-Fi, Literary Fiction ↔ Genre Fiction* - **Workflow:** *To research, Reading for thesis, Citing in article* A single book can carry several Tags at once. For example a hardback you borrowed from a friend, signed by the author, that you’re planning to re-read can be tagged *Borrowed*, *Signed*, *To re-read*. ## How to create a Tag There are two ways: - **While assigning a Tag to a book** — when the “Add Tag” view shows the list of existing tags, you can tap **+ New Tag** to create one on the fly. - **From the Tags section** (in the Home on iPhone or the Sidebar on iPad and Mac) → tap **+ Add Tag**. For each Tag you choose: - A **name** (e.g., “Signed by author”). - A **color**. Book Tracker offers 10 preset colors (Red, Pink, Orange, Green, Mint, Teal, Blue, Purple, Indigo, Gray). If none of them fits, tap **Other** to open a full color picker and pick any custom color. > 💡 Color is what makes Tags visually scannable in the book list and detail page. Pick colors that mean something to you (e.g., red for “urgent”, green for “loved”, gray for “neutral metadata”). ## How to assign a Tag to a book - **From the book detail page** Open the book. - Tap **Edit**. - Scroll to the **Tags** section. - Add an existing tag or create a new one. - **From the book detail page (quick assign)** Tap the **three-dot menu** (top-right). - Select **Assign → Tags**. - **From a book list** Long press a book (on iPhone/iPad) or right-click (on Mac). - Select **Assign → Tags**. You can also assign the same Tag to many books at once with [Bulk Edit](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-bulk-edit-in-book-tracker/). ## How to find all books with a Tag - On **iPhone** → Home → scroll to the **Tags** section → tap a Tag to see the list of books carrying it. - On **iPad / Mac** → Sidebar → expand **Tags** → select a Tag. The list updates automatically as you add or remove the Tag from books. ## Manage your existing Tags To **rename** a Tag: - Long press the Tag (or right-click on Mac) → **Edit** → change the name and color → confirm. To **delete** a Tag: - Long press the Tag (or right-click on Mac) → **Delete**. - The books that carried the deleted Tag **remain in your library**; they simply lose that Tag. To **change a Tag’s color**: - Edit the Tag and pick a new preset color or a custom one from the color picker. ## Tags vs Categories Tags are intentionally personal and free-form. **Categories**, instead, represent the book’s genre/topic as imported from online sources (Fiction → Fantasy → Epic Fantasy, for example) and are managed separately. The two work side by side: use **Categories** for the objective genre, and **Tags** for your personal organization. ## Best practices - Keep tag names **consistent**. `Signed by author` and `signed` will become two different Tags. - Use **color** as a visual cue. When you scroll the library, similar colors group at a glance. - Don’t over-tag. Fewer, meaningful Tags beat dozens of one-off labels. - Pair Tags with **Smart Lists** to build dynamic views of your library (see below). ## Take it further: Smart Lists Tags become really powerful when you combine them with Smart Lists, dynamic groupings of books that match filters you define. For example: *all unread audiobooks tagged “Comfort read”* or *all books I rated 5 stars tagged “Fantasy”*. 👉 Learn more: [How to use Smart Lists in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-smart-lists-in-book-tracker/) ## Related - [How to use Smart Lists in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-smart-lists-in-book-tracker/) - [How to use Bulk Edit in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-bulk-edit-in-book-tracker/) — assign Tags to many books at once. - [How to organize books with Positions](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-organize-books-with-positions-location-bookcase-shelf/) — for physical organization, complementary to Tags. --- # How to track your books and reading progress with Reading Status URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/ In Book Tracker, every book in your library has a **Reading Status**, a simple label that tells you whether you’ve read it, are reading it now, plan to read it later, or decided to set it aside. Reading Statuses are the foundation of how the app tracks your reading life and powers all your statistics. This guide covers the five statuses and the different ways to set them. If you want to track *how much* you’ve read (pages, time, percentage) or use the **Reading Timer**, see the related tutorials linked at the end. ## The five Reading Statuses Book Tracker supports five Reading Statuses: - **Unread** — books you’ve added to your library but never started. - **To Read** — books you actively plan to read. - **Reading** — books you’re currently reading. - **Read** — books you’ve finished. - **Abandoned** *(also known as “did not finish”)* — books you started but decided not to finish. You can change a book’s reading status at any time, and a book can have **multiple Reading Statuses over time**. That’s how you track re-reads (more on this below). ## How to set or change a Reading Status There are three ways to assign or change a Reading Status: ### From the book list - Long press a book (on iPhone/iPad) or right-click (on Mac). - Select **Manage Reading Status**. - Choose: *Mark as To Read*, *Mark as Reading*, or *Mark as Read*. ### From the book detail page — three-dot menu - Open the book. - Tap the **three-dot menu** (top-right). - Select **Manage Reading Status** and pick one of the same four options. ### From the book detail page — main buttons If the book has never been read, the detail page shows two quick-action buttons under the title and author: - **Mark as Read** — sets the status to *Read*. - **Start Reading** — sets the status to *Reading*. When you choose any of these, Book Tracker opens the Reading Status creation screen with the status preselected. Here you can optionally add a **start date** and a **finish date**. See the section below on statistics for why dates matter. ## Marking multiple books at once You can change the Reading Status of many books in one go: - Open any book list. - Tap the **three-dot menu** in the top-right. - Select **Select Books**. - Tap each book you want to update. - Tap the **three-dot menu** again. - Select **Manage Reading Status** and choose the new status. When multiple books are selected, Book Tracker asks how to proceed: - Set the status **without dates**, or - Apply the same **start date and finish date** to all selected books. > 💡 If many of the selected books are missing a page count or audiobook length, Book Tracker shows a single screen where you can fill in the missing info for all of them at once. This keeps your statistics accurate. ## Reading history — tracking re-reads A book can have **more than one Reading Status over time**. Each time you start reading the same book again, you create a new Reading Status. The old ones stay in the **Reading history** section of the book detail page. To see all past Reading Statuses for a book: - Open the book. - Scroll to **Reading history**. - Tap **Show all** to expand the list. - Tap the **+** button to create a new Reading Status (for example, a re-read). This is the right way to track re-reading the same book without losing the record of previous reads. ## Page count and audiobook length For statistics to be calculated correctly, books should have: - A **page count** for printed books and eBooks, or - A **length** (in HH:mm) for audiobooks. When you mark many books as read at once, some might be missing this information. Book Tracker lets you choose to: - Skip the missing info during Reading Status creation, or - Fill it in on a single screen that lists all the books that need it. ## Why a finished book might not appear in statistics If a book you marked as read doesn’t show up in your statistics, the most common reason is **missing reading dates**. Book Tracker’s statistics are **year-based**, so for a book to appear in a given year: - A **start date** and a **finish date** must be set. - Both dates must fall within the year you’re viewing. If you marked a book as read without dates, it won’t be counted in any yearly statistic. To fix it: - Open the book. - Open its Reading Status. - Add the correct start and finish dates. ## Best practices - Add **start and finish dates** when marking a book as read, otherwise it won’t show up in yearly statistics. - Create a **new Reading Status** for each re-read instead of editing the old one. The Reading history section preserves the full timeline. - For multi-select mark as read, **fill in missing page counts** in the single screen Book Tracker offers. It takes seconds and keeps statistics accurate. ## Next steps - 👉 [How to track detailed reading progress with pages, time, or percentage](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/) — track how much you’ve read in a specific Reading Status. - 👉 [How to use the Reading Timer + Live Activity + Dynamic Island](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) — time your reading sessions automatically. - 👉 [How to set and follow your Yearly Reading Challenge](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-set-and-follow-your-yearly-reading-challenge/) — set a yearly goal and watch progress. ## Related - [What to do if a book has the wrong page count](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/what-to-do-if-a-book-has-the-wrong-page-count/) - [How to view and understand your reading statistics](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-view-and-understand-your-reading-statistics/) - [How to use Bulk Edit in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-bulk-edit-in-book-tracker/) --- # How to use Control Center widgets URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-control-center-widgets/ Starting with iOS 18, Apple lets third-party apps add **Control Center widgets**, small interactive tiles you can place in Control Center, on the Lock Screen, or on the Action Button. Book Tracker provides **17 of them**, covering the Reading Timer and instant shortcuts into almost every section of your library. This tutorial shows what’s available, how to add them, and what each one does. ## Requirements - **iOS 18** or **iPadOS 18** or later. On older versions, Book Tracker’s Control Center widgets won’t appear in the gallery. - Book Tracker installed. - For widgets that need to choose a specific book or list, that item must already exist in your library. ## The 17 widgets at a glance There’s **one toggle** (turns something on/off) and **16 quick-open shortcuts** (jump to a place in the app). ### 🔘 Toggle #### Reading Timer The only toggle. Tied to a specific book of your choosing that’s in *Reading* status. Tap to start the timer; tap again to pause; tap again to resume. It does **not** stop and save progress, for that you need to open the app (this is by design, so a single accidental tap can’t accidentally finish a session). Same logic applies on Apple Watch. The icon changes with the state: a play icon when paused or not started, a pause icon when running. The label reads *“Not started” / “Paused” / “Running”*. If you select a book that later moves out of *Reading* (you mark it as *Read*, or move it to *To Read*), the toggle won’t work until you reconfigure it. The app will tell you with a dialog. > 💡 **Audiobook caveat:** the Reading Timer Toggle doesn’t work for audiobooks (books tracked by Time). Pick a Pages or Percentage book. ### 📂 Open List WidgetWhat it opens**Open List**One of 8 predefined sections: *All, Library, Wishlist, Not Owned, To Read, Reading, Read, DNF*. You pick which one when configuring.**Open Currently Reading Book**Jumps straight to your current read. No configuration needed, it picks the first book in *Reading* automatically. ### 🛠 Quick actions WidgetWhat it opensConfiguration**Scan book barcode**The barcode scanner (camera)None**Search book online**The online book searchNone ### 🏷️ Open a specific entity These all open the list of books for the entity you select during configuration: WidgetWhat you select**Open Tag**One of your Tags (uses the Tag’s color)**Open Author**An author from your library**Open Translator**A translator**Open Illustrator**An illustrator**Open Narrator**A narrator**Open Category**A category (genre)**Open Publisher**A publisher**Open Series**A series**Open Location**A location (top level of Positions)**Open Bookcase**A bookcase**Open Shelf**A shelf**Open Smart List**One of your Smart Lists Each widget asks you to pick the specific item the first time you tap it after adding it. After that, the widget always opens the same place. ## How to add a Control Center widget The procedure is the same standard iOS one for any app: - From any screen, swipe down from the top-right corner to open **Control Center**. - Tap the **+ icon** in the top-left to enter edit mode. - Tap **Add a control** at the bottom. - Scroll through the gallery, or use the search bar at the top, to find **Book Tracker**. - Tap the widget you want to add. Resize it by dragging its corner if you want a bigger version. - For widgets with a parameter (most of them), tap the widget once after adding it, Book Tracker will prompt you to pick the specific book, tag, series, etc. - Tap anywhere outside the edit mode to save. You can also assign any of these widgets to: - The **Lock Screen** controls (the two slots next to the flashlight and camera). - The **Action Button** on iPhone 15 Pro and later, a single press launches the action. ## Putting it all together — practical setups A few combinations that work well in real life. ### Setup 1: “I just want to start reading” In Control Center: - **Reading Timer Toggle** *(configured for the book you’re currently focused on)* - **Open Currently Reading Book** One tap to start the timer, another tap to jump straight into the book if you want to log a manual entry instead. ### Setup 2: “I want to add new books quickly” In Control Center: - **Scan book barcode** - **Search book online** Two taps to either method, much faster than opening the app and navigating to the + button. ### Setup 3: “I have a few different reading projects” In Control Center, four **Open Tag** widgets, each configured for a different tag: - *Comfort reads* - *Reading group* - *Research* - *Long-term reads* Each tap takes you directly to the relevant Smart List of books, better than scrolling the Home or Sidebar every time. ### Setup 4: “I want my Action Button to start reading” On iPhone 15 Pro and later, set the Action Button to the **Reading Timer Toggle** configured for whatever you’re reading. A long press from anywhere, even from outside the app, starts or pauses your reading session. ## What a Control Center widget cannot do (yet) Apple’s Control Center widgets are intentionally simple, one action per tap. Specifically, a Book Tracker control: - Cannot show dynamic information (the toggle does, but no chart or list). - Cannot directly perform multi-step actions like “stop the timer, save progress, mark the book as read”. - The Reading Timer Toggle cannot stop and save, by design (see above). For richer widgets, see [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/) — Home Screen widgets show statistics, quotes, and current progress. ## Best practices - The **Reading Timer Toggle** is the killer feature of Control Center for this app. Every reader who tracks time should have it set up. - **Open Smart List** is a power-user weapon: combine it with a useful Smart List and you have a curated reading view at one tap. - The widgets with parameters all have a generic “Select Book”, “Select Tag”, etc. label until you configure them. **Tap them right after adding** to set the parameter, otherwise nothing happens. - iPad and iPhone keep their Control Center setups separate, set them up on both. ## Related - [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/) — Home Screen, Lock Screen, Mac desktop widgets. - [How to use the Reading Timer + Live Activity + Dynamic Island](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) - [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/) — automate sequences of actions across apps. - [How to use Smart Lists in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-smart-lists-in-book-tracker/) - [How to use Book Tracker on Apple Watch](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-on-apple-watch/) --- # How to use Smart Lists in Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-smart-lists-in-book-tracker/ **Smart Lists** are dynamic views of your library. You define which books should appear in them with one or more filters, and the list updates automatically whenever a book matches (or stops matching) your criteria. There’s nothing to add or remove manually. A few examples of what’s possible: - All **Unread books** with less than 200 pages. - All books **rated 5 stars** with the tag *Fantasy*. - Books **purchased this year** but still **unread**. - All **books in a series** I haven’t finished yet. - **Recently added** books from a specific publisher. ## How to create a Smart List - Go to the **Smart Lists** section: On **iPhone** → Home → scroll to **Smart Lists**. - On **iPad / Mac** → Sidebar → **Smart Lists**. - Tap **+ Add Smart List**. - Give it a **name** (required). - Add one or more **filters**. See the next section for the full list of criteria. - Save. The list appears immediately in the Smart Lists section, and updates automatically as books in your library change. ## The 17 filter criteria Book Tracker supports 17 different filter types. You can combine as many as you want in the same Smart List. CategoryFilters**Status**Section *(Library / Wishlist / Not Owned)*, Reading Status *(Unread / To Read / Reading / Read / DNF)***Content**Format, Categories, Languages**People**Authors, Translators, Illustrators, Narrators, Publishers**Your organization**Tags, Series**Numbers**User Rating, Pages**Dates**Reading Date, Insertion Date, Purchase Date Each filter accepts the specific values that exist in your library. For example the **Tags** filter lets you pick from all the Tags you’ve created, the **Format** filter lets you pick from the 15 book formats supported by Book Tracker (Paperback, Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook, Manga, and so on). ### Dates work in two directions For the date filters (Reading Date, Insertion Date, Purchase Date) you pick a date and a direction: - **From** *(after a given date)* — e.g. “books read **from** January 1, 2026 onwards”. - **To** *(before a given date)* — e.g. “books purchased **to** December 31, 2025″. ### Numeric filters use thresholds - **User Rating** offers granular thresholds — at least N stars or at most N stars. - **Pages** offers preset ranges — *no page count, ≤ 100, ≤ 200, ≤ 300, … ≥ 1000* — to keep the experience consistent across editions. ## Match rules: how filters combine For each filter you add, you choose one of three rules: - **Match all** — the book must include *all* the selected values. Example: Tags *matchAll* `[Fantasy, Signed]` → only books with **both** tags. - **Match any** — the book must include *at least one* of the selected values. Example: Tags *matchAny* `[Fantasy, Sci-Fi]` → books with either tag. - **Exclude the selected** — the book must **not** include any of the selected values. Example: Tags *matchNone* `[Wishlist priority]` → everything except those. > ℹ️ **Combining different criteria is implicitly AND.** If your Smart List has *Reading Status = Unread* AND *Format = Audiobook* AND *Tags includes “Comfort read”*, a book must satisfy all three to appear. There is no global OR between different criteria. The OR/AND logic only applies within a single criterion via Match all / Match any. ## Concrete examples ### 1. “Unread audiobooks I haven’t started” - Reading Status — *matchAny* — `Unread` - Format — *matchAny* — `Audiobook` ### 2. “Top-rated fantasy” - Tags — *matchAll* — `Fantasy` - User Rating — `≥ 4 stars` ### 3. “Books bought in 2026 but still unread” - Purchase Date — *from* — January 1, 2026 - Reading Status — *matchAny* — `Unread`, `To Read` ### 4. “Long reads I’ve been postponing” - Pages — `≥ 600` - Reading Status — *matchAny* — `To Read` - ## How Smart Lists differ from Tags A Tag is **manual**. You decide which books carry it. A Smart List is **rule-based**. Books appear automatically when they match the filters and disappear when they don’t. The two are complementary. You can include Tags as one of the filter criteria in a Smart List, which is often the most powerful pattern: tag a few books with `Read for thesis` and let a Smart List combine that tag with other rules. ## What Smart Lists do NOT save - **Sorting:** Smart Lists save *which* books to include, not *how* to sort them. The sort order is the one applied to the current list view (you can change it any time from the list itself). - **Icons or colors:** Smart Lists are identified only by their **name**. Choose names that clearly describe what they show. ## Manage your Smart Lists - **Rename or change filters** — long press the Smart List (or right-click on Mac) → **Edit**. - **Delete** — long press → **Delete**. Removing a Smart List does not affect any of the books in your library. You can have as many Smart Lists as you like. ## Best practices - **Name them like a sentence** — “Unread audiobooks longer than 10h” is easier to find than “Audio queue”. - **Start simple.** Two or three filters are often enough. Add more only if the list gets too large. - **Match all vs Match any** is the most common source of confusion. Re-read the rule when results look wrong. - **Pair Smart Lists with Tags** for the most flexible system: tag a few books with a custom label, then build a Smart List that combines that tag with other rules. - Use the **Pages** and **Date** filters to build “themed shelves”. Your monthly purchases, your short reads for travel, your long reads for winter. ## Related - [How to use Tags in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-tags-and-smart-lists-to-organize-your-collection/) - [How to use Bulk Edit in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-bulk-edit-in-book-tracker/) — assign Tags or change Reading Status on many books at once, which feeds into Smart Lists. - [How to view and understand your reading statistics](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-view-and-understand-your-reading-statistics/) --- # How to view and understand your reading statistics URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-view-and-understand-your-reading-statistics/ The **Statistics** section in Book Tracker gives you a detailed overview of your reading habits. From books finished to pages read, from audiobook listening time to money spent, you can explore how your reading evolves day by day, month by month, and year by year. You can also open the statistics of a single book to see detailed progress and predictions. ## How to access Statistics - On **iPhone**: tap **Statistics** from the home screen. - On **iPad and Mac**: select **Statistics** from the sidebar. - You can switch between years to review your reading history. ## What Statistics show ### General overview - **Books read** in the selected year, with progress compared to your **Reading Challenge** (if active). - **Total pages read**. - **Total audiobook listening time**. - **Total reading time** (from the reading timer). - **Books purchased** and **money spent** on purchases. ### Daily and monthly breakdowns - **Calendar view** → shows which books were finished on each day. - **Pages read per day** → bar chart of your daily page count. - **Audiobook listening per day** → bar chart of listening sessions. - **Pages read per month** → monthly chart. - **Audiobooks listened per month** → monthly chart. - **Books read per month** → bar chart; tap on a bar to see which books were finished that month. - **Audiobooks listened per month** → bar chart; tap on a bar to see the finished audiobooks. - **Books purchased per month** → bar chart showing acquisitions. ### Streaks - **Reading streaks** → a heat map showing on which days you read. - **Listening streaks** → a heat map showing on which days you listened to audiobooks. ### Comparisons The app compares your activity across time periods: - **Pages read** today vs. yesterday, this week vs. last week, this month vs. last month, this year vs. last year. - **Audiobook listening time** with the same comparisons. - **Reading time** with the same comparisons. ### Breakdown by authors and genres View your **most read authors** and **most read genres** to better understand your reading preferences. ## Statistics for individual books When you open the **Reading Status** of a book, you’ll also find: - A **progress chart** showing how many pages you read each day. - A **summary of your reading pace**, including: **Average reading speed** (if you use the timer). - **Estimated completion time** based on your current pace.This helps you understand not just how far you’ve come, but also how long it will take to finish the book if you keep your current rhythm. ## Widgets Book Tracker includes statistics widgets for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. You can place them on your Home Screen, Lock Screen, or desktop to quickly check: - Your yearly Reading Challenge progress. - Number of books read. - Reading time or audiobook listening time. ## Best practices - Use **calendar and streaks** to build consistent reading habits. - Explore **monthly breakdowns** to find when you read more and when less. - Open **individual book stats** to monitor your progress and predicted completion time. - Keep book data (pages, price, format) accurate so statistics reflect your true activity. ✅ With the Statistics section, Book Tracker shows you the big picture of your reading journey and the fine details of each book, giving you a clear understanding of your pace, habits, and achievements. --- # How to customize Book Tracker with Configurations URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-book-tracker-with-configurations/ Book Tracker includes a **Configurations** section that lets you personalize how the app looks and behaves. These options affect how new books are added, how lists are displayed, and how information is imported from online searches. ## How to access Configurations - On **iPhone or iPad**: open Book Tracker → go to **Settings** (gear icon) → **Configurations**. - On **Mac**: open Book Tracker → in the sidebar select **Settings **(gear icon) → **Configurations**. ## Available Configuration Options ### Default format When you add a new book, online databases don’t include the **format**. Here you can set the **default format** Book Tracker will use when this information is missing. Options include: **Paperback, Hardcover, Audiobook, eBook**. ### Rating system Choose how you want to rate your books: - **0–5 scale** - **0–10 scale** ### Details color Set the main tint color used across the app. This affects highlights and accents in book detail screens and lists. ### Reduce vibrations On devices that support haptic feedback, Book Tracker gives subtle vibrations when interacting with the app. Enable **Reduce vibrations** if you prefer a quieter experience without haptics. ### Insert categories from online search By default, when you add a book using **Search online**, the categories found in the database are saved in Book Tracker. Disable this option if you prefer to assign categories manually. ### Insert publishers from online search Choose whether publishers found in online searches should be automatically added to your books. ### Insert ratings from online search Choose whether to import ratings (e.g., average user ratings from online databases) when adding books. ### Hide Wishlist from reading lists By default, books in your **Wishlist** also appear in reading lists such as *Unread*. Enable this option to **hide Wishlist books** from your main reading lists. ### Book list configuration This option lets you customize **which details are shown** in your book lists. You can decide what information is visible for each book at a glance. ## Best practices - Set your **default format** before importing a large collection, so that missing formats are consistent. - Adjust the **rating system** early to avoid mixing 5-star and 10-star scales. - Use **Hide Wishlist from reading lists** if you want a cleaner separation between books you own and books you plan to buy. - Personalize the **book list configuration** to focus on the information that matters most to you. ✅ With Configurations, you can adapt Book Tracker to your personal workflow and make managing your library faster and more intuitive. --- # How to see your Year in Review URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-see-your-year-in-review/ At the end of every year (or any time you want to look back) Book Tracker shows you a personal **Year In Review**: a sequence of beautifully designed, shareable cards that turn your reading year into a story. Each card highlights one aspect of your reading: pages, books, time spent, your top author, your top category, your longest book, and the final cards bring everything together in a single summary you can share anywhere. It’s a Wrapped-style recap for readers, built entirely from the data already in your library. There’s nothing to set up beforehand. ## Where to find your Year In Review The Year In Review lives in the Statistics section of the app. - **iPhone:** Home → scroll to **Statistics** → **Year In Review**. - **iPad & Mac:** Sidebar → **Statistics** → **Year In Review**. By default you’ll see the current year. You can browse past years, any year for which you have at least one finished Reading Status is available. ## How the experience is structured The Year In Review opens full-screen. You navigate card by card with **Previous** and **Next** at the bottom, close it with the **X** in the top-left, and share the card you’re currently looking at with the **share icon** in the top-right. Each card has its own background, typically the cover of a book from that year, and a label *“Year In Review ‘”* in the bottom-left so the source is clear when the card is shared. ## The cards, in order The exact set of cards adapts to your library: if you didn’t listen to any audiobooks, the listening cards don’t appear; if you didn’t record any book purchases, the purchases card is skipped; and so on. Here’s the full lineup. ### 🏆 Top Rated Book The book of the year with your highest rating, with its cover, title, and author, plus the rating value. Appears when at least one book has a rating for the year. ### 📚 Longest Read Book The longest book you’ve finished this year: cover, title, author, and total page count. ### 🎧 Longest Listened Book *(Only if you tracked audiobooks)* The longest audiobook you’ve finished: cover, title, author, and total listening time. ### 📖 Reading statistics — books The “how many books did I read” card: - **Books read** — total finished books of the year *(books tracked by pages or percentage)*. - **Books per month** — average. - **Most prolific month** — with the number of books finished in it. - **Most active weekday** — the day of the week you finished books most often. ### 🎧 Listening statistics — books *(Only if you tracked audiobooks)* Same shape as above, but for audiobooks: - **Books listened**. - **Audiobooks per month**. - **Most prolific month**. - **Most active weekday**. ### 📄 Pages statistics The page-level view: - **Pages read** — total. - **Average pages per book**. - **Average pages per day**. - **Daily page record** — your single biggest day, with the date. ### ⏱️ Listening statistics — time *(Only if you tracked audiobooks)* - **Listened** — total listening time (days/hours/minutes/seconds). - **Average time per book**. - **Average time per day**. - **Daily listening record** — your single biggest listening day. ### ⏱️ Reading statistics — time (reading sessions) The time-spent perspective, built from your Reading Timer sessions: - **Reading time** — total time you spent reading. - **Average session duration**. - **Reading time per page** — your reading pace. - **Longest reading session** — date + duration. ### 💰 Purchased books *(Only if you tracked book purchases in the year)* - **Books** (purchased count). - **Money spent** (in your default currency). - **Highest spending month** — month + amount. - **Books per month** average. ### ✍️ Most Read Author The top 3 *(up to 4)* authors of the year, name and number of books for each. ### 🎧 Most Listened Author *(Only if you tracked audiobooks)* The top 3 *(up to 4)* most-listened authors. ### 🏷️ Most Read Category The top 3 *(up to 4)* categories, name and number of books for each. ### 🏷️ Most Listened Category *(Only if you tracked audiobooks)* The top 3 *(up to 4)* most-listened categories. ### 🎯 Summary card — reading The final reading recap collects the headline numbers in one place: **Pages read**, **Books read**, **Longest Read Book**, **Most Read Author**. This is the share card most users post on social media to close their year. ### 🎯 Summary card — listening *(Only if you tracked audiobooks)* A second summary card for the audiobook side: **Listening time**, **Books listened**, **Longest Listened Book**, **Most Listened Author**. ## Sharing the Year In Review You can share **any single card** with the share icon in the top-right. - On iPhone / iPad → standard share sheet (Photos, Messages, AirDrop, social apps, etc.). - On Mac → an export dialog where you save the card as an image. ## What feeds the Year In Review The Year In Review uses the data already in your library. To make sure your recap is as rich and accurate as possible: ### 1. Set reading dates on every Read book A book without a finish date doesn’t appear in any year’s recap. When you mark a book as *Read*, **set the start date and finish date**: this is the single most important thing for the Year In Review to work properly. See [How to use Reading Status](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/). ### 2. Fill in page counts and audiobook durations Books with `0` pages or `0:00` duration don’t contribute to the *Pages statistics* or *Listening statistics* cards. If a recent import left some books incomplete, take a moment to fix them. [Bulk Edit](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-bulk-edit-in-book-tracker/) makes it fast. ### 3. Use the Reading Timer The **Reading statistics — time** card *(reading sessions)* only has data if you’ve timed your sessions. Even occasional use of the [Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) is enough to populate **Reading time**, **Average session duration**, **Reading time per page**, and **Longest reading session**. ### 4. Categorize your books The **Most Read Category** card uses each book’s *Categories*. Categories usually come from online sources automatically; if a manually entered book has none, you can add them by hand from the book detail page. ### 5. Add ratings and purchase info - **Rate your books** to make the *Top Rated Book* card meaningful. - **Add purchase date and price** to make the *Purchased books* card appear. See [How to add purchase date and price to a book](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-purchase-date-and-price-to-a-book-in-book-tracker/). ### 6. Re-reads count Each Reading Status with a finish date in the year counts as a separate “book read”, so a re-read of a beloved classic shows up in your recap just like a new read. See [Can I re-read the same book and track each reading?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-re-read-the-same-book-and-track-each-reading/). ## Browse past years Even if you started using Book Tracker only recently, you can backfill books from earlier years just by creating a Reading Status with the right start and finish dates. Once you do, those years appear in the Year In Review browser, so you can have a recap for 2023, 2024, and 2025 even if you only joined Book Tracker in 2026. ## Best practices - **Make it a ritual.** Open the Year In Review on December 31 or in the first days of January: it’s a small but rewarding way to close the reading year. - **Share the summary card.** It’s a fun way to give friends a glimpse of your reading life without exposing your full library. - **Use it to calibrate next year’s Reading Challenge.** Your books-per-month average is the most honest baseline for what’s actually achievable. - **Audit the dates.** If a book you remember finishing in March shows up in the wrong month, edit the Reading Status finish date, it’ll move to the right place across all cards. - **Use the Reading Timer occasionally.** Even one timed session per week is enough to make the time-based cards meaningful. ## Related - [How to view and understand your reading statistics](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-view-and-understand-your-reading-statistics/) — the always-on statistics that feed the recap. - [How to set and follow your Yearly Reading Challenge](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-set-and-follow-your-yearly-reading-challenge/) - [How to use Reading Status](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/) — set the dates that power the recap. - [How to use the Reading Timer + Live Activity + Dynamic Island](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) — drives the *reading time* cards. - [Can I re-read the same book and track each reading?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-re-read-the-same-book-and-track-each-reading/) --- # How to use Book Tracker on Apple Watch URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-on-apple-watch/ Book Tracker has a native Apple Watch app that lets you keep tabs on what you’re reading from the wrist, start and stop the Reading Timer, log progress with the Digital Crown, and put a complication on your watch face for instant access. It’s perfect for the moment you’ve just closed a book and want to log a few minutes without picking up your iPhone. The Watch app is part of the iOS purchase, there’s nothing extra to buy. ## Requirements - **watchOS 10** or later on your Apple Watch. - The Book Tracker iPhone app installed and signed into the same Apple ID. - The iPhone needs to be **nearby and unlocked at least once after a restart** for the Watch app to communicate. The Watch app talks to the iPhone for every action. ## What the Watch app shows The Watch app has three screens. ### 1. Currently Reading The starting screen. It lists every book that has an active **Reading** status, with the cover, title, author, and a progress bar showing the current percentage. If a Reading Timer is currently running, an **Active session** banner appears at the top with the book’s title and the live elapsed time. Tap it to jump straight to the timer screen. ### 2. Book detail Tap a book to see its detail page on the Watch: - Cover, title, author. - **Progress** section with the percentage, pages remaining, total reading time so far, and an estimated completion date. - **Actions** — *Start reading timer*, *Pause* / *Resume*, *Stop & save*, and *Add progress* (manual entry). ### 3. Active reading session The timer screen, shown full-screen while a session is running. - Big elapsed time. - A small status indicator: green dot + “Reading” while running, orange dot + “Paused” when paused. - Three buttons: **Pause / Resume** — toggles the timer. - **Stop & save** — opens the progress input sheet to record what you read, then ends the session. - **Cancel timer**— ends the session without saving any progress. ## Logging progress with the Digital Crown When you tap **Add progress** or **Stop & save**, a sheet appears with a single big number, your current page, percentage, or listening time depending on the book’s tracking type. **Rotate the Digital Crown** to change the value, then tap **Save** to log it. It’s the fastest way to type a number on the Watch. You can use the Digital Crown for both manual progress entries (with no timer running) and for the progress you log at the end of a timed session. ## What you can do, and what you can’t, from the Watch The Watch is intentionally simple: it gives you the actions you actually want to do *while you’re reading*, and nothing more. ActionFrom the Watch?See your **currently reading** books✅See progress, reading time, estimated completion✅**Start, pause, resume, stop** the Reading Timer✅**Add a manual progress entry**✅Enter the value with the **Digital Crown**✅Add a new book to your library❌ — use iPhone / iPad / MacEdit a book’s metadata❌Change a Reading Status manually❌ *(but completing 100% progress updates it for you)*See notes, quotes, statistics❌Read offline without an iPhone nearby❌ — the Watch needs to talk to iPhone for actions ## Audiobook caveat The Reading Timer from the Watch works for books tracked by **Pages** or **Percentage** but **not for Audiobooks** (Time tracking type). For audiobooks, you can still use the Watch to **add a manual progress entry**, just tap *Add progress* on the book and dial in the new listening time with the Digital Crown. ## Complications on your watch face Book Tracker provides two complications you can add to your watch face. They cover all four watchOS complication families (Circular, Inline, Corner, Rectangular). ### “Automatic” complication This is the smart default. It automatically shows: - The book whose timer is currently active, if any. - Otherwise, the first book in your *Currently Reading* list. You don’t need to configure anything, it follows your reading life automatically. ### “Select Book” complication This complication is locked to a **specific book** that you pick during configuration. It will always show that book, useful if you have a long-term read you want to keep at a glance (a textbook, an ongoing series, a slow read). ### What each complication shows FamilyWithout active timerWith timer running**Circular**Progress gauge with percentage + play iconSame gauge with live elapsed time overlay**Inline**Book icon + title + percentageBook icon + live timer**Corner**Book icon + title in the corner labelBook icon + live timer**Rectangular**Title + progress bar + percentageLive timer + title + progress bar ### Add a complication - Long press the watch face you want to edit. - Tap **Edit**, then swipe to the **Complications** page. - Tap one of the complication slots. - Scroll to find Book Tracker and pick **Automatic** or **Select Book**. - If you picked Select Book, choose the book from the list. - Press the Digital Crown to save. Tapping the complication opens the Watch app: - If a timer is running for that book → jumps straight to the active session screen. - Otherwise → opens the book’s detail page. ## Sync between iPhone and Watch The Watch app talks to the iPhone via **WatchConnectivity**, not directly with iCloud. This has practical consequences: - The **iPhone must be nearby** for the Watch to load the currently reading list or to send timer commands. - After your iPhone restarts, it needs to be **unlocked at least once** before the Watch can communicate with it. If you see *“Your iPhone needs to be unlocked after restarting before it can communicate with Apple Watch”*, just unlock the iPhone and try again. - The Watch caches the last known list locally, so even with the iPhone temporarily away, you can still see the list of books, but actions (start timer, save progress) will fail until the iPhone is reachable again. - The complications keep their last cached state, so they remain readable even when the iPhone isn’t nearby. For long sessions on **Always-On Display**, the Watch waits up to 3 seconds for the iPhone to respond before showing a “try again” message, meaning you don’t need to wake the Watch screen for actions to work. ## A typical reading session, in 3 taps - Raise your wrist, tap the **Book Tracker complication** → opens the book you’re reading. - Tap **Start reading timer** → timer starts, the screen shows the active session. - When you stop reading, raise your wrist again → tap **Stop & save** → rotate the Digital Crown to enter your current page → **Save**. That’s the whole loop. No need to open the iPhone app at all. ## Best practices - Add the **Automatic complication** to your most-used watch face so the current book is always one tap away. - If you forget to start a timer, **don’t worry**, use *Add progress* on the Watch at the end of the session to record what you read, just without the time component. - Keep your iPhone unlocked at least once after a restart before relying on the Watch, it’s the only thing that can confuse the Watch app on a fresh boot. ## Related - [How to use the Reading Timer + Live Activity + Dynamic Island](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) — the iPhone counterpart of the timer. - [How to use Reading Status](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/) — set up the Reading Status the Watch needs. - [How to track detailed reading progress](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/) - [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/) - [Which platforms is Book Tracker available on?](https://booktrack.app/faq/which-platforms-is-book-tracker-available-on/) --- # How to customize the Home on iPhone and the Sidebar on iPad and Mac URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-the-home-on-iphone-and-the-sidebar-on-ipad-and-mac/ Book Tracker lets you deeply customize the **Home on iPhone** and the **Sidebar on iPad and Mac**, so you can organize the app exactly the way you prefer and access what matters most to you in just one tap. This tutorial explains how customization works and what you can personalize. ## How to enter Edit mode To start customizing: - Open Book Tracker. - Look at the top left corner of the screen. - Tap **Edit**. This opens the customization mode, where you can reorganize and personalize the Home or Sidebar. ## Reordering sections In edit mode, you can change the order of all sections. • Drag sections up or down to reorder them • Arrange sections based on how often you use them Changes are applied immediately, so you can quickly find a layout that feels right. ## Showing or hiding sections Not all sections need to be visible all the time. In edit mode, you can: • Hide sections you do not use • Show them again at any time This helps keep the interface clean and focused on what you actually need. ## Default sections Book Tracker includes several default sections, such as: • All • Library • Wishlist • Not Owned • Statistics • Quotes These sections can be reordered or hidden, just like any other section. ## Customizing the Main Cards at the top One of the most powerful features is the ability to customize the **main cards shown at the top** of the Home or Sidebar. By default, these cards show standard sections, but you are not limited to them. You can add **any type of list** as a main card, including: • A Smart List you created earlier • A specific Reading Status, for example books you are currently reading • A specific Series • Any other list available in the app This allows you to create quick access shortcuts to exactly what you care about. ## Summary Customizing the Home and Sidebar helps you make Book Tracker truly yours. You can: • Reorder sections • Hide or show what you want • Add any list as a main card at the top • Create fast access to reading statuses, series, and smart lists This flexibility makes Book Tracker suitable for both simple libraries and very complex collections. --- # How to track Borrowed and Loaned Out books URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-borrowed-and-loaned-out-books/ Book Tracker allows you to keep track of books you **do not physically own**, including books you have **borrowed from someone else** and books you have **loaned out** to friends or family. This guide explains how to organize these books using the **Not Owned** section and how to clearly identify borrowed and loaned books. ## The Not Owned section The **Not Owned** section is designed to collect all books that you do not currently own. This can include: - Books you borrowed from someone else - Books you previously owned but sold or gave away - Books you own only in digital format and do not want to keep in your physical library Because this section can contain different types of books, Book Tracker gives you flexible tools to further organize them. ## Tracking borrowed books When you borrow a book, you can add it to the **Not Owned** section. To do this: - Search the book. - Tap the **Add** button. - Select **Add to Not Owned**. To clearly identify that the book is borrowed, you can assign a **tag** to it. ### Using Tags for Borrowed Books Tags are the recommended way to distinguish borrowed books from other not owned books. For example, you can: - Create a tag called **Borrowed** - Assign this tag to all books you borrowed This allows you to quickly filter and find all borrowed books, even if the Not Owned section also contains other types of books. ## Loaned Out feature The **Loaned Out** feature helps you track books you own but have lent to someone else. ### How to create a loan - Open the **book detail page** of a book you own. - Scroll down to the **Loaned Out** section. - Tap **+ Add Loan**. - Select the **contact** to whom you lent the book. You can create a new contact if it’s not already in the list. - Enter the **start date** of the loan. If you only set a start date, the loan is considered **active**. - Optionally, add an end date when the book is returned. ### Viewing active loans - On the home page (or the sidebar on iPad and Mac), go to the **Loaned Out** section. - You’ll see a list of contacts. - Tap a contact to view all the books currently loaned to them. - Only **active loans** are displayed in this list. ### Ending a loan When the book is returned: - Open the **book detail page**. - Scroll to the **Loaned Out** section. - Tap **End loan**. - The book will disappear from the active loans list under that contact. ## Why these tools are useful - **Not Owned section** → lets you track books you don’t own, so your reading stats remain accurate even if you don’t own the book. - **Loaned Out feature** → ensures you never lose track of which books you lent, to whom, and since when. ## Best practices - Use the **Not Owned section** whenever you want to include borrowed books in your reading challenge or statistics. - Always add a **start date** when creating a loan, so it’s clear when the book was given out. - Review the **Loaned Out list** regularly to check which books are still out and with whom. - Use the **End loan** option as soon as a book is returned to keep the list of active loans accurate. ✅ With Borrowed and Loaned Out, Book Tracker helps you maintain a complete record of your reading journey while keeping full control of your library, even when books move in and out of your shelves. --- # How to use Bulk Edit in Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-bulk-edit-in-book-tracker/ Bulk Edit allows you to update multiple books in your library at the same time. This is especially useful if you’ve just imported a large collection or want to make consistent changes across many books (e.g., add a tag, change format, update location). ## How to access Bulk Edit - Open **Book Tracker**. - From the **Library** (or any list of books), tap the **three-dot menu** in the top-right corner. - Select **Select Books**. - Tap the books you want to edit to mark them. - Once selected, tap the **three-dot button** in the bottom-right corner to open the Bulk Edit options. ## Bulk Edit options You can **Assign** or **Replace** different fields like: - **Series** → add selected books to a series. - **Tags** → apply one or more tags. - **Authors** → apply one or more authors. - **Position** → set Location, Bookcase, or Shelf. - **Format** → update to Paperback, Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook, etc. - **Reading Status** → mark as To Read, Reading, Read, or Abandoned. - **Delete** → remove all selected books at once. ⚠️ Bulk Edit is designed for group changes. You cannot edit unique fields like title or description in bulk. ## Best practices - Use Bulk Edit right after importing to quickly categorize your books. - The **Replace** option overwrites existing data (e.g., tags or positions), while **Assign** adds without removing what’s already there — choose carefully. - Always review your selections before applying changes. ✅ Bulk Edit helps you organize large libraries quickly and consistently, saving you time and effort. --- # How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/ Book Tracker has one of the deepest **Shortcuts integrations** of any reading app on iOS. **95+ actions** are exposed to Apple’s Shortcuts app, covering practically everything you can do in Book Tracker: adding books, logging progress, controlling the Reading Timer, adding notes and quotes, getting data out of your library, opening any list or entity. **9 of those actions come pre-built as Siri phrases** that work right out of the box, no setup needed. This tutorial covers what’s available, what works with Siri immediately, and how to build your own custom Shortcuts. 👉 If you’re new to Shortcuts, see Apple’s official guide: [Use the Shortcuts app on iPhone or iPad](https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/welcome/ios). ## The 9 Siri phrases that work without setup These come pre-installed with Book Tracker. As soon as you launch the app once, Siri recognizes them. Just say *“Hey Siri,”* followed by the phrase. ActionExample phrases**Open the book you’re currently reading**“Open currently reading book in Book Tracker” · “Continue reading in Book Tracker”**Log reading progress**“Log today’s reading in Book Tracker” · “Add pages read in Book Tracker”**Scan a book barcode**“Scan a book in Book Tracker” · “Add book by scanning in Book Tracker”**Search a book online**“Search Online in Book Tracker” · “Find a book online with Book Tracker”**Open a book list**“Show my books in Book Tracker” · “See my library in Book Tracker”**Check Reading Challenge progress**“Check challenge progress 2026 in Book Tracker” · “How’s my 2026 challenge in Book Tracker”**Add a quote to a book**“Save a quote from *Dune* in Book Tracker” · “Quote from *Dune* in Book Tracker”**Add reading progress to a specific book**“Update *Dune* reading progress in Book Tracker” · “Log pages read in *Dune* in Book Tracker”**Add listening progress to an audiobook**“Add listening progress to *Dune* in Book Tracker” · “Log listened time in *Dune* in Book Tracker” > 💡 The phrases are matched flexibly, variations work too. Siri also responds to non-English equivalents based on your device language. For any other action (the remaining ~89), you need to build a Shortcut manually in the Shortcuts app, then you can attach a custom phrase to it via “Add to Siri”. ## All 95+ actions, by category Every action below is available in the Shortcuts app under **Book Tracker** in the action picker. ### 📚 Books (~20 actions) Create, edit, delete, open. Get the currently reading book, get a book’s cover or progress. Log reading progress or listening progress. Open the barcode scanner, scanner reader (Bluetooth), online search, or manual entry. Open a list (All / Library / Wishlist / Not Owned / To Read / Reading / Read / DNF). Assign a rating. **Plus the 4 Reading Timer actions** (covered separately below). ### 💭 Quotes (5 actions) Create, edit, delete, open, get. Quotes can be created from text passed by another shortcut step, perfect for capturing from Safari, Apple Books, or any text input. ### 📝 Notes (5 actions) Create, edit, delete, open, get. ### 🏷️ Per-entity CRUD (6 actions each, ~60 total) For each of the following entity types you have **Create / Edit / Delete / Open / Get Books / Assign** actions: - Tags - Authors - Categories - Publishers - Series - Translators - Illustrators - Narrators ### 📍 Positions (12 actions) Create / Edit / Delete / Open for **Location**, **Bookcase**, and **Shelf**, plus *Assign Position* and *Get Books by Position*. ### 🎯 Reading Challenge (4 actions) Create / Edit / Delete a challenge; get the books that count toward it. ### 🔍 Smart List (1 action) Open a specific Smart List. ### 🔎 System search (Apple Intelligence, iOS 18+) Book Tracker exposes its library to **Apple Intelligence’s system-wide search**. You can search for books across the system without opening Book Tracker first. ## The 4 Reading Timer actions These deserve a section of their own, they’re the building blocks for any “while I read” automation. ActionWhat it doesParameters**Start Reading Timer**Starts a new reading session for a chosen bookBook *(must be in Reading status, Pages or Percentage tracking, not Audiobooks)***Pause Reading Timer**Pauses the active timer—**Resume Reading Timer**Resumes the paused timer—**Stop Reading Timer**Stops the active timer, logs the progress, optionally moves the book to *Read*Pages or percentage value *(optional — if omitted, Shortcuts asks at runtime)* These four actions are **NOT among the 9 pre-built Siri phrases**, but they are easy to wire up. See the morning routine walkthrough below. ## Walkthrough A — “Log 30 pages on the current book” A simple Shortcut that logs 30 pages of progress on whatever you’re currently reading. Useful as a one-tap action from the Home Screen. - Open the **Shortcuts** app. - Tap **+** to create a new shortcut, give it a name like *“Log 30 pages”*. - Tap **Add Action**, search “Book Tracker”, and pick **Get Currently Reading Book**. - Tap **Add Action** again. Search “Book Tracker” and pick **Log Reading Progress**. - In the *Log Reading Progress* step: Set **Book** to the **“Currently Reading Book”** variable that came from the previous step *(Shortcuts auto-suggests it)*. - Set **Pages** to `30`. - *(Optional)* Add a final step like **Show Notification** with the text *“Logged 30 pages”* so you get a small confirmation. - Done. Add the shortcut to the Home Screen, the Lock Screen, the Action Button, or attach a Siri phrase like *“Log thirty pages”*. Variations: - Replace `30` with a “Get Numeric Input” step to ask each time. - Replace **Log Reading Progress** with **Log Listening Progress** for audiobooks. ## Walkthrough B — “Morning reading routine” A composite Shortcut that prepares your environment for a reading session and starts the timer. Trigger it manually or with an automation (time of day, NFC tag, location). - Open Shortcuts → **+** → call it *“Morning reading”*. - Add **Set Focus** *(by Apple)* → choose your reading focus (or Do Not Disturb). - Add **Play** *(by Apple → Music)* → choose a calm playlist. - Add **Get Currently Reading Book** *(by Book Tracker)*. - Add **Start Reading Timer** *(by Book Tracker)* → set **Book** to the variable from step 4. - Save the shortcut. When you run it (or when it auto-runs in the morning): - Focus mode silences notifications. - Music starts playing. - The Reading Timer starts on the book you’re currently reading. - The Live Activity / Dynamic Island appears on the iPhone. To make it voice-activated, tap **Add to Siri** and record *“Start my morning reading”*. Now you can say *“Hey Siri, start my morning reading”* and it all runs. ## Composing with Get actions (60 actions return data) About 60 of the actions are **Get** actions that return data: a book, a list of books, a cover image, an array of quotes, etc. This means you can chain them together to build complex flows: - **Get Currently Reading Book** → **Add Quote to that book** *(with custom text)* → **Share** the resulting quote. - **Get Books by Author** *(specify “Italo Calvino”)* → **Choose from list** → **Open Book** that selection. - **Get Books by Reading Challenge** *(specify current year)* → **Count** → display a custom badge. - **Get Book Cover** *(specify a book)* → **Save to Photos** for an album of your reading life. - **Get Notes** *(from current book)* → **Make PDF** → email to yourself for archiving. Build with curiosity — most things you can do in the app, you can do faster in Shortcuts once you’ve set it up once. ## Where to put your Shortcuts After building, you can run a Shortcut from: - The **Shortcuts app** — manually. - The **Home Screen** — add it as an icon. - The **Lock Screen** — single-tap. - The **Action Button** *(iPhone 15 Pro+)* — physical button. - **Siri** — via the phrase you assigned with “Add to Siri”. - **Automation triggers** — time of day, NFC tag, location, app opened/closed, focus changed. - **The Shortcuts widget** on Home or Lock Screen. ## Best practices - **Start with the 9 pre-built phrases** — they work without any setup and cover the most frequent actions. - **Build voice-friendly phrases.** “Add 20 pages” is easier to say than “Increment my current book by twenty pages with timer disabled”. - **Pair Shortcuts with Focus modes** — a single voice command can silence notifications and start a timer. - **Use automations for habit-building** — e.g., a reading reminder every evening at 9 PM that asks how many pages you read today. - **Compose Get → Action chains** — they’re the most powerful Shortcuts pattern with Book Tracker. ## Related - [How to use the Reading Timer + Live Activity + Dynamic Island](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/) — Shortcuts control the timer that powers Live Activities. - [How to add notes and quotes to books in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-notes-and-quotes-to-books-in-book-tracker/) — see how to capture quotes with a Shortcut from Safari. - [How to use Smart Lists in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-smart-lists-in-book-tracker/) — *Open Smart List* is one of the actions you can wire up. - [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/) - [How to use Control Center widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-control-center-widgets/) — many widgets share their underlying AppIntents with these Shortcuts actions. --- # How to add purchase date and price to a book in Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-purchase-date-and-price-to-a-book-in-book-tracker/ Book Tracker lets you store purchase details for each book, including **purchase date** and **price paid**. This is useful if you want to keep track of when you bought a book, how much you spent, and monitor your spending habits over time. These details also feed into your **statistics**, so you can see how much you’ve invested in your library each year. ## How to add purchase date and price - Open the **book detail page**. - Tap **Edit** at the top of the page. - Scroll to the **Purchase Info** section. - Enter the **purchase date** (choose from the calendar). - Enter the **price** (supports multiple currencies). - Save your changes. ### Alternative method - Open the **book detail page**. - Tap the **three-dot menu** in the top-right corner. - Select **Add Purchase Info**. - Enter date and price, then save. ## Where you can see purchase information - In each **book’s detail page** under Purchase Info. - In the **Statistics section**: Number of books purchased. - Monthly purchase breakdown. - Total amount spent. ## Best practices - Add purchase details as soon as you buy a new book to keep your statistics accurate. - Use the **same currency format** for consistency. ✅ With purchase date and price fields, Book Tracker not only catalogs your books but also gives you insights into your reading and spending habits. --- # How to use the Reading Timer + Live Activity + Dynamic Island URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/ The **Reading Timer** in Book Tracker lets you log time spent reading automatically. Once it’s running, it integrates with **Live Activity**, the **Dynamic Island**, **interactive widgets**, **Control Center**, **Shortcuts**, and **Siri**, so you can start, pause, and resume a reading session from almost anywhere on your device without opening the app. This tutorial covers the full flow on every platform. ## What you need first The Reading Timer is tied to a specific Reading Status. Before you can start a timer, the book must have an **active Reading Status** in the *Reading* state. If you don’t have one yet, see [How to use Reading Status](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/) to create one in 10 seconds. ## How to start the Reading Timer There are two paths into the timer: ### From the book detail page - Open the book. - Tap the active **Reading Status** under the book details. - Tap **Start Timer** (the play icon). ### From the home / sidebar - Tap one of the books listed under your ongoing readings (*Reading* status). On iPhone this is in the Home; on iPad and Mac it’s in the Sidebar. - This opens the Reading Status page directly. - Tap **Start Timer**. Once the timer is running, you can leave Book Tracker and the session keeps going in the background. ## Where the running timer appears ### On iPhone (iOS 16.2+) - **Lock Screen**: a Live Activity shows the book and the elapsed time. You can pause and resume directly from the Lock Screen. - **Dynamic Island** *(iPhone 14 Pro and later)*: the compact display shows the elapsed time; long press to expand it and access pause/resume. - **Home Screen**: any Book Tracker widget configured for the timer updates in real time. ### On iPad (iPadOS 17+) - **Lock Screen**: same Live Activity as iPhone, book and elapsed time, with pause/resume. - **Home Screen**: same interactive widgets. ### On Mac - The timer runs in the background while Book Tracker is open. There’s **no Live Activity or Dynamic Island** on macOS, those are iPhone/iPad features, but desktop widgets show the running session. ### On Apple Watch The Watch app has its own active reading session view with a timer that mirrors the iPhone.  ## Controlling the timer without opening Book Tracker You don’t need to open the app to manage the timer. ### Interactive widgets The Book Tracker widget for the active reading session is **interactive**: tap **pause** or **resume** directly on the widget. Works on Home Screen, Lock Screen, StandBy, and the Mac desktop. The Live Activity updates instantly. ### Control Center (iOS 18+) Book Tracker provides a **Reading Timer toggle** for Control Center. Add it once (Control Center → + → Book Tracker), and from then on you can start or stop the timer with a single tap from any screen. ### Shortcuts Four actions are available in the Shortcuts app for the Reading Timer: - **Start a Reading Session** - **Pause a Reading Session** - **Resume a Reading Session** - **Stop a Reading Session** These let you build automations like “Start reading at 9 PM”: when the shortcut runs, the timer starts automatically and a Live Activity appears, the widget updates, the Dynamic Island shows the session. Everything stays in sync. ### Siri Because Shortcuts integrate with Siri, you can simply say: - *“Hey Siri, start reading.”* - *“Hey Siri, pause reading.”* - *“Hey Siri, stop reading.”* For more complex automations, see [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/). ## When you stop the timer When you stop a reading session, Book Tracker asks how much you read during it: - For **Pages** tracking → enter the last page reached (or the number of pages). - For **Time** tracking (audiobooks) → the time is logged automatically. - For **Percentage** tracking → enter the percentage you reached. The session is recorded as a progress entry, exactly as if you’d added it manually. You can review it in the Reading Status, edit it, or delete it. See [How to track detailed reading progress](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/) for details on managing progress entries. ## Best practices - Use the Reading Timer to keep your **time statistics accurate**. Book Tracker can show pages per hour, estimated completion time, and reading streaks only if you’ve timed your sessions. - On iPhone with **Dynamic Island**, you don’t need to reopen the app to pause when something interrupts you. Just long press the Island. - Combine the timer with **Focus mode** to silence notifications during reading. Use a Shortcut to start both at once. - If you forget to start the timer, **don’t worry**, add a manual progress entry at the end of your session. See the [tracking progress tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/#manual-entry). ## Platform availability at a glance FeatureiPhoneiPadMacApple WatchReading Timer✅✅✅✅Live Activity✅ (iOS 16.2+)✅ (iPadOS 17+)❌❌Dynamic Island✅ (iPhone 14 Pro+)❌❌❌Interactive widgets✅ (iOS 17+)✅✅✅ (complications)Control Center toggle✅ (iOS 18+)✅ (iPadOS 18+)❌❌Shortcuts / Siri✅✅✅✅ ## Related - [How to use Reading Status](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-your-books-and-reading-progress-with-reading-status/) — create the Reading Status the timer needs. - [How to track detailed reading progress](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/) — manual entry, edit, and convert tracking type. - [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/) - [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/) --- # How Book Tracker integrates with iOS and macOS features URL: https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-book-tracker-integrates-with-ios-and-macos-features/ Book Tracker isn’t just a standalone app. It takes full advantage of the latest features in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to give you a seamless and modern reading companion. From Shortcuts to Widgets and Live Activities, these integrations make managing your library faster, smarter, and more personalized. ## Shortcuts and Siri - **Every in-app action is available in Shortcuts** → log progress, start timers, add notes or quotes, edit book details, and more. - Build custom automations to fit your reading habits (e.g., a “Start Reading” Shortcut that opens the timer, plays music, and enables Focus mode). - Trigger Shortcuts with **Siri voice commands** for hands-free control.👉 Learn more: [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/). ## Widgets - Available on **iPhone, iPad, and Mac**. - Add widgets for: Current reading progress. - Favorite quotes. - Yearly Reading Challenge. - Reading statistics. - Widgets are **interactive**: you can pause or resume the reading timer directly from the Home Screen, Lock Screen, or Control Center.👉 Learn more: [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/). ## Live Activity - When you start the reading timer, a **Live Activity** appears on your Lock Screen. - On devices with Dynamic Island, you can pause/resume or expand the timer without opening the app. - Keeps you focused by making your reading session visible at all times.👉 Learn more: [How to use Live Activity with the Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/). ## iCloud Sync - Your library syncs automatically across iPhone, iPad, and Mac using iCloud. - No extra account required — your books stay private in your Apple ID.👉 Learn more: [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/). ## Best practices - Add Book Tracker widgets to keep motivation high and stats visible. - Use Live Activity + Dynamic Island to manage your reading timer hands-free. - Explore the Shortcuts app to unlock powerful automations tailored to your routines. - Keep iCloud enabled to sync seamlessly across all your devices. ✅ By embracing iOS and macOS features, Book Tracker goes beyond simple book cataloging — it becomes a fully integrated reading companion that fits naturally into your Apple ecosystem. --- # How OCR Quote Capture Works (and Why It is a Game-Changer for Readers) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/ocr-quote-capture-guide/ For most of digital history, getting a quote from a paper book into your phone meant retyping it. A passage you loved became a project: open notes app, find the right place, type four lines while holding the book open with your elbow, hope you do not miss a word. By the third quote of the evening, the habit was dead. In 2026 this friction is gone. **Optical Character Recognition** (OCR) has improved enough that you point your phone camera at a printed page and the text appears in your reading app in 2-3 seconds. For readers who keep a journal, capture quotes, or build a commonplace book, this is the single largest workflow improvement of the last decade. This guide explains how OCR quote capture works inside **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**, when it works flawlessly, when it has trouble, and how to get the best results from it. The OCR feature is built into the app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. > **Quick answer.** OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is the technology that turns an image of printed text into editable digital text. In Book Tracker, you open a book in your library, tap the Quotes section, tap the camera icon, point your iPhone at the page, and the printed text becomes a digital quote in 2-3 seconds. The processing happens entirely on your device, so the text never leaves your phone. The feature works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac (via camera or imported image), supports most common languages and fonts, and replaces what used to be the most tedious part of keeping a reading journal. ## What you’ll find in this guide - [What OCR quote capture actually is](#what) - [The problem it solves (and why readers have wanted this for years)](#problem) - [How OCR capture works in Book Tracker, step by step](#how) - [When OCR works perfectly and when it struggles](#when) - [Six tips for the best OCR results](#tips) - [What to do with captured quotes](#what-next) - [Privacy: where the OCR processing happens](#privacy) - [FAQ](#faq) ## 1. What OCR quote capture actually is OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. The technology has existed since the 1970s in industrial form (scanning documents) and since roughly 2012 in mobile form (Google Translate’s camera mode was an early consumer use). The 2020s have brought a quantum jump in quality: modern on-device OCR, powered by the neural engines in iPhone and iPad chips, recognizes printed text at near-human accuracy, fast enough to feel instant. For readers, “OCR quote capture” is the specific application: point your phone camera at a page in a paper book, and the text becomes a saved quote in your reading app. It is the bridge between the analog object you are holding and the digital library where your reading life lives. The most common alternative names you might see for the same feature are: live text capture, text recognition, camera scan, quote scanner. They all refer to the same underlying capability. For a refresher on what the broader reading journal practice looks like, and how OCR fits in, see the parent pillar [The Reading Journal Renaissance: How to Save Quotes, Notes, and Highlights in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/reading-journal-quotes-notes-highlights-guide/). ## 2. The problem it solves The single largest reason readers stop keeping a journal is friction at the capture step. Consider the typical flow before OCR. You read a passage you love. You want to keep it. The options are: A. Retype it manually in a notes app. Takes 60-120 seconds per quote, broken concentration, lost flow. B. Take a photo and “deal with it later”. The photo joins thousands of others in your camera roll. You never deal with it. C. Dog-ear the page or use a sticky tab. The book becomes a graveyard of intended captures. You revisit none of them. D. Skip the capture. Trust your memory. Forget the quote within two weeks. In practice, most readers cycle between B, C, and D. Few sustain A. The result is that the reading journal habit, which is rewarding when sustained, never really gets going because the friction at the capture step is too high. OCR collapses this friction. Pointing a camera at a page is not effortless, but it is approximately 10x faster than typing. At 10x speed, capture becomes incidental rather than ceremonial. You capture more quotes, you keep the habit, the journal accumulates value. ## 3. How OCR quote capture works in Book Tracker, step by step The flow takes about 5 seconds end to end once you know the steps. ### Step 1. Open the book in your Book Tracker library If the book is not in your library yet, add it first (via barcode scan, see [How to add a new book in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-a-new-book-in-book-tracker/)). ### Step 2. Open the Quotes section In the book detail view, tap the Quotes section. You see the list of quotes already saved (empty if this is your first one). Tap the **+ **button to add a new quote and then the **Camera** button. ### Step 3. Tap the camera icon The camera opens. You see the live camera viewfinder. ### Step 4. Frame the passage on the page Hold your phone steady about 15-20 cm above the page. The passage you want to capture should fill most of the frame. Good lighting helps a lot (see tips section below). ### Step 5. Capture Tap the shutter. The app processes the image in 1-2 seconds. ### Step 6. Review and edit The OCR result appears as editable text. You can: A. Trim the quote to just the passage you want (often OCR captures a few extra words you do not need). B. Fix the rare OCR error (a “rn” mistakenly captured as “m”, an “I” captured as “l”, a special character mishandled). ### Step 7. Save The quote is now stored in your library, attached to the book, with timestamp. It syncs via iCloud to your iPad and Mac. The full feature documentation, including the latest improvements, is in the tutorial [How to add notes and quotes to books in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-notes-and-quotes-to-books-in-book-tracker/) and the FAQ [Can I add quotes, notes, or personal thoughts for books?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-quotes-notes-or-personal-thoughts-for-books/). ## 4. When OCR works perfectly and when it struggles OCR is excellent on most printed text but has known limitations. Knowing both saves frustration. ### OCR works perfectly on Standard book typography. Serif and sans-serif fonts in 10-14 point size. Black text on white pages. Latin, Cyrillic, Greek, and most CJK scripts. Standard layouts with clear margins. The vast majority of modern hardcover and paperback books fall into this category. You will capture quotes flawlessly. ### OCR has trouble with **Unusual fonts.** Heavily stylized typefaces (ornate fantasy book chapter headings, calligraphy, hand-drawn lettering) produce errors. Most novels are unaffected; only specific design-heavy editions matter. **Faded or low-contrast text.** Older paperbacks with yellowed pages, books printed on grey or cream paper with low ink density, or photocopied pages reduce OCR accuracy. Increasing lighting helps significantly. **Bad lighting.** Dim rooms produce noisier images. The OCR struggles to distinguish letters. Turning on a desk lamp solves it. **Curved pages near the spine.** The text on the inner third of an open paperback bends inward. OCR captures the outer two-thirds cleanly but mangles the inner curve. Solution: lay the book flat, press the page open with your hand, or capture in two passes. **Tiny text.** Footnotes in small point size, dictionary entries, or footers occasionally need a higher zoom level. Move the camera closer rather than relying on digital zoom. **Multi-column layouts.** Academic journals or some non-fiction books use two-column layouts. OCR can confuse the reading order. Capture one column at a time. **Handwriting.** OCR is designed for printed text. Handwritten marginalia in books is not reliably captured. For those, use dictation or manual entry. In practice these limitations matter for a small percentage of captures. For 95% of modern reading, OCR works the first time without intervention. ## 5. Six tips for the best OCR results ### Tip 1. Good light is more important than steady hands The neural engine in iPhone can compensate for some camera shake but not for low contrast. A well-lit page with shaky hands beats a dim page held perfectly still. ### Tip 2. Lay the book flat A book held in one hand while you take the photo with the other ends up tilted, shadowed, and curved. Two seconds to lay it flat saves five seconds of editing later. ### Tip 3. Capture the passage, not the whole page Frame just the sentences you want, not the full page. This reduces noise and speeds up OCR processing. It also means you have less editing to do afterwards. ### Tip 4. For long quotes, capture in chunks If you want to save a passage longer than 5-6 lines, sometimes a single capture works fine, sometimes you get small errors at the edges. If the passage is precious, capture it in two halves and merge them in the editor. ### Tip 5. Use natural light when possible Daylight near a window produces the best OCR results. Incandescent indoor lighting is fine. The worst case is a single overhead light that creates a shadow from your phone onto the page. Move slightly so your hand and phone do not block the light. ### Tip 6. Trust the editor OCR will occasionally make a small mistake (an “rn” captured as “m”, a Roman numeral confused). Do not stress about catching every micro-error during capture. Save the quote, then fix the obvious typos in the editing pass. The whole capture-plus-edit flow is still 10x faster than retyping. ## 6. What to do with captured quotes Once you have a captured quote, the practice begins. Some of the most useful patterns: **Add a one-line note alongside the quote.** Your reaction, the connection to another book, the reason you captured it. This turns the quote from a fragment into a piece of your thinking. **Tag the quote thematically** (in the note field, since Book Tracker tags are at book level not quote level): `#memory`, `#solitude`, `#power`, `#craft`. Over a year, browsing by theme reveals patterns that book-by-book reading does not. **Display quotes via widget.** Book Tracker has a Quote widget for Home Screen and Lock Screen. Add it. The widget rotates through your saved quotes. The unexpected encounter with a quote you captured six months ago, mid-day on your Lock Screen, is one of the small pleasures of keeping a reading journal. See [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/). **Share quotes when appropriate.** A meaningful quote, a shareable card, a screenshot for a friend who would love it. The Book Tracker share feature handles this with attribution preserved (book, author). **Export for second-brain workflows.** If you use Obsidian, Notion, or a personal knowledge management tool, you can export your Book Tracker library (with quotes) to CSV and pipe it into your knowledge system. See [Can I export my library from Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-export-my-library-from-book-tracker/) and [How to export your library from Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-export-your-library-from-book-tracker/). ## 7. Privacy: where the OCR processing happens A common concern with camera-based features: does the photo get uploaded somewhere? With Book Tracker, the answer is no. The OCR processing happens **on your device**, using Apple’s on-device Vision framework. The image you capture and the text recognized from it never leave your phone. They are not sent to a server, not to Book Tracker, not to Apple. The image itself can be discarded after the text is extracted (you keep only the text, attached to the book in your library). This matters because reading is intimate. The passages you highlight reveal what is on your mind in ways that are private by nature. A camera feature that uploaded everything to a cloud would defeat the purpose. The Book Tracker design choice is consistent with the broader privacy posture documented in [Why Book Tracker is a privacy-first app](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/why-book-tracker-is-a-privacy-first-app/), [Where your data is stored in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/where-your-data-is-stored-in-book-tracker/), and [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/). The quote text itself, once captured, syncs across your Apple devices via iCloud, end-to-end encrypted by Apple. Same posture as your iMessage history or your Notes. ## 8. FAQ **Q: What is OCR for books?** OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is the technology that turns an image of printed text into editable digital text. For books, it lets you point a phone camera at a page and capture the printed text as a quote in seconds. **Q: Does Book Tracker have OCR quote capture built in?** Yes. Open a book in your library, tap the Quotes section, tap the camera icon, point at the page, and the text is captured automatically. Available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. **Q: Does OCR capture upload my book pages somewhere?** No. The OCR processing happens entirely on your device using Apple’s on-device Vision framework. The image and the text never leave your phone. **Q: Which languages does OCR support?** Apple’s on-device OCR supports most common languages including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, simplified and traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian, and more. Support is constantly expanding with iOS updates. **Q: Can I OCR a Kindle or ebook screen?** In principle yes, but it is the long way around: ebooks already store the text digitally, so you can copy-paste the highlights directly. See [Can I import notes or highlights from Kindle?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-notes-or-highlights-from-kindle/). **Q: What if the OCR makes a mistake?** The captured text is editable before you save. Common minor errors (an “rn” read as “m”, a special character mishandled) take 2-3 seconds to fix in the editor. For precious passages, capture in two halves and merge. **Q: Can I OCR multiple pages at once?** Each OCR capture handles one frame at a time. If you want to capture a long passage spanning multiple pages, do two or three separate captures and merge them in the quote editor. **Q: Will OCR work in low light?** It works better with good lighting. In dim light, accuracy drops and you may get more errors. Turn on a desk lamp or move near natural light for best results. **Q: Will the quotes sync across my devices?** Yes. Captured quotes are stored alongside the book in your library, which syncs via iCloud to your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. See [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/). ## What’s next If this is your first OCR capture, you have just unlocked the single largest workflow improvement in reading journal practice in the last decade. The minimum effective dose is small: one or two quotes per book. The maximum is whatever your interest can sustain. Both extremes produce a personal anthology that did not exist before. For the full reading journal practice see [The Reading Journal Renaissance: How to Save Quotes, Notes, and Highlights in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/reading-journal-quotes-notes-highlights-guide/). For the broader cataloging and Apple-native context see [The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/) and [The Complete Guide to Tracking Your Reading on Apple Devices in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/tracking-reading-apple-devices-guide/). [**Download Book Tracker on the App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, or [**on the Mac App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200). Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Reading Journal Renaissance: How to Save Quotes, Notes, and Highlights in 2026 URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/reading-journal-quotes-notes-highlights-guide/ For most of the 20th century the reading journal was a private object. Some readers kept one, most did not. Those who did wrote in the margins of their books, kept a separate notebook of favorite passages, taped index cards into the inside cover. The practice had a name in the 17th and 18th centuries (the *commonplace book*), and it nearly disappeared in the digital reading age. In 2026 the reading journal is having a quiet renaissance. The trigger is a combination of three things: the broader “second brain” movement that has made note-taking a personal practice for non-students, the BookTok generation rediscovering marginalia and annotated reading, and the maturity of mobile apps that finally make capturing a quote from a paper book as easy as it always was from an ebook. This guide explains what a reading journal is in 2026, why so many readers are starting one (or going back to one), the six elements of a complete digital reading journal, the practical setup with **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**, and which setups fit which kinds of readers. The choice of Book Tracker as the example is not accidental. Among reading apps, it is the one with the most complete journal stack (quotes, notes, OCR camera capture, multi-format support, native iCloud privacy), and the only one that runs natively across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. > **Quick answer.** A reading journal in 2026 is the personal collection of quotes, notes, highlights, and reflections from your reading life. The six elements of a complete digital journal are (1) quotes copied or captured from the text, (2) notes you write in your own voice, (3) highlights from ebooks, (4) marginalia (your reactions to passages), (5) per-session reflections, (6) a yearly recap. To set one up, install Book Tracker, use the OCR camera to capture quotes from paper books in seconds, add notes per book, and let iCloud keep everything private and synced across your Apple devices. The full journal stays on your devices, not on any server. ## What you’ll find in this guide - [Why the reading journal is back in 2026](#renaissance) - [What a reading journal is for, beyond aesthetic](#purpose) - [Digital vs physical: which one is right for you](#digital-vs-physical) - [The six elements of a complete reading journal](#elements) - [How to keep a reading journal across paper, ebooks, and audiobooks](#formats) - [The commonplace book methodology, applied to your phone](#commonplace) - [How to set up your reading journal with Book Tracker](#setup) - [Three reader profiles, three journal setups](#profiles) - [Mistakes to avoid](#mistakes) - [FAQ](#faq) ## 1. Why the reading journal is back in 2026 Three currents have converged. The first is the **second brain** movement. In the last five years, personal knowledge management has moved from a niche practice (Tiago Forte, Niklas Luhmann’s Zettelkasten) to a mainstream interest. The tools are different now (Obsidian, Notion, Apple Notes), but the underlying habit is old: capture ideas you encounter, link them to other ideas, return to them later. A reading journal is the most concrete entry point into that practice for non-academics. The second is **BookTok and visual reading culture**. The TikTok generation has rediscovered marginalia, annotated books, color-coded sticky tabs, and the aesthetic of “the reading life”. A reading journal is the natural extension of that culture into digital space. The aesthetic is part of the appeal, but the substance follows. The third is **maturity of mobile capture tools**. In 2018, getting a quote from a paper book into a digital library meant retyping it. In 2026, you point your phone camera at the page and OCR captures the text instantly. The friction has collapsed. When friction collapses, habits become possible that were not before. The result: more readers are keeping journals than at any time in the last 50 years, and they are keeping them digitally, in apps that respect their privacy and let the data move across their devices. For the perennial debate of digital versus paper journals, see [Digital vs Physical Reading Journals: Which One is Right for You?](https://booktrack.app/blog/digital-vs-physical-reading-journals-which-one-is-right-for-you/). ## 2. What a reading journal is for, beyond aesthetic A reading journal has at least four distinct purposes. Most readers start because of one and stay because of another. **Memory.** Books fade. Even good ones, the ones that felt life-changing while you were reading them. Six months later you remember the cover and a vague feeling. A reading journal preserves the parts you do not want to forget: a passage that stopped you, an idea you want to chew on, an argument you want to revisit. **Thinking.** Writing about what you read forces you to articulate what you actually understood. The act of paraphrasing a chapter, or arguing back to a passage in the margins, is one of the most reliable ways to convert reading from passive entertainment into actual learning. **Connections.** Once you have a year of quotes and notes, patterns emerge. The same theme keeps surfacing across very different books. A character you encountered in one novel rhymes with a real person from a memoir. These connections are invisible book by book and obvious when the journal is searchable. **Identity.** Over years, your reading journal becomes a personal anthology. The books that mattered to you in 2024 are different from the ones that mattered in 2026. The journal is a slow-motion self-portrait. A casual tracker app gives you a list of titles. A reading journal gives you a body of work. ## 3. Digital vs physical: which one is right for you The honest answer is: it depends, and they coexist beautifully. ### Physical journals win at The tactile pleasure of writing by hand. The slower pace, which often produces better thoughts. The freedom from screens. The aesthetic permanence. ### Digital journals win at Searchability (you can find every quote that mentions “memory” across three years of reading in two seconds). Capture speed (OCR a paper page in 5 seconds instead of transcribing for 2 minutes). Cross-device access (the journal is on your phone, iPad, Mac, all synced). Multi-format coverage (you can have quotes from paper books, ebook highlights, and audiobook timestamps in the same place). Resilience (a notebook can be lost; an iCloud-synced library cannot). ### The combo that works for most readers Use a physical notebook for **longhand reflection** (your reactions, your thinking, the slow-writing parts). Use a digital app for **capture and search** (quotes pulled from text, structured by book, fully indexed). The two complement rather than compete. The physical notebook is where you write *about* your reading; the digital journal is where you store the reading itself. The full argument is in [Digital vs Physical Reading Journals: Which One is Right for You?](https://booktrack.app/blog/digital-vs-physical-reading-journals-which-one-is-right-for-you/). ## 4. The six elements of a complete reading journal A serious reading journal has six layers. You can start with one and grow into the others. ### Element 1. Quotes The text you copy from the book. Verbatim, exact, with the page number when possible. This is the simplest element and the foundation of everything else. How it works in Book Tracker: every book has a Quotes section. You can add a quote by typing, by pasting (useful for ebooks), or by **camera OCR**: point your phone at the page, Book Tracker captures the text instantly. For the complete walkthrough of the OCR feature see [How OCR Quote Capture Works (and Why It is a Game-Changer)](https://booktrack.app/blog/ocr-quote-capture-guide/). ### Element 2. Notes Your own writing about a book. This is where you process what you read in your own voice. Notes can be one line or one essay. They live attached to the book. How it works in Book Tracker: every book has a Notes section. Free-form, formatted text. See the tutorial [How to add notes and quotes to books in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-notes-and-quotes-to-books-in-book-tracker/) and the FAQ [Can I add quotes, notes, or personal thoughts for books?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-quotes-notes-or-personal-thoughts-for-books/). ### Element 3. Highlights from ebooks If you read on Kindle, Apple Books, or any ebook reader, you already make highlights. The question is whether they migrate into your reading journal or stay trapped inside the ebook app. The current state of the art has limits. Apple Books exports work well. Kindle exports work via “Notes & Highlights” page on Amazon, with some friction. For an honest discussion of what is possible today see [Can I import notes or highlights from Kindle?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-notes-or-highlights-from-kindle/). ### Element 4. Marginalia The reactions you write in the margins of a paper book: question marks, exclamation points, “yes, but…”, the names of other books that come to mind. Traditionally these stayed in the physical book and were lost when you lent it or sold it. In digital form, marginalia become notes attached to a specific quote: “this contradicts the chapter on attention in Cal Newport’s *Deep Work*“, “compare with page 142 of the same book”, “this is the same idea as Stoicism but reframed”. These are the most personally valuable entries in any reading journal, because they capture the thinking you do *while* reading. ### Element 5. Per-session reflections A short note at the end of a reading session: what stayed with you, what you want to come back to. Sessions become micro-entries in your journal, with timestamp and book attached. In Book Tracker, when you log a reading session you can attach a brief note. Over time these reflections become a layer of personal commentary that complements the quotes. ### Element 6. The yearly recap At the end of the year, the journal becomes a story: the books that mattered most, the quotes you returned to, the themes that ran through your reading. This is the “Spotify Wrapped for books” moment, but personal rather than shareable: a private retrospective of what you read and what you thought about it. Book Tracker has a Year in Review feature exactly for this. See [More Than Music: How to Get Your Own Spotify Wrapped for Books](https://booktrack.app/blog/more-than-music-how-to-get-your-own-spotify-wrapped-for-books-and-share-it/). ## 5. How to keep a reading journal across paper, ebooks, and audiobooks A modern reader splits attention across at least three formats. A reading journal that works only for one of them is incomplete. ### Paper books The hardest format to digitize. Traditional capture means retyping, which kills the habit. OCR camera capture, available in Book Tracker, fixes this: point camera at page, get text in seconds. See the spoke guide [How OCR Quote Capture Works (and Why It is a Game-Changer)](https://booktrack.app/blog/ocr-quote-capture-guide/). For longer passages (a paragraph or two), OCR works well. For a single sentence, OCR works perfectly. For a whole chapter, you do not want to capture all of it: you want to capture the sentences that mattered to you, not transcribe the book. ### Ebooks Highlights live in the ebook app. Apple Books exports cleanly. Kindle requires the workaround described in [Can I import notes or highlights from Kindle?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-notes-or-highlights-from-kindle/). The pattern that works for most readers: highlight in the ebook app while reading, periodically copy the highlights you really want to keep into Book Tracker’s Quotes section for the book. ### Audiobooks The hardest format to journal because there is no visible text. The practical workaround: when a passage strikes you while listening, pause the audiobook, open Book Tracker on iPhone or Apple Watch, dictate a short note. The voice-to-text capture preserves the gist even if not the exact words. For a serious passage you can later find the chapter and capture the exact quote from a paper or ebook copy. The advantage of having all three formats in the same journal: searching for “memory” returns quotes from a paper novel, highlights from an ebook of cognitive psychology, and dictated notes from an audiobook memoir. The connections that emerge are the real payoff. ## 6. The commonplace book methodology, applied to your phone The commonplace book is a 400-year-old practice. Renaissance scholars, Enlightenment thinkers, Victorian novelists all kept one. The principle is simple: you collect quotes from your reading, organize them by theme rather than by source, and revisit them over time. The book is not a list of what you read; it is a personal anthology of ideas you encountered. In 2026 this practice translates well to a digital reading journal with one essential addition: **tags**. The traditional commonplace book had handwritten thematic indexes. The digital version has tags, which are infinitely more flexible. A practical setup: - Save quotes as you read, attached to their original book (preserves the source). - Tag each quote with one or two themes (`memory`, `attention`, `solitude`, `power`, `craft`). - Once you have 50-100 tagged quotes, browsing by tag reveals patterns you did not see book by book. - Periodically revisit a tag to read the entire thread of quotes on that theme across your reading. Book Tracker supports tagging on books, but the tagging of individual quotes is a journaling practice you can adopt manually by adding the theme as part of the note attached to the quote. For organizational tag strategy at the book level see the tutorial [How to use Tags and Smart Lists to organize your collection](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-tags-and-smart-lists-to-organize-your-collection/) and the related post [How to Organize Your Library with Tags in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-organize-your-library-with-tags-in-book-tracker/). The commonplace approach combines beautifully with the second-brain workflow: your reading journal becomes the *input layer* of a broader personal knowledge management practice. You can later export your quotes (via CSV, see [Can I export my library from Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-export-my-library-from-book-tracker/)) and bring them into Obsidian, Notion, or whatever knowledge tool you use, with full attribution preserved. ## 7. How to set up your reading journal with Book Tracker This is the concrete, twenty-minute setup. ### Step 1. Install Book Tracker [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. [Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12) for Mac. Skip the account screen because there is none. The library syncs across all your Apple devices via iCloud. ### Step 2. Add the books you are currently reading Scan the barcodes of any paper books on your nightstand. For ebooks, search by title in Book Tracker’s add-book screen. See [How to add a new book in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-a-new-book-in-book-tracker/). ### Step 3. Capture your first quote Open one of the books in your library. Tap the Quotes section. Tap the camera icon. Point at a passage in the paper book. The OCR captures the text in 2-3 seconds. Edit lightly if needed. Save. The first quote captured this way is usually a small revelation. The friction has dropped to almost nothing. ### Step 4. Add your first note Same book. Tap the Notes section. Write a paragraph in your own voice about why this book matters to you, or what you noticed in the last chapter, or anything else. Free-form. Save. ### Step 5. Build the habit The journal works only if you use it. Two practical commitments that work for most readers: A. **Capture one quote per book**. Minimum. Just one. Most readers find that, once they start, the count rises naturally to 5-15 per book. B. **Write a one-paragraph note when you finish a book**. Even if it is “I did not love this, but the chapter on X was useful”. Future you will appreciate having something rather than nothing. ### Step 6. Set up a quote widget Add the Book Tracker **Quote widget** to your iPhone Home Screen or Lock Screen. It rotates through your saved quotes. See [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/). This is the small daily reminder that the journal exists and that you have something to look at. ### Step 7. Review at year-end When the year ends, open Book Tracker’s Year in Review. Browse your top quotes, the books that produced the most journal entries, the themes that ran through your reading. This becomes a private annual ritual. ## 8. Three reader profiles, three journal setups ### The casual journaler You read mostly fiction. You want to remember a handful of passages and your one-line reactions, without it becoming homework. Setup: capture 2-5 quotes per book via OCR. Write a one-paragraph “after-thoughts” note when you finish each book. Skip everything else. Add the Quote widget to your phone. Total time per book: 10 minutes spread across reading. Result: a private anthology that, after one year, you will love rereading. ### The serious nonfiction reader You read for ideas and you want to retain what you read. The journal is part of your learning practice. Setup: capture every passage you would highlight in a paper book (OCR camera + manual typing). Add a marginalia-style note alongside each important quote, in your own voice. Tag each quote with 1-2 themes you care about (`craft`, `attention`, `power`, etc., the themes that recur in your reading). Periodically (monthly is good) review by tag. Total time per book: 30-60 minutes spread across reading. Result: a personal knowledge base of ideas. ### The aspiring writer or researcher You read with output in mind. The journal feeds your writing or research practice. Setup: everything above, plus per-session reflections (a short note after every reading session about what you would steal, what you would push back on, what you want to come back to). Periodic export of your Book Tracker library to CSV (see [How to export your library from Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-export-your-library-from-book-tracker/)) into your second-brain tool of choice (Obsidian, Notion, Apple Notes, plain Markdown files). Result: a working corpus of source material with attribution preserved. ## 9. Mistakes to avoid **Trying to capture everything.** The journal works because it is selective. If you try to OCR every paragraph that strikes you, you will burn out in a week. Capture only what would survive a one-month delay. If you are still thinking about a passage tomorrow, capture it then. **Treating it as homework.** A reading journal that feels obligatory does not survive. The right amount is whatever makes you smile when you reread a quote three months later. For most people that is fewer entries than they initially think. **Skipping the source.** A quote without a book attached is useless six months later. Always have the source (which is automatic in Book Tracker because quotes are attached to books). **Choosing a tool with no export.** Your journal will accumulate value over years. Make sure you can take it with you. Book Tracker exports the full library to CSV including notes and quotes. See [Can I export my library from Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-export-my-library-from-book-tracker/). **Using a journal that requires an account.** Reading is intimate. A journal of your reading should not live on someone else’s server. See the [Manifesto](https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/), [Why Book Tracker is a privacy-first app](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/why-book-tracker-is-a-privacy-first-app/), and [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/). ## 10. FAQ **Q: What is a reading journal?** A reading journal is a personal collection of quotes, notes, highlights, and reflections from your reading life. It complements a reading tracker (which lists what you read) by capturing what you thought and felt about what you read. **Q: Is a digital reading journal as good as a paper one?** For different purposes. A paper journal is better for longhand reflection and the meditative aspect. A digital journal is better for capture speed, search, and cross-format coverage. Many readers use both. **Q: How do I capture a quote from a paper book without retyping it?** Use OCR (optical character recognition). Apps like Book Tracker have a camera-based OCR feature: point your phone camera at a page, and the text is captured in a few seconds. See [How OCR Quote Capture Works](https://booktrack.app/blog/ocr-quote-capture-guide/). **Q: Can I import my Kindle highlights into a reading journal app?** Yes, with some friction. Kindle stores highlights on Amazon’s “Notes & Highlights” page, from which you can copy them out. See [Can I import notes or highlights from Kindle?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-notes-or-highlights-from-kindle/). **Q: What is a commonplace book and how is it different from a reading journal?** A commonplace book is a 400-year-old practice of collecting quotes organized by theme rather than by source. A reading journal is broader: it includes quotes (potentially organized by theme), but also notes, reflections, and marginalia, often organized by book. A digital reading journal with tags can include the commonplace book methodology as one layer. **Q: Where are my quotes and notes stored if I use Book Tracker?** On your devices and in your private iCloud account, end-to-end encrypted by Apple. There is no Book Tracker server holding your data. See [Where your data is stored in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/where-your-data-is-stored-in-book-tracker/). **Q: Can I export my reading journal if I switch apps later?** Yes. Book Tracker exports the full library (including quotes and notes) to CSV. See [Can I export my library from Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-export-my-library-from-book-tracker/) and [How to export your library from Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-export-your-library-from-book-tracker/). **Q: How many quotes should I capture per book?** Whatever feels natural. Casual readers tend toward 2-5 per book; serious nonfiction readers often capture 10-30. The right number is whatever you will actually want to reread. **Q: Will a reading journal sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac?** If the app supports iCloud sync, yes. Book Tracker does. The journal lives on all your Apple devices, with no account required. See [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/). ## Verdict A reading journal turns reading from a stream you forget into a body of work you can return to. The 2026 advantage is that the technical friction (capture, search, cross-device, privacy) has finally dropped low enough that the practice scales to your actual reading volume. The minimum effective dose is small: one quote per book and a one-paragraph after-thoughts note. The maximum is whatever your interest can sustain. Both extremes produce value, because they both produce something that did not exist before: a personal record of your encounter with the books you read. If you read regularly and you have not started one yet, the best time was a decade ago. The second best time is today. [**Download Book Tracker on the App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, or [**on the Mac App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200). **Continue reading:** - [How OCR Quote Capture Works (and Why It is a Game-Changer)](https://booktrack.app/blog/ocr-quote-capture-guide/) for the practical guide to camera capture. - [Digital vs Physical Reading Journals: Which One is Right for You?](https://booktrack.app/blog/digital-vs-physical-reading-journals-which-one-is-right-for-you/) for the philosophical side. - [The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/) for the cataloging pillar. - [The Complete Guide to Tracking Your Reading on Apple Devices in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/tracking-reading-apple-devices-guide/) for the Apple-native setup. - [Best Goodreads Alternatives for iPhone in 2026 (Privacy-First)](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-goodreads-for-ios/) for the broader alternatives picture. - [More Than Music: How to Get Your Own Spotify Wrapped for Books](https://booktrack.app/blog/more-than-music-how-to-get-your-own-spotify-wrapped-for-books-and-share-it/) for the year-end recap angle. - [How to add notes and quotes to books in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-notes-and-quotes-to-books-in-book-tracker/) for the practical app tutorial. - [Book Tracker Tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/) and [FAQ](https://booktrack.app/faq/). Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Reading on Apple Watch: A Complete Guide for Bookworms (2026) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/reading-apple-watch-guide/ For most readers, “reading on Apple Watch” sounds like a contradiction. The screen is tiny. Nobody reads novels on a 45mm display. So what is the Apple Watch actually for, in the life of someone who reads regularly? The answer is small but meaningful. The Watch is not where you read; it is where you start, stop, and track reading without having to dig out your phone. It is also where the data of your reading life lives ambient on your wrist, the same way fitness data does. For readers who already wear an Apple Watch all day, adding a reading dimension to it is one of the small upgrades that compounds over months: more sessions logged, more accurate statistics, less friction between “I want to read for 20 minutes” and “I am now reading for 20 minutes”. This guide explains exactly what an Apple Watch can do for your reading practice, how to set it up with **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**, and which workflows are actually worth building. Book Tracker is currently the most complete reading app for watchOS, with a dedicated Watch app rather than a notification shell. > **Quick answer:** the four useful things an Apple Watch does for readers in 2026 are (1) start and stop a reading session from your wrist when your phone is across the room, (2) glance at what you are currently reading without unlocking anything, (3) keep the active reading session timer visible as a complication on your watch face, (4) trigger Siri Shortcuts to chain reading with Focus modes, HomeKit, or other automations. Book Tracker has a native Apple Watch app that does all four. ## What you’ll find in this guide - [Why use Apple Watch for reading at all](#why) - [What an Apple Watch can and cannot do for readers](#can-cannot) - [Setting up Book Tracker on Apple Watch (5 minutes)](#setup) - [The five Apple Watch reading workflows that are actually useful](#workflows) - [Adding a reading complication to your watch face](#complication) - [Combining Watch with Siri Shortcuts](#shortcuts) - [FAQ](#faq) ## 1. Why use Apple Watch for reading at all Three small frictions are silently killing your reading data. The first is **starting**. You sit down with a book, you want to time the session, but your phone is on the kitchen counter or in another room. Walking to fetch it breaks the flow. Most people just skip the timer and start reading. The session does not get logged. The second is **stopping**. You finished a chapter, time to put the book down. To stop the timer you unlock your phone, find the app, find the active session, tap stop. By the time you do all that you have lost ten seconds of the silent attention you just built. So you do not bother. The session keeps running, or you forget about it entirely. The third is **checking**. You wonder how far along you are on the reading challenge, or what you are currently reading. The check is two taps away on your phone, but the phone is precisely the device you do not want to look at while you are trying to read more. The Apple Watch fixes all three. Wrist actions are zero-friction. A glance at a complication is not the same dopamine trap as picking up the phone. The data starts to flow into the app accurately because logging stops being a chore. For the broader picture of how Apple-native features change reading habits in 2026 see the parent guide [The Complete Guide to Tracking Your Reading on Apple Devices in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/tracking-reading-apple-devices-guide/). ## 2. What an Apple Watch can and cannot do for readers Let’s be honest about scope. ### What Apple Watch can do for readers Start a reading session timer on your wrist with one tap. Stop a session and log it automatically (start time, end time, duration). Show your currently reading list as a glanceable list, no phone needed. Display the active reading session timer as a complication on your watch face. Sync the session with iPhone, so the same timer state appears on every device. Trigger Siri Shortcuts that combine reading with other actions (“Hey Siri, reading time”). ### What Apple Watch cannot do for readers You cannot read the text of a book on a Watch screen. (You can in theory, on a six-line passage, but it is not what the device is for.) You cannot scan a barcode from your Watch (you would need the iPhone camera). You cannot add a long note or transcribe a quote from your wrist. (Voice dictation works for short notes.) You cannot edit metadata (titles, tags, locations). That is desk work, do it on iPad or Mac. This is the realistic envelope. Inside it, the Watch is genuinely useful. Outside it, do not try to force it. ## 3. Setting up Book Tracker on Apple Watch (5 minutes) - Install **Book Tracker** on your iPhone from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) if you have not already. - Open the **Watch app** on your iPhone (the one Apple ships, not Book Tracker). - Scroll to **Available Apps**. Find Book Tracker. Tap **Install** to push it to your Watch. - Wait about 30 seconds for the app to install on the Watch. - On your Apple Watch, raise the wrist, press the Digital Crown, find the Book Tracker icon. Open it. - The first time it opens, the Watch app syncs with the iPhone library. That’s it. You now have Book Tracker on your wrist. ## 4. The five Apple Watch reading workflows that are actually useful ### Workflow 1. Start a reading session from your wrist You sit down with a book. Phone is in another room. Raise your wrist, open Book Tracker, tap **Start Session** on the currently reading book. Timer starts. When you finish, raise wrist again, tap **Stop**. Session is logged with start, end, and duration. You never had to touch your phone. This is the single most useful Watch workflow. If your habit is “I read better when my phone is not in arm’s reach”, this is the feature you have been waiting for. ### Workflow 2. Check what you are currently reading You walk past a bookcase. You wonder “what was I in the middle of?”. Raise wrist, open Book Tracker, you see the list of currently reading books with covers. Three seconds. This is also useful at a bookshop, when a friend asks for a recommendation: a quick glance at your currently reading or recently read list, no scrolling on a phone in the middle of conversation. ### Workflow 3. Use the active session as a watch face complication If you add the Book Tracker complication to your watch face (see next section), the active reading session shows up as a complication when running. You can see “23 minutes elapsed” directly on your watch face as you read. When the session ends, the complication returns to its idle state. This is the equivalent of the “Workout in progress” complication that Fitness app users know well, applied to reading. ### Workflow 4. Stop a session you forgot about A common embarrassment with reading session timers: you start a session, get distracted, walk away, and forget the timer is running. Hours later you remember and your session is logged as 4 hours of “reading” that was actually 22 minutes plus a lunch. The Watch fixes this because the complication is visible. You glance at your watch face during the day, you see “Reading 2:31:14” and immediately stop the runaway session, then correct the duration on iPhone later. ### Workflow 5. Glance at reading challenge progress Add the Reading Challenge widget to a watch face (it comes as a complication when supported). At a glance you see “32 of 60 books read this year”. This is the smallest, ambient kind of motivational nudge: not a notification, just a number you happen to see when you check the time. ## 5. Adding a reading complication to your watch face The reading complication is what turns the Watch from “an app you sometimes open” to “an ambient piece of your reading life”. - On your iPhone, open the **Watch app** (Apple’s). - Choose your active watch face under **My Faces**. - Tap on a complication slot (the small areas around the time display where complications live). - From the picker, find **Book Tracker** and choose the complication style you prefer. - Active reading session timer (recommended if you read at least daily) - Currently reading book cover (recommended for a more visual face) - Reading challenge progress (recommended if you are goal-driven) - Save. Switch to that face on your wrist. Repeat the process for any other watch face you rotate through. If you have an Apple Watch Ultra and you use the Modular Ultra face, the larger complication slots are particularly good for the reading session timer because they fit “Currently reading: [Title] / 23:14” in a readable size. ## 6. Combining Watch with Siri Shortcuts The Watch is also a powerful Shortcuts trigger. If you build a Shortcut called “Reading time” that: - Turns on a Focus mode (Reading, or Do Not Disturb) - Starts a Book Tracker reading session for your currently reading book - (Optional) Adjusts HomeKit lights to a warmer setting - (Optional) Starts an ambient sound or playlist Then you can trigger the entire sequence from your wrist by saying “Hey Siri, reading time”. One sentence, full setup, zero phone interaction. For the full Shortcuts walkthrough with Book Tracker see [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/). ## 7. FAQ **Q: Do I need an Apple Watch to use Book Tracker?** No. Book Tracker works completely on iPhone (and on iPad and Mac via iCloud sync). The Apple Watch app is an optional add-on that you get for free if you install Book Tracker and you happen to have a paired Watch. **Q: Does the Apple Watch app cost extra?** No. It comes bundled with the iPhone app at no additional cost. **Q: Which Apple Watch models does Book Tracker support?** Any Apple Watch running a recent version of watchOS supports Book Tracker. If your Watch runs current Apple software updates, you are fine. **Q: Can I add a book to my library from my Apple Watch?** Not directly. Add books on iPhone with the barcode scanner, then everything else (timing, glancing, organizing the reading rhythm) happens on the Watch. **Q: Does the timer keep running if the Watch goes to sleep?** Yes. Active reading sessions persist even when the screen is off, and resume display when you raise your wrist. The same session also appears on iPhone via iCloud sync. **Q: Will the active reading session show up as a Live Activity on iPhone too?** Yes. If you start a session from the Watch, the same session shows as a Live Activity on the iPhone Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. They are the same session, viewed from different devices. See [How to use Live Activity with the Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/). **Q: My Watch shows the wrong currently reading book. Why?** The Watch displays the books marked as Currently Reading in your library. If the wrong book appears, the fix is on iPhone: change the status of the right book to Currently Reading and the Watch updates. See the FAQ [How can I mark a book as To Read, Reading, Read, or Abandoned?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-can-i-mark-a-book-as-to-read-reading-finished-or-abandoned/). **Q: Can I see reading statistics on the Apple Watch?** You can see aggregate progress via complications (e.g. Reading Challenge percentage). For detailed statistics (genre breakdown, monthly trends, time-of-day patterns) the proper place is iPhone, iPad, or Mac. See [How to view and understand your reading statistics](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-view-and-understand-your-reading-statistics/). **Q: I do not see the Book Tracker complication options on my watch face.** Two common causes. First, make sure Book Tracker is actually installed on the Watch (open Watch app on iPhone, scroll to Installed on Apple Watch, confirm it is there). Second, some watch face styles only allow specific complication categories; try a different face style to see all available complications. If issues persist, restart both devices. ## What’s next The Apple Watch is the smallest piece of the Apple-native reading stack but the one with the highest friction-reduction-per-square-inch. Combine it with widgets on iPhone, Live Activity, Widget Controls, and the Mac app for the full ambient experience. For the broader Apple ecosystem context see [The Complete Guide to Tracking Your Reading on Apple Devices in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/tracking-reading-apple-devices-guide/). For setting up widgets and Live Activity, see [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/) and [How to use Live Activity with the Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/). For the Shortcuts side, [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/). [**Download Book Tracker on the App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (iPhone + iPad + Apple Watch) or [**on the Mac App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (Mac). The Apple Watch app installs automatically with the iPhone version. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Complete Guide to Tracking Your Reading on Apple Devices in 2026 URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/tracking-reading-apple-devices-guide/ Most “best reading app” guides treat iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch as the same thing. They aren’t. In 2026 the gap between an app that simply runs on iOS and an app that lives fully in the Apple ecosystem is the widest it has ever been, and for reading apps specifically that gap shows up in places you consult dozens of times per week: the Home Screen widget you check while waiting for coffee, the Live Activity that keeps your reading session visible without unlocking the phone, the Widget Control that starts a session from the Lock Screen, the Mac sidebar where you triage what to read this weekend, the glance on Apple Watch that tells you how close you are to your annual goal. This guide explains how a serious reading workflow looks on Apple devices in 2026, the seven native features that matter most, how to combine them into a stack that follows you across all your devices, and how to set it up end to end with **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**. Book Tracker is the only reading app on the App Store that runs natively on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch with full feature parity. It is the canonical example for the workflow described here, so most concrete examples will reference it. The principles apply to any reading app you choose. > **Quick answer:** the seven Apple-native features that change how you track reading in 2026 are (1) iCloud sync with no account, (2) Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets, (3) Live Activity for active reading sessions, (4) iOS 18 Controls for one-tap actions from Control Center or Lock Screen, (5) a real Apple Watch app, (6) a real Mac app that is not a Catalyst port, and (7) Siri Shortcuts plus App Intents for automation. Book Tracker is currently the only reading app that offers all seven with full feature parity across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. ## What you’ll find in this guide - [Why “reading on Apple devices” is its own category in 2026](#category) - [The 7 Apple-native features that change how you track reading](#features) - [The reading session, redesigned for 2026](#session) - [The Year in Review: Spotify Wrapped for books](#year-in-review) - [How to set up a complete Apple-native reading stack](#setup) - [A reader’s full week, device by device](#week) - [FAQ](#faq) ## 1. Why “reading on Apple devices” is its own category in 2026 For most of the App Store’s history, “iOS reading app” was a category defined by a phone screen and a list of books. The differences between apps were design choices and feature lists. Apple platforms were a deployment target, not a strategy. That changed gradually starting around iOS 14 in 2020 (the year widgets shipped), accelerated with iOS 16’s Live Activities in 2022, and reached a tipping point with Widget Controls and App Intents in 2024. Today an Apple user with an iPhone, an iPad, a Mac, and an Apple Watch lives inside a tightly choreographed ecosystem where the same data, the same focus, the same notification can move across devices instantly. Reading apps that ignore this end up feeling stuck in 2017. The gap is most visible when you look at three things: The **physical context** of reading has fragmented. You read paperbacks in bed, ebooks on commutes, audiobooks while running. A 2026 reading tracker needs to follow your activity across these contexts without forcing you to log everything by hand. The **device context** has multiplied. You start a reading session on iPhone, glance at progress on Apple Watch, jump to your TBR on iPad in bed, edit your library on Mac while organizing the bookshelf. If your app does not sync seamlessly across all four, friction wins. The **interface context** has gotten richer. Lock Screen widgets, Live Activities, Controls, Shortcuts, Spotlight integration. These are not “extras”; they are the new surface area where reading data lives. An app that ignores them is invisible most of the day. For a parallel guide on how to choose the right tracker app in general (not just Apple-specific), see [Finding the Best Reading Tracker App for Your Goals in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/finding-the-best-reading-tracker-app-for-your-goals-in-2026/). For the cataloging side of the same question see [The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/). ## 2. The 7 Apple-native features that change how you track reading ### Feature 1. iCloud sync with no account Most reading apps require an account, then store your data on their servers, then sync via a proprietary cloud. This is a triple penalty: an account you have to maintain, a server you have to trust, and a sync pipeline that is slower and less reliable than Apple’s native one. The Apple-native alternative is iCloud sync with no account. The app uses your existing iCloud account (the one you already trust enough to keep your photos and messages), end-to-end encrypted by Apple, no developer server in the middle. You install the app on a new device, log into iCloud (which you would do anyway), and your library appears. Book Tracker uses this approach. See the FAQ [How do I sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/) and the tutorial [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/). The companion FAQ [Do I need an account to use Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/do-i-need-an-account-to-use-book-tracker-/) and the [Manifesto](https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/) explain the philosophy. ### Feature 2. Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets A widget is the difference between “I need to open the app to know X” and “X is just there when I glance”. For a reading tracker the right widgets answer four questions instantly: What am I currently reading? A widget with the cover, title, and progress bar. What is one quote I want to keep in mind? A widget that rotates through your saved highlights. Where am I on my reading challenge? A widget with the year progress. How am I doing this week? A widget with daily reading minutes or pages. Book Tracker offers seven widget types covering all of these. The full setup walkthrough is in the tutorial [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/). ### Feature 3. Live Activity for active reading sessions Live Activity is the iOS 16+ feature that lets an app keep useful information on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island while a task is in progress. The textbook examples are food delivery and sports scores. For reading, it means starting a reading session and keeping its timer visible on your Lock Screen without unlocking the phone. This matters more than it sounds. The reason most readers fail to track sessions accurately is friction: unlocking, opening the app, finding the right book, tapping start. Live Activity collapses the same workflow into one tap with persistent feedback. The session becomes a glanceable object, like a workout in progress. Book Tracker has Live Activity for reading sessions. See the tutorial [How to use Live Activity with the Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/). ### Feature 4. Widget Controls iOS 18 introduced **Controls**, a new kind of UI primitive: small one-tap actions you can place in Control Center, on your Lock Screen, or assigned to the Action Button. They are essentially super-shortcuts that live one swipe away at all times. For a reading tracker, Controls turn the most common actions into single taps without opening the app: Start a reading session. Open the barcode scanner. Jump to your wishlist. Open your current series. Jump to a specific tag or shelf. Book Tracker ships with more than 18 Controls covering these flows. The list includes ReadingTimerToggle, OpenBarcodeScanControl, OpenReadingBookControl, OpenSearchOnlineControl, plus dedicated Controls to jump straight to Authors, Bookcases, Categories, Filters, Illustrators, Lists, Locations, Narrators, Publishers, Series, Shelves, Tags, and Translators. For the broader Apple ecosystem context see [How Book Tracker integrates with iOS and macOS features](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-book-tracker-integrates-with-ios-and-macos-features/). ### Feature 5. A real Apple Watch app Most reading apps do not have an Apple Watch app. Most that do have a watch app it is a smart notification, not a real app: a screen with the cover of your current book and nothing more. A useful Watch app for reading does three specific things: Starts and stops a reading session from your wrist, useful when your phone is across the room (which is exactly when you want to read without distraction). Shows your currently reading list at a glance, useful when you walk past a bookcase and ask yourself “what was I in the middle of?”. Surfaces the active reading session as a complication on your watch face, so the timer is visible while you read. Book Tracker has a dedicated Apple Watch app with all three. For the full walkthrough see the companion post [Reading on Apple Watch: A Complete Guide for Bookworms](https://booktrack.app/blog/reading-apple-watch-guide/). ### Feature 6. A real Mac app A surprising number of “Mac apps” in the App Store are iPad apps recompiled with minimal changes. They work, but they feel wrong on macOS: no proper menu bar, no keyboard shortcuts beyond the basics, no drag-and-drop, no multi-window support, no native macOS conventions. A real Mac reading app does the obvious things: Native sidebar with sources (All Books, Library, Wishlist, Read, Reading, plus your custom Smart Lists and Bookcases). Full keyboard support. Drag-and-drop for bulk operations (assigning tags, moving books between shelves). Spotlight integration so your library is searchable system-wide. Native menu bar with proper File / Edit / View / Window / Help menus and standard macOS keyboard shortcuts. Book Tracker for Mac is a real Mac app, separately released on the Mac App Store ([Download Book Tracker for Mac](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)). It shares iCloud sync with the iPhone version but offers a layout designed specifically for macOS. ### Feature 7. Siri Shortcuts and App Intents If you want reading to be a stable part of your daily routine, automation helps. Siri Shortcuts and App Intents let you script the actions you do most often: “Hey Siri, start my reading session” without opening the app. A Shortcut that triggers Focus mode, dims the lights via HomeKit, and starts a reading session, all from one tap. A morning Shortcut that shows you your wishlist and your reading challenge progress. A Shortcut that, when you scan a barcode in the Camera app, asks if you want to add the book to your wishlist. Book Tracker has full App Intents support with both Siri Shortcuts and the modern App Intents API used by Spotlight, Shortcuts, and automation throughout the system. See the tutorial [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/). ## 3. The reading session, redesigned for 2026 The reading session is the smallest unit of reading data and the most underused. Most apps treat it as an optional log: tap start, tap stop, see the duration. The Apple-native version is much richer. A 2026 reading session has four components running in parallel: A **timer** that starts when you tap start. Persists if the app closes. Persists across device boundaries via iCloud. A **Live Activity** on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island so you can glance at elapsed time without unlocking the phone. A **complication** on the Apple Watch face so the same timer is visible on your wrist while you read. A **shortcut entry point** so you can start the session by voice (“Hey Siri, start reading”) or by Control Center tap, without opening the app at all. When you combine the four, the reading session stops being a chore you forget and becomes a glanceable, ambient object. The friction drops to near-zero, and as a result you actually log sessions, which means your statistics start to mean something. The mechanics in Book Tracker are documented in the tutorial [How to track detailed reading progress with pages, time, or percentage](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-detailed-reading-progress-with-pages-time-or-percentage/). ## 4. The Year in Review: Spotify Wrapped for books Spotify Wrapped is one of the most successful product features of the last decade because it does something very simple: it takes a year of behavior you barely noticed and turns it into a story you want to share. Reading deserves the same treatment. A real Year in Review for reading shows you: The number of books finished, broken down by month and by genre. The cumulative pages read and hours spent reading, with the inevitable comparison to last year. Your “longest streak” of consecutive reading days. Your most-read author and most-read series. The book you took longest to finish and the one that flew by. The format split (paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook). A shareable summary card that captures all of it. Book Tracker has a dedicated Year in Review feature. The way it works and the cultural moment it taps into is covered in [More Than Music: How to Get Your Own Spotify Wrapped for Books](https://booktrack.app/blog/more-than-music-how-to-get-your-own-spotify-wrapped-for-books-and-share-it/). The deeper point is that you only get a great Year in Review if you have great underlying data. And you only have great underlying data if logging is frictionless. Which brings us back to widgets, Live Activity, Controls, and Watch. ## 5. How to set up a complete Apple-native reading stack with Book Tracker This is the practical setup. Twenty minutes of work, then it runs forever. ### On iPhone - Install **Book Tracker** from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200). - Skip the account screen (there isn’t one). Confirm iCloud sync is on. - Add your first book with the barcode scanner. See [How to add a new book in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-a-new-book-in-book-tracker/). - Set your Reading Challenge for the year. See [How to set and follow your Yearly Reading Challenge](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-set-and-follow-your-yearly-reading-challenge/). - Long-press on your Home Screen. Add the **Currently Reading** widget (medium size) and the **Reading Challenge** widget (small or medium). See [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/) for all seven widget types and the right placement for each. - Open Control Center. Edit. Add the **Reading Timer Toggle** Control and the **Open Barcode Scanner** Control. Now they are one swipe away. - (Optional) If you have an Action Button (iPhone 15 Pro and later), assign it to the Reading Timer Toggle Control. Now reading is one button press away. ### On iPad - Install **Book Tracker** from the same App Store account. Your library appears via iCloud, no re-import needed. - The iPad version uses a real sidebar layout (not a stretched iPhone view). Customize the sidebar to your reading workflow. See [How to customize the Home on iPhone and the Sidebar on iPad and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-the-home-on-iphone-and-the-sidebar-on-ipad-and-mac/). - Add the same widgets to the iPad Home Screen, larger sizes for the bigger screen. ### On Mac - Install **Book Tracker** from the [Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200). Note: iOS and Mac are separate purchases, see the FAQ [Why do I need to buy Book Tracker separately on iOS and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-do-i-need-to-buy-book-tracker-separately-on-ios-and-mac/). - Sign in with the same iCloud account. Library appears. - Customize the sidebar with your Smart Lists. - Use the Mac to do the heavy organizational work: bulk-edit tags, set up Locations and Bookcases, manage Series order. This kind of work is much faster with a keyboard. See [How to use Bulk Edit in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-bulk-edit-in-book-tracker/). ### On Apple Watch - The Watch app installs automatically when you install Book Tracker on the paired iPhone. - Open the Watch app on your iPhone (Apple’s app) and confirm Book Tracker is installed on the Watch. - On your Watch, open Book Tracker. Add a complication to your favorite watch face: the active reading session timer is the most useful. - Now you can start and stop sessions, see your currently reading list, and glance at progress directly on your wrist. For the full Watch walkthrough see [Reading on Apple Watch: A Complete Guide for Bookworms](https://booktrack.app/blog/reading-apple-watch-guide/). ### Across all devices: automation - Open the Shortcuts app on iPhone or Mac. - Create a Shortcut named “Reading time” that: - Turns on Focus mode (Reading or Do Not Disturb) - Starts a Book Tracker reading session for your currently reading book - (Optional) Dims HomeKit lights or plays ambient sound - Add the Shortcut to your Home Screen, your Watch face, or trigger it by saying “Hey Siri, reading time”. See [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/) for the full setup. ## 6. A reader’s full week, device by device Here is what the Apple-native reading workflow looks like across a typical week. Everything below works with Book Tracker today, no plugins, no scripting, no third-party automation. **Monday morning.** You wake up, check your Lock Screen, see the Currently Reading widget showing the book you started Sunday night, 23% in. You also see your Reading Challenge widget, 31 books read of 60, on pace for the goal. You feel good. **Tuesday lunch.** You finish a chapter at the office. You tap the Reading Timer Control from the Action Button on your iPhone, stopping the session. The Live Activity disappears. The session is logged automatically with start time, end time, and duration. You did not have to open the app. **Wednesday evening.** You finish the book. You open Book Tracker on your iPhone, mark it as Read. Two seconds later the same change shows on your iPad on the kitchen counter (iCloud). Your Reading Challenge widget ticks up: 32 of 60. You add a quote you loved by snapping a photo of the page (OCR captures the text automatically). **Thursday morning.** You walk past a used-book sale and grab three books. You open Book Tracker on your iPhone, tap the Scanner Control from Control Center, scan all three back-to-back in bulk mode. All three are in your library in 90 seconds, with full metadata, before you have left the shop. **Friday afternoon.** You are on the bus going home. You glance at your Apple Watch. The currently reading screen shows you have a chapter unread of the new book. You tap “Start session” on the Watch. The timer starts on iPhone and Watch simultaneously. You read for 20 minutes. The session logs itself when you arrive home and the timer stops. **Saturday.** You are at your Mac organizing the physical bookshelf. You move ten books from the “Living Room” location to “Study”. You do this with bulk edit and the keyboard, taking 30 seconds. On iPhone and iPad, the change appears immediately. **Sunday evening.** You set up next week’s reading. You open the Mac app, sort the wishlist, drag two titles to Currently Reading. You add a Smart List rule: “Sci-fi novels under 300 pages in my Wishlist”. You browse the result, pick one as your bus book for next week. This is what tracking reading looks like when the app actually inhabits the Apple ecosystem instead of just running on it. ## 7. FAQ **Q: Is there a reading tracker app that runs natively on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch?** Yes, Book Tracker. It is currently the only reading tracker on the App Store that runs natively on all four Apple platforms with feature parity. Sync happens via iCloud with no account. **Q: Which widgets does a good reading tracker app offer in 2026?** A complete set covers four needs: currently reading (cover plus progress), quote of the day, reading challenge progress, and reading statistics. Book Tracker offers seven widget types covering all of these. **Q: Can I start a reading session from the Lock Screen or Apple Watch without opening the app?** Yes if your app supports Widget Controls or has a Watch app. Book Tracker supports both: a Reading Timer Toggle Control for iPhone Lock Screen and Control Center, and a dedicated Watch app for wrist-based session start. **Q: Does Book Tracker work with Siri?** Yes. Book Tracker has full Siri Shortcuts and App Intents support. You can build Shortcuts that start sessions, scan books, surface your currently reading list, and chain other automations. **Q: Does the Mac app cost extra if I bought it on iPhone?** Yes. The iOS app and the Mac app are separate purchases on the App Store. The FAQ [Why do I need to buy Book Tracker separately on iOS and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-do-i-need-to-buy-book-tracker-separately-on-ios-and-mac-/) explains the reasoning. Your library syncs across both via iCloud regardless. **Q: Does the Year in Review work if I only started tracking mid-year?** Yes, but it will reflect only the period you tracked. To get a full year of data, the simplest path is to import your historical reading from another app at the start (Goodreads, StoryGraph, BookBuddy, and others are all supported, see [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/)). **Q: I have iPhone but no iPad, Mac, or Watch. Is Book Tracker still worth it?** Yes. The iPhone experience alone is complete: cataloging, reading sessions, widgets, Live Activity, Controls, Shortcuts, Year in Review. The other devices add convenience but the iPhone version is not crippled without them. **Q: What happens to my reading data if I stop using the app?** It stays in your iCloud and on your device, and you can export the entire library to CSV at any time. See the FAQ [Can I export my library from Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-export-my-library-from-book-tracker/) and the tutorial [How to export your library from Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-export-your-library-from-book-tracker/). This is part of the privacy-first posture, see [Where your data is stored](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/where-your-data-is-stored-in-book-tracker/). ## Verdict The Apple ecosystem has spent the last six years building the infrastructure for ambient, multi-device, low-friction reading. Most book apps have not caught up. The ones that have, treat reading as something that lives across your day and your devices instead of something you have to remember to log. If you use Apple devices and you read regularly, the right reading tracker is the one that meets you where you already are: on your wrist when you start a session, on your Lock Screen while you read, on your Mac when you organize, on your iPad in bed, and in your private iCloud where your data stays yours. That app today is Book Tracker. [**Download Book Tracker on the App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (iPhone + iPad + Apple Watch) or [**on the Mac App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (Mac). **Continue reading:** - [Reading on Apple Watch: A Complete Guide for Bookworms](https://booktrack.app/blog/reading-apple-watch-guide/) - [The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/) - [Finding the Best Reading Tracker App for Your Goals in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/finding-the-best-reading-tracker-app-for-your-goals-in-2026/) - [More Than Music: How to Get Your Own Spotify Wrapped for Books](https://booktrack.app/blog/more-than-music-how-to-get-your-own-spotify-wrapped-for-books-and-share-it/) - [Bookly vs Book Tracker: Do You Need a Coach or a Librarian?](https://booktrack.app/blog/bookly-vs-book-tracker-do-you-need-a-coach-or-a-librarian/) - [Margins vs Book Tracker: Which Reading App Fits Your Library?](https://booktrack.app/blog/margins-vs-book-tracker/) - [Best Goodreads Alternatives for iPhone in 2026 (Privacy-First)](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-goodreads-for-ios/) - [Book Tracker Tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/) and [FAQ](https://booktrack.app/faq/) Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Import Your Goodreads Library to Book Tracker (Step-by-Step 2026) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-import-goodreads-to-book-tracker/ If you’ve decided to leave Goodreads for better privacy, a real Mac app, an Apple Watch experience, or just a more modern interface, the first question is the same one every reader asks: **“will I lose all my reading history?”** The answer is no. Your books, ratings, reading dates, shelves, and reviews are all preserved in a single CSV file that Goodreads lets you export at any time. The whole migration to **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** takes about 10 minutes, most of which is just waiting for emails and downloads. This guide walks you through the entire process step by step, with every gotcha addressed (missing page counts, missing covers, what happens to your shelves, what doesn’t transfer). > **Quick answer:** to import your Goodreads library to Book Tracker, (1) log into Goodreads on a desktop browser, (2) go to *My Books → Import and Export* and click *Export Library*, (3) save the CSV file to iCloud Drive, (4) open Book Tracker on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, (5) go to *Settings → Import → Goodreads* and select the CSV file. The import takes 1-3 minutes depending on library size. Two minor issues may need fixing afterwards (some books showing 0 pages, some missing covers): both take about 30 seconds each. ## What you’ll find in this guide - [Before you start: what to know](#before) - [Step 1 — Export your Goodreads library (3 min)](#step-1) - [Step 2 — Make the CSV file reachable from your iPhone (1 min)](#step-2) - [Step 3 — Import into Book Tracker (3 min)](#step-3) - [Step 4 — Verify the import (2 min)](#step-4) - [Step 5 — Fix the two common post-import issues (2 min)](#step-5) - [What transfers and what doesn’t](#transfers) - [Should you keep your Goodreads account?](#keep-account) - [FAQ](#faq) ## Before you start: what to know **You’ll need:** a desktop browser to access Goodreads (the export option is hidden on mobile), the Book Tracker app installed on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac (see [Download Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) for iPhone/iPad and [Mac App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12) for Mac), and about 10 minutes. **Library size matters for waiting time but not for steps:** - Under 100 books: import takes about 1 minute. - 100-500 books: 2-3 minutes. - 500-2,000 books: 5-10 minutes. - 2,000+ books: 10-20 minutes. The steps are exactly the same in all cases. Don’t close the app during import. **Account requirement:** Book Tracker doesn’t use accounts. You’ll never have to create one. The library is stored locally on your device and synced via your iCloud account, end-to-end encrypted by Apple. See [Do I need an account to use Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/do-i-need-an-account-to-use-book-tracker/) and [Why Book Tracker is a privacy-first app](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/why-book-tracker-is-a-privacy-first-app/). ## Step 1 — Export your Goodreads library (3 min) The Goodreads export option is only available on the desktop website — not on the iPhone or iPad app. So start from a Mac, PC, or any computer with a browser. - Open [goodreads.com](https://www.goodreads.com/) and log in. - Click your profile image (top-right) → **My Books**. - In the left sidebar, scroll down to the **Tools** section and click **Import and export**. *Direct link if you’re already logged in: [goodreads.com/review/import](https://www.goodreads.com/review/import)* - Scroll down to the **Export your books** section. - Click the **Export Library** button. - Goodreads now generates the file. For most libraries this takes 30 seconds to 2 minutes. The page will refresh automatically when ready, and you’ll see a download link like *“Your export from [date] is ready”*. Click it. - The browser downloads a file named like `goodreads_library_export.csv`. Save it somewhere you’ll remember. **That’s it for Goodreads.** You can close the browser tab. ## Step 2 — Make the CSV file reachable from your iPhone (1 min) If you’re going to import on Mac, you can skip this step. The file is already on your computer. If you’re going to import on iPhone or iPad, you need the file accessible from those devices. The easiest way: **Option A — iCloud Drive (recommended):** - On your Mac (or any computer), drag the `goodreads_library_export.csv` file into any folder inside iCloud Drive. The Desktop and Documents folders work if you have iCloud Drive Desktop & Documents enabled. - Wait 30 seconds for sync. - On your iPhone or iPad, open the **Files** app → **iCloud Drive** → navigate to where you put the file. It’s there. **Option B — Email:** - Email the CSV to yourself. - On your iPhone, open the email, tap the attachment, then **Share** → **Save to Files** → choose any location (iCloud Drive or “On My iPhone”). **Option C — AirDrop:** If both your computer and iPhone have AirDrop enabled, AirDrop the file. On your iPhone, choose to save it to **Files**. ## Step 3 — Import into Book Tracker (3 min) Now the actual import. The flow is identical on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. - Open **Book Tracker**. - Tap (or click) **Settings**. - On iPhone: bottom-right tab. - On iPad: in the sidebar. - On Mac: menu bar **Book Tracker → Settings** (cmd+,). - In Settings, find and tap **Import**. - Select **Goodreads** as the import source. - A file picker opens. Navigate to where you saved the CSV (iCloud Drive, On My iPhone, etc.) and select `goodreads_library_export.csv`. - The import begins. You’ll see a progress indicator. Don’t close the app. - When the progress bar completes, you’ll see a confirmation. Tap **Done**. For the most current version of this procedure see [Migrating from Goodreads](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/) and the broader [How to import your library into Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-import-your-library-into-book-tracker/) tutorial. ## Step 4 — Verify the import (2 min) Take a moment to check that everything came over. **What you should see:** - **Total book count** — should match (or nearly match) your Goodreads library size. Small discrepancies (1-3 books missing) are usually duplicates that Book Tracker correctly merged. - **Reading status** — books from your Goodreads “Read” shelf should be marked **Read**, “Currently Reading” should be **Reading**, and “Want to Read” should be **To Read** (TBR). For details on how reading statuses work, see the FAQ [How can I mark a book as To Read, Reading, Read, or Abandoned?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-can-i-mark-a-book-as-to-read-reading-finished-or-abandoned/). - **Ratings** — your star ratings should be preserved. - **Reading dates** — start and finish dates from Goodreads should be on the right books. - **Reviews/notes** — your written reviews should appear as notes attached to each book. See [How to add notes and quotes to books](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-notes-and-quotes-to-books-in-book-tracker/) for what you can do with them next. **Quick sanity check:** browse to 5-10 books at random across different shelves and verify their data looks right. If everything’s there, you’re 90% done. The remaining 10% is fixing the two known minor issues with Goodreads’ export format. ## Step 5 — Fix the two common post-import issues (2 min) These two issues affect almost every Goodreads import because they’re limitations of Goodreads’ CSV format, not of Book Tracker. ### Issue 1 — Some books show 0 pages **Why it happens:** Goodreads doesn’t always include the page count in the CSV export, especially for older or less-popular editions. **How to fix it:** Book Tracker can re-fetch the page count from its 6 metadata sources, typically from the ISBN if the book has one. The full procedure is in the FAQ [Why are some books showing 0 pages?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-some-books-showing-0-pages-after-import/), and there’s a related tutorial for cases where the page count was wrong from the start: [What to do if a book has the wrong page count](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/what-to-do-if-a-book-has-the-wrong-page-count/). ### Issue 2 — Some covers are missing **Why it happens:** Goodreads CSV exports don’t include cover images. Book Tracker fetches covers from its metadata sources at import time, but for some books (especially obscure editions or non-English titles) the automatic lookup fails. **How to fix it:** the FAQ [Why are covers missing after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-covers-missing-after-import/) walks through the resolution. In short: Book Tracker has a “search remote covers” feature where you can pull a different cover from any of its metadata sources, or upload your own. ### Issue 3 (rare) — Some books didn’t import at all If a handful of books are completely missing, it’s usually because: - The CSV row was malformed (a comma or quote in the title or review broke the parser). - The book had no ISBN and no clean title match in the metadata sources. - It was a duplicate already present in another shelf. For these, just add them manually using the [How to add a new book in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-a-new-book-in-book-tracker/) tutorial. Should be five minutes for half a dozen books. For the broader troubleshooting see [How to fix common CSV import issues](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-fix-common-csv-import-issues-in-book-tracker/). ## What transfers and what doesn’t ### What does transfer ✓ - **All your books** (Read, Currently Reading, Want to Read). - **Star ratings**. - **Reading start and finish dates**. - **Your written reviews** (saved as notes inside Book Tracker). - **ISBN, author, publisher, year** (everything Goodreads stores). - **Custom shelves** (translated to Book Tracker’s tags or shelves system). ### What doesn’t transfer ✗ - **Friends / following relationships**. Book Tracker isn’t a social platform by design — see the [Manifesto](https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/). - **Other people’s reviews** of your books (only your own reviews come over). - **Discussion threads / groups** you participated in. - **Reading challenge progress badges** (the Reading Challenge concept is replicated in Book Tracker, but Goodreads’ specific badges/achievements don’t transfer. Set up your own using the [How to set and follow your Yearly Reading Challenge](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-set-and-follow-your-yearly-reading-challenge/) tutorial). - **Cover images** (re-fetched automatically by Book Tracker from its metadata sources, with manual fallback as described in Step 5). This is intentional. Book Tracker is built as a **private library catalog and reading tracker**, not a social platform. See the parallel guide [Best Goodreads Alternatives for iPhone in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-goodreads-for-ios/) for a comparison of social vs private alternatives. ## Should you keep your Goodreads account? The short answer: **keep it for at least 60 days as a backup**, then decide. The longer answer: even after a flawless import, you may discover something that didn’t transfer: an obscure shelf, a review you really liked, a date that’s wrong by a day. Having Goodreads still active for two months gives you a safety net to go back and check. After 60 days, if you haven’t needed Goodreads once, you can either leave the account dormant (free, no harm done) or delete it from Goodreads → Account Settings → **Close Account**. There’s no rush. ## FAQ **Q: Can I import only my “Want to Read” shelf, not the rest?** The Goodreads CSV export contains all shelves. Book Tracker imports everything but assigns the right reading status to each book based on its original shelf. You don’t need to selectively export. **Q: I have a 5,000-book library. Will the import work?** Yes. Book Tracker handles very large libraries. Users have reported smooth performance at 5,000+ books. Import will take 10-20 minutes; don’t close the app during. For tips on large library performance afterwards see [Tips for syncing large libraries in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/tips-for-syncing-large-libraries-in-book-tracker/). **Q: I imported but some Kindle books are missing or look wrong.** Goodreads sometimes stores Kindle editions with non-standard ISBNs (called ASINs). Book Tracker may not match every Kindle edition perfectly. See the FAQ [Can I import my Kindle library into Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-my-kindle-library-into-book-tracker/) and [Can I add Kindle books to Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-kindle-books-to-book-tracker/). **Q: Will the import sync to my other devices?** Yes. Once the import completes on one device (say your iPhone), iCloud automatically syncs the entire library to your iPad and Mac. No need to repeat the import. See [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/) and the FAQ [How do I sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/). **Q: What if iCloud sync is slow or stuck after the import?** Importing 1,000+ books triggers a large initial iCloud sync, which can take 10-30 minutes. If something seems stuck, see [iCloud sync is not working: how do I fix it?](https://booktrack.app/faq/icloud-sync-is-not-working-how-do-i-fix-it/) and the longer tutorial [How to fix iCloud sync problems in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-fix-icloud-sync-problems-in-book-tracker/). **Q: Can I run the import twice (e.g. if I add new books to Goodreads later)?** Yes, but Book Tracker will deduplicate based on ISBN. If you re-import a year later, only the new books will be added: your existing entries (with all the changes you made in Book Tracker) won’t be overwritten. **Q: Can I import a Goodreads CSV that I’ve manually edited in Excel?** Possible, but risky. Editing the CSV in Excel can break encoding or row structure (Excel famously mangles CSV files). If you need to clean the data, prefer a plain text editor (BBEdit, VS Code, Sublime Text). For broader CSV troubleshooting see [How to fix common CSV import issues in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-fix-common-csv-import-issues-in-book-tracker/). **Q: I have books in multiple languages. Will the import handle them?** Yes. Book Tracker queries 6 metadata sources, which cover most non-English editions. For Japanese manga, Italian editions, Spanish translations etc., the import works correctly in the vast majority of cases. The full list of supported import sources is at [Which apps can I import my library from?](https://booktrack.app/faq/which-apps-can-i-import-my-library-from/). ## You’re done. What now? Now that your library is in Book Tracker, here’s what to explore next: - **Set up your Reading Challenge** for the year — see [How to set and follow your Yearly Reading Challenge](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-set-and-follow-your-yearly-reading-challenge/). - **Organize with Tags and Smart Lists** — see [How to use Tags and Smart Lists](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-tags-and-smart-lists-to-organize-your-collection/). - **If you have physical books, set up Locations, Bookcases, and Shelves** — see [How to organize books with Positions](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-organize-books-with-positions-location-bookcase-shelf/). - **Customize your Home Screen with widgets** — see [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/). - **Try a reading session with Live Activity** — see [How to use Live Activity with the Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/). - **Set up backups** — see [How to back up your Book Tracker library](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-back-up-your-book-tracker-library/). For the broader picture of where Book Tracker fits in the post-Goodreads landscape, read the parent pillar guide: [Best Goodreads Alternatives for iPhone in 2026 (Privacy-First Guide)](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-goodreads-for-ios/). For a deeper exploration of why this migration is worth doing in the first place, see [Why I Stopped Using Goodreads: The Case for a Private Digital Library](https://booktrack.app/blog/why-i-stopped-using-goodreads-the-case-for-a-private-digital-library/) and [Goodreads vs Book Tracker: Why You Should Switch for Better Privacy](https://booktrack.app/blog/goodreads-vs-book-tracker-why-you-should-switch-for-better-privacy-and-peace-of-mind/). [**Download Book Tracker on the App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (iPhone + iPad + Apple Watch) or [**on the Mac App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (Mac). Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Margins vs Book Tracker: Which Reading App Fits Your Library? (2026) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/margins-vs-book-tracker/ If you’ve spent any time on BookTok in the last six months, you’ve seen [Margins](https://margins.app/) explode: a beautifully designed, social-flavored reading app with a strong “vibes” angle and a focus on streaks. If you’ve spent any time in indie Apple software circles, you’ve seen [Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200): a quietly powerful private library catalog and reading tracker that’s been refined since 2019 across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Both have devoted fans. Both pop up in “best reading apps for iPhone 2026” listicles. They look similar at a glance: they both let you track what you read, log sessions, set goals. **But they’re solving fundamentally different problems for two fundamentally different readers.** This is an honest, feature-by-feature comparison. By the end you’ll know which one fits your reading life, and the answer might be “both.” > **Quick answer:** Margins is the better fit if you’re an iPhone-only social reader who wants gamified habit features, BookTok-flavored design, “vibes” book discovery, and a focus mode that blocks distracting apps. Book Tracker is the better fit if you want a serious private library catalog that runs natively on iPhone + iPad + Mac + Apple Watch, full Apple ecosystem integration (widgets, Live Activity, Controls, Shortcuts), deep cataloging features (multi-source metadata, format-aware tracking, lending tracker, hierarchical positions), and zero account / zero tracking. Both apps have a free tier. ## Margins in 60 seconds Margins launched in late 2024. It positions itself as a modern, design-forward reading journal with a strong social and habit-building angle. Its signature features: - **Half-star ratings** and the ability to mark books as “stopped reading” rather than DNF. - **“Vibes” search** — describe a book in natural language (“books that feel like 1920s Paris”) and let the app surface matches. - **Image-based book search** — upload a photo of a cover. - **Reading Time meditation timer** with **app blocking** during reading sessions. - **Streak page** for daily reading goal tracking. - **Bulk move books, series, and authors** to and from custom lists. - **Siri integration** to start reading sessions. - **Manual book add** via Goodreads links, Amazon links, and ISBNs. - **Imports** from Goodreads and (recently) from Fable. - **Personalized covers** — pick the cover edition you like best. - **Track who recommended each book**. Margins is **iPhone only** at the time of writing. No iPad app, no Mac app, no Apple Watch app. ## Book Tracker in 60 seconds Book Tracker has been in continuous development since December 2019. It positions itself as a **private library catalog and reading tracker for the entire Apple ecosystem**. Its signature features: - **Bulk barcode scanning** with multi-source metadata enrichment. - **Format-aware tracking**: paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook, manga: multiple formats per book entry. - **Hierarchical organization**: Location → Bookcase → Shelf, plus Tags and Smart Lists. - **Lending tracker** with named contacts. - **Reading sessions** with timer and **Live Activity**. - **Annual Reading Challenge** with **Year in Review** (Spotify Wrapped style for books). - **Quote OCR capture** — point your camera at a book page, get the text. - **Notes** per book. - **9 import sources**: Goodreads, StoryGraph, Bookpedia, Delicious Library, BookBuddy, BookCrawler, Bookmory, Reading List, Custom CSV. - **Native apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch** with full feature parity. - **7+ widget types** for Home Screen and Lock Screen. - **18+ Widget Controls** for one-tap actions. - **Siri Shortcuts** and full **App Intents** support. - **iCloud sync without an account**, end-to-end encrypted by Apple. - **No ads, no tracking, no third-party SDKs.** - **Translated into 24 languages.** ## Head-to-head: feature comparison DimensionMarginsBook Tracker**Platforms**iPhone onlyiPhone + iPad + Mac + Apple Watch**First release**Late 2024Late 2019**Account required**Yes**No****Cloud sync**Margins cloud (account-based)iCloud (no account, end-to-end encrypted)**Privacy posture**Standard SaaSNo tracking, no ads, no SDK, data stays on your devices**Library cataloging depth**Light to medium**Deep** (multi-source metadata, format-aware, hierarchical positions)**Barcode scanner**YesYes — plus **bulk scan mode****Multi-source metadata**Single source**6 sources****Reading sessions / timer**Yes — with **app blocking focus mode**Yes — with **Live Activity****Reading streaks / habit features****Strong** (streak page, app blocking)Annual Reading Challenge, statistics**“Vibes” / semantic discovery****Yes**No**Image-based book search****Yes**No (but covers OCR for quotes)**Manga / non-English ISBN support**Limited**Strong** (multi-source pipeline)**Format-aware (paper / ebook / audio per book)**Light**Yes****Lending tracker**No**Yes****Wishlist with duplicate detection**YesYes**Apple Watch app**No**Yes****Mac app**No**Yes****iPad app**No**Yes****Home Screen / Lock Screen widgets**Limited**7+ widget types****Live Activity for reading sessions**No**Yes****Widget Controls**No**18+ Controls****Siri Shortcuts / App Intents**Basic Siri**Full App Intents support****Year in Review (Spotify Wrapped style)**Limited**Yes****Quote capture (OCR)**No**Yes****Imports from other apps**Goodreads, Fable**9 sources** including Goodreads, StoryGraph, Bookpedia, Delicious Library, BookBuddy, BookCrawler, Bookmory, Reading List, Custom CSV**Localizations**Limited**24 languages****Pricing model**Free with subscription tierFree, one-time IAP, **no subscription****Best for…**Social/habit-driven iPhone readerSerious collector + Apple power user ## Where Margins genuinely wins Be fair: there are real reasons people love Margins. ### 1. The discovery experience is more playful The “vibes” search (“books that feel like the soundtrack of *Lost in Translation*“) and image-based search are genuinely fun and unique to Margins. If discovery is the part of reading you most enjoy, Margins gives you a discovery loop Book Tracker doesn’t replicate. ### 2. The focus mode is opinionated and effective Margins’ meditation timer + app-blocking combo is designed by someone who understands why most readers fail to read more: their phone wins the battle for attention. Book Tracker has a reading timer and Live Activity, but no app-blocking enforcement. If you literally need your phone to stop being interesting for 30 minutes, Margins does that better. ### 3. The streak + habit gamification is well executed Margins leans into the streak metaphor heavily. For some readers, this is exactly the motivational trigger they need. Book Tracker’s Reading Challenge is more goal-oriented (X books per year) than streak-oriented (read every day). Different psychology. ### 4. The aesthetic fits BookTok Margins is designed for the screenshot-and-share era. Its share cards, end-of-year stories, and overall visual identity are tuned for Instagram and TikTok. Book Tracker is designed to be useful daily, not screenshot-worthy. If sharing is part of your reading, Margins is built around it. ## Where Book Tracker wins decisively ### 1. It’s a real catalog, not a reading list with a barcode scanner Margins tracks what you read. Book Tracker tracks **what you own**, in what edition, where it lives in your home, who borrowed it, what you paid, what condition it’s in, and which volume of the series is missing. The moment your collection passes ~50 books, this difference becomes the only thing that matters. A full breakdown is in [The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/). ### 2. It runs everywhere in the Apple ecosystem Margins is iPhone-only. If you read on iPad in bed, work on Mac during the day, and glance at your reading challenge on Apple Watch during a workout, Margins doesn’t follow you. Book Tracker does, with full feature parity. The Mac version is a real native Mac app, which matters more than non-Mac users realize. ### 3. The privacy posture is a different philosophy entirely Margins requires an account, syncs through their cloud, and operates as a standard SaaS. That’s fine for most users, but it does mean your reading data lives on someone else’s server. Book Tracker has **no account**, **no servers**, and **no third-party SDKs**: your library lives on your devices and in your private iCloud, end-to-end encrypted by Apple. See the full posture in [Why Book Tracker is a privacy-first app](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/why-book-tracker-is-a-privacy-first-app/) and [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/). For the broader argument, see [Why I Stopped Using Goodreads: The Case for a Private Digital Library](https://booktrack.app/blog/why-i-stopped-using-goodreads-the-case-for-a-private-digital-library/). ### 4. It handles manga, multi-language, and weird ISBNs If you’ve ever scanned a Japanese manga ISBN in a book app and watched it return zero results, you know the pain. Book Tracker’s 6-source metadata pipeline handles non-English editions correctly. One App Store review puts it bluntly: *“I tried several book catalog apps and Book Track was the only one that could find my Japanese manga when I scanned the barcode.”* ### 5. Lending tracker is built in You will lend books. You will forget. Book Tracker remembers, with named contacts and return dates. Margins has nothing equivalent. See the tutorial [How to track Borrowed and Loaned Out books](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-borrowed-and-loaned-out-books/). ### 6. The import surface is much wider If you’re coming from anything other than Goodreads or Fable, Book Tracker is the only practical choice. It imports from 9 sources, including the major “abandonware” Mac apps (Bookpedia, Delicious Library 3) that left thousands of users stranded. See the full list at [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/). ### 7. Apple ecosystem features are deeper Live Activity for an active reading session, 18+ Widget Controls, 7+ widget types, full App Intents support for Shortcuts. Margins has Siri integration but not the rest. For Apple power users, this gap is enormous. See the tutorials [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/), [How to use Live Activity with the Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/), and [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/). ## Which reader are you? ### Pick Margins if… - You only use iPhone, never iPad or Mac. - You’re new to tracking books and want a fun, social, gamified entry point. - Streaks and app-blocking are your motivational style. - You enjoy discovery loops based on vibes and visual prompts. - You actively share your reading on TikTok or Instagram. - Your library is small (< 50 books) and unlikely to grow much. - You don’t mind having an account on a third-party service. ### Pick Book Tracker if… - You use multiple Apple devices and want your library on all of them. - Your library is medium to large (50+ books) or you’re a serious collector. - You read in multiple formats (paper + ebook + audiobook) and want them tracked together, not as duplicates. - You collect manga, comics, foreign editions, or anything beyond English mainstream. - You lend books and want to remember to whom. - Privacy is non-negotiable: no account, no tracking. - You want deep Apple ecosystem integration: widgets, Live Activity, Controls, Shortcuts, Watch. - You’re migrating from Bookpedia, Delicious Library, BookBuddy, or any non-Goodreads source. - You want a one-time purchase model rather than a subscription. ### Pick both if… - You like Margins’ social/discovery loop **and** Book Tracker’s catalog depth. - You can use Book Tracker as your **library of record** (catalog, ownership, lending, full history) and Margins as your **reading session companion** (focus, streaks, share cards). - The two apps don’t directly conflict because they target different layers of your reading life. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Can I import my Margins data into Book Tracker?** Margins doesn’t currently offer a direct export API, but if your Margins data was imported from Goodreads originally, you can export from Goodreads and import into Book Tracker via the [Goodreads migration path](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/). For other sources you can use the [CSV import](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-other-apps-via-csv-import/) workflow. **Q: Is Margins available on Mac or iPad?** Not at the time of writing. Margins is iPhone-only. Book Tracker is available natively on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. **Q: Does Book Tracker have a “vibes” or semantic search like Margins?** No. Book Tracker’s discovery model is metadata-driven (titles, authors, series, tags, ISBNs) rather than semantic. If discovery-by-vibes is central to your reading life, Margins remains the only app that does this. **Q: Are both apps free?** Both apps offer a free tier. Margins uses a subscription model for premium features. Book Tracker is free with one-time in-app purchases for power-user features and unlock more than 5 books in the library. No subscription. See [Is Book Tracker free?](https://booktrack.app/faq/is-book-tracker-free/) and [Why Book Tracker has no subscriptions or ads](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/why-book-tracker-has-no-subscriptions-or-ads/). **Q: Which one is better for tracking audiobooks?** Both apps support audiobook tracking. Book Tracker handles multiple formats per book entry as a first-class feature (you can own the paperback, audiobook, and ebook of the same title without duplicate entries). Margins treats audiobooks more simply. **Q: Which one has the better focus mode for reading sessions?** Margins. Its meditation timer and app-blocking combo is genuinely well-designed if you need your phone to stop being interesting during reading. Book Tracker has a reading session timer with Live Activity, but no app-blocking enforcement. **Q: Which one handles manga and Japanese books better?** Book Tracker. The 6-source metadata pipeline correctly identifies non-English ISBNs that single-source apps miss. ## Verdict There’s no universal winner here, and any “X is better than Y” listicle that ignores the question “for whom?” is doing you a disservice. **If you’re an iPhone-only reader who wants social, gamified habit-building with a beautiful BookTok-friendly aesthetic**, Margins is built for you. **If you’re an Apple power user with a real library you want to catalog seriously, want your data on all your devices, care about privacy, and need deeper organizational features**, Book Tracker is the right tool and has been refined for that exact reader profile since 2019. For most serious readers, the question isn’t “which app is better?” It’s “which app fits my reading life right now?”. Be honest about that question and the choice becomes obvious. [**Download Book Tracker on the App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (iPhone + iPad + Apple Watch) or [**on the Mac App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (Mac). **Continue reading:** - [The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/) — the full pillar guide on serious cataloging. - [Bookly vs Book Tracker: Do You Need a Coach or a Librarian?](https://booktrack.app/blog/bookly-vs-book-tracker-do-you-need-a-coach-or-a-librarian/) — the other big comparison. - [Finding the Best Reading Tracker App for Your Goals in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/finding-the-best-reading-tracker-app-for-your-goals-in-2026/) — broader category overview. - [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/) — bring your existing data over. - [Book Tracker Tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/) and [FAQ](https://booktrack.app/faq/). Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/ If you own more than fifty books, you don’t just have a collection, you have a **library**. And a library needs a **catalog**. In 2026 there are dozens of apps that claim to “track your books.” Most of them are reading lists with a barcode scanner bolted on. They tell you how many books you read, but they can’t tell you whether the hardcover of *East of Eden* you bought in 2019 is the one currently sitting on your friend Sarah’s coffee table or the one you re-shelved in your office last week. They can’t tell you how much you’ve invested in your collection over a decade. They can’t help you avoid buying *The Three-Body Problem* for the third time. Cataloging is a different discipline. It’s not about “did I read this?”, it’s about “what do I own, where is it, what is its state, and what is its meaning to me?”. The bridge between the two disciplines is **metadata**: the rich, structured data that turns a stack of titles into a real, queryable, useful library. This guide explains what to look for in a serious book cataloging app in 2026, the eight pillars that separate a real library tool from a glorified reading list, the right tool for each kind of collector, and the most common mistakes that turn a beautiful library into a chaotic spreadsheet. The complete cataloging engine described here is built into [**Book Tracker**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. > **Quick answer (for readers in a hurry):** in 2026 the best app to catalog books on iPhone, iPad, and Mac is **Book Tracker**. It combines bulk barcode scanning, multi-source metadata enrichment from 6 different APIs, full format-aware tracking (paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook, manga), a hierarchical organization system (location → bookcase → shelf → tags), a built-in lending tracker, native iCloud sync without an account, and the deepest Apple ecosystem integration on the market, including dedicated apps for Mac and Apple Watch, 7+ Home Screen widgets, Live Activity for reading sessions, and 18+Controls. It’s free to download with no ads and no tracking. ## What you’ll find in this guide - [The difference between “tracking books” and “cataloging books”](#difference) - [The 8 pillars of a real cataloging app in 2026](#pillars) - [The 5 reader personas and the catalog they need](#personas) - [How to migrate your existing collection to a real catalog](#migrate) - [6 cataloging mistakes to avoid in 2026](#mistakes) - [FAQ](#faq) - [Verdict: which app is the right one for you](#verdict) ## 1. “Tracking books” and “cataloging books” are not the same thing Most readers conflate these two activities, and most apps exploit the confusion. **Tracking** is about your *reading life*: did I finish this, when, how fast, how did I rate it, what’s next on my to-read pile. It’s a time-series story about you-the-reader. **Cataloging** is about your *library*: what physical and digital objects do I possess, in what edition, where are they, who borrowed them, when did I buy them, how much are they worth, and which ones do I want next. It’s a static-but-living map of an asset. A reading-tracker app needs to know titles, ratings, dates, and pages. A cataloging app needs to know editions, ISBNs, formats, locations, purchase data, lending status, conditions, prices, and series order. The two overlap, but the requirements diverge sharply once a library passes about 50 books. The moment you realize that “did I already buy this?” is a question only a real catalog can answer. The best apps in 2026 do *both*. The market is full of apps that pretend to do both and actually only do one. This guide focuses on the cataloging half, because it’s the half that gets neglected, and because it’s the one that grows in importance as your collection grows. For a parallel guide focused on the *tracking* side, see [Finding the Best Reading Tracker App for Your Goals in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/finding-the-best-reading-tracker-app-for-your-goals-in-2026/). ## 2. The 8 pillars of a real cataloging app in 2026 Every serious cataloging app, for any media (books, films, vinyl, comics) answers the same eight questions. If your current app fails on more than two, you’ve outgrown it. ### Pillar 1 — Bulk barcode scanning A library of 500 books takes a *very* long time to type out manually. The first job of a cataloging app is to make data entry friction-free. What to look for: - **Single-tap barcode scan** that recognizes the ISBN and auto-fills title, author, publisher, year, page count, cover. - **Bulk scan mode**: keep the camera on and scan one book after the other without dismissing dialogs. This is the difference between cataloging 200 books in an afternoon and giving up after 30. - **OCR cover scan** as a fallback when the barcode is missing, damaged, or for pre-ISBN books (anything before 1970). - **Manual entry** with the same metadata fields, for special editions or signed copies. Book Tracker covers all four. The bulk scan mode in particular is built for the “I just got back from a used-book sale and brought home a stack” use case. See the tutorial: [How to add a new book in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-a-new-book-in-book-tracker/). ### Pillar 2 — Multi-source metadata enrichment Not every book exists in every database. *The* most common reason apps fail to find your book is that they only query one source (usually Google Books) and your specific edition isn’t there. A serious cataloging app queries **multiple sources in parallel** and merges the results, picking the richest record. Book Tracker queries six. This is why Book Tracker is one of the few apps that consistently finds Japanese manga, Italian academic editions, and out-of-print hardcovers, books that single-source apps quietly fail to identify. ### Pillar 3 — Format-aware tracking A modern reader owns the same book in multiple formats. You bought *Project Hail Mary* as a hardcover for the shelf, listened to the Ray Porter audiobook in the car, and re-read it on Kindle while traveling. That’s three formats of the same book, not three duplicate entries. What to look for: - Native support for **paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook**, plus specialized types like manga and comics. - **Per-format reading progress**: 60% of the audiobook, 100% of the paperback. - **Per-format ownership status**: own the paperback, borrowed the ebook from the library. - **Per-format purchase data**: when and for how much. Book Tracker handles all this with one entry per book and multiple format records inside it. A cataloging app that forces you to create three duplicate entries to track three formats is doing it wrong. ### Pillar 4 — Hierarchical organization that mirrors reality The “shelf” metaphor in most apps is a fiction: a single flat label slapped on a book. In a real home, books live in a hierarchy: *room* → *bookcase* → *shelf*. And then they belong to cross-cutting categories: *fantasy*, *2026 challenge*, *gifts to give*, *signed by author*. A serious cataloging app supports both axes: - **Hierarchical positions**: Location (“Living Room”) → Bookcase (“West wall”) → Shelf (“Top, left”). When you move a bookcase, you don’t reassign 80 books one by one. - **Tags** for the cross-cutting categories: free-form, multi-assignment, no hierarchy. - **Smart Lists**: dynamic queries like “Owned hardcovers I haven’t read yet, in the Sci-Fi tag” that update automatically as you add or change books. - **Series management** with custom numbering, so you always know which book is next in a 14-book saga. Book Tracker supports all of these. See the tutorials: [How to organize books with Positions](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-organize-books-with-positions-location-bookcase-shelf/), [How to use Tags and Smart Lists](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-tags-and-smart-lists-to-organize-your-collection/), [How to manage Series and sort books](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-manage-series-and-sort-books/). ### Pillar 5 — Lending tracker Statistically the second most painful gap in book apps (after “the app didn’t find my book”) is **the books you’ll never see again because you forgot you lent them**. A serious cataloging app needs: - A **“Loaned Out” status** at the book level. - A **borrower record** linked to your contacts. - A **return date** field. - A dedicated **Loaned Out view** where all currently-out books appear at a glance. Book Tracker has all of this. Combined with iCloud sync, you can quickly check from any device “what books did I lend to Marco?” before sending him the slightly-passive-aggressive reminder. See the tutorial: [How to track Borrowed and Loaned Out books](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-track-borrowed-and-loaned-out-books/). ### Pillar 6 — Wishlist + duplicate prevention The opposite gap: books you’d love to buy and books you’ve *already* bought twice without realizing. A serious cataloging app needs: - A **wishlist** that lives separately from your owned library, but is searchable together with it. - **Duplicate detection**: when you scan a book, the app warns you if you already own it (or a different format of it). - The ability to **convert wishlist → owned** in one tap once you actually purchase. Without these three features, every used-book sale becomes a roulette of duplicates. ### Pillar 7 — Privacy and ownership of your data In 2026 reading data is a commodity. Many popular book apps are funded by selling behavioral profiles or by monetizing your reading list. This is uncomfortable enough on its own, but for cataloging it has a deeper consequence: **the database that defines your library should not live on someone else’s server**. A real cataloging app: - **Requires no account** to function. - Stores data **locally on your device and in your private iCloud**, not on the developer’s servers. - Has **no third-party SDKs**, **no behavioral tracking**, **no ads**. - Lets you **export your full library at any time** in a standard format (CSV). - Documents its privacy posture publicly. Book Tracker’s posture is documented in [Why Book Tracker is a privacy-first app](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/why-book-tracker-is-a-privacy-first-app/) and in our [Manifesto](https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/). The technical FAQ is at [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/). For the long-form argument on why this matters in book apps specifically, see [Why I Stopped Using Goodreads: The Case for a Private Digital Library](https://booktrack.app/blog/why-i-stopped-using-goodreads-the-case-for-a-private-digital-library/). ### Pillar 8 — Native Apple integration (the 2026 differentiator) Five years ago “iOS app” meant essentially the same thing for everyone. In 2026 the gap between an app that *runs* on iOS and an app that *lives* in the Apple ecosystem is enormous, and for a cataloging tool, which you’ll consult dozens of times a week from different devices and contexts, it’s the most underrated feature class. What a 2026 native catalog should offer: - **Mac app** that’s truly native, with sidebar navigation, multi-window support, drag-and-drop, full keyboard support. - **iPad app** with a real sidebar layout, not a stretched iPhone view. - **Apple Watch app** to log reading sessions, see what you’re currently reading, glance at stats. - **iCloud sync** without an account, end-to-end encrypted by Apple. - **Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets** for currently reading, quotes, statistics, reading challenge progress. - **Widget Controls** for one-tap actions from Control Center or Lock Screen (start a reading session, scan a barcode, jump to your wishlist). - **Live Activities** for an active reading session you can monitor without unlocking your phone. - **Siri Shortcuts** and **App Intents** to script your reading routines. - **Spotlight integration** so your library is searchable system-wide. Book Tracker is the only book cataloging app that runs natively on **iPhone + iPad + Mac + Apple Watch with full feature parity**. The relevant tutorials: [How to customize your app with Widgets](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-your-app-with-widgets/), [How to use Live Activity with the Reading Timer](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-live-activity-with-the-reading-timer/), [How to use Book Tracker with Shortcuts and Siri](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-use-book-tracker-with-shortcuts-and-siri/), and the broader [How Book Tracker integrates with iOS and macOS features](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-book-tracker-integrates-with-ios-and-macos-features/). ## 3. The 5 reader personas and the catalog they need A cataloging app is not one-size-fits-all. Here are the five most common collector profiles and the features each one should prioritize. ### Persona 1 — The serious collector (200+ books, mixed formats) You have shelves in multiple rooms. You collect specific authors, signed copies, first editions. You’ve already bought duplicates by accident and you regret it. **Must-haves:** bulk barcode scanning, multi-source metadata, hierarchical positions (location/bookcase/shelf), duplicate detection on wishlist, edition tracking, purchase price, condition notes, lending tracker, full export. **Why Book Tracker:** all of the above, plus the [purchase date and price tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-add-purchase-date-and-price-to-a-book-in-book-tracker/) for documenting the financial side. For the “is my collection worth something?” question, see [Is Your Library Worth a Fortune?](https://booktrack.app/blog/is-your-library-worth-a-fortune-how-to-track-the-value-of-your-book-collection/). ### Persona 2 — The audiobook + paper hybrid You read the hardcover at home, listen to the audiobook in the car, and own a Kindle copy for travel. You hate apps that force you to track all three as separate books. **Must-haves:** format-aware tracking (per-book, not per-entry), per-format reading progress, audiobook duration tracking, “currently reading” status that spans formats. **Why Book Tracker:** native handling of multiple formats inside a single book entry. For Kindle specifically, see the FAQ [Can I add Kindle books to Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-add-kindle-books-to-book-tracker/) and [Can I import my Kindle library into Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-import-my-kindle-library-into-book-tracker/). ### Persona 3 — The manga and comics collector Your collection isn’t books, it’s *series*. You own 47 volumes of *One Piece* in Italian, 12 volumes of *Berserk* in English, and you need to know exactly which volume is missing before you walk into the comics shop. **Must-haves:** flawless series management with custom volume numbering, per-volume ownership tracking, gap detection, multi-language metadata, manga-aware ISBN scanning (many catalog apps fail on Japanese ISBNs). **Why Book Tracker:** the multi-source metadata system handles Japanese, Korean, and Italian editions correctly, and the series management is one of the deepest in the category. Many users praise this specifically. One App Store review reads *“I tried several book catalog apps and Book Track was the only one that could find my Japanese manga when I scanned the barcode.”* ### Persona 4 — The classroom teacher / school librarian You manage a class library or a small school collection. Students borrow books, books come back (or don’t), and you need a simple way to track who has what. **Must-haves:** lending tracker with named contacts, return reminders, easy wishlist for new acquisitions, simple sharing of book lists with colleagues, no account required (so students don’t sign up). **Why Book Tracker:** the lending tracker is built exactly for this scale. One real App Store review from a teacher: *“This is exactly what I was looking for to make school reading book lists for the teachers to tick off as the pupils read them. It’s saved me weeks!”*. For coordinating multiple devices, see the tutorial [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/). ### Persona 5 — The minimalist (one-shelf reader) You own 30-50 books, but each one matters. You want a beautiful catalog you’ll consult once a month, not a cockpit dashboard. **Must-haves:** clean UI, fast barcode scanning, simple categorization (a few tags is enough), reading progress tracking, no overwhelm. **Why Book Tracker:** scales down gracefully. You can ignore Smart Lists, locations, and bulk-edit tools entirely and use only the basics. The configurations let you tune the UI to your level of complexity. See [How to customize Book Tracker with Configurations](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-customize-book-tracker-with-configurations/). ## 4. How to migrate your existing collection to a real catalog If you’re reading this, you probably already have your books listed somewhere: Goodreads, Bookpedia, Delicious Library, BookBuddy, a spreadsheet, an old app you don’t remember the name of. The good news: a serious cataloging app accepts imports from all of these. The better news: Book Tracker accepts the most. The 9 supported import sources today: - **Goodreads** — see [Migrating from Goodreads](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/) - **Bookpedia** — see [Migrating from Bookpedia](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-bookpedia/) (and the dedicated post [The Best Alternative to Bookpedia](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-bookpedia-for-cataloging-your-books/)) - **Delicious Library 3** — see [Migrating from Delicious Library 3](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-delicious-library-3/) (and the dedicated post [Delicious Library 3 Is Dead — The Best Modern Alternative for Mac Users in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/delicious-library-3-is-dead-the-best-modern-alternative-for-mac-users-in-2026/)) - **StoryGraph** - **BookBuddy** - **BookCrawler** - **Bookmory** - **Reading List** - **Custom CSV** — for everything else, see [Migrating from other apps via CSV Import](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-other-apps-via-csv-import/) The full overview is at [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/). For the technical side, see the FAQ [Which apps can I import my library from?](https://booktrack.app/faq/which-apps-can-i-import-my-library-from/) and the tutorial [How to import your library into Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-import-your-library-into-book-tracker/). If your import shows zero pages on some books, it’s a known quirk fixed in two clicks. See [Why are some books showing 0 pages?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-some-books-showing-0-pages-after-import/). Same for missing covers: [Why are covers missing after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-covers-missing-after-import/). For the strategic side of cataloging your existing physical library from scratch, see the companion post [How to Catalog Your Home Library: A Step-by-Step Guide for Book Lovers](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-catalog-your-home-library-a-step-by-step-guide-for-book-lovers/). ## 5. Six cataloging mistakes to avoid in 2026 The same five or six errors derail most home libraries. They’re easy to avoid if you know they exist. ### Mistake 1 — Choosing an app that depends on a single metadata source When your app can only query Google Books, you’ll silently miss 5-15% of your library: foreign editions, manga, academic books, anything pre-1990. Demand multi-source metadata. ### Mistake 2 — Cataloging without a position system A flat list of 600 titles is unsearchable in the real world. The first time you can’t find *Crime and Punishment* in your house, you’ll wish you’d assigned it to “Living Room → Tall bookcase → Third shelf from top”. Set up your locations on day one, even if they feel pedantic. ### Mistake 3 — Treating your wishlist like your library A wishlist mixed with owned books generates duplicate purchases. Always keep them in separate states. Your app should make this trivial. ### Mistake 4 — Ignoring lending until it’s too late Every reader has a “books I’ll never get back” list of at least three titles. Use the lending tracker the *first* time you lend a book, not after the third lost copy. ### Mistake 5 — Skipping the export If your app doesn’t let you export everything in CSV, you don’t own your data. Even if you love the app today, demand exportability, it’s the single best insurance policy. See [Can I export my library from Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-export-my-library-from-book-tracker/). ### Mistake 6 — Using an app that needs an account For a cataloging tool, the “create account” flow is a red flag. Your library is on your devices and in your private iCloud. There’s no reason a third party should hold an account for it. See [Do I need an account to use Book Tracker?](https://booktrack.app/faq/do-i-need-an-account-to-use-book-tracker/). ## 6. Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What is the best app to catalog books on iPhone in 2026?** For most readers serious enough to want a real catalog (rather than a reading list), the answer is [Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771). It combines bulk barcode scanning, multi-source metadata enrichment, format-aware tracking, hierarchical positions, lending tracker, native iCloud sync without an account, and full Apple ecosystem support across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. It’s free to download, with no ads or tracking. **Q: Can I catalog my books without an internet connection?** Yes. Book Tracker works fully offline once a book is in your library. You need an internet connection to fetch metadata when you scan a new ISBN, but everything else (organizing, editing, tracking, lending) works offline. See [Can I use Book Tracker offline?](https://booktrack.app/faq/can-i-use-book-tracker-offline/). **Q: Does it work for manga, comics, and graphic novels?** Yes, and this is one of Book Tracker’s areas of strength. The multi-source metadata pipeline correctly identifies Japanese, Korean, and other non-English ISBNs that single-source apps fail on. Series management with custom volume numbering is built in. **Q: Can I import my Goodreads library?** Yes. Book Tracker supports direct Goodreads import. See [Migrating from Goodreads](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/). Your read books, currently reading, and want-to-read shelves all transfer over. **Q: Is it free?** Yes, the core app is free with no ads until 5 books. Some power-user features can be unlocked via in-app purchase, and there’s a Tip Jar for supporting indie development. See [Is Book Tracker free?](https://booktrack.app/faq/is-book-tracker-free/) and [Why Book Tracker has no subscriptions or ads](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/why-book-tracker-has-no-subscriptions-or-ads/). **Q: Does it sync between iPhone, iPad, and Mac?** Yes, via iCloud. No account required: it uses your existing iCloud account end-to-end encrypted by Apple. See the tutorial [How to sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/how-to-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/) and the FAQ [How do I sync Book Tracker across iPhone, iPad, and Mac?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-do-i-sync-book-tracker-across-iphone-ipad-and-mac/). **Q: What if I have a huge library? Will it slow down?** Book Tracker is designed for very large libraries. Users with 5,000+ books report smooth performance. For specific tips on syncing large libraries, see [Tips for syncing large libraries](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/tips-for-syncing-large-libraries-in-book-tracker/). ## 7. Verdict: which app is the right one for you If you’re cataloging fewer than 30 books, almost any app will do, including a notes file. The choice doesn’t matter much. If you’re cataloging more than 30 books, three out of four “book apps” on the App Store will frustrate you within a year. They lack one or more of the eight pillars above, usually multi-source metadata, format-awareness, or a real position system, and the gap shows up exactly when your collection is big enough that the gap matters. If you want a tool that scales from 30 to 30,000 books, that respects your privacy, that lives natively across all your Apple devices, and that’s been refined since 2019 with input from a community of serious collectors, the answer is **Book Tracker**. [**Download Book Tracker on the App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (iPhone + iPad + Apple Watch) or [**on the Mac App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (Mac). For deeper reading, here are the related guides: - [Mastering Your TBR List: The Only Guide You Need for a Clutter-Free Reading Life](https://booktrack.app/blog/mastering-your-tbr-list-the-only-guide-you-need-for-a-clutter-free-reading-life/) - [Top Features to Look for in a Book Catalog App in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/top-features-to-look-for-in-a-book-catalog-app-in-2025/) - [How to Organize Your Library with Tags in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-organize-your-library-with-tags-in-book-tracker/) - [How to Catalog Your Home Library: A Step-by-Step Guide for Book Lovers](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-catalog-your-home-library-a-step-by-step-guide-for-book-lovers/) - [The Best Alternative to Bookpedia for Cataloging Your Books](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-bookpedia-for-cataloging-your-books/) - [Delicious Library 3 Is Dead — The Best Modern Alternative for Mac Users in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/delicious-library-3-is-dead-the-best-modern-alternative-for-mac-users-in-2026/) - [Bookly vs Book Tracker: Do You Need a Coach or a Librarian?](https://booktrack.app/blog/bookly-vs-book-tracker-do-you-need-a-coach-or-a-librarian/) - [Margins vs Book Tracker: Which Reading App Fits Your Library?](https://booktrack.app/blog/margins-vs-book-tracker/) - [Finding the Best Reading Tracker App for Your Goals in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/finding-the-best-reading-tracker-app-for-your-goals-in-2026/) - [Is Your Library Worth a Fortune? How to Track the Value of Your Book Collection](https://booktrack.app/blog/is-your-library-worth-a-fortune-how-to-track-the-value-of-your-book-collection/) - [The Complete Guide to Tracking Your Reading on Apple Devices in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/tracking-reading-apple-devices-guide/) The full setup walkthrough is in the [Book Tracker Tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/) and the answers to common questions are in the [FAQ](https://booktrack.app/faq/). Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Why Choose Book Tracker Instead of Free Apps Like Goodreads or StoryGraph URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/why-choose-book-tracker-instead-of-free-apps-like-goodreads-or-storygraph/ If you are comparing **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** with free services like Goodreads or StoryGraph, the most important thing to understand is that these apps are built with different goals. **Goodreads** and **StoryGraph** are primarily social platforms and recommendation services. They are great if your priority is community features, public reviews, and discovery driven by a large network. Book Tracker is built for a different type of reader. It is designed for people who want a personal library, a private reading log, and a fast Apple native experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It focuses on ownership, reliability, and day to day tracking rather than feeding a social graph. Below is a clear breakdown of what that means in real life. ## Different goals, different products ### Goodreads and StoryGraph These services are optimized for network effects. You create an account, connect to a platform, and your data lives inside that service. The experience naturally pushes you toward sharing, rating, reviewing, discovering, and engaging with other readers. That is not a bad thing. It is just a different approach. ### Book Tracker Book Tracker is optimized for personal use. Your library is yours. Your tracking is yours. The core question is not “What should I read next based on a global feed?” but “How do I organize my books and track my reading in a simple and reliable way on my devices?” If you want a focused tool instead of a social platform, Book Tracker is built for you. ## Privacy and ownership of your library Many readers track more than titles and star ratings. They track notes, quotes, reading habits, rereads, pages, and personal details that they do not want to publish or even upload to a third party account. Book Tracker follows a privacy oriented approach: - No social feed to maintain - No need to build a public profile - A clear focus on keeping your data tied to your Apple devices and your Apple account This changes the tone of the product. It is calm, personal, and built around your library rather than around engagement mechanics. ## Apple native experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac Book Tracker is built specifically for the Apple ecosystem. That means the app can feel faster and more consistent than cross platform services because it is designed around the system patterns you already use every day. What this looks like in practice: - A consistent interface across iPhone, iPad, and Mac - Smooth navigation even with large libraries - Features designed around how people actually use Apple devices at home and on the go If you live inside iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, a dedicated Apple first app can be a big quality of life upgrade. ## Your reading log is more than a status A lot of apps stop at “want to read, currently reading, read”. Book Tracker treats reading as a timeline you can actually look back on. ### Track pages and track reading time Book Tracker supports tracking your reading progress in multiple ways, including time based tracking. You can log reading time from the progress entry flow using the built in timer, or you can enter it manually when you add a progress update. This is useful if you want to answer questions like: - How much time did I actually spend reading this month? - Did I read more consistently in October than in September? - Do I read faster with ebooks or paper books? ### Monthly and historical stats Readers often want to view previous months, not just the current snapshot. Book Tracker is built around the idea that stats should help you reflect over time, not just motivate you today. ## Library management first, not just discovery Goodreads and StoryGraph are excellent for discovery. But many readers have a different pain point: maintaining a clean, structured catalog of what they own and what they want. Book Tracker is built for library management: - Catalog your personal library, not just a public bookshelf - Organize books in ways that match how you think - Keep everything tidy even when your collection grows ### Series support with ordering If you read series, you know the frustration of having the books but losing the reading order. Book Tracker lets you create series and assign a number to each book so your series stays in the correct sequence. ## Reliability, sync, and backups that respect real life A reading log becomes valuable after months or years. Reliability matters. ### iCloud sync for your devices Book Tracker syncs across your devices through iCloud, so your library stays aligned when you are using the same Apple account with iCloud enabled. ### Backups and restore when you need it Book Tracker includes a backup and restore workflow so you can keep an extra safety net. A practical example is moving your library to a family member device or restoring after an issue. You can create a backup from Settings, share it, and import it on another device from the same Backup and restore section. This matters because a serious reading log is not something you want to rebuild from scratch. ## Import options and flexibility Switching apps is painful if you cannot bring your data with you. Book Tracker supports importing libraries when you can export them as a CSV file. It supports specific formats and also provides an “Other” option with customizable field mapping, so you can adapt imports from different sources rather than being locked to one service. If you have used apps like Goodreads or other catalog apps and you can export your library, you have a path to migrate. ## A product that is actively maintained Free platforms can change direction, redesign features, restrict APIs, or shift priorities. With an independent app, the relationship is different: the goal is to keep improving the product for readers who rely on it. Book Tracker is built with a long term mindset: - Continuous updates over time - Direct support when you have questions - Features driven by real reader feedback If you have ever felt like a platform product is not listening to your use case, this is one of the biggest reasons to choose a dedicated app. ## When Goodreads or StoryGraph might be the better choice To be fair, there are cases where you should absolutely pick a free platform: - You want a large social community and public reviews - You want heavy recommendation features powered by a huge user base - You love the idea of keeping your reading identity public and social If that is your main goal, those platforms are great. ## When Book Tracker is the better choice Book Tracker is the better choice if you want: - A private personal library on your Apple devices - A clean reading log you can trust long term - Reading progress with pages and time - Stats that help you reflect across months and years - Series organization with ordering - iCloud sync plus a real backup and restore workflow - An app built for focus, speed, and simplicity Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Essential Guide to Book Tracking: Strategies, Tools, and Why It Works URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-essential-guide-to-book-tracking-strategies-tools-and-why-it-works/ The term **book tracking** refers to the simple act of logging what you read, how long you read it, and what you thought about it. But its impact is profound: **effective book tracking** is the secret weapon for turning reading from an occasional hobby into a consistent, measurable, and highly rewarding habit. Whether you’re aiming for a personal reading goal, managing a large home library, or simply trying to remember which books you’ve loaned out, tracking is essential. This guide will cover the best strategies and tools available, showing you why a dedicated, feature-rich platform like **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** is the ultimate solution for **book tracking** in 2026. ### 1. Why Modern Book Tracking is Essential for Success Gone are the days when a simple paper list was enough. Today’s **book tracking** solves specific problems for dedicated readers: - **Motivation & Goals:** Seeing your page count and time spent reading rise provides crucial motivation to meet your annual **reading challenges**. - **Organization:** It keeps your **TBR list** organized and prevents you from buying duplicate copies of books you already own. - **Memory Retention:** Logging key quotes and notes helps you retain more information from the non-fiction and educational books you track. - **Data-Driven Habits:** Detailed stats reveal your true reading patterns (favorite genres, peak reading times), allowing you to make intentional changes. ### 2. Strategies for Effective Book Tracking The best **book tracking** happens when you commit to a systematic process. StrategyGoalHow Book Tracker Helps**Track Time, Not Just Pages**Measure commitment and concentration.The integrated **Reading Timer App** automatically logs sessions for maximum accuracy.**Consolidate Your Data**Eliminate scattered lists (physical, digital, notes).Use the **ISBN Scanner** and easy import features to build one central **Book Catalog** instantly.**Prioritize Your TBR**Fight decision fatigue.Use **Tags** and **Smart Lists** to filter your vast collection into manageable reading piles.**Log Key Insights**Enhance learning and retention.The **Quote Capture** feature allows you to snap a photo and instantly transcribe important passages. ### 3. Choosing the Right Tool: Why Book Tracker Stands Out While there are many generic logging apps, **Book Tracker** is engineered specifically for the power user who values security, quality, and comprehensive features. #### A. Privacy-First Tracking Your reading data is personal. Book Tracker provides a **Private Book Tracker** solution, ensuring your entire history is secure with **iCloud-only sync**. We offer an **ad-free reading experience** because we prioritize your focus over external data collection. #### B. Comprehensive Features Book Tracker goes beyond simple logging by combining several powerful tools into one seamless app: - **Reading Timer:** For accurate time tracking. - **Loan Tracker:** To manage physical books you lend out. - **Native iOS/Mac App:** Full integration with Widgets, Shortcuts, and a beautiful interface. #### C. Data You Can Use Our **Reading Stats** and **Year In Review** features give you actionable data. You’ll see not just *what* you read, but *how* you read it, making it the ideal tool for achieving your **Advanced Reading Challenges**. ### Conclusion: Start Your Smart Book Tracking Journey Today Effective **book tracking** is the difference between a stalled book pile and a year full of reading success. By choosing a dedicated, secure, and feature-rich tool like **Book Tracker**, you are investing in a system that supports your reading goals every single day. Stop spending time organizing. Start spending time reading. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Mastering Your TBR List: The Only Guide You Need for a Clutter-Free Reading Life URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/mastering-your-tbr-list-the-only-guide-you-need-for-a-clutter-free-reading-life/ Every dedicated reader knows the feeling: the **TBR list** (To Be Read list) constantly growing, becoming less a list of intentions and more a source of stress. Whether it’s an imposing physical **TBR pile** next to your bed or an overwhelming digital list scattered across various apps, managing your “unreads” is the key to enjoying your reading journey. A chaotic TBR list leads to decision fatigue and stalled reading goals. The solution isn’t reading faster; it’s **TBR list management**. This guide will show you how to use **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** to conquer your disorganized pile, prioritize your next reads, and turn your **TBR list** into an achievable **reading plan**. ### 1. The Digital Foundation: Building Your Ultimate Book Catalog The first step in **TBR management** is consolidating every book you own or want into one reliable location: your **Book Tracker app**. - **Fast Entry:** Use the **ISBN Scanner** to quickly catalog the books on your physical shelf. This is the fastest way to digitize your physical **TBR pile**. - **Import Existing Data:** Easily **import your existing TBR data** from platforms like Goodreads, ensuring no title gets lost in the migration. - **The Status System:** Immediately assign the “To Read” status to every new entry. Your comprehensive **Book Catalog** is now complete and ready for organization. ### 2. Prioritization Power: Transforming Chaos into a Plan The purpose of a **TBR list** isn’t just to list books; it’s to help you decide what to read *next*. Book Tracker’s tagging and filtering capabilities transform your list into an active reading plan. - **Tags for Intention:** Use **Tags** to add criteria that help you decide: `#HighPriority` (Books you own and must read next) - `#SeasonalRead` (e.g., `#WinterReads` or `#HolidayGift`) - `#ChallengeBook` (For PopSugar or other challenges) - **Smart Lists for Focus:** Create dynamic **Smart Lists** that automatically filter your entire TBR based on these tags. For example: **Smart List Name:** `Must-Read Priority Pile` - **Criteria:** `Status is "To Read"` **AND** `Tags contain "HighPriority"` By filtering your overwhelming list into small, focused sub-lists, you eliminate decision fatigue. ### 3. The Health of Your TBR List: Keeping it Fresh A healthy **TBR list** requires regular maintenance. Use Book Tracker to identify and address common TBR problems: - **Spotting Forgotten Titles:** Filter your **Book Catalog** by **Date Added**. If a book has been on your TBR list for over two years, it might be time to move it to a `#RemovePile` tag. - **Analyzing Genre Gaps:** Review the genres in your TBR. If you notice a heavy imbalance (e.g., 90% Fantasy), intentionally prioritize a different genre to keep your reading varied and fresh. - **Tracking Loaned Books:** If you are waiting on a title, use the **Loaned Out Tracker** to manage the return dates of books you want to put back on your TBR. ### 4. Setting Realistic TBR Goals A never-ending TBR can be intimidating. Instead of trying to read *everything*, transform the chaos into achievable milestones. Pair your TBR with the **Reading Challenge** in Book Tracker to track progress concretely. Examples of realistic micro-goals you can set inside Book Tracker: - **2 TBR books per month** — small enough to never miss, big enough to keep the pile shrinking. - **Finish a trilogy before the end of the year** — use Book Tracker’s **Series management** to know exactly which book comes next. - **Alternate fiction and non-fiction** — tag each TBR entry by genre and let Smart Lists balance your reading rhythm. Linking your TBR list to your annual Reading Challenge in Book Tracker means every book you finish from the pile counts twice: once as a TBR victory and once as a step toward your yearly goal. ### 5. Keeping It Fun: The Random Book Picker Tracking your TBR shouldn’t feel like homework. Two Book Tracker features turn the maintenance into a small daily pleasure: - The **Random Book Picker** — when you can’t decide what to read next, let Book Tracker pull a title from your TBR at random. It removes decision fatigue and often surfaces forgotten favorites. - **Home Screen widgets** — add a TBR widget to your iPhone or iPad Home Screen and see your next reads at a glance, even without opening the app. The visual reminder keeps the pile present without being stressful. ### Conclusion: From To-Be-Read to To-Be-Done A well-managed **TBR list** is a tool for reading success. By using **Book Tracker** for cataloging, prioritization with tags, and creating focused Smart Lists, you stop feeling overwhelmed by your books and start feeling excited about your next read. **Ready to finally conquer your TBR pile? Download Book Tracker and start organizing today!** **Related guides:** - [How to Catalog Your Home Library: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-catalog-your-home-library-a-step-by-step-guide-for-book-lovers/) — the cataloging methodology behind a great TBR. - [How to Organize Your Library with Tags in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-organize-your-library-with-tags-in-book-tracker/) — deep dive on the tagging system used in this guide. - [5 Ways to Get Out of a Reading Slump Using Your TBR List](https://booktrack.app/blog/5-ways-to-get-out-of-a-reading-slump-using-your-tbr-list/) — what to do when even the perfect TBR isn’t enough. - [Book Tracker Tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/) — visual walkthrough of the TBR features. - [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/) — bring your existing TBR from Goodreads, StoryGraph, or any other app. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Finding the Best Reading Tracker App for Your Goals in 2026 URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/finding-the-best-reading-tracker-app-for-your-goals-in-2026/ In today’s digital age, reading is often competing for your attention. While tracking your books in a notebook is satisfying, a dedicated **reading tracker app** transforms your reading life from a casual hobby into a measurable, achievable goal. A powerful **book tracker app** does more than just count books; it provides motivation, organization, and personalized data that drives better reading habits. But with so many options available, from social platforms to simple logging tools, how do you choose the **best reading tracker app** that truly fits your needs? This guide breaks down the essential features you should look for and highlights why serious readers are choosing private, comprehensive tools like **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**. ### What Makes a Great Reading Tracker App? When evaluating the best options for your goals, look beyond the interface and focus on these four critical functions: #### 1. Granular Progress Tracking A basic app only lets you mark a book as “Finished.” A great **reading tracker app** provides multiple ways to measure progress: - **Reading Timer App:** The ability to log sessions with a built-in timer (e.g., Book Tracker’s feature) is crucial for accurate reading speed and time analysis. - **Page-by-Page Logging:** Quick input of your current page to update progress instantly. - **Status Variety:** Clearly separating your `TBR (To Be Read)`, `Currently Reading`, and `Finished` lists. #### 2. Robust Library Management For those with large collections (physical or digital), the app must function as a reliable **home library organizer**. - **Fast ISBN Scanner:** The ability to quickly scan barcodes is essential for rapid cataloging. - **Metadata Richness:** Easy editing of title, author, genre, and series information. - **Loan Tracking:** A dedicated section to **track loaned books** ensures your physical collection stays complete. #### 3. Actionable Reading Statistics The main benefit of a **reading tracker** is seeing your data visually. Look for tools that generate meaningful metrics: - **Detailed Reading Stats:** Analysis of pages read, hours spent, and average book length. - **Annual Reading Challenge:** Built-in goal setting and tracking (like Book Tracker’s Year In Review). - **Genre Analysis:** Insight into which types of books you actually spend the most time reading. #### 4. Privacy and Ethics In 2026, privacy is non-negotiable. Many popular apps are funded by data collection. - **Private Book Tracker:** The app should store your data locally or securely via personal cloud (like iCloud sync). - **No Ads, No Tracking:** Ensure the app offers a distraction-free and **ad-free reading experience**. ### Why Book Tracker is the Best Reading Tracker for Serious Readers Book Tracker was built to address the limitations of social platforms, focusing entirely on the reader’s experience and data integrity. FeatureWhy Book Tracker Excels**Data Security****Private Book Tracker** with secure **iCloud-only sync**. Your data is never sold or hosted on our servers.**Tracking Power**Integrated **Reading Timer App** for precise, accurate session logging.**Organization****ISBN Scanner** for fast cataloging, plus advanced **Smart Lists** and **Tags** for complex challenges.**Platform**A truly **Native iOS App** experience with Widgets and Shortcuts for Apple users. ### Conclusion: Choose the Right Tool for Your Goals Choosing the right **reading tracker app** defines your success for the year. If your goal is primarily social networking, other platforms exist. However, if your goal is **privacy, organization, and achieving serious reading goals** in a distraction-free environment, **Book Tracker** provides the advanced, ethical tools necessary to turn your intentions into concrete results. **Ready to find out why Book Tracker is the best reading tracker app for 2026?** **Looking for related guides?** - [Top Features to Look for in a Book Catalog App in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/top-features-to-look-for-in-a-book-catalog-app-in-2026/) — what makes a great catalog app, beyond just tracking. - [Bookly vs Book Tracker: Do You Need a Coach or a Librarian?](https://booktrack.app/blog/bookly-vs-book-tracker-do-you-need-a-coach-or-a-librarian/) — head-to-head with one of the most popular reading apps. - [The Best Alternative to Goodreads for iOS](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-goodreads-for-ios/) — if your real question is “what should I use instead of Goodreads”. - [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/) — how to bring your existing data over. - [The Complete Guide to Tracking Your Reading on Apple Devices in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/tracking-reading-apple-devices-guide/), the deep dive on the Apple-native side. - [Reading on Apple Watch: A Complete Guide for Bookworms](https://booktrack.app/blog/reading-apple-watch-guide/), specifically for Watch users. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Beyond the Basics: How to Master Advanced Reading Challenges (and Track Them Seamlessly) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/beyond-the-basics-how-to-master-advanced-reading-challenges-and-track-them-seamlessly/ If you’re searching for **Advanced Reading Challenges**, it means standard reading goals no longer satisfy you. You’re looking to push your limits, explore complex genres, or tackle ambitious literary projects (like the **Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge** or a **100 Classics Challenge**). These advanced challenges are incredibly rewarding, but they are also an organizational nightmare. They demand precision, granular tracking, and the ability to manage multiple criteria simultaneously. This is where **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** excels. We’ll show you how its advanced features allow you to not only track but **dominate** any complex reading challenge you undertake. ### 1. The Solution to Complexity: Smart Lists and Multi-Criteria Tags Advanced reading challenges often require you to track books based on multiple criteria. For example: “Read a book by an African author **AND** that was published before 1980.” #### The Book Tracker Advanced Method: - **Tags for Criteria:** Instead of a single, chaotic tag, use specific tags for each challenge criterion (e.g., `#AuthorAfrican`, `#PubBefore1980`). - **Smart Lists with Multiple Rules:** Create a **Smart List** that incorporates *all* the challenge criteria as rules: **Smart List Name:** `100 Classics Challenge Progress` - **Criteria:** `Status is "Currently Reading"` **AND** `Tags contain "Classics"` **AND** `Page Count > 300`. This list automatically populates only with books that satisfy the complex requirements of your challenge, making your tracking visually flawless. This is the **best reading challenge planner** for serious readers. ### 2. Granular Precision: Project-Based Tracking Many **advanced reading challenges** (such as reading an entire series or a multi-year project) require monitoring reading time on a per-project basis. - **The Pro Reading Timer:** Our integrated **Reading Timer App** not only records your sessions but feeds into your overall statistics. Use the timer to stay focused and to accurately measure the time commitment required by your longer, more complex reads. - **Series Management:** Utilize the built-in **Series** feature to group monumental works (e.g., Proust’s *In Search of Lost Time*). You can monitor the progress of the entire series at a glance, a must-have for those monumental reading projects. ### 3. Analysis is Motivation: The Stats That Matter For those undertaking **advanced reading goals**, data is motivation. Book Tracker’s detailed reading statistics give you the necessary feedback loop to prevent burnout: - **Yearly/Monthly Metrics:** Monitor your progress against your annual page/book goal instantly. - **Advanced Year In Review:** Your end-of-year summary will showcase not just your top-rated books, but also the genres you explored and the heaviest books you conquered, proving the success of your **Advanced Reading Challenge**. ### 4. An Ethical App for Serious Readers By choosing **Book Tracker**, you are opting for a tool that respects the commitment you put into your Advanced Reading Challenge. - **Your Data, Your Own:** No ads, no hidden tracking. Your library, your notes, and your progress remain private and secure. - **Designed for the Power User:** The clean interface and powerful filtering options are purpose-built for readers who take their challenges seriously, ensuring no distractions interrupt your focused reading time. ### Conclusion: Track Your Literary Masterpiece Whether you are tackling the **Rory Gilmore Challenge** or aiming to read 100 books over 500+ pages, Book Tracker offers the advanced tools you need to organize, track, and conquer your greatest reading challenge yet. **Ready to take your reading to the next level? Download Book Tracker and start building your Smart List today!** Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Conquering the 2026 PopSugar Reading Challenge: The Book Tracker Method URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/conquering-the-2026-popsugar-reading-challenge-the-book-tracker-method/ The **2026 PopSugar Reading Challenge** list is officially out! With 50 unique and creative prompts, from “A book about women astronauts” to “A book with a shadow daddy”, turning that massive list into 50 completed reads requires serious organization. Stop relying on confusing spreadsheets or external notes. We’ll show you how to use **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)’s dedicated features** to map every single prompt, track your progress automatically, and successfully **conquer the PopSugar Reading Challenge** this year. ### Step 1: Mapping the 50 Prompts with the Tag & Notes System (The Clean Method) Instead of overwhelming your library with 50 specific tags, we’ll use one single Tag and leverage Book Tracker’s flexible **Notes field** to record the specific prompt. This strategy keeps your library clean and manageable. #### How to Set Up Your 50 Prompts in Minutes: - **Create the Universal Tag:** Create one central Tag named `#PS2026`. This allows you to immediately filter your entire library for challenge books. - **Record the Prompt in Notes:** When you choose a book (e.g., *The Martian*), go to the book’s page in Book Tracker and add the following information into the dedicated **Notes** field: `PS2026 Prompt: A book about women astronauts` - **Assign Titles:** Assign the `#PS2026` Tag and save the note for the selected book. This system allows you to use Book Tracker’s powerful search function to quickly identify which prompts you’ve assigned and which you still need to fill. > **Pro Tip:** For the 10 Advanced prompts, add `[ADV]` to your note, e.g.: `PS2026 Prompt [ADV]: A book told entirely through letters`. ### Step 2: Tracking Progress with Smart Lists (Your Real-Time Checklist) Now that your books are tagged, we’ll use **Smart Lists** to monitor your progress in real-time. This dynamic system acts as your automatically updating challenge checklist. Create two simple Smart Lists to track your status: - **Smart List 1: `PS2026 - To Be Read`** **Criteria:** `Tags contain "#PS2026"` **AND** `Reading status is "Not read"` - *Goal: Shows you exactly which challenge books you still need to start.* - **Smart List 2: `PS2026 - Finished Prompts`** **Criteria:** `Tags contain "#PS2026"` **AND** `Status is "Read"` - *Goal: Shows you which prompts you have completed. The total book count in this list is your current score (e.g., 32/50).* These lists update automatically when you change a book’s status, providing a clean, clear overview of your **PopSugar Challenge progress**. ### Step 3: Motivation and Stats with the Reading Timer To maintain momentum through all 50 books, consistent motivation is key. - **Integrated Reading Timer:** Use the **Reading Timer App** for every session. This ensures that every minute spent on a PopSugar book contributes to your overall reading statistics. - **Daily Progress:** Check your annual book count goals in the **Stats** section, leveraging the data for daily motivation needed to tackle the toughest prompts like “A book with a trans or nonbinary protagonist.” - **Year In Review Proof:** All your tracked data feeds into your personalized **Year In Review**. This will be the ultimate evidence of your success and your unique literary discoveries. ### Step 4: Sharing Your Success (Your PopSugar “Wrapped”) Once you’ve conquered the challenge, Book Tracker makes it simple to share your achievement: Filter your entire library by the `#PS2026` Tag to get a clean, curated list of all 50 books you read. Share a screenshot of this list, combined with your favorite **Year In Review** stats (like the longest book you read or your top-rated pick), across social media. ### Conclusion: Make 2026 Your Most Organized Reading Year The **2026 PopSugar Reading Challenge** is an exciting commitment. [Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) is designed to transform that commitment from a logistical headache into pure reading joy. By using the efficient **Tag & Notes system** and **Smart Lists** for tracking, you can focus less on managing the list and more on enjoying the incredible books you’ll discover. **Ready to get organized? Download Book Tracker and set up your `#PS2026` Tag today!** Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # More Than Music: How to Get Your Own "Spotify Wrapped for Books" (and Share It) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/more-than-music-how-to-get-your-own-spotify-wrapped-for-books-and-share-it/ Every December, it happens: your social feeds fill up with colorful infographics celebrating the best of your musical year. Everyone knows the appeal of **“Spotify Wrapped”**: it’s not just about data, it’s the joy of reliving your year, transformed into a personalized, shareable statistic. But while music is covered, what about reading? For years, dedicated readers have been left with static, often dull, annual summaries. The question remains: **is there a true “Spotify Wrapped for Books”** that is dynamic, insightful, and, most importantly, highly shareable? The answer is yes, and it’s built right into your **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) app**. ### Your Year in Data: Introducing Book Tracker’s Year In Review Most reading apps focus solely on book counting. **Book Tracker** goes deeper. By monitoring your activity with our integrated **Reading Timer** and deep logging features, the app collects rich, personal data that goes far beyond a simple page count. Our **Year In Review** transforms your library activity into a detailed, beautiful infographic, created for one purpose: celebrating your unique reading journey and giving you the **shareable reading statistics** you crave. ### The Stats That Count: Going Beyond the Covers Forget about boring reports. Book Tracker’s Year In Review offers unique statistics designed to be shared and celebrated. #### Your Reading Overview: The Core Metrics Get the big picture instantly. Year In Review provides a clean, visual snapshot of your year, detailing your **Total Pages Read** and your **Total Books Finished**. These are the foundational numbers that define your literary year. #### Achievements and Favorites Discover your most demanding reads and your highest critical praise. - **The Longest Journey:** See the **longest book you completed** by page count. A true badge of honor! - **Top Rated:** Relive your favorites by instantly viewing the **highest-rated book** you gave all year. - **Your Champions:** Celebrate your top literary loves by showing the **Authors you read most frequently**. ### How to Get Your Personalized Year In Review The best part about the **Book Tracker Year In Review** is that the data is already there. You don’t need to do anything extra: just use the app regularly. - **Track Your Sessions:** Use the integrated **Reading Timer** to log the time spent on each book (the accuracy of your report depends on how precisely you log your sessions). - **Organize Your Data:** Assign genres or tags to your completed books. - **Wait for the Reveal:** At the end of the year, the **Stats** section of Book Tracker will automatically update with your full, shareable **annual reading report**. ### Conclusion: It’s Time to Start Tracking If you are tired of minimal reports and want a complete analysis that celebrates your passion for reading with the same excitement as your musical Wrapped, **Book Tracker** is the solution. Download the app today. Start tracking your sessions now. Because the only way to get a **“Spotify Wrapped for Books”**that truly represents you is to make sure your data is accurate, secure, and ready to be shared. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Why I Stopped Using Goodreads: The Case for a Private Digital Library URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/why-i-stopped-using-goodreads-the-case-for-a-private-digital-library/ For many years, Goodreads was the only game in town. We endured the sluggish app, the cluttered interface, and the constant barrage of social updates because, well, it was the standard. But the internet has changed. Today, we are all more aware of how our data is used. We are also suffering from “social media fatigue,” and we want our reading life (our quietest, most introspective hobby) to be a sanctuary, not another performance stage. The moment you realize your reading is being tracked by a company whose goal is to sell you the next thing, the break-up becomes inevitable. Here are the three core reasons readers are leaving Goodreads and choosing a private alternative like **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**. ### 1. The Amazon Problem: Reading as Inventory The biggest philosophical hurdle for many readers is that Goodreads is owned by **Amazon**. This means every book you mark “Want to Read,” every page you log, and every rating you give is data that feeds into the world’s largest retail recommendation engine. - **Your Reading is Tracked:** Your reading habits become a product used to optimize targeted advertising, both on and off the platform. - **The Conflict of Interest:** Can a tool dedicated to the *love* of reading truly flourish when its parent company is only interested in the *transaction* of selling books? **The Alternative:** **Book Tracker** is an independent, privacy-first app. Your data lives on your device and within your private cloud. It is not sold, mined, or used to build a consumption profile. Your reading remains an intimate, private hobby. ### 2. The Social Pressure and Performance Fatigue Goodreads is, fundamentally, a social network. This creates pressure that can ruin your reading experience: - **The “DNF” Guilt:** Did you DNF (Did Not Finish) a popular book? Now you have to justify it in a status update, or worry about judgmental messages. - **The Challenge Pressure:** Setting a public reading goal can turn reading from a joy into a stressful race against a visible clock. - **Review Anxiety:** Writing a review that appeases both the author and the public is exhausting. **The Alternative:** **Book Tracker** removes the stage. It is a tool built for you and only you. - **Personal Goals:** Your 2026 Reading Challenge is for *your* motivation, not your friends’ entertainment. - **Private Notes:** Your insights and critical thoughts are saved securely in the app, not posted publicly for debate. - **Zero Judgment:** You can read only children’s picture books for a month, and the only person who knows (or cares) is you. ### 3. Outdated Design and Poor Mobile Experience Even ignoring the ethical concerns, the user experience on Goodreads is often frustrating. The mobile apps are slow, clunky, and have a design language that is a decade old. For a hobby we engage with daily, the tool must feel modern and fast. **The Alternative:** Book Tracker is built for the modern mobile ecosystem. - **Native Speed:** It’s fast, fluid, and respects the design standards of your operating system. - **Superior Scanning:** Adding books via the barcode scanner is instantaneous, not a clumsy search function. - **Clean Stats:** Data visualization is clear, beautiful, and customizable, turning your reading history into insightful, easy-to-read charts. ### Conclusion: Choose Your Philosophy The decision to switch from Goodreads is less about features and more about philosophy. Do you want to participate in a large, social platform owned by the world’s biggest retailer? Or do you want a sleek, modern, private tool that exists only to make your life as a reader better? If you choose peace, privacy, and performance, the choice is clear. Ready to make the switch? Import your library to Book Tracker today: [Migrating from Goodreads](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/). **If you’re considering the switch, read also:** - [The Best Alternative to Goodreads for iOS](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-goodreads-for-ios/) — our complete comparison guide. - [Goodreads vs Book Tracker: Why You Should Switch for Better Privacy](https://booktrack.app/blog/goodreads-vs-book-tracker-why-you-should-switch-for-better-privacy-and-peace-of-mind/) — head-to-head feature comparison. - [How to import your Goodreads library to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/) — step-by-step migration guide. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Bookly vs. Book Tracker: Do You Need a Coach or a Librarian? URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/bookly-vs-book-tracker-do-you-need-a-coach-or-a-librarian/ If you search the App Store for “reading apps,” you will likely find two heavyweights: **Bookly** and **Book Tracker**. At first glance, they look similar. They both track your reading, generate stats, and help you build a habit. But they serve two very different types of readers. **Bookly** acts like a **Personal Trainer**. It yells at you (nicely) to read more, times your sprints, and gives you badges. **Book Tracker** acts like a **Personal Librarian**. It organizes your collection, tracks your loans, values your library, *and* helps you read more. If you are currently using Bookly but feeling limited, or if you are deciding between the two, here is why **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** might be the smarter long-term choice for your reading life. ### 1. The “Inventory” Gap Bookly is fantastic at tracking *sessions*, but it is weak at tracking *books*. Once you finish a book in Bookly, it becomes just a stat. **The Book Tracker Difference:** Book Tracker is built to manage a **Home Library**. - **Deep Metadata:** Track publisher, publication year, ISBN, and edition. - **Acquisition Data:** Track how much you paid for a book and when you bought it. - **Lending:** Track who you lent a book to (and when it’s due back). - **Wishlist:** Manage books you don’t own yet but want to buy. **The Verdict:** If you care about your *collection*—not just your *time*—Book Tracker is the superior choice. ### 2. Organization & Tags Bookly’s organization is basic. You have “Collections,” but they are often clunky to manage if you have hundreds of books. **The Book Tracker Difference:** We know that readers love to categorize. - **Powerful Tags:** Create custom tags like `#DarkAcademia`, `#Owned-Hardcover`, or `#Priority-2026`. - **Smart Filtering:** Instantly filter your library to see “All unread books, tagged Sci-Fi, under 300 pages.” - **Search:** Find a book instantly by title, author, or ISBN. ### 3. The “Timer” Experience (Yes, We Have That Too) One reason people stick with Bookly is the **Reading Timer**. They love hitting “Start” and seeing the clock tick. **The Good News:** Book Tracker has a robust **Reading Timer** too. You don’t have to give up the habit-building tools to get the organization tools. - **Track Sessions:** Log your reading time automatically. - **Reading Speed:** The app calculates your pages/minute just like Bookly. - **Quotes:** Save quotes via OCR (text scan) while the timer is running. You get the “Coach” features *inside* the “Librarian” app. ### 4. Aesthetics: Cartoon vs. Clean This is subjective, but important. **Bookly** has a very specific, gamified aesthetic with a cartoon mascot (the green blob). It feels like a game. **Book Tracker** uses a native, clean iOS design. It puts the focus entirely on **your book covers**. It feels like a premium utility that blends perfectly with your Apple ecosystem. If you prefer a professional, clutter-free look for your digital library, Book Tracker is the way to go. ### Summary: Why Switch? If your only goal is to track minutes read, Bookly is a great stopwatch. But if you want to: - **Catalog** your physical and digital books. - **Track** your spending and lending. - **Organize** with powerful tags. - *And* track your **reading time**… Then you don’t need a coach. You need a system. **Book Tracker** gives you the best of both worlds. **More comparisons:** - [Margins vs Book Tracker: Which Reading App Fits Your Library?](https://booktrack.app/blog/margins-vs-book-tracker/) — the other big reading app comparison. - [The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/) — the cataloging pillar. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Delicious Library 3 is Dead: The Best Modern Alternative for Mac Users in 2026 URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/delicious-library-3-is-dead-the-best-modern-alternative-for-mac-users-in-2026/ For years, **Delicious Library** and **Bookpedia** were the gold standards for collecting on the Mac. They were beautiful, skeuomorphic, and powerful. They felt like owning a real library. But technology moves on. **Delicious Library 3** is no longer maintained. **Bookpedia** feels increasingly outdated on modern macOS versions. If you have updated to the latest macOS, you might have noticed the crashes, the sync issues, or the simple fact that the apps look like they belong in 2012. You are sitting on a database of hundreds (or thousands) of books, and you are worried. *Where do I go now?* You don’t want a web-based tool. You don’t want a clumsy cross-platform app. You want a **native, premium Mac experience**. Here is why **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** is the spiritual successor you have been looking for, and how to move your collection over. ### 1. Native DNA: Built for Apple Users The reason you loved Delicious Library was likely because it felt “Apple-like.” **Book Tracker** is built with the same philosophy. It isn’t a website wrapped in an app. It is a native app built for iOS and macOS. - **Widgets:** Track reading from your desktop. - **Shortcuts:** Automate your logging. - **Design:** It looks stunning on Retina displays, with a modern grid view that puts your cover art front and center. ### 2. The Scanner is Back (and Better) One of the coolest features of the old desktop apps was using the iSight camera to scan barcodes. Book Tracker brings this back with **Bulk Scanning**. You can use your iPhone as a high-speed scanner that instantly syncs to your Mac via iCloud. Or, use your Mac’s camera directly. The days of manual entry are gone. ### 3. More Than Just “Collecting” Delicious Library was great for *inventory*, but it wasn’t great for *reading*. Book Tracker bridges the gap. It manages your inventory (Lent books, Wishlist, Purchase Price) but also tracks your **Reading Life**: - Track daily pages read. - Visualize reading stats over time. - Manage your “To Be Read” pile effectively. It’s not just a warehouse for your books; it’s a tool to help you read them. ### 4. The Great Migration: How to Import Your Data This is the big question. You have thousands of items in Delicious Library or Bookpedia. You cannot start from scratch. **The Solution:** Book Tracker supports **CSV Import**. - **Export:** Open Delicious Library or Bookpedia and export your library as a CSV file. - **Import:** Open Book Tracker on your Mac, select “Import CSV,” and map the columns (Title, Author, ISBN). - **Done:** Your legacy collection is now safe in a modern, supported app that syncs across all your devices. You can found a detailed tutorial here: [Migrating from Delicious Library 3](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-delicious-library-3/) ## Beyond Books: Replacing the Full Delicious Library Experience Delicious Library was unique because it allowed you to manage your entire household inventory, from movies to video games, in one place. If you’re a power user looking to migrate your **whole** media collection, you don’t have to settle for a generic database. We have developed a suite of dedicated, native apps that replicate the premium Mac experience for every one of your hobbies. While Book Tracker handles your reading list, its “sibling” apps provide the same high-quality tools for the rest of your library: - **[Movie Tracker](https://movietrack.app/):** The spiritual successor for your cinema collection. Catalog Blu-rays, DVDs, and digital watchlists with beautiful cover art and seamless iCloud sync. - **[Game Tracker](https://gametracker.cloud/):** The ultimate hub for gamers. Replace the old Delicious Library shelves with a modern dashboard to manage your backlog, track “time to beat” stats, and organize games across all platforms. - **[Music Tracker](https://musictracker.app):** A dedicated home for your vinyl and CD collections. Keep your music library organized and discoverable on your Mac, iPhone, and iPad. By moving your data to this specialized ecosystem, you aren’t just replacing an old app, you are upgrading to a faster, more secure, and future-proof way to celebrate your collections in 2026 and beyond. ### Summary It is hard to say goodbye to software we loved. But holding onto abandonware puts your data at risk. **Book Tracker** respects the legacy of the classic Mac collectors while bringing powerful new features for the modern reader. Keep your collection safe. Upgrade your library today. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Is Your Library Worth a Fortune? How to Track the Value of Your Book Collection URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/is-your-library-worth-a-fortune-how-to-track-the-value-of-your-book-collection/ Look at your bookshelves. Really look at them. You see stories, memories, and knowledge. But if you put on an accountant’s hat, you see something else: **an investment.** Whether you are a casual reader or a hardcore collector, you have likely spent hundreds, if not thousands of dollars (or Euros) on your passion. But do you know the exact number? If asked, could you say how much you spent on books in 2025? Most readers avoid this question because they are afraid of the answer. But treating your library like a financial asset isn’t about guilt; it’s about **awareness** and **protection**. **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** isn’t just for tracking plots; it’s also a powerful inventory tool for your finances. Here is how to use the **Purchase & Price** features to unlock the hidden value of your collection. ### 1. Inputting the Data (The “Price Tag” Habit) When you add a book to Book Tracker, it’s easy to just scan the cover and move on. But taking 3 extra seconds to fill in the **Acquisition Details** transforms your data. Whenever you buy a book, look for these two fields in the “Edit Book” screen: - **Purchase Date:** When did you buy it? - **Price:** How much did you pay? ### 2. The “Scary” Truth: Analyzing Your Yearly Spend Once you start logging prices, the **Statistics** section of Book Tracker becomes incredibly powerful. Navigate to **Stats** and select the current year (e.g., 2025). Scroll down to the **Acquisitions** block. Here, the app does the math for you. You will see: - **Books Purchased:** The total count of new arrivals (distinct from books *read*). - **Total Spent:** The sum of all those price tags. Seeing this number can be a reality check. You might realize, *“I spent $400 on books this year, but I only read $50 worth of them.”* This insight is the first step to building better buying habits for 2026. ### 3. The Monthly Breakdown (Spotting Your Patterns) Digging deeper, Book Tracker offers a **Monthly Breakdown** of your spending. This is where you spot your triggers. - **Is there a spike in November?** Maybe that’s because of Black Friday sales. - **Is July high?** Maybe you buy more thrillers for your summer vacation. - **Is January low?** Maybe you were busy reading Christmas gifts (price: 0). Understanding *when* you spend money helps you budget better. If you know you spend heavily in summer, you can save up for it. ### 4. Why This Data Matters (It’s Not Just About Budgeting) Why bother tracking the value of your library? It’s not just to make you feel guilty about buying more books. It serves a very practical purpose: **Insurance.** If—heaven forbid—your home suffers from a fire, flood, or theft, insurance companies require proof of loss. A photo of a bookshelf is often not enough to get fully reimbursed. By exporting your **Book Tracker** inventory (complete with purchase dates and prices), you have a professional, itemized list of your assets. You can prove that your collection is worth $5,000, not $500. ### 5. Tracking “Cost Per Read” Finally, this data helps you calculate the most fun metric of all: **Value for Money.** If you bought a massive fantasy anthology for $30 but it kept you entertained for 40 hours, that’s less than $1 per hour of entertainment, much cheaper than a movie ticket! ### Summary Your library is a treasure trove, literally and figuratively. Don’t leave its value to guesswork. Start logging your **Purchase Dates** and **Prices** in **Book Tracker** today. You might be surprised by just how valuable your collection really is. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The "Tsundoku" Cure: How to Manage Your Massive Unread Pile Without Guilt URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-tsundoku-cure-how-to-manage-your-massive-unread-pile-without-guilt/ There is a Japanese word that every book lover knows, even if they can’t pronounce it perfectly: **Tsundoku (積ん読)**. It describes the act of acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in one’s home without reading them. For many of us, this word feels less like a definition and more like a diagnosis. We look at our nightstands, our overflowing shelves, and the stacks on the floor, and we don’t feel pride. We feel **guilt**. We feel overwhelmed. We think, *“I need to stop buying books until I read what I have.”* But here is a controversial opinion: **The problem isn’t that you have too many books. The problem is that you don’t know what you have.** A pile is chaotic. A catalog is a library. Here is how to use **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** to digitize your unread pile, remove the anxiety, and fall in love with your collection again. ### Step 1: Turn the “Pile” into “Data” Anxiety often comes from the unknown. When you see a physical tower of books, your brain sees an insurmountable mountain. The first step to curing Tsundoku is to quantify it. - **Gather the Unread:** Go around your house. Pull every unread book off the shelves, from under the bed, and from your bag. - **The Bulk Scan:** Open **Book Tracker** and use the barcode scanner. Scan them all. - **Check the Count:** Now, look at the number in your app. Is it 50? 100? 200? Suddenly, the “Mountain” is just a number. It’s manageable. You have moved the mental weight of remembering these books from your brain into the app. ### 2. Stop Using One Giant “TBR” List The biggest mistake readers make is dumping every unread book into a single list called “To Be Read” (TBR). If you have 150 books on your TBR list, looking at it feels like looking at a massive to-do list from your boss. It causes decision paralysis. Use **Book Tracker’s Tags** to break the pile into manageable categories: - **Up Next:** Limit this to 5-10 books you actually want to read this month. - **Someday:** This is for the classics or dense non-fiction you *want* to read eventually, but not right now. - **Reference:** For cookbooks, poetry, or art books that you don’t “finish” but dip into. - **Mood:** Tag books by vibe (e.g., “Cozy,” “Thrilling,” “Summer Read”). Now, when you want to read, don’t look at the pile of 150. Filter by **Up Next**. You have just tricked your brain into thinking your workload is light. ### 3. The “Digital Shelf” Advantage Physical books take up physical space. They stare at you. One of the best ways to cure Tsundoku guilt is to **clear the physical clutter** while keeping the **digital potential**. Once your books are cataloged in Book Tracker, you can reorganize your physical space. You don’t need all your unread books on your nightstand aggressively waiting for you. You can put them on a high shelf, in a closet, or in boxes. **Why?** Because you can now “browse” your library on your phone. You can scroll through covers in the app while lying in bed, pick a book, and *then* go retrieve it physically. You are separating the *inventory management* from the *living space*. ### 4. The “Anti-Haul” (It’s Okay to Let Go) As you scan your books into Book Tracker, you might find a novel you bought five years ago because it was trendy, but you have zero interest in reading it today. **Delete it.** Or better yet, create a tag called**To Donate**. Tsundoku becomes a burden when we hold onto books out of obligation. If a book doesn’t spark excitement when you scan it, it doesn’t deserve a spot in your digital library. Using the app to “audit” your collection helps you realize that you might not have 200 books to read—you might only have 120 that you *actually* like. ### 5. Reframing Tsundoku Finally, remember that an unread library is not a sign of failure. It is a sign of curiosity. The writer Umberto Eco famously had a massive personal library of unread books, which he called an **“Anti-Library.”** He believed that unread books are more valuable than read ones because they represent *what you have yet to learn*. By cataloging your books in **Book Tracker**, you are building your own Anti-Library. It is a research tool, a menu of future adventures, and a reflection of your interests. ### Summary Don’t let your unread books bully you. - **Scan** them to remove the mystery. - **Tag** them to prioritize. - **Browse** them digitally to reduce visual clutter. Turn your “Tsundoku” into a “To-Read Plan” today. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Lending Books to Friends? How to Track Your Shared Library Without Losing It URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/lending-books-to-friends-how-to-track-your-shared-library-without-losing-it/ The Holidays are the peak season for book recommendations. You are at a dinner party or a family gathering, talking about the best thing you read this year. *“You absolutely HAVE to read it,”* you say. *“Bring it over next time!”* they reply. You lend the book. You feel generous. You feel like a literary tastemaker. But then, six months pass. You want to re-read that book, but it’s missing from your shelf. You scratch your head. *Did I lend it to Sarah? Or was it Mark? Or did I leave it on a train?* Sending a text to the wrong person asking for a book back is awkward. Losing a signed edition is painful. This year, become the Librarian of your own life. Here is how to use **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** to lend books freely without fear. ### 1. The “Check-Out” System (It takes 5 seconds) Libraries don’t lose books because they have a system. You need one too. The moment you hand a physical book to a friend, pull out your phone. - Open **Book Tracker** and find the book. - Scroll to the **Loans** section. - **Select the Contact:** You can link the loan directly to a person in your contacts list. - **Set the Date:** The app automatically records the “Start Date” of the loan. Done. You have now created a digital paper trail. The book is marked as “Loaned Out” in your library, so you won’t waste time searching for it on your shelves later. ### 2. “Who has my books?” (The Contact View) This is the feature that saves friendships. Let’s say you are meeting your friend Mike for coffee next week. You wonder: *Does Mike still have any of my books?* Instead of guessing, go to the **Lent Books** section in Book Tracker. The app groups your loaned books **by Contact**. You can instantly see: *“Oh, Mike has had ‘The Hobbit’ since last Christmas.”* Now, you can send a casual text: *“Hey, excited for coffee! By the way, if you’re done with The Hobbit, could you bring it along?”* No awkwardness. Just data. ### 3. The Return (Closing the Loop) When the book finally returns home safe and sound, don’t just put it on the shelf. Update the app. Go to the loan entry and enter the **End Date**. **Why bother with the end date?** It builds a history. Over time, you can see which friends return books quickly and which ones… don’t. It helps you decide who gets to borrow your limited edition hardcovers in the future! ### Summary Sharing stories is one of the best parts of being a reader. Don’t let the fear of losing your books stop you from sharing them. With **Book Tracker**, you can be generous *and* organized at the same time. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Got New Books for Christmas? How to Bulk Scan Them in Minutes URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/got-new-books-for-christmas-how-to-bulk-scan-them-in-minutes/ It is December 26th (Boxing Day). The wrapping paper has been cleared away, the leftovers are in the fridge, and you are sitting in front of a beautiful sight: **The Holiday Book Haul.** Whether you received 5, 10, or 20 new books, you feel that itch. You want them in your digital library *now*. You want to see your total book count jump up. But the thought of manually searching for twenty different titles, clicking “Add,” and selecting the cover for each one feels like a chore. It kills the excitement. Stop typing. **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** has a hidden superpower designed exactly for this moment: **Multi-Scan Mode.** Here is how to digitize your entire Christmas haul in less time than it takes to brew a cup of tea. ### The “Factory Line” Method Don’t pick up one book, scan it, add it, and then put it down. That is the slow way. Instead, use the **Batch Scanning** feature to process everything at once. - **The Setup**: Stack your new books on a table, face down, so the **ISBN barcodes** on the back covers are visible. If you have a lot, make a few stacks. - **The Rapid Fire**: Open **Book Tracker** and tap the **Scan** **barcode** button. Point your camera at the first barcode. *Beep.* **Do not close the scanner.** Immediately move the phone to the next book. *Beep.* Then the next. *Beep.* Book Tracker is designed to hold multiple books in memory. You can scan 10, 20, or even 50 books in a single session without ever leaving the camera screen. It feels surprisingly satisfying—like working a checkout counter, but for your own personal collection. - **The Review (The “Shopping Cart”)**: Once you have beeped through your entire stack, tap the button to view your scanned list. You will see all your new books lined up in a temporary list. This is your chance to catch any mistakes (though with barcodes, errors are rare). - **The One-Tap Import**: Here is the magic moment. You don’t need to add them one by one. Tap **“Add All to Library”**(or “Add to Wishlist” if you are scanning books at a bookstore for later). In one second, your library grows. All the covers, authors, and page counts are instantly populated. ### Why This Matters The biggest obstacle to keeping a reading journal is **friction**. If adding books feels like work, you won’t do it. You’ll let the pile sit there for weeks, and your digital stats will fall out of sync with reality. By using the **Multi-Scan** feature, you remove the friction. You turn the chore of data entry into a fun, fast ritual to wrap up your holiday season. So, go ahead. Grab that stack of new books. **Ready, set, scan.** Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Ultimate Guide to Creating (and Sharing) a Holiday Book Wishlist URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-and-sharing-a-holiday-book-wishlist/ It’s a familiar scene. It’s Christmas morning. You tear the wrapping paper off a rectangular gift, excitingly heavy. You see the cover of a book. You smile politely and say, *“Oh, thank you! I’ve heard great things about this!”* Inside your head, however, you are thinking: *“I already own this.”* Or: *“I read this three years ago.”* Or worse: *“I exclusively read Sci-Fi, why did you buy me a gardening encyclopedia?”* People love buying books for readers, but without guidance, it’s a guessing game. This year, stop the guessing game. Here is how to use **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** to curate the perfect holiday wishlist and—crucially—how to export and share it with your friends and family so you get exactly what you want. ### Step 1: Curate Your List (The Fun Part) Before you ask for gifts, you need to know what you want. Use **Book Tracker** as your digital shopping basket. - **At the Bookstore:** If you see a book you like while browsing, don’t just take a photo of the cover (which you will lose in your camera roll). Open Book Tracker, scan the barcode, and instantly add it to your wish list. - **Check the Details:** Ensure the specific edition is correct. If you collect hardcover editions, make sure the entry in your app reflects that, so your gift-giver knows which version to buy. ### Step 2: The “PDF Method” (Sharing Without Complexity) Here is the best part. Unlike other apps that force your friends to download the same app or create an account just to see your list, **Book Tracker** keeps it simple and universal. Your friends and family don’t need the app. They just need a list. **How to export your Wishlist:** - Open your **Book Tracker** app. - Navigate to the app **Settings**. - Tap the **Export** button. - Select **PDF**. - Apply a filter to have only the books in the wish list. **Why PDF is better:** Generating a PDF creates a clean, visual document. It looks like a restaurant menu of books. It shows the title, and the author clearly. It’s professional, easy to read on any phone or computer, and leaves zero room for error. *For the data-nerd friends:* If you have a friend who loves spreadsheets, you can also export as **CSV**. But for Grandma? Stick to the PDF. ### Step 3: Distribute Your “Menu” Now that you have your file, it’s time to send it out. Here are a few strategic ways to share it: - **The Family Group Chat:** Drop the PDF into WhatsApp or iMessage with a caption: *“If anyone is looking for gift ideas, here is my current reading list! No pressure, just ideas.”* - **The Partner Email:** Send the file to your significant other. Since the export includes the specific ISBN, they can easily search for the exact book online. - **Secret Santa:** If you are using a Secret Santa platform (like Elfster), upload the PDF or screenshot your exported list as your “wishlist image.” ### Step 4: The “Thank You” Update Fast forward to December 26th. You received the books you wanted! Now, open **Book Tracker** one last time for the year. - Find the books you received in your Wishlist. - Change the status from **“Wishlist”** to **“Library”**. - (Optional) Add a **Note** to the book entry: *“Gift from Mom, Christmas 2025.”* This small step helps you track the provenance of your books. Years from now, you’ll look back at that entry and remember exactly who gave it to you. ### Summary Gift-giving should be joyful, not stressful. By providing a clear, exported list from **Book Tracker**, you are actually doing your friends a favor. You are saving them time and guaranteeing that their gift will be loved, read, and cherished.**[](https://www.google.com/search?q=%23&authuser=1)** Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Start 2026 Strong: 10 Short Books to Kickstart Your Reading Challenge URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/start-2026-strong-10-short-books-to-kickstart-your-reading-challenge/ The first week of January is magical. You have just set your **2026 Reading Challenge** in **Book Tracker**, the progress bar is sitting at 0%, and you are motivated to make this your best reading year yet. But here is the trap: many readers start the year with a massive, 800-page fantasy epic or a dense biography. By January 20th, they are still on page 100, their motivation fades, and the “reading slump” begins. **Don’t let that happen.** The secret to crushing your yearly goal is to build **momentum** early. You need “Quick Wins.” Seeing your Book Tracker counter jump from 0 to 5 books in the first month gives you a massive dopamine hit and sets the pace for the rest of the year. Here are 10 incredible short books (all under 250 pages) to help you fly through your 2026 challenge. ### 1. Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata (163 pages) - **Genre:** Contemporary Fiction / Japan - **The Vibe:** Quirky, slightly unsettling, and deeply human. - **Why read it:** It’s a fast, fascinating look into the life of a woman who only feels normal when she is working in a convenience store. You can easily finish this in one sitting. ### 2. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway (128 pages) - **Genre:** Classic - **The Vibe:** Epic, raw, and meditative. - **Why read it:** It won a Pulitzer and a Nobel Prize, yet it takes less time to read than watching a movie. A perfect way to add a “Classic” to your stats early on. ### 3. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (146 pages) - **Genre:** Gothic Mystery / Horror - **The Vibe:** Creepy, atmospheric, and twisty. - **Why read it:** If you miss the spooky vibes of October, this is the perfect winter read. Merricat Blackwood is one of the most unforgettable narrators in literature. ### 4. Animal Farm by George Orwell (112 pages) - **Genre:** Dystopian Classic - **The Vibe:** Satirical and sharp. - **Why read it:** It’s culturally essential. Plus, its extremely low page count makes it the ultimate “stats booster” for your reading challenge. ### 5. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (163 pages) - **Genre:** Philosophy / Fiction - **The Vibe:** Inspiring and dream-like. - **Why read it:** January is the time for dreaming and goal-setting. This fable about following your personal legend fits the “New Year” energy perfectly. ### 6. Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid (88 pages) - **Genre:** Epistolary / Romance / Drama - **The Vibe:** Gossipy and emotional. - **Why read it:** Written entirely in letters between two strangers who discover their spouses are having an affair. It is incredibly short but packs an emotional punch. ### 7. Orbital by Samantha Harvey (136 pages) - **Genre:** Sci-Fi / Literary - **The Vibe:** Beautiful, quiet, and vast. - **Why read it:** It follows astronauts on the ISS over 24 hours. It recently gained huge acclaim (Booker Prize Shortlist) and offers a fresh perspective on our planet for the new year. ### 8. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (116 pages) - **Genre:** Historical Fiction / Irish - **The Vibe:** Quiet, powerful, and wintery. - **Why read it:** Set in a snowy Irish town, it deals with courage and complicity. The writing is so tight that every sentence feels necessary. ### 9. Sula by Toni Morrison (174 pages) - **Genre:** Literary Fiction - **The Vibe:** Intense, complex, and beautiful. - **Why read it:** Toni Morrison is a giant of literature. *Sula* explores a complex female friendship over decades, yet stays surprisingly concise. ### 10. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (96 pages) - **Genre:** Children’s Classic (for adults too) - **The Vibe:** Whimsical and philosophical. - **Why read it:** Even if you read it as a child, re-reading it as an adult is a completely different experience. It’s a beautiful way to start 2026 with a soft heart. ### How to Find More “Quick Wins” in Your Library You likely already own short books that are hiding on your shelves. Use **Book Tracker** to find them instantly: - **Open your Library tab.** - **Tap the “Sort” button.** - **Select “Page Count” (Low to High).** - **Filter by Status:** Select “To Read” only. Boom. The app will instantly serve you the shortest unread books you own. Pick the top one, read it this weekend, and watch your 2026 progress bar light up. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Best Reading Challenges to Join in 2026 (And How to Track Them) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-reading-challenges-to-join-in-2026-and-how-to-track-them/ The end of the year is approaching, and for book lovers, that means one thing: it is time to plan your **2026 Reading Goals**. There is a unique excitement in starting a fresh year with a blank slate and a list of books you can’t wait to devour. But let’s be honest: saying *“I want to read more”* is too vague. To actually stick to your habit, you need a plan. You need a **Challenge**. Whether you are a casual reader or a bookworm aiming for 100 books, joining a reading challenge is the best way to stay motivated. Here are the top reading challenges to join in 2026 and, crucially, how to keep track of them using **Book Tracker** so you don’t lose count. ### 1. The Classic “Numerical” Challenge **The Concept:** Simple and effective. Set a total number of books to read in 2026. It could be 12 (one a month), 52 (one a week), or 100 (hard mode). **How to Track It:** This is the easiest one. **Book Tracker** has a built-in **Yearly Challenge** feature. - Open the Statistics and look for “Reading Challenge.” - Set your target number for 2026 (e.g., 30 books). - **Pro Tip:** Add the **Book Tracker Widget** to your phone’s home screen. Seeing your progress fill up every time you unlock your phone is a powerful psychological trigger to keep reading. ### 2. The “A to Z” Challenge **The Concept:** Read 26 books, each starting with a different letter of the alphabet. (Yes, finding a book starting with “X” or “Z” is part of the fun!). **How to Track It:** Don’t use a messy spreadsheet. Use **Tags** in Book Tracker. - Create a tag called **A to Z – 2026**. - As you add books to your library, tag them. - To see your progress, simply filter your library by this tag and sort alphabetically. You will instantly see which letters are missing. ### 3. The “Backlist” Challenge (Tackle Your TBR) **The Concept:** In 2026, stop buying new books (we know, it’s hard) and focus on reading the books *you already own*. **How to Track It:** This is where Book Tracker’s sorting features shine. - Go to your library. - **Sort by “Date Added” (Oldest First).** - Your goal is to read the top 10 books on that list. These are the books you bought years ago and forgot about. Rediscovering them feels like shopping in your own home. ### 4. The “12 Months, 12 Genres” Challenge **The Concept:** Break out of your comfort zone. If you only read Thrillers, this challenge forces you to explore. - *January:* Biography - *February:* Romance - *March:* Sci-Fi - …and so on. **How to Track It:** Use the **“To Read” List** strategically. At the start of the year, pick 12 books representing these genres and mark them as “To Read” in the app. When you check the most read genres in the statistics section, you want to see different genres listed. ### 5. The “Read the World” Challenge **The Concept:** Read books by authors from different continents or countries. It’s a fantastic way to broaden your perspective. **How to Track It:** Use **Custom Tags** for countries (e.g., *Japan*, *Nigeria*, *Italy*). Or, use the **Notes** section in Book Tracker to jot down the country of origin for each book. At the end of 2026, you can scroll through your “Read” list and see exactly how far you traveled via your books. ### Why You Need an App for This Participating in reading challenges is fun, but *managing* them can become a chore if you are using pen and paper. You might forget which letter you are missing or lose your list entirely. By using **Book Tracker**, your challenge lives in your pocket. You can check your progress while standing in the bookstore, ensuring you buy the exact book you need to tick off that next box. **Ready to crush your 2026 goals?** **[Download Book Tracker and set your challenge now.](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Why You Should Track Your DNF (Did Not Finish) Books URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/why-you-should-track-your-dnf-did-not-finish-books/ There is an unwritten rule that many of us learned in school: *“If you start a book, you have to finish it.”* We force ourselves to slog through boring chapters, confusing plots, and characters we hate, just so we can reach the last page and say, “I did it.” But life is too short for bad books. If you aren’t enjoying a book by page 50, you have every right to put it down. This is called **DNF-ing** (Did Not Finish). But here is the mistake most readers make when they DNF a book: **they delete it from their library entirely.** They pretend it never happened. Here is why you should stop deleting those books and start tracking them in **Book Tracker** instead. ### 1. Prevent the “Accidental Re-Buy” The human memory is flawed. You might abandon a book today because the writing style is dry. Three years from now, you will see that same book with a beautiful new cover in a bookstore. You’ll think, *“Oh, I’ve heard of this, it’s supposed to be a classic!”* and buy it again. Only when you get to page 50 will you realize: *“Oh no. I hated this.”* **The Fix:** Keep the book in your **Book Tracker** library. By marking it as **Abandoned**, it stays in your history. Next time you are in a bookstore, scan or search the title in your app. If you see the status is “Abandoned,” you save yourself $20 and a few hours of frustration. ### 2. Understand Your “Deal Breakers” Your DNF list is actually more valuable than your “Read” list when it comes to understanding your taste. It tells you exactly what you *don’t* like. If you look at your Abandoned books in Book Tracker and notice that 5 out of 6 are “Slow Burn Romances,” you have discovered a pattern. You now know to stop buying that sub-genre. Use the **Notes** feature in the app to write one sentence about *why* you stopped (e.g., *“Hated the main character,” “Too much description”*). These notes are data points that help you pick better books in the future. ### 3. Validate Your Time (Pages Still Count) Just because you didn’t finish the whole book doesn’t mean the time you spent reading it was wasted. If you read 150 pages of a 500-page novel before quitting, you still read 150 pages. That effort counts. **The Fix:** When you mark a book as Abandoned in Book Tracker, you can save the specific page number where you stopped. It acknowledges the effort you put in, removing the feeling that you “wasted” your time. ### 4. How to DNF a Book in Seconds (The Native Way) Most apps make DNFing a book difficult. You usually have to create a custom shelf, move the book, and mess with tags. **Book Tracker** acknowledges that abandoning a book is a normal part of a reader’s life, so it has a built-in feature for it. - Open the book you are reading. - Go to the **Reading Progress** screen. - Simply tap the button to **mark as Abandoned**. That’s it. No creating shelves, no complex workarounds. The book is instantly categorized correctly, keeping your “Currently Reading” list clean for books you actually enjoy. ### Conclusion DNFing a book isn’t a failure; it’s an act of curation. It means you value your time enough to say “no” to content that doesn’t serve you. By tracking these books in **Book Tracker**, you build a complete history of your reading life: the good, the bad, and the unfinished. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # 5 Ways to Get Out of a Reading Slump Using Your TBR List URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/5-ways-to-get-out-of-a-reading-slump-using-your-tbr-list/ The “Reading Slump.” Every reader knows the feeling. You have a stack of books waiting for you, but nothing looks appealing. You pick up a book, read two pages, and put it down. You scroll through social media instead of reading. Suddenly, weeks have gone by, and you haven’t finished a single chapter. A reading slump isn’t laziness; usually, it’s a case of **decision fatigue**. When you have too many options, your brain freezes. Your “To Be Read” (TBR) list stops looking like a menu of exciting adventures and starts looking like a “Tower of Shame.” The good news? You can use your digital library in **Book Tracker** to hack your brain and get back into the flow. Here are 5 strategies to break the slump. **Looking for more ways to break out of a reading slump?** This guide focuses on rescuing your reading life *through your TBR list*. For a different angle (fifteen specific book recommendations chosen to pull you back into reading) see also our companion piece: [15 Books to Help You Escape a Reading Slump](https://booktrack.app/blog/15-books-to-help-you-escape-a-reading-slump/). ### 1. The “Quick Win” Strategy (Filter by Page Count) When you are in a slump, the idea of starting a 600-page fantasy epic feels exhausting. You need a win. You need that dopamine hit of finishing something. **The Fix:** Open your **Book Tracker** app and go to your library. Use the **Sort/Filter** feature to organize books by **Page Count: Low to High**. Pick a book that is under 200 pages. Maybe it’s a novella, a graphic novel, or a poetry collection. By choosing something short, you lower the barrier to entry. Finishing a short book in one or two sittings reminds your brain that *you are a reader* and often gives you the momentum to tackle a bigger book next. ### 2. The “Genre Pivot” (Filter by Category) Sometimes a slump happens because you are trying to force a genre you aren’t in the mood for. Maybe you’ve read three Thrillers in a row, and now you’re burnt out on mysteries, but you keep trying to pick up another one because it’s “next on the list.” **The Fix:** Listen to your mood, not your schedule. Use the **Filter by Genre** feature in the app. If you’ve been reading heavy non-fiction, filter for “Romance” or “Sci-Fi.” Find something completely different from your last read. A “palate cleanser” book is often the best cure for a slump. ### 3. The “KonMari” Cleanse (Delete Without Guilt) Here is a hard truth: You might be in a slump because your library is full of books you **don’t actually want to read anymore**. Maybe you added a classic novel three years ago because you thought you *should* read it. Every time you look at your list, your eyes glaze over it, blocking you from seeing the books you actually like. **The Fix:** Scroll through your digital library in Book Tracker. Look at each cover. If a book doesn’t spark excitement immediately, **delete it**. Because it’s a digital list, there is no physical waste. Pruning your list relieves the subconscious pressure. A smaller, highly curated list is much more inviting than a massive, cluttered one. ### 4. Curate Your “To Read” List (Keep It Exclusive) Staring at a generic list of 300 unread books causes analysis paralysis. You spend 20 minutes scrolling to find a book, get tired, and watch Netflix instead. **The Fix:** Book Tracker automatically generates a dedicated **“To Read” list** for any book you mark with that status. The trick is to treat this list like a VIP club, not a storage unit. Don’t mark every single book you own as “To Read.” Keep the majority in your general library or Wishlist, and only mark the **top 5 or 10 books** you genuinely want to read *next* as “To Read.” Now, when you open that specific tab in the app, you aren’t overwhelmed by hundreds of choices. You see a curated, manageable selection. Making a choice becomes instant, removing the friction between you and your next story. ### 5. Judge by the Cover (Visual Browsing) Spreadsheets are boring. Text lists are dry. We are visual creatures. Sometimes, the text title of a book doesn’t trigger any emotion, but the artwork does. **The Fix:** Ensure you are using the **Grid View** (covers only) in Book Tracker, not the list view. Scroll through the artwork. Let the colors and designs grab your attention. Maybe a bright yellow cover catches your eye because it matches the sunny weather outside. Digital apps allow you to see your library as a beautiful gallery. Use that to reignite your excitement. ### Summary A reading slump is usually a sign that reading has become a “chore” rather than a hobby. By using the sorting, filtering, and status tools in **Book Tracker**, you can cut through the noise and find the one book that will make you fall in love with reading all over again. Go open your app, sort by “Shortest First,” and get that quick win. **Related reading on Book Tracker:** - [15 Books to Help You Escape a Reading Slump](https://booktrack.app/blog/15-books-to-help-you-escape-a-reading-slump/) — fifteen specific titles chosen to break the spell. - [Mastering Your TBR List: The Only Guide You Need for a Clutter-Free Reading Life](https://booktrack.app/blog/mastering-your-tbr-list-the-only-guide-you-need-for-a-clutter-free-reading-life/) — the complete TBR management methodology with tags, Smart Lists, and ISBN scanner. - [How to Start Reading Again After a Long Break](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-start-reading-again-after-a-long-break/) — for when the slump has lasted weeks or months. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Build a Lasting Reading Habit in 2026 (Backed by Data) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-build-a-lasting-reading-habit-in-2026-backed-by-data/ As 2025 comes to a close, we all start thinking about our resolutions for the New Year. For many of us, the goal is simple: *“I want to read more books in 2026”.* But we know how this story usually goes. January starts strong, but by mid-February, life gets busy, the gym membership gathers dust, and that pile of unread books on the nightstand starts to feel like a guilt trip. Why does this happen? It’s not because you lack willpower. It’s because you are relying on motivation instead of **systems**. Behavioral science tells us that habits aren’t built by grand gestures; they are built by small, consistent actions. Here is how to finally build a reading habit that sticks in 2026, using psychology and the specific tools inside **Book Tracker**. ### 1. The “Two-Minute Rule” (Use the Timer, Not Willpower) The biggest mistake new readers make is setting a daily bar that is too high, like *“I must read for 1 hour today.”* When you have a busy day, this feels impossible, so you skip it entirely. **The Science:** James Clear, author of *Atomic Habits*, suggests the “Two-Minute Rule.” You must make a new habit so easy that you can’t say no. **How to apply it with Book Tracker:** While Book Tracker allows you to set a grand **Yearly Challenge** (e.g., “30 books in 2026”), you don’t need a daily quota to succeed. You just need to show up. Use the app’s **Reading Timer**. Commit to starting the timer and reading for just **five minutes**. The timer is a powerful psychological tool. It’s not about hitting a specific number; it’s about the act of hitting “Start.” Once the clock is ticking, the friction disappears. You’ll often find that 5 minutes naturally turn into 20, but the only requirement is to start the clock. ### 2. Leverage “Habit Stacking” Your brain builds strong connections between neurons that fire together. You can hack this by “stacking” a new habit (reading) on top of an old one (drinking coffee). **The Science:** The formula is: *After I [Current Habit], I will [New Habit].* **How to apply it:** - *“After I pour my morning coffee, I will open Book Tracker, select my current book, and hit ‘Start Timer’.”* - *“After I get into bed, I will log a reading session before I turn off the light.”* By using the timer to record every session, no matter how short, you reinforce the connection between your daily routine and your reading practice. ### 3. The “Seinfeld Strategy” (Watch Your Stats Grow) Comedian Jerry Seinfeld famously used a wall calendar to cross off every day he wrote a joke. His only goal was: “Don’t break the chain.” **The Science:** This leverages **Loss Aversion**. We are psychologically wired to hate losing progress more than we love gaining it. **How to apply it with Book Tracker:** Book Tracker automatically generates **Reading Stats** based on your logged sessions. Check your “Reading Activity” chart. When you see you have logged a session for 12 days in a row, you will be much less likely to skip day 13. Plus, seeing your **total time read** accumulate gives you a sense of pride that a simple “book count” can’t provide. It proves to your brain that you *are* putting in the work. ### 4. Focus on “The Progress Bar” (Micro-Wins) Focusing only on finishing whole books can be demotivating if you are reading a long novel like *Dune*. You might go weeks without that “I finished a book!” dopamine hit. **The Science:** We need frequent rewards to stay motivated (the *Progress Principle*). Small wins keep us going. **How to apply it:** Update your progress in Book Tracker after every session. Seeing your progress bar jump from 42% to 45% gives you a sense of immediate accomplishment. Even if you didn’t finish the book, you moved the needle. The app visualizes this effort, validating your time investment. ### 5. Set a Realistic “Yearly Challenge” Now that you have the daily system (the Timer), you need a destination. **The Strategy:** Set your **2026 Yearly Challenge** in Book Tracker. Be realistic. If you read 10 books in 2025, aim for 15 or 20, not 50. The Yearly Challenge widget sits on your home screen (if you use the iOS widget), acting as a constant “North Star.” It reminds you of the bigger picture, while the Timer helps you take the small steps to get there. ### Conclusion Building a reading habit isn’t about magic; it’s about math and consistency. It’s about using the Timer to lower the barrier to entry and using Stats to celebrate the effort, not just the result. Don’t wait for “the right time” to read. **[Download Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**, set your 2026 Challenge, and start your first timer session today. Your future self will thank you. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Digital vs. Physical Reading Journals: Which One is Right for You? URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/digital-vs-physical-reading-journals-which-one-is-right-for-you/ There is something undeniably romantic about a physical reading journal. Walking into a stationery store, smelling the paper, picking out a pen that glides perfectly, and sitting down with a cup of tea to handwrite your thoughts on the book you just finished. It feels intentional. It feels “aesthetic.” But then reality sets in. You finish a book on the bus, and you don’t have your journal with you. You want to know how many books you read last year, but you have to manually count the pages. You try to find a quote you wrote down two years ago, but you can’t remember which notebook it’s in. The debate between **Digital Apps** (like Book Tracker) and **Physical Journals** is often presented as a battle. But which one actually helps you read more? Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can decide. ### The Case for the Physical Journal **The Vibe:** Let’s give credit where it’s due. Paper journals are beautiful. They allow for total creative freedom: you can doodle, use stickers, or write in messy cursive. **The Focus:** Writing by hand forces you to slow down. It’s a screen-free activity that can help with memory retention. If your goal is purely therapeutic (treating reading like a meditation) paper wins. **The Problem:** Paper has limits. - **No Search Function:** Looking for a specific review? Good luck flipping through five years of notebooks. - **It’s Heavy:** You likely won’t carry your journal to the bookstore. This means you might buy a duplicate book because you forgot you already own it (and didn’t write it down yet). - **Data is Dead:** A notebook can’t tell you your average pages per day or show you a graph of your most-read genres. ### The Case for the Digital Journal (Book Tracker) **The Brain:** Think of a digital tracker not just as a list, but as a database. - **Instant Entry:** You finish a book, scan the barcode, and boom, it’s logged with the date, publisher, and page count. - **Always With You:** Standing in a library? Your entire reading history is in your pocket. You can instantly check your “Wishlist” or “TBR”. - **Smart Stats:** As mentioned in our previous guide, apps visualize your reading life. Seeing a progress bar fill up is a powerful dopamine hit that paper can’t replicate. **The “Edits” Factor:** Changed your mind about a book? On an app, you can update a rating from 4 to 5 stars in a second. In a notebook, you’re stuck with your ink. ### The Verdict: Why Not Both? (The Hybrid Method) Here is the secret that power readers know: **You don’t have to choose.** In fact, the most effective system is often a **Hybrid Method**. Use **Book Tracker** as your “Librarian” and a notebook as your “Diary.” **How to make it work:** - **The “System of Record”:** Use Book Tracker for *everything*. Log every book you buy, start, and finish. This ensures your stats are accurate and your inventory is searchable. This is your database. - **The “Deep Dive”:** When a book really moves you and you want to write a 3-page essay about it, grab your paper journal. - **Link Them:** In the “Notes” section of Book Tracker, simply write: *“See physical journal Vol. 4 for full review.”* ### Summary FeaturePhysical JournalDigital App (Book Tracker)**Portability**Low (stays at home)High (always in pocket)**Searchability**ImpossibleInstant**Stats & Data**Manual calculationAutomatic**Vibe**Creative & SlowClean & Efficient**Backup**None (don’t lose it!)iCloud / Cloud Backup ### Final Thoughts If you want a place to paste scrapbook stickers, buy a notebook. But if you want to actually *manage* your library, track your habits, and never buy a duplicate book again, you need a digital tool. Don’t let nostalgia make your reading life disorganized. **[Start your digital journal with Book Tracker today.](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Ultimate Guide to Tracking Reading Stats (Without a Spreadsheet) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-tracking-reading-stats-without-a-spreadsheet/ There is a specific kind of joy that comes from finishing a book. But for data-loving readers, there is a second, equally satisfying joy: **seeing the numbers go up.** Knowing exactly how many pages you’ve read this year, seeing a colorful pie chart of your most-read genres, or tracking your busiest reading months is incredibly motivating. It turns a solitary hobby into a measurable achievement. For a long time, if you wanted deep insights into your reading life, you had to build a complex Excel spreadsheet or a Notion template. You had to manually input page counts, calculate percentages, and fix broken formulas. But you want to spend your time *reading*, not data entering. Here is how to unlock deep reading insights using **Book Tracker**: no formulas required. ### Why Track Reading Stats? (It’s More Than Just Vanity) Before we look at *how*, let’s look at *why*. Tracking stats isn’t just about bragging rights. It helps you understand your own brain: - **Discover Your Patterns:** Do you read more in the summer or winter? Do you slow down when reading non-fiction? - **Diversify Your Reading:** A genre chart doesn’t lie. You might *think* you read a balanced mix, but the stats might show you’ve read 90% Thrillers this year. - **Motivation:** When you are 50 pages away from hitting a yearly milestone, you are much more likely to pick up a book instead of scrolling social media. ### The 3 Key Metrics You Should Be Tracking Forget complex spreadsheets. Book Tracker automatically generates these stats for you as you update your library. Here are the most impactful ones to look at: #### 1. Pages Read vs. Books Read “I read 50 books this year” is a great stat, but it can be misleading. Reading 50 graphic novels is very different from reading 50 dense history textbooks. **The Better Metric:** *Total Pages Read.* Book Tracker pulls the page count from the book’s metadata automatically. By focusing on pages, you stop avoiding long books just because they take longer to finish. A 900-page fantasy epic counts for as much progress as three short novels. #### 2. The Most Read Genre This is usually the visual highlight for most users. By assigning genres to your books in Book Tracker, the app builds a visual breakdown of your literary diet. - **How to use this:** Check this list quarterly. If you see that 80% of your reading is “Self-Help,” but you’re feeling burnt out, use that data to pivot and pick up a “Science Fiction” novel next to cleanse your palate. #### 3. Monthly Reading Activity Are you a consistent reader, or a binge reader? The “Books Finished by Month” bar chart reveals your consistency. - **The Slump Detector:** If you see a massive dip in activity in October, you can look back and ask why. Was work busy? Did you pick a boring book that stalled your progress? This insight helps you plan better for the future. ### How to Set Up Your “Year in Books” (Automated) If you were using a spreadsheet, setting up a yearly goal involves creating new tabs and formulas every January. With Book Tracker, it takes seconds. - **Set a Yearly Challenge:** In the app, simply input your target number (e.g., “30 Books in 2025”). - **Update Progress Automatically:** Every time you mark a book as “Finished,” the progress bar updates. You get a percentage indicator (e.g., “You are 45% of the way to your goal”) which is a fantastic psychological nudge to keep going. ### Conclusion: Let the App Do the Math Your reading life is a story in itself. The books you choose, the speed at which you read them, and the genres you gravitate toward paint a picture of who you are at this moment in time. Don’t let that data get lost, and don’t waste hours wrestling with spreadsheet cells. **[Download Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** to get your personal reading dashboard instantly. It’s time to see your reading life in full color. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Goodreads vs. Book Tracker: Why You Should Switch for Better Privacy (and Peace of Mind) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/goodreads-vs-book-tracker-why-you-should-switch-for-better-privacy-and-peace-of-mind/ For over a decade, Goodreads has been the default digital home for readers. It is the giant of the industry. But let’s be honest: using it in 2025 often feels like stepping back into the internet of 2010. The interface is cluttered, the recommendations are algorithm-heavy, and the app can feel incredibly slow. But there is a bigger issue than just an outdated design: **Privacy.** Goodreads is, at its core, a social network owned by Amazon. Its goal is to sell books and mine data. But reading is a personal, intimate activity. Recently, more and more readers are looking for a **Goodreads alternative** that respects their data and treats their library as a sanctuary, not a storefront. Here is why switching to a dedicated app like **Book Tracker** might be the best decision for your reading life this year. ### 1. Your Reading is Personal, Not a Performance On Goodreads, every action is a broadcast. You mark a book as “Currently Reading,” and it notifies your feed. You rate a book 3 stars, and the author might see it. This creates a subtle pressure. You might hesitate to log a “guilty pleasure” romance novel because your boss follows you. You might feel bad about marking a book as DNF (Did Not Finish). **The Book Tracker Difference:** Book Tracker is built for **you**, not for an audience. [It is a personal tool to catalog your library](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-catalog-your-home-library-a-step-by-step-guide-for-book-lovers/) and track your progress. If you want to share a quote or a review, you can, but it’s not the default. - Read what you want, without judgment. - Track your DNF books without social guilt. - Keep your reading stats completely private. ### 2. You Are the Customer, Not the Product It’s the golden rule of the internet: *If the product is free, you are the product.* Goodreads uses your reading data to feed Amazon’s recommendation engine and ad network. **The Book Tracker Difference:** Book Tracker operates on a transparent model. You use the app to organize *your* life. Your data stays on your device (and your personal iCloud). There is no third party analyzing your reading speed to sell you more products. It’s a clean, ad-free, and private environment. ### 3. A Library Tool vs. A Social Network Goodreads tries to do everything: groups, forums, trivia, giveaways, and author blogs. As a result, the actual feature of *tracking books* is clunky. Have you ever tried to simply organize your books by shelf on the mobile app? It takes way too many taps. **The Book Tracker Difference:** Book Tracker is laser-focused on one thing: **Library Management.** - **Tags:** Organize books by deep categories (e.g., “Purchased in London,” “Sci-Fi 80s”). - **Visuals:** Your library is displayed beautifully, emphasizing the cover art, not text lists. - **Speed:** Native iOS performance means no loading screens between tapping a book and seeing its details. ### 4. “But What About My Data?” (The Migration Guide) This is the number one reason people stay with Goodreads despite disliking it: *sunk cost fallacy.* You have logged hundreds of books over the years, and you don’t want to lose that history. **Good news: You don’t have to.** Moving from Goodreads to Book Tracker takes less than 5 minutes. Simply follow this tutorial: **[Migrating from Goodreads](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/)**. That’s it. Your ratings, your “Read” lists, and your “TBR” piles are instantly populated into a modern, private interface. ### The Verdict If you want a social network to argue about plot holes with strangers, Goodreads is still the place to go. But if you want a powerful, private, and beautiful way to catalog your personal library and track your reading habits, it’s time to upgrade. Reclaim your reading life. **[Download Book Tracker and import your library today.](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** **Continue reading:** - [Why I Stopped Using Goodreads: The Case for a Private Digital Library](https://booktrack.app/blog/why-i-stopped-using-goodreads-the-case-for-a-private-digital-library/) — a personal essay on the privacy shift. - [The Best Alternative to Goodreads for iOS](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-goodreads-for-ios/) — full comparison of the top private alternatives. - [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/) — how to import your Goodreads data in minutes. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Catalog Your Home Library: A Step-by-Step Guide for Book Lovers URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-catalog-your-home-library-a-step-by-step-guide-for-book-lovers/ We’ve all been there. You’re standing in a bookstore, holding a copy of a beautiful paperback, trying to remember: *“Do I already own this?”* Or maybe you’re trying to recommend a specific novel to a friend, but you can’t find it on your shelves. You know you have it. You know the cover is blue. But after twenty minutes of searching, you realize you might have lent it to someone two years ago. If you have more than a few dozen books, keeping track of them mentally becomes impossible. This is where **cataloging your home library** comes in. It sounds like a daunting task reserved for professional librarians, but with the right tools, you can turn a chaotic pile of books into a perfectly organized digital library in an afternoon. Here is the step-by-step guide to cataloging your collection (and why you should stop using spreadsheets to do it). ### Step 1: The “Great Gathering” (Physical Sorting) Before you touch your phone, you need to deal with the physical books. If your books are scattered across different rooms, nightstands, and boxes in the attic, bring them to a central location, or tackle them room by room. Don’t worry about alphabetizing them yet. Just ensure you can easily access the back cover of each book. Why? Because that’s where the **ISBN barcode** lives, and that barcode is your best friend for the next step. > **Tip:** This is also the perfect time to declutter. If you find a book you hated or will realistically never read, put it in a separate “donate” pile. Catalog only what you want to keep. ### Step 2: Ditch the Spreadsheet (Choose Your Tool) For years, the go-to method for tracking books was an Excel spreadsheet. While spreadsheets are great for accountants, they are terrible for book lovers. - **They are slow:** You have to manually type titles and authors. - **No visuals:** You can’t see the book covers. - **Hard to update on the go:** Checking an Excel file on your phone while in a bookstore is a nightmare. **The Modern Solution: A Dedicated Book Tracker** Using an app designed for this purpose speeds up the process by 10x. This is where **Book Tracker** shines. Unlike general reading timers, Book Tracker is built specifically to manage your *library*. It focuses on inventory, organization, and ease of entry. ### Step 3: The Rapid Scan This is the fun part. Instead of typing out “The Great Gatsby” manually, you are going to use your phone’s camera. - Open **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**. - Tap on the “+” button and select **Scan Barcode**. - Point your camera at the barcode on the back of the book. *Beep.* In a split second, the app pulls in all the metadata: the correct title, author, page count, publisher, and the cover artwork. You can get into a rhythm here. Pull a book, scan, set it down. Pull, scan, set down. You can easily catalogue 100 books in under 15 minutes using this method. It’s surprisingly satisfying! **What about vintage books?** If you have older books without barcodes (usually pre-1970s), you can search for them manually within the app by title. Book Tracker connects to massive online databases to find the correct edition, so your digital library stays complete. ### Step 4: Categorize and Tag Now that your books are digital, you can do things you can’t do with physical shelves. You can organize them without moving them an inch. Most people sort their books into two main piles: **Read** and **To Be Read (TBR)**. In Book Tracker, you can mark the status of the book instantly. This allows you to filter your library later. Imagine walking into a bookstore, opening your app, and filtering to see only your “Wishlist” or checking your “TBR” list to see if you really need to buy another book right now. **Pro Tip: Use Custom Tags** Take your organization to the next level with tags. Here are a few ideas: - **“Signed”:** Keep track of your autographed editions. - **Genre/Mood:** Tag books by “Cozy Mystery,” “Sci-Fi,” or “Summer Reads.” ### Step 5: Maintenance (The “One-in, One-Scan” Rule) Congratulations! Your library is cataloged. You now have a searchable, beautiful database of every book you own right in your pocket. To keep it this way, adopt a simple habit: **The One-in, One-Scan Rule.** Whenever you buy a new book or receive one as a gift, scan it into Book Tracker immediately before you even put it on the shelf. It takes five seconds and saves you from future chaos. ### Why Bother? Beyond the satisfaction of seeing your total book count (which is a bragging right in itself), cataloging your library saves you money. You stop buying accidental duplicates. You rediscover books you forgot you owned. And most importantly, you treat your personal library with the respect it deserves. Ready to turn your chaos into a collection? **[Download Book Tracker on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** and start scanning today. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Start Reading Again After a Long Break URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-start-reading-again-after-a-long-break/ Many readers experience periods where they stop reading for weeks, months or even years. Life becomes busy. Work takes priority. Stress reduces concentration. Or simply, the desire to read fades. When the urge to return finally appears, many people feel intimidated. They feel guilty for having stopped, or worry they will not be able to focus anymore. If you have taken a long break from reading, you are not alone. Reading routines naturally rise and fall depending on your season of life. The important part is that you want to reconnect with books now. This guide will help you restart gently, without pressure or unrealistic expectations, and rebuild a reading life that feels enjoyable and sustainable. ## Accept your break without guilt A long pause does not make you less of a reader. Reading is not a skill that disappears. It is a habit that rests and returns. Many breaks happen for reasons outside your control. Fatigue, stress, new responsibilities or simply burnout. Begin by accepting that your break was part of your life, not a failure. Let go of pressure. When you remove guilt, you create space for curiosity to return naturally. ## Start with a book that feels light and approachable When restarting, do not choose something heavy or overly ambitious. A dense classic or complex nonfiction may discourage you even before you begin. Instead, pick a book that feels gentle and accessible. Readers often find it easier to restart with: - Short novels - Fast paced contemporary fiction - Cozy fantasy - Engaging memoirs - Short story collections Choose whatever feels inviting, not whatever you think you should read. ## Begin with short reading sessions Your focus may feel rusty after a long break. This is normal. Start small. Read for five or ten minutes at a time. Do not aim to finish chapters. Aim to rebuild comfort and attention. Small sessions remove pressure and help your mind reconnect with the act of reading. Once reading becomes pleasant again, you will naturally extend the time without forcing it. ## Create a simple reading ritual When restarting a habit, a small ritual can make a big difference. It signals to your mind that this is a calm moment just for you. Your ritual could include: - Making tea - Turning on a warm lamp - Sitting in the same corner - Reading before bed - Playing soft background music Rituals bring consistency and comfort, both essential when reestablishing a habit. ## Try a different format to ease back in If traditional reading feels difficult, try switching formats. - Audiobooks help you ease into stories without strain - Ebooks reduce friction and make it easy to read anywhere - Graphic novels or illustrated books offer visual engagement Sometimes the mind needs a gentle reentry point before returning to longer texts. ## Remove distractions to protect your attention After a long break, concentration may feel fragile. A noisy environment, frequent notifications or a cluttered space can easily interrupt your reading flow. Try to: - Keep your phone away - Read in a quiet area - Clear your reading space - Use noise cancelling headphones or soft music A distraction free environment supports smoother reengagement with the text. ## Choose books based on interest, not ambition When restarting, avoid reading with a goal like finishing a certain number of books or catching up with trends. Right now, your only goal is to reconnect with enjoyment. Pick books that make you feel curious. Books that feel warm. Books that match your energy level. Reading becomes much easier when you choose from genuine desire. ## Visit a library or bookstore for inspiration Sometimes all you need to restart is a change of atmosphere. Walking through shelves, touching books, discovering covers and reading back descriptions can spark excitement. You do not have to borrow or buy anything immediately. The simple act of being near books can reopen your reading mindset. ## Track small progress to stay motivated When restarting, even a few pages matter. Seeing your progress clearly can be uplifting and help you stay connected to the habit. Tracking your sessions, noting quotes or observing your reading streak can create a sense of movement without pressure. ## A simple companion for rebuilding your habit If you want to restart reading gently, it helps to have a tool that supports your pace and shows your progress without judging it. Book Tracker allows you to log small sessions, follow your natural rhythm and rebuild a reading routine one step at a time. It turns every few minutes of reading into visible progress, helping you stay encouraged as you reconnect with books. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # 15 Books to Help You Escape a Reading Slump URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/15-books-to-help-you-escape-a-reading-slump/ When reading starts to feel heavy, the best cure is often the right book. Not a complicated one, not something you feel you should read, but a book that pulls you in from the first pages and reminds you why reading matters in the first place. The right story can cut through distraction, spark emotion and bring back the excitement that a slump temporarily hides. This list gathers fifteen books that many readers have found refreshing, addictive or simply comforting during difficult reading moments. They span different genres, moods and styles, so you can choose the one that matches your energy and curiosity right now. ## Fast paced fiction to regain momentum ### The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid A glamorous, dramatic story told through interviews and flashbacks. Easy to follow, impossible to put down and full of emotion. ### The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern A magical atmosphere, short chapters and a slow yet captivating mystery make this an excellent book for readers who want to feel transported. ### Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir This is pure momentum in book form. Its mix of mystery, science and emotional stakes has helped many readers read again after long slumps. ## Cozy and comforting reads ### Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman A heartfelt character driven story that is gentle, smart and emotionally rewarding without feeling too heavy. ### The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune Warm, whimsical and hopeful. This book feels like a soft blanket. It restores optimism and gives the mind space to breathe. ### The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin A short, charming story set around books, community and second chances. It is engaging from the first chapter and perfect for easing back into reading. ## Short books that reduce pressure ### We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Short, atmospheric and beautifully written. Jackson’s storytelling is sharp and immediately absorbing. ### Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata Clean prose, short chapters and a unique voice that makes you want to keep turning pages. ### The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho A simple but meaningful story about purpose and courage. Its short length makes it ideal for rebuilding reading confidence. ## Books with immersive worlds ### The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss Lyrical writing and a compelling coming of age story. It pulls you in with atmosphere and detail, perfect for readers craving deep immersion. ### A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab A fast paced fantasy with parallel Londons, strong characters and a plot that moves quickly. Great for readers who need excitement to break a slump. ### Red Rising by Pierce Brown Intense, dramatic and rich in action. This one is especially good for readers who want something bold and cinematic. ## Nonfiction that feels like fiction ### Educated by Tara Westover A powerful memoir that reads like a novel. The writing is gripping and the emotional journey is unforgettable. ### Becoming by Michelle Obama Inspiring, warm and thoughtful. The narrative is clear and well paced, making it easy to stay engaged even when focus is low. ### Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari For readers who prefer ideas over stories. Each section offers intriguing insights that pull you forward without demanding constant attention. ## How to use this list If you are unsure where to begin, choose based on your current mood: If you want comfort, choose Klune or Zevin If you want excitement, choose Schwab or Brown If you want meaning, choose Coelho or Westover If you want immersion, choose Morgenstern or Rothfuss There is no wrong choice. The goal is not to finish quickly. The goal is to reconnect with the pleasure of reading. ## A simple tool to track your recovery When you are coming out of a reading slump, even small amounts of reading matter. Book Tracker helps you record short sessions, note your favorite passages and see your progress without any pressure. You can track the spark returning day by day and slowly rebuild a steady reading habit that feels enjoyable again. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Read One Book a Week Without Burning Out URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-read-one-book-a-week-without-burning-out/ Reading one book a week sounds ambitious, yet many readers manage to do it without rushing through pages or turning reading into a chore. The secret is not speed. The secret is consistency. When reading becomes a natural part of your routine, finishing a book each week feels smooth and achievable. This guide explores practical strategies that help you read more regularly while still enjoying every moment on the page. You will learn how to structure your reading schedule, choose the right books and keep your motivation high without placing unnecessary pressure on yourself. ## Start with a book that feels inviting Your success with a weekly reading rhythm depends heavily on the first few books you choose. An engaging story or a well paced non fiction title can give you momentum. Picking something too dense or slow at the beginning may discourage you. Look for books with: - Clear narrative flow - Short chapters - Strong voice or compelling characters - A topic you already care about A book that invites you back will make the weekly rhythm feel natural rather than forced. ## Break your book into manageable daily sections To read a book per week, you do not need to read for hours each day. A simple method is to divide the book into seven daily portions. This creates a clear path without overwhelming you. If your book has: - 280 pages, aim for 40 pages per day - 210 pages, aim for 30 pages per day - 350 pages, aim for around 50 pages per day When the workload is predictable, your reading goal becomes easier to follow and your mind feels more at ease. ## Use small pockets of time throughout your day Most readers imagine they need one large uninterrupted reading session each day. In reality, you can finish a weekly book through small pockets of time. Try reading: - Ten minutes in the morning - Ten minutes during lunch break - Ten to twenty minutes before bed These short sessions keep your connection with the story alive and bring you closer to your weekly finish line without creating pressure. ## Choose formats that support your lifestyle Many people read more consistently when they use different formats. Books do not have to be limited to print. - Audiobooks are ideal for commutes, chores or walks - Ebooks are perfect for reading in bed or during breaks - Print books offer a focused, distraction free experience Switching formats does not break immersion. It often enriches it. ## Create a simple reading ritual A ritual helps your brain transition into reading mode. It signals that this is a quiet moment you are choosing for yourself. Your ritual could include: - Making tea - Sitting in a specific spot - Turning on a small lamp - Closing your door for ten minutes The ritual does not need to be elaborate. It only needs to feel consistent. ## Limit distractions to protect your reading flow Even the most motivated reader will struggle when interruptions break their focus. Protecting your reading time increases both your speed and your enjoyment. A few helpful changes: - Keep your phone away or on silent mode - Avoid reading near loud televisions - Use earphones with soft ambient sound - Keep your reading space tidy A distraction free environment allows you to stay immersed for longer stretches. ## Pair your reading with an existing habit The easiest way to make reading a daily activity is to connect it to something you already do. This is known as habit pairing and it builds a reliable structure. For example: - Read during breakfast - Read after brushing your teeth at night - Read while commuting - Read before opening social apps The simpler the pairing, the more consistent your reading becomes. ## Track your progress to stay motivated Motivation grows when you see visible progress. A weekly goal becomes easier when you know exactly where you are in the book and how much is left. Tracking provides: - A sense of movement - A clear picture of your pace - Encouragement during slow moments - A small reward each time you log reading time It helps transform reading from something vague into something tangible. ## Allow yourself flexibility Reading one book a week is a rhythm, not a rule. Life becomes busy. Some weeks will be easier than others. You might finish two books one week and half a book the next. What matters is the overall pattern. Give yourself permission to slow down when needed. The routine should serve your well being, not create guilt. ## A gentle tool that helps you maintain your rhythm Keeping a steady weekly reading pace is much easier when you can track your sessions, divide your books into daily reading portions and see how your habits evolve. Book Tracker allows you to log your reading time in a simple and calm way, helping you understand your natural pace without adding pressure. You can follow your weekly rhythm, stay engaged with your reading life and enjoy the satisfaction of finishing books consistently throughout the year. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Improve Your Concentration While Reading: Practical Strategies That Really Work URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-improve-your-concentration-while-reading-practical-strategies-that-really-work/ Modern life makes it harder than ever to concentrate while reading. You open a book with the best intentions, but after a few paragraphs your mind drifts. Notifications pull your attention away, or you suddenly remember tasks you need to do. Even when you force yourself to continue, the words seem to slide off the page. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Concentration is not a fixed ability. It is a mental skill that can be strengthened with the right environment, habits and mindset. The good news is that you do not need to meditate for hours or radically change your lifestyle to improve your focus. Small adjustments can completely transform the way you read. This guide explores simple, evidence based strategies that help you stay present on the page and enjoy your reading time with a clear and calm mind. ## Understand your attention patterns Before trying to fix your concentration, it helps to understand how your attention naturally works. Most people struggle to focus because they read at the wrong time of day, choose books that do not fit their current energy or force themselves to read when their mind is overloaded. A few questions to ask yourself: - When do you feel mentally fresh - When do you feel easily distracted - Which environments help you stay present - Which genres keep you naturally engaged Identifying these patterns gives you a strong foundation. Focus becomes easier when you work with your attention instead of fighting against it. ## Choose the right moment for reading Trying to read after hours spent in front of screens or during moments of high stress quickly leads to distraction. Instead of reading whenever you find time, choose moments when your mind is more receptive. For many people this is early morning, before their day becomes noisy. For others it is during lunch breaks or late evening when things slow down. What matters is choosing a moment that feels mentally quiet. Once you find it, protect it like a small ritual. Even ten minutes of focused reading during your best moment is more effective than an hour during your worst. ## Remove passive distractions from your environment Your surroundings have a powerful influence on your ability to concentrate. A messy desk, loud noises or a bright screen nearby can pull your attention away without you realising it. A few simple adjustments can help: - Keep your phone in another room or in silent mode - Choose a comfortable place with good lighting - Clear visual clutter from the space around you - Use headphones or soft ambient music if noise distracts you Your mind focuses better when the environment supports calm rather than stimulation. ## Work with short focused sessions Long reading sessions may sound ideal, but they often create mental fatigue that leads to distraction. Concentration improves when you train it gradually. Try reading in short intervals of ten to fifteen minutes. During those minutes, give your full attention to the page. When the timer ends, take a small break to reset your mind. This method builds endurance over time and prevents your brain from drifting. As your focus strengthens, you can naturally increase the length of your sessions. ## Engage actively with the text One of the biggest reasons people lose concentration is that they read passively. When your mind is not involved, it wanders. Active reading keeps your brain connected to the material. You can try: - Highlighting interesting passages - Writing small notes or comments - Summarising what you read at the end of a chapter - Asking yourself questions while reading - Predicting where the story is going These micro interactions bring your attention back to the text and deepen your understanding at the same time. ## Choose books that match your current bandwidth Not all books work well when your concentration is low. Dense classics, philosophical works or highly technical material require attention that you might not always have. During periods of low focus, choose books that are easier to digest: - Fast paced fiction - Short stories - Memoirs - Mystery or fantasy with clear momentum As your concentration improves, you can move back to more complex books without frustration. ## Reduce mental overload before you read Your mind cannot concentrate if it is juggling too many thoughts at once. If tasks or worries keep interrupting your focus, try to offload them before you start reading. You can: - Write a quick list of things you need to remember - Organise your workspace so nothing feels unresolved - Spend a few minutes breathing slowly - Walk briefly to release tension These small actions clear your mental space and make room for reading. ## Train your brain to return when it drifts Expect your mind to wander. It is completely natural. Concentration is not the absence of distraction. It is the ability to return to the text each time you drift. When you notice your thoughts drifting, gently guide your attention back without frustration. The more you practice this, the easier it becomes. Over time, the moments of distraction become shorter and less frequent. ## Use technology to support your attention Improving concentration does not mean avoiding technology entirely. When used intentionally, it can support your reading rather than interrupt it. Audiobooks, focus timers, ambient sound apps and reading trackers can help reinforce your habits and make reading a more mindful activity. ## A simple tool to strengthen your reading focus Reading with intention becomes easier when you can observe your habits and notice what improves your concentration. Book Tracker allows you to record your reading sessions, track the length of your focused moments and see when you naturally read with more clarity. Over time you can identify the environments, times and types of books that help your mind stay fully engaged. It is a gentle way to understand your reading patterns and build a routine that supports calm, presence and deep concentration. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Increase Your Reading Speed Without Losing Comprehension URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-increase-your-reading-speed-without-losing-comprehension/ Many readers wish they could read faster. Not because they want to rush through books, but because they want to enjoy more stories, learn more efficiently and make better use of the limited time they have. The problem is that when most people try to increase their reading speed, they end up understanding less. They skim, skip details and reach the end of the chapter without remembering what they just read. True reading speed is not about racing through pages. It is about reading more efficiently while still absorbing the meaning and intention of the text. If you want to become a faster reader without sacrificing comprehension, the goal is to train your focus, reduce unnecessary friction and develop techniques that help your eyes and mind work together. This guide explores realistic strategies that improve both speed and understanding, making your reading sessions smoother and more enjoyable. ## Understand your natural pace before trying to change it Before you try to read faster, it helps to understand your current reading rhythm. Every reader has a natural pace shaped by focus, familiarity with the subject and reading habits built over the years. Trying to double your speed instantly will only lead to frustration. A more effective approach is to understand your baseline and work from there. The aim is not dramatic acceleration. The aim is steady improvement. When you take the time to observe how you currently read, you can identify what slows you down. It might be frequent distractions, tired eyes, reading in a noisy environment or choosing books that require deep concentration. Knowing this helps you adopt the right strategy for your needs. ## Reduce subvocalisation to gain fluency Subvocalisation is the habit of silently pronouncing words in your mind as you read. This is natural and happens to everyone. However, when subvocalisation is too strong, your reading speed becomes limited by your speaking speed. You do not need to eliminate it. You simply need to soften it. You can do this by: • Focusing on reading groups of words instead of individual ones • Keeping your eyes slightly ahead of your mental voice • Replacing the internal voice with a sense of visual flow Over time, this trains your mind to process information more quickly and fluently. ## Expand your eye span to read more efficiently Your eyes do not move smoothly across the page. They jump in small bursts called saccades. Increasing the number of words your eyes capture in each jump can significantly improve your speed. A simple technique is to stop looking at the very first and very last word of each line. Most lines can be read easily by starting slightly inward and finishing slightly inward. This avoids unnecessary eye movement and keeps your rhythm more continuous. Another technique is to practice reading blocks of text. Choose a paragraph and try to let your eyes glide rather than pause on every single word. Even if the improvement is small at first, the cumulative effect is noticeable. ## Learn to identify key information quickly Comprehension does not depend on reading every word. It depends on understanding meaning. Good readers train themselves to recognise the structural elements of a sentence so they can extract information more efficiently. Look for: • Main verbs • Subject and object • Keywords that convey purpose or direction • Connectors that show cause, contrast or consequence Once these elements stand out, your brain forms a clear idea of the message, even before processing every detail. ## Train your focus through shorter sessions You read more slowly when your mind drifts. Improving reading speed is often a matter of strengthening your ability to stay engaged for longer periods. The best way to do this is through short but highly focused sessions. Try reading in bursts of ten to fifteen minutes without interruptions. During these sessions, silence your notifications, keep your phone away and allow your attention to settle fully on the text. As your focus improves, your speed will follow naturally. ## Match your reading material to your energy level If you try to read complex material when you are tired, your speed will drop dramatically. Reading becomes slower not because you lack skill, but because your cognitive energy is low. Pay attention to your natural rhythms: - Read dense or analytical texts when your mind is fresh - Read lighter fiction or short chapters when you feel tired - Switch to audiobooks when your eyes or attention need a break When you match the right level of energy to the right type of book, you read more smoothly and consistently. ## Reduce friction by improving your reading environment Your surroundings play a huge role in your reading speed. A cluttered desk, poor lighting, background noise or an uncomfortable seat can all slow you down. You can support your reading flow by: - Choosing lighting that prevents eye strain - Using a bookmark to return to the page quickly - Keeping your reading space tidy - Reading in the same place to create a familiar routine A good environment does not just make reading faster. It also makes it more pleasant. ## Practice active reading to improve retention Speed without comprehension is meaningless. If you want to read quickly while remembering what you learned, you need to train active engagement. A few ways to do this: - Summarise paragraphs in your mind - Note the main ideas after each chapter - Highlight key concepts - Reflect on what the text means to you Active reading helps your mind anchor information so that speed does not compromise understanding. ## Give yourself time. Improvement is gradual Reading speed is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice. Consistency is more important than intensity. Small improvements over many weeks will have a greater impact than a sudden attempt to push yourself beyond your limits. Be patient with yourself. Celebrate progress. And remember that your goal is not speed for its own sake. It is to enjoy reading more fluently and confidently. ## A simple tool to support your progress If you want to observe your improvement over time, tracking your reading sessions can help. Book Tracker records your reading time, session length and progress, giving you a clear picture of your natural pace. Over time, you can see how your speed changes, notice which books make you read faster and find your most productive moments of the day. It is a gentle way to stay motivated as you strengthen your reading skills, without turning your progress into a race. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Maintain a Reading Routine While Working Full Time URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-maintain-a-reading-routine-while-working-full-time/ Finding time to read while managing a full time job can feel impossible. After a long day of work, your mind is tired, your schedule is full and your attention is pulled in every direction. Yet many readers discover that a steady reading routine does not require more hours in the day. It simply requires intention, small adjustments and a realistic understanding of how reading fits into your life. This guide explores practical ways to keep reading regularly even with a demanding job. No pressure, no competitive goals, just a gentle approach that helps you stay connected with books without feeling overwhelmed. ## Redefine what it means to read daily Most people imagine reading daily as sitting quietly with a book for a long uninterrupted session. For full time workers, this is not always possible. Instead of relying on long sessions, try embracing short moments of reading spread throughout the day. Five minutes during breakfast Ten minutes while waiting for public transport A chapter before bed These small moments add up. What matters is not the length of each session, but the fact that reading remains a steady part of your routine. ## Let go of the idea of the perfect reading moment Waiting for the ideal conditions can stop your reading routine before it even begins. Quiet house, perfect mood, free afternoon. These moments happen rarely. Sustainable reading grows in the imperfect spaces of real life. Read during your commute if you travel by train or bus Read in waiting rooms or coffee breaks Read a few pages during your lunch pause Your energy may not always be high, but reading can become a gentle way to reset your mind between tasks. ## Choose books that match your current mental energy After a full workday, your brain might not be ready for complex or dense books. That does not mean you are reading the wrong things. It simply means you need to match your reading to your energy level. If you feel mentally tired, choose shorter chapters, fast paced fiction or familiar genres If your mind is active, choose something more thoughtful or challenging If your focus is low, audiobooks can keep the routine alive without straining your eyes Reading becomes easier when you do not fight against your energy, but work with it. ## Turn reading into a relaxing transition ritual Reading can be the perfect transition between the demands of your day and the calm of your evening. Even a few pages can help you release work thoughts and slow down your mind. You can create a simple ritual that signals this transition. Prepare a cup of tea Dim the lights Sit in a comfortable spot Read for ten minutes Rituals make reading feel restorative rather than another task on your list. ## Protect your attention from constant distractions Modern work life often means constant notifications and interruptions. When you try to read, your mind may still be in “work mode”. Reducing friction helps you stay present on the page. Turn off non essential notifications during your reading time Keep your phone in another room if possible Use a bookmark or a reading lamp that sets a quiet atmosphere Keep your current book in an easily reachable place The goal is not to disconnect from the world entirely, but to give your mind a calm space to settle into the story. ## Make your reading environment simple and inviting Your environment can either support your reading routine or fight against it. You do not need a perfect reading corner, but having a comfortable and tidy space helps you return to your book more easily. Choose consistent places associated with reading Keep your current book visible and accessible Place a blanket, cushion or small lamp that makes the space pleasant When your environment welcomes you, reading becomes effortless. ## Accept that your routine will change during busy periods Some weeks are demanding. Projects, deadlines, personal commitments. Your reading routine will naturally shift during these moments. Instead of feeling discouraged, allow your routine to adapt. You might read less, or choose lighter books You might rely more on audiobooks You might switch to shorter sessions Reading is a long term relationship. Brief interruptions do not erase your progress. ## Add small sources of motivation without pressure It can be helpful to have gentle reminders that keep your reading intention alive. This can include preparing your next book in advance, joining a reading community or participating in seasonal reading challenges. These small external motivations keep your routine active while keeping the experience enjoyable and pressure free. ## A quiet way to support your routine For full time workers, the most important part of maintaining a reading routine is tracking it in a simple and stress free way. Book Tracker makes it easy to record your sessions, see when you are naturally reading most often and keep your reading life organised. You can check your progress at a glance, save quotes, and keep your reading rhythm alive without turning it into a competition. A routine grows when it feels natural and rewarding. With a realistic approach and a tool that supports your rhythm, reading can become a calm part of your everyday life, even in the middle of a busy schedule. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Slow Reader’s Survival Guide: How to Embrace a Calm and Enjoyable Reading Rhythm URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-slow-readers-survival-guide-how-to-embrace-a-calm-and-enjoyable-reading-rhythm/ There is a quiet beauty in reading slowly. While the internet often celebrates readers who finish dozens of books each year, many people move through stories at a gentler pace. They pause to reflect, reread passages they love and take time to connect with the words on the page. If you have ever felt out of place because you read slowly, this guide is here to show you that slow reading is not a weakness. It is a different way of engaging with books, one that can be meaningful, restorative and deeply personal. Slow reading is sustainable because it respects your rhythm. It allows books to unfold naturally and leaves space for thought and imagination. In this guide we explore how to make the most of it and how to turn your “slow pace” into a strength rather than something to hide. ## Accept your natural pace The first step is acceptance. Every reader has a natural rhythm and forcing yourself to speed up can create stress that ruins the experience. Some books require attention and patience. Some days your mind simply moves slower. And that is completely fine. Once you stop comparing your pace to that of others, reading becomes lighter and more enjoyable. You give yourself permission to take breaks, to savor the page and to sit with ideas longer than usual. ## Choose books that reward slow reading Some books are perfect for a slow approach. They may have lyrical writing, complex themes or characters that grow gradually. These books shine when you allow them space to breathe. Genres that often benefit from slow reading include literary fiction, philosophy, science writing, biography and poetry. Dense fantasy or historical novels also reward careful attention to detail. When you match your pace with the right type of book, reading stops feeling like a race. ## Create a reading environment that invites calm A slow reading routine thrives in a calm atmosphere. Instead of squeezing pages between notifications and rushed moments, try creating a small ritual. Brew a warm drink, choose a comfortable seat or play soft instrumental music. These simple gestures tell your mind that this moment is meant for concentration and relaxation. Even a short session can feel satisfying when the environment supports you. Slow reading is not about quantity. It is about quality. ## Let yourself get lost in the page Reading slowly gives you the luxury of absorption. You can linger on a sentence, reread a paragraph to catch its subtleties or stop to think about how it connects to your life. This way of reading turns the book into a companion rather than a task. It creates a deeper emotional connection with the story and makes the experience richer and more memorable. Many readers also find it helpful to annotate. Underlining a phrase or writing a brief note can make the book feel more intimate and engaging. ## Stop feeling pressured to finish quickly Finishing a book fast is not a measure of intelligence or dedication. Many people rush through their reading list because they feel they should read more, not because they truly want to. Slow reading removes that pressure. You finish when you finish. If a book takes you weeks or months, there is no rule that says you are doing it wrong. Your reading life should adapt to you, not the other way around. ## Enjoy the process of discovering books When you adopt a slower reading style, you may find that the process of choosing what to read becomes more enjoyable. Instead of picking a book with the goal of finishing it quickly, you can choose based on mood, curiosity or the desire to learn something new. Curating a thoughtful reading list becomes a pleasure. It reflects who you are and what you want to explore rather than a list of titles to check off. ## Why slow reading is valuable in a fast world In a culture that measures everything through speed and productivity, choosing to read slowly is almost an act of resistance. It creates a space where you are not pushed, evaluated or rushed. Slow reading helps you reconnect with your inner pace, strengthens focus and encourages deeper thinking. Most importantly, it keeps reading joyful. And joy is the true fuel of every long term reading habit. ## A tool that supports slow and mindful reading If you like reading at your own rhythm, it can be helpful to keep track of your progress without pressure. Book Tracker allows you to log your reading sessions in a quiet way, without encouraging speed or counting your “performance”. You can track your time, save quotes, annotate and revisit your progress whenever you feel like it. It is a simple companion that supports your natural pace, helping you stay connected with your reading life without turning it into a race. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Build a Sustainable Reading Habit: A Practical Guide for Readers URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-build-a-sustainable-reading-habit-a-practical-guide-for-readers/ Building a regular reading habit is one of the simplest ways to improve your focus, reduce stress and feel more connected to the ideas you care about. Yet for many people, reading still feels like something they need to force into their schedule rather than a natural part of their day. A sustainable reading habit is not about reading dozens of books a year. It is about creating a rhythm that fits your life and supports your curiosity without pressure or guilt. In this guide you will find practical strategies you can start today and you will also see how Book Tracker can help you turn reading into an easy daily routine. ## Start small and keep it simple The biggest mistake people make when they want to read more is aiming too high too early. Deciding to read for an hour every day usually lasts for about a week. Starting with ten or even five minutes is far more effective. When the barrier is small, you show up more often and consistency matters much more than intensity. [Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) supports this approach because it does not push you toward arbitrary goals. You can log short reading sessions without any pressure to reach a certain amount of pages. This gives you the freedom to build your habit gradually while still keeping a clear record of your progress. ## Create a time and place that feels natural Your reading habit becomes sustainable when it has a home in your day. For some people that moment is early morning with a coffee. Others prefer the commute or a few minutes before bed. What matters is choosing a moment that already exists in your routine. Once you decide when you want to read, connect it to a place that feels inviting. It can be a corner of your couch, your balcony, or a desk with natural light. The combination of time and space signals your mind that this is the moment to read. Book Tracker helps you understand which moments work best for you. By looking at your reading statistics you will notice patterns such as longer sessions in the morning or more frequent sessions in the evening. This insight can guide you to reinforce the most natural part of your routine. ## Reduce friction around choosing what to read A surprising amount of energy is lost simply deciding what to read next. Decision fatigue can easily interrupt a forming habit. Preparing your next book in advance removes that barrier entirely. You can use Book Tracker to keep a clear list of your unread books, your wish list, and any recommendations you want to try. When you finish a book, simply open your lists and pick the next one without hesitation. This makes the transition smooth and keeps your momentum intact. ## Track your progress regularly to stay motivated Tracking is not about chasing numbers. It is about creating a sense of continuity and intention. When you see your reading sessions accumulate and the progress on your current book grow, the habit becomes more rewarding. Book Tracker is designed for this kind of gentle motivation. Every reading session you log, no matter how short, contributes to your statistics. Over time you begin to see a clear picture of your reading life: the pace that feels natural for you, the genres you enjoy most, and the times when you tend to read more. These insights build a stronger connection between you and your habit. ## Read what you truly enjoy There is no sustainable reading habit without joy. If a book feels like a chore for too long, it may be keeping you from reading altogether. It is perfectly acceptable to set aside a book that does not engage you. This is not a failure but a way to protect your habit. Book Tracker makes this easier because you can add books to different categories. You can mark the ones you paused, the ones you want to revisit later, and the ones you abandoned. Everything stays organised without cluttering your main reading flow. ## Create a positive reading environment A sustainable habit grows in the right environment. This means reducing distractions when possible, keeping your phone away if you know it pulls your attention, or turning reading into a small ritual. Light a candle, make tea or play soft background music. Little cues help your mind enter a focused and relaxed state. If you want additional structure, Book Tracker allows you to add notes or quotes as you read. Interacting with the text deepens your engagement and makes your reading time more meaningful. ## Observe your progress with curiosity, not pressure Reading should never feel like a competition. Your pace will naturally change during the year. Some months you will read more, others less. What matters is staying connected to the experience. The statistics inside Book Tracker are built to help you reflect, not to push you. You can look at your yearly reading challenge, your time spent reading, and your streaks with a sense of curiosity. The goal is not to reach a perfect number but to understand your rhythm and enjoy it. ## Let your habit evolve with your life A sustainable reading habit adapts. Maybe you read more audiobooks during a busy season. Maybe you switch to shorter books when you need something light. Or maybe you alternate between fiction and non-fiction depending on your energy. Because Book Tracker supports different formats, reading styles and personalised lists, it grows with you. You are free to adjust your approach without losing track of your reading identity. ## Final thoughts Building a reading habit is not about discipline. It is about intention, small steps and a system that supports your natural rhythm. Book Tracker gives you the tools to understand your reading life, stay motivated without pressure and keep your progress organised in a simple and personal way. If you want reading to become part of your everyday routine, start with five minutes today. Open your current book, track your session and let the habit grow at its own pace. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Why privacy matters in reading apps URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/why-privacy-matters-in-reading-apps/ Reading is a personal activity. The books you choose, the notes you take and the progress you make form a private map of your interests and ideas. For many readers, this information is something that should remain entirely personal. In the digital world, however, privacy is not always guaranteed. Many apps depend on accounts, online databases or tracking systems. These tools often collect information to support recommendations, advertising or social features. While this approach can offer convenience, it also means that your reading habits are stored outside your device and shared with external systems. [Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) takes a different direction. It provides a complete reading and cataloging experience without collecting personal data or requiring an account. This makes it one of the most private reading apps available on iPhone, iPad and Mac. This article explores why privacy matters in reading apps and how Book Tracker ensures a private and secure environment. ## Why your reading data is sensitive Your reading choices can reveal personal preferences, professional interests, cultural background and sometimes even sensitive information. For this reason, many readers prefer that their reading activity is not stored online or linked to a public profile. Some common risks when using apps that rely on accounts or cloud based databases include: - Your book collection may be stored on external servers - Reading activity can be associated with your identity - Notes and highlights might be accessible to the service provider - Usage data may be collected to build behaviour profiles - Certain information could be shared with third parties for advertising For many readers, this level of exposure is unnecessary, especially when the goal is simply to organize a personal library or track their reading time. ## A local first approach Book Tracker is built around a local first philosophy. This means that your library, notes, statistics and reading progress are stored on your device and in your personal iCloud account, not on external servers. The app does not manage any external database and does not collect usage data. This approach avoids common privacy risks: - No account required - No data sent to external servers - No tracking of reading behaviour - No collection of personal information - No advertising systems - No analytics that profile user habits Everything remains under your control and on your devices. ## Full functionality without an account Many reading apps offer their main features only after creating an account. This usually includes syncing, backup, reading goals, lists and other tools. Book Tracker is designed differently. Every feature works without creating a profile because the app is meant to belong entirely to the reader who uses it. You can: - Catalog your entire physical library - Track your reading time - Create reading goals - Manage series and organize your books - Add notes, quotes and personal information - Sync across devices through your own iCloud All of these features work from the moment you open the app for the first time, without any form of registration. ## iCloud sync without compromising privacy Syncing across devices is essential for many users. Book Tracker uses the Apple iCloud system to ensure your library is always up to date. This method provides two important advantages: - Your data is synced only through your Apple ID - Apple manages encryption and security Book Tracker never sees or stores any of your data. Everything that syncs remains within your Apple ecosystem and never passes through third party servers. ## A complete app without sacrificing privacy Choosing a privacy focused app sometimes means giving up features, but this is not the case with Book Tracker. The app is designed to be both private and complete. It offers: - A detailed catalog for physical books - Custom lists and Smart Lists - Location tracking for large libraries - Series organization and reading order - A reading timer that records every session - Yearly goals and reading statistics - Tags, metadata and advanced filters - Backup and restore options - Native support for iPhone, iPad and Mac This combination of depth and privacy is rare. Book Tracker is one of the few reading apps that can store thousands of books, handle complex libraries and offer advanced reading tools without compromising user privacy. ## Why privacy should be the standard in reading apps Reading is deeply personal. The books you choose reflect who you are and how you think. For this reason, privacy should be the standard, not the exception. When an app collects no data, requires no account and avoids external servers, you can use it with confidence and trust. Book Tracker follows this philosophy from the foundation of its design. It proves that a reading app can be powerful, complete and user friendly without ever asking you to give up control of your information. ## Final thoughts In a digital landscape where many apps depend on tracking and online profiles, Book Tracker stands out as a privacy first solution. Every feature is built around the idea that your reading life belongs to you. It offers a complete way to organize your library, track your reading and manage your books on Apple devices while keeping your data fully private. If you value privacy as much as a well organized reading experience, Book Tracker provides both without compromise. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to track your reading progress with an app URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-track-your-reading-progress-with-an-app/ Tracking your reading progress is one of the simplest ways to understand how you read, which books keep you engaged and how your reading habits change over time. Many readers begin by marking pages or using notes, but a dedicated app can offer a much clearer and more accurate view of your reading journey. This article explores how reading progress tracking works on iPhone and iPad, why it matters and how it can help you build a more intentional reading routine. ## Why tracking your reading progress is useful Monitoring your reading progress is not just about knowing how far you are in a book. It gives you insights into your reading pace, your consistency and the types of books that require more time or more focus. For many readers, this becomes a way to stay motivated and maintain a steady reading habit. Some of the main benefits include: - Understanding your reading pace - Keeping track of how long a book takes to complete - Staying consistent with reading sessions - Setting realistic goals - Improving your attention and focus - Creating a record of your reading history over the years These elements form a complete picture of your reading life. ## Page based progress tracking The most common form of reading progress tracking is based on pages. You start by entering the page where you begin and update your progress as you move forward. This method is useful because: - It works for most books - It gives a clear numerical reference - It allows you to understand how quickly you advance in different types of books - It helps you see how long a book remains in progress Some apps also allow you to mark chapters or sections, which is especially helpful for nonfiction titles and academic material. ## Percentage based progress Many e-readers show progress in percentages, and some readers prefer using this structure even for physical books. Percentages can be helpful when the book does not have numbered pages or has different formats, such as large print editions. Advantages of percent based progress include: - A uniform method across different reading formats - A quick visual reference of how much is left - Consistency between digital and physical reading Readers who use both e readers and physical books often find this method convenient. ## Reading time tracking Time tracking is one of the most informative ways to understand your reading habits. Instead of focusing only on pages, it measures the time you spend reading, which can reveal patterns you would not notice otherwise. Time tracking can help you: - Identify your natural reading sessions - Understand how long you read on average per day - Compare the reading time of different books - Stay motivated by visualizing how much time you dedicate to reading - Track reading sessions that do not change your percentage, such as long reference books A clear record of reading time offers a deeper understanding of your reading behavior. ## Combining progress and time The most complete picture of your reading progress comes from combining pages or percentages with time. This gives you both the structure of where you are in a book and the rhythm with which you read it. For example, you may notice that you spend more time on a shorter book because it is more complex, or that certain genres match your natural reading flow better. Over time, these insights help you choose books that align with your preferences and build reading habits that feel natural. ## How to stay consistent Tracking reading progress becomes most valuable when it is part of a regular routine. A few small habits can help you stay consistent. - Start the timer when you begin reading - Update your pages or percentage after each session - Review your reading statistics at the end of the week - Set a monthly or yearly reading goal - Keep your current reads easy to access on your device By making tracking a natural part of your reading, you will gain a much clearer sense of your reading life. ## A simple tool to track reading on Apple devices If you read on iPhone, iPad or Mac, you can use Book Tracker to record your reading progress. The app supports page based progress, percentage based progress and a reading timer that stores every session. This makes it easier to monitor your reading pace and understand how your habits evolve over time. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Best Goodreads Alternatives for iPhone in 2026 (Privacy-First Guide) URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-goodreads-for-ios/ For more than a decade, [Goodreads](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goodreads-book-reviews/id355833469) has been the default place where readers track what they read. It has the largest book database, the longest review archive, and the most users. None of that has changed. What *has* changed is everything around it. The interface still feels like 2010. Amazon has owned the platform since 2013 and the integration with Kindle is shallower than most readers expect. Privacy is essentially nonexistent: your reading history is visible, social, and tied to your account forever. There’s no Mac app, no Apple Watch app, the iPad version is a stretched iPhone view, and widgets, Live Activity, and Widget Controls don’t exist. In 2026, **the question isn’t “is Goodreads still good?”, it’s “which alternative is right for me?”** The answer depends entirely on what you actually want from a book app: a private library catalog, a smarter recommendation engine, a healthier community, an open-source decentralized platform, or a daily habit coach. This guide covers the 7 best Goodreads alternatives for iPhone in 2026, ranked by **reader profile** rather than abstract scores. By the end you’ll know exactly which one to switch to and how to bring your existing Goodreads library with you in under five minutes. > **Quick answer (for readers in a hurry):** in 2026 the best Goodreads alternative for **most iPhone readers** is **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**: private, no account required, native on iPhone + iPad + Mac + Apple Watch, with deep cataloging, reading sessions, widgets, Live Activity, and one-tap Goodreads import. For **community-focused readers** the best alternative is **Hardcover**. For **stats-driven readers** the best alternative is **The StoryGraph**. For **open-source decentralized purists** the best alternative is **BookWyrm**. For **daily habit coaching** the best alternative is **Bookly**. For **BookTok aesthetic** the best alternative is **Margins**. For **rich literary social discovery** the best alternative is **Literal**. ## What you’ll find in this guide - [Why people are leaving Goodreads in 2026](#why) - [The 7 alternatives, head-to-head comparison](#table) - [Detailed reviews, by reader profile](#reviews) - [Book Tracker — best for private library + Apple ecosystem](#book-tracker) - [The StoryGraph — best for stats lovers](#storygraph) - [Hardcover — best for healthy community](#hardcover) - [BookWyrm — best for open-source decentralized readers](#bookwyrm) - [Literal — best for rich social discovery](#literal) - [Bookly — best for habit coaching](#bookly) - [Margins — best for BookTok aesthetic](#margins) - [How to leave Goodreads (without losing your data)](#leave) - [FAQ](#faq) - [Verdict — which one should you pick](#verdict) ## 1. Why people are leaving Goodreads in 2026 Goodreads is not “bad”. Most people leave it for one of seven specific reasons. **1. The interface hasn’t aged well.** The web app and the iOS app both look and feel like apps from 2012. Adding a book is fiddly. Updating reading progress requires too many taps. The visual hierarchy is dated. **2. Amazon ownership shapes the priorities.** Amazon bought Goodreads in 2013, and since then the product has stagnated. Many readers describe it as “abandonware kept alive”. The Kindle integration, somehow, is still shallow. **3. There’s no real privacy.** Your shelves, your ratings, your reading dates, all of it is social by default. The granular privacy controls are limited and confusing. For many readers in 2026 this is the dealbreaker. **4. The data isn’t really yours.** You can export a CSV (which is good), but the rich metadata, your review history, and your relationships with other users live on Goodreads servers. If the platform shuts down or pivots, you lose context. **5. Apple ecosystem features are nonexistent.** No Mac app. No Apple Watch app. No widgets. No Live Activity. No Widget Controls. No App Intents. In 2026 this is a glaring gap for any iPhone user who has more than one Apple device. **6. The recommendations got worse, not better.** As the user base grew, the recommendation engine got noisier. “If you liked X, you might like Y” became a reflection of crowd behavior more than personal taste. **7. The community has issues.** Review-bombing, fake accounts, and the “BookTok culture wars” have changed how the social side feels. Many readers want to track their reading without participating in the drama. If any two of these apply to you, you’ll be happier somewhere else. The remaining question is *where*. For the long-form personal version of this argument see [Why I Stopped Using Goodreads: The Case for a Private Digital Library](https://booktrack.app/blog/why-i-stopped-using-goodreads-the-case-for-a-private-digital-library/), and for the one-on-one comparison with Book Tracker see [Goodreads vs Book Tracker: Why You Should Switch for Better Privacy](https://booktrack.app/blog/goodreads-vs-book-tracker-why-you-should-switch-for-better-privacy-and-peace-of-mind/). ## 2. The 7 alternatives, head-to-head AppBest forPrivacyApple ecosystem (Mac/Watch/Widgets)Account requiredGoodreads importOpen source**Book Tracker**Private library + Apple users**Excellent** (no account, iCloud only)**Excellent** (iPhone + iPad + Mac + Watch + Widgets + Live Activity + Widget Controls)**No****Yes**No**The StoryGraph**Stats-driven readersGoodLimited (iPhone only, no Watch, no Mac)YesYesNo**Hardcover**Healthy book communityGood (granular settings)Limited (iPhone, web)YesYesNo**BookWyrm**Open-source decentralized**Excellent** (you can self-host)Web-first, no native iOS app yetYes (instance-based)Yes**Yes (AGPL)****Literal**Rich social discoveryStandardLimitedYes (invite-only at times)YesNo**Bookly**Daily habit coachingStandardMedium (iPhone, basic iPad)YesYes (limited)No**Margins**BookTok aesthetic + focus modeStandardLimited (iPhone only)YesYesNo ## 3. Detailed reviews, by reader profile ### Book Tracker — best for private library + Apple ecosystem **Profile:** the reader who has more than 50 books, uses multiple Apple devices, cares about privacy, and wants a real library catalog rather than a social feed. Book Tracker has been in continuous development since December 2019. It’s the only Goodreads alternative that runs natively on **iPhone + iPad + Mac + Apple Watch with full feature parity**, with no account required and end-to-end encrypted iCloud sync. What it does that Goodreads doesn’t: - **Bulk barcode scanning** with multi-source metadata enrichment. - **Format-aware tracking**: paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook, manga. Multiple formats per single book entry. - **Hierarchical organization**: Location → Bookcase → Shelf, plus Tags and Smart Lists. - **Lending tracker** with named contacts and return reminders. - **Reading sessions** with timer and **Live Activity** so you can monitor an active session from the Lock Screen. - **Annual Reading Challenge** with **Year in Review** (a “Spotify Wrapped for books”. See [More Than Music: How to Get Your Own Spotify Wrapped for Books](https://booktrack.app/blog/more-than-music-how-to-get-your-own-spotify-wrapped-for-books-and-share-it/)). - **Quote OCR capture** — point your camera at a page, get the text. - **9 import sources** (Goodreads included). See [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/). - **No account, no ads, no third-party SDKs, no behavioral tracking**. - **Translated into 24 languages.** What it doesn’t do: - No public reviews, no social feed, no following other readers. By design. - No “vibes” or semantic discovery. - Doesn’t run on Android. **Pricing:** free with one-time IAP. No subscription. **How to start:** download from the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200), import your Goodreads library in 5 minutes following [the migration guide](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/). **Press recognition:** featured on MacStories, 9to5Mac, AppAdvice, Mac Sources. For the deep-dive on what makes a real cataloging tool versus a glorified reading list, see the pillar [The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/). ### The StoryGraph — best for stats lovers **Profile:** the reader who loved Goodreads’ challenges and rating system but always wanted *more* data and smarter recommendations. The StoryGraph is the most-recommended Goodreads alternative on Reddit and BookTok, and for good reason. It does one thing better than anyone else: **it shows you patterns in your reading you didn’t know existed**. What it does well: - **Best-in-class statistics**: pace breakdown, mood breakdown, page-count distribution, percentage of books read by genre, by format, by length. - **Smart recommendations** based on your actual reading patterns, not crowd ratings. - **Reading challenges** that go beyond “X books per year” (e.g. “read more diversely”, “try a slow-burn romance”). - **Half-star ratings** and the ability to flag books as DNF without stigma. - **Buddy reads** for reading groups. - **Content warnings** and trigger filters. - **Goodreads import** (CSV). Limitations: - iPhone-only mobile app (no iPad version optimized, no Mac, no Apple Watch). - Account required and data lives on StoryGraph servers (not Apple-native sync). - No widgets, no Live Activity, no Controls. - No serious cataloging features (locations, multiple formats per book, lending tracker). - Free tier is generous; paid tier (“Plus”) unlocks roadmap voting and more advanced filters. **Best for:** the reader who finds joy in the *data* of reading, who wants to discover patterns and break out of genre echo chambers, and who’s OK with a phone-only experience. ### Hardcover — best for healthy community **Profile:** the reader who actually liked the social side of Goodreads (book discussions, reviews, follows) but is tired of the toxicity, the spam, and the Amazon ownership. Hardcover launched in 2021 as an explicitly Amazon-free, community-first platform. Think of it as “what Goodreads should have become if it had stayed independent and well-designed.” What it does well: - **Modern, fast UI** that genuinely feels designed for 2026. - **Granular privacy settings** (you choose what’s public, what’s followers-only, what’s private). - **Rich profiles, follows, lists, reviews** — all the social features that made Goodreads useful, without the legacy. - **Half-star ratings**, custom shelves, no upper limit on tracked books. - **Strong moderation** to keep discussion civil. - **Goodreads import**. Limitations: - iPhone app exists but is a thin shell of the web experience. No Mac, no Watch, no widgets. - Smaller community than Goodreads (which is sometimes a feature, not a bug). - Account required, server-hosted data. **Best for:** the reader who wants the social experience done *right*, without leaving the privacy of their reading entirely behind. ### BookWyrm — best for open-source decentralized readers **Profile:** the reader who cares about software freedom, federation, and the right to leave a platform without losing context. BookWyrm is an open-source (AGPL) decentralized book social platform built on the Fediverse using ActivityPub, the same protocol behind Mastodon. You can join an existing instance (like `bookwyrm.social`) or, if you’re technically inclined, **self-host your own instance**, federate with others, and own your reading data completely. What it does well: - **True data ownership**: if you self-host, your data lives on your server, period. - **Federation**: follow readers across different BookWyrm instances seamlessly. - **Open-source forever**: no acquisition risk, no enshittification curve. - **Goodreads import** via CSV. - **Active development** with a passionate FOSS community. Limitations: - No native iOS app (you use it via mobile web). This is the biggest blocker for most iPhone readers. - Discoverability is more manual, federation introduces latency and fragmentation. - The UX, while improving, is functional rather than delightful. - Setup of a self-hosted instance requires technical skills (Docker, server admin). **Best for:** technically inclined readers who care deeply about the principles of decentralized, open-source software, and who don’t mind a web-first experience. ### Literal — best for rich social discovery **Profile:** the reader who wants book-specific forums, deep discussion, and a community that feels more like Reddit-for-books than Instagram-for-books. Literal is sometimes invite-only, sometimes open, and consistently described as “Goodreads meets Reddit with a cleaner interface”. It combines tracking with book-specific discussion threads where readers go deep on individual titles. What it does well: - **Book-specific discussion threads** that go beyond reviews. - **Curated lists** from real readers. - **Following structure** that surfaces interesting people, not just famous accounts. - **Modern interface** that respects the reading experience. - **Goodreads import**. Limitations: - iPhone app available; no Mac, no Watch, no widgets. - Smaller community than Goodreads or Hardcover. - Discovery flow can feel niche. - Sometimes invite-only. Check current status before relying on it. **Best for:** the reader who wants real discussion, not just star ratings. ### Bookly — best for habit coaching **Profile:** the reader who joins reading challenges with the same energy as fitness challenges: streaks, achievements, daily goals. Bookly is positioned explicitly as a reading habit coach. Its signature feature is a reading session timer with detailed daily/weekly statistics and an aggressive achievement/streak system. What it does well: - **Built-in reading timer** with reading speed analysis. - **Streak page** and achievements. - **Daily reading reminders** with flexible scheduling. - **Reading reports** with graphs per book/month/year. - **Goodreads-style “want to read / read / currently reading” lists**. Limitations: - iPhone-first, basic iPad version, no Mac, no Watch. - Account required. - Cataloging features are minimal (no locations, no multi-format per book, no lending). - Subscription model for full features. **Best for:** the reader who needs external motivation to read more — a coach more than a librarian. For the deep comparison see [Bookly vs Book Tracker: Do You Need a Coach or a Librarian?](https://booktrack.app/blog/bookly-vs-book-tracker-do-you-need-a-coach-or-a-librarian/). ### Margins — best for BookTok aesthetic **Profile:** the iPhone-only reader who shares reading on TikTok and Instagram, and wants an app that’s beautiful, social, and gamified. Margins launched in late 2024 with a strong design-forward, BookTok-friendly identity. It pairs reading tracking with discovery features (“vibes search”, image-based search) and a focus mode that blocks distracting apps during reading sessions. What it does well: - **“Vibes” semantic search** — describe a book you want in natural language. - **Image-based search** — upload a cover photo. - **Reading focus mode** with app blocking. - **Streak page** and habit-building. - **Beautiful share cards** for social media. - **Goodreads + Fable import**. Limitations: - iPhone only. No iPad, no Mac, no Watch. - Account required. - Cataloging features are light. - Subscription tier for premium features. **Best for:** the reader for whom reading is a social-aesthetic activity. For the full head-to-head see [Margins vs Book Tracker: Which Reading App Fits Your Library?](https://booktrack.app/blog/margins-vs-book-tracker/). ## 4. How to leave Goodreads (without losing your data) Whichever alternative you pick, the migration process is the same five steps. It takes about 5-10 minutes. ### Step 1 — Export your Goodreads library - Log into [Goodreads.com](https://www.goodreads.com/) on a desktop browser (mobile doesn’t expose the export option). - Go to **My Books** → **Tools** → **Import and Export** (direct URL: [goodreads.com/review/import](https://www.goodreads.com/review/import)). - Click **Export Library**. Goodreads generates a CSV with all your books, ratings, reading dates, shelves. - Wait 30 seconds to a few minutes (depending on library size). Click the download link. ### Step 2 — Save the CSV to a place you can reach from your iPhone Easiest option: drop the file into iCloud Drive (any folder). It will appear in the Files app on your iPhone. Alternative: email it to yourself, then save the attachment to Files. ### Step 3 — Pick your new app and download it Use the comparison above to pick. For most iPhone readers, **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** is the right choice. Download it from the App Store. ### Step 4 — Import the CSV In Book Tracker: - Open the app. - Tap **Settings** → **Import**. - Select **Goodreads** as the source. - Choose the CSV file from Files. - Wait for the import to complete (usually 1-3 minutes for a typical library). For the detailed walkthrough see [Migrating from Goodreads](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/), and for the complete step-by-step including how to fix the most common issues, see the companion guide [How to Import Your Goodreads Library to Book Tracker (Step-by-Step 2026)](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-import-goodreads-to-book-tracker/). ### Step 5 — Verify and clean up After import, browse your new library to verify everything is there. Two common issues: - **Some books show 0 pages** — Goodreads doesn’t always include page count in the export. Fix: see [Why are some books showing 0 pages?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-some-books-showing-0-pages-after-import/). - **Some covers are missing** — Goodreads CSV doesn’t include cover images. Fix: see [Why are covers missing after import?](https://booktrack.app/faq/why-are-covers-missing-after-import/). Both fixes take about a minute each. Once done, your migration is complete and your reading history is preserved. ### Bonus: should you delete your Goodreads account? Not immediately. Keep your Goodreads account active for at least 60 days as a backup, in case you discover something that didn’t import. After two months of confidence in your new app, you can delete the account from Goodreads → Account Settings → Close Account. ## 5. Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What is the best alternative to Goodreads in 2026?** For most iPhone readers, the best alternative is **Book Tracker**: it’s private, requires no account, runs natively on iPhone + iPad + Mac + Apple Watch, and imports Goodreads in 5 minutes. For stats lovers the best is **The StoryGraph**. For community-focused readers it’s **Hardcover**. For open-source decentralized purists it’s **BookWyrm**. **Q: Will I lose my reading history if I leave Goodreads?** No. Goodreads lets you export everything to a CSV file (titles, ratings, reading dates, shelves), and all major alternatives can import it. Your reading history is preserved. **Q: Are these alternatives free?** Most have a free tier. Book Tracker is free with one-time IAP. The StoryGraph, Hardcover, BookWyrm, and Literal have generous free tiers with optional paid upgrades. Bookly and Margins use subscription models for premium features. **Q: Which alternative has the best privacy?** Book Tracker (no account, data only on your devices and in your private iCloud, end-to-end encrypted by Apple) and BookWyrm (you can self-host) are the strongest privacy options. The StoryGraph and Hardcover have good privacy controls but data still lives on their servers. See [How does Book Tracker handle my privacy?](https://booktrack.app/faq/how-does-book-tracker-handle-my-privacy/) for the full Book Tracker posture. **Q: I want a Mac app and an Apple Watch app. Which alternative offers them?** Only Book Tracker offers full native apps for **iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch** with feature parity. None of the other Goodreads alternatives offers this combination. **Q: What about Storytel, Audible, Libby, or Kobo?** Those are reading/listening platforms, not tracking apps. They handle the *consumption* of books. The apps in this guide handle the *cataloging and tracking* of what you read across all your reading platforms. **Q: Can I use multiple of these apps together?** Yes, and it’s actually a common setup. For example: Book Tracker as your private library catalog of record, plus Hardcover for the social side. Or Book Tracker for cataloging, plus StoryGraph for the stats deep-dive. The apps don’t directly conflict. **Q: How long does it take to import a Goodreads library?** For a typical library (under 500 books) it takes 5-10 minutes total: 30 seconds to export from Goodreads, 1-2 minutes to wait for the email/download, 2-3 minutes for the import to complete in the new app, and a few minutes to verify and fix the small import issues (missing covers, page counts). ## 6. Verdict — which one should you pick There’s no universal “best” alternative. The right one depends on what you actually want from a book app. Here’s the decision tree compressed to one line each: - You want a **private library catalog + Apple ecosystem** → [**Book Tracker**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200). - You love the **data side of reading** → **The StoryGraph**. - You want **community without the toxicity** → **Hardcover**. - You want **open-source decentralized + data sovereignty** → **BookWyrm**. - You want **deep book discussions** → **Literal**. - You want a **daily reading habit coach** → **Bookly**. - You want **BookTok-friendly aesthetic + focus mode** → **Margins**. If you can’t decide, default to **Book Tracker**. It works for the widest range of readers (private library + tracking + Apple ecosystem), it’s free, it imports your Goodreads in five minutes, and you can run it alongside any of the others. [**Download Book Tracker on the App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (iPhone + iPad + Apple Watch) or [**on the Mac App Store**](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1496543317?mt=12&itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200) (Mac). **Continue reading:** - [How to Import Your Goodreads Library to Book Tracker (Step-by-Step 2026)](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-import-goodreads-to-book-tracker/) — the practical migration guide. - [Why I Stopped Using Goodreads: The Case for a Private Digital Library](https://booktrack.app/blog/why-i-stopped-using-goodreads-the-case-for-a-private-digital-library/) — the personal essay version of this argument. - [Goodreads vs Book Tracker: Why You Should Switch for Better Privacy](https://booktrack.app/blog/goodreads-vs-book-tracker-why-you-should-switch-for-better-privacy-and-peace-of-mind/) — the head-to-head Book Tracker comparison. - [The Best App to Catalog Books in 2026: Why Metadata Matters](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-app-to-catalog-books-in-2026-why-metadata-matters/) — the cataloging deep-dive pillar. - [Bookly vs Book Tracker: Do You Need a Coach or a Librarian?](https://booktrack.app/blog/bookly-vs-book-tracker-do-you-need-a-coach-or-a-librarian/) — the Bookly head-to-head. - [Margins vs Book Tracker: Which Reading App Fits Your Library?](https://booktrack.app/blog/margins-vs-book-tracker/) — the Margins head-to-head. - [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/) — bring your existing data over from any source. - [The Complete Guide to Tracking Your Reading on Apple Devices in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/tracking-reading-apple-devices-guide/) - [Book Tracker Tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/) and [FAQ](https://booktrack.app/faq/). Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to organize your personal library on iPhone and iPad URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-organize-your-personal-library-on-iphone-and-ipad/ Many readers reach a point where their physical library becomes too large or too scattered to manage comfortably. Books accumulate over the years and often end up in different rooms, shelves or boxes. At some point, it becomes difficult to remember where a specific book is, whether a title has already been purchased, or which part of a series is missing. Digitally organizing your library on iPhone and iPad can help you regain control and create a clear, structured view of everything you own. In this guide we explore practical methods and the tools available to help you build an efficient catalog that stays updated and easy to consult. ## Why a digital catalog can make a difference A digital catalog serves several essential purposes. It provides a single place where all your books are listed, regardless of where they are physically stored. It allows you to search instantly, filter by category, track the books you want to read, and avoid buying duplicates. It also helps you maintain a long term archive that you can update as your library grows. The main advantages include: - A complete record of every book you own - The ability to track books you want to buy or borrow - Better organization of series and collections - Quick search tools to locate books in seconds - A reliable way to keep your library synced on all devices - A clear overview that remains accessible even when you are away from home These benefits depend on the approach you choose, so let us explore how to set up an effective catalog. ## Step 1. Decide how you want to structure your library Before adding books to a digital catalog, it is helpful to decide how you want to categorize them. A clear structure from the beginning makes the entire process easier and more consistent. Readers usually choose one or more of these approaches: ### By genre Useful if your library covers a wide range of topics and literary styles. It helps you identify patterns in your collection and quickly locate books by theme. ### By author Ideal for readers who follow specific authors or have complete collections. ### By series Essential if you read sagas or multi volume works where reading order matters. ### By location Many readers maintain simple location data inside the app. For example: living room, bedroom, storage box. This is particularly helpful for large libraries distributed across multiple shelves. ### By reading status This includes read, currently reading, and to be read categories. These labels help you monitor what you still have pending. You can combine these structures depending on your needs. The most important part is consistency. ## Step 2. Add books to your catalog Once your structure is defined, it is time to add your books. Most cataloging apps offer several methods to register titles efficiently. ### Barcode scanning The quickest method. Point the camera at the barcode and the app fills in the book details, including title, author, cover and metadata. ### Search by title or ISBN Useful for older books or editions without barcodes. ### Manual entry Ideal for rare editions, collectibles or books not available through online databases. ### Batch importing Some apps support importing CSV files. This can be helpful if you already have a digital list created elsewhere or if you are migrating from another app. Whatever method you choose, it is worth checking metadata accuracy before moving forward. ## Step 3. Organize books into categories and lists Once books are added, the real work begins. Proper organization is what allows you to get the most out of your catalog. ### Use tags or categories Tags help you classify books beyond genre. For example: favorites, first editions, gifted books, research material, or any category that reflects your reading life. ### Group books into series If you have long sagas or academic volumes, grouping them into series ensures you keep track of the correct reading order and avoid confusion when adding new volumes. ### Create reading lists Some readers maintain lists such as classics to read, travel reading, seasonal books, or personal themes. This gives structure to reading goals and projects. ### Add personal notes Notes can be used for quotes, thoughts, purchase dates, lending history or reminders. Over time, these notes build a personal reading archive. ## Step 4. Track the location of each book For readers with a large library, location tracking is one of the most useful features. Even a simple system, such as shelf A or living room cabinet, greatly reduces the time spent searching for a book. To maintain consistent location data: - Use the same naming convention across all books - Keep the granularity appropriate for your home - Review locations when you reorganize shelves This step is especially valuable if your library is spread across different rooms or storage spaces. ## Step 5. Keep your catalog updated Once the catalog is created, maintaining it requires minimal effort. Adding new books when you acquire them and updating reading status prevents the catalog from becoming outdated. You can also rely on backup features or iCloud syncing to ensure your catalog remains safe and accessible across devices. A well maintained digital library becomes an asset you can rely on for years. ## Recommended tools for cataloging on iPhone and iPad There are several high quality apps available on the App Store. Each takes a different approach to cataloging, so your choice depends on your preferences. - [Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/it/app/book-track-diario-di-lettura/id1491660771%20Book%20Track:%20Diario%20di%20lettura), for readers who want a private, Apple focused catalog without accounts - [Goodreads](https://apps.apple.com/it/app/goodreads-book-reviews/id355833469%20Goodreads:%20Book%20Reviews), for readers who prefer a social platform with reviews - [Libib](https://apps.apple.com/it/app/libib/id721908216%20Libib), for those who want a multi media catalog - [LibraryThing](https://apps.apple.com/it/app/librarything/id948824489%20LibraryThing), for users who need detailed metadata - [BookBuddy](https://apps.apple.com/it/app/bookbuddy-catalogo-libri/id395150347%20BookBuddy:%20Catalogo%20libri), for a lightweight list based tool Each app offers a unique experience, so exploring more than one can help you determine what feels natural for your reading habits. ## Final thoughts Organizing your personal library on iPhone and iPad is a simple way to keep your books under control, understand your reading patterns and create a reliable archive that grows with you over time. Whether your library is small or spans thousands of volumes, a digital catalog offers clarity and structure. If you are looking for a focused and privacy oriented catalog developed for Apple devices, Book Tracker can be considered among the available options, alongside other apps mentioned in this guide. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Introducing Book Tracker 4.3 URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/introducing-book-tracker-4-3/ Since 2019, **Book Tracker** has been the go-to app for readers who want a simple, elegant, and privacy-focused way to manage their libraries. Designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, it helps you keep track of every book you own, read, or wish to read, without ads, accounts, or subscriptions. With version **4.3**, we’re making Book Tracker better than ever with a refreshed design, powerful integrations, and new tools that make your reading life smoother and more enjoyable. ## What Book Tracker does For new readers, here’s a quick look at what Book Tracker offers: - **Catalog your library with ease** — add books by searching online, scanning barcodes, or entering details manually. - **Track your reading progress** — mark books as To Read, Reading, Finished, or Abandoned. Use the reading timer to log your sessions automatically. - **Organize your books** — group titles into Series, assign them to Locations, Bookcases, and Shelves for a library that mirrors your real one. - **Save quotes and notes** — capture the passages that inspire you, either by typing them in or using your camera. - **Detailed statistics and challenges** — set an annual reading goal, monitor progress, and view rich stats about your reading habits. - **Sync seamlessly across devices** — your data stays in iCloud, so your iPhone, iPad, and Mac are always in sync. - **Privacy first** — Book Tracker doesn’t collect your data, show ads, or require a subscription. Your library belongs only to you. ## What’s new in Book Tracker 4.3 Here’s what you’ll find in this new update: ### Refined design with Liquid Glass The interface has been refreshed with Apple’s new **Liquid Glass effect**, bringing a lighter, more elegant look on iOS 26 and macOS 26. ### Smarter, faster widgets Widgets have been expanded to give you more options to personalize your Home and Lock Screen with your favorite books and stats. We’ve also improved performance and stability. ### Menu bar support On **iPad and Mac**, you can now access Book Tracker right from the menu bar, making it easier to jump into your library without switching apps. ### Shortcuts rebuilt from the ground up Every in-app action is now available in **Shortcuts**. That means you can build automations for virtually anything, from starting a reading timer with Siri to adding a new book from a custom workflow. ### Interactive Reading Timer The **Live Activity** is now interactive. You can pause and resume your reading sessions directly from the Lock Screen or the Dynamic Island, without opening the app. ### Expanded book formats We’ve added many new formats to help you better catalog your library, from audiobooks and eBooks to box sets, graphic novels, and more. Your collection is now more detailed and accurate than ever. ## Get the update Book Tracker 4.3 is available today as a free update on **iPhone, iPad, and Mac**. If you already use the app, you’ll get all these new features automatically. If you’re new, now’s the perfect time to start organizing your reading journey. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Best Alternative to Bookpedia for Cataloging Your Books URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-bookpedia-for-cataloging-your-books/ For years, **Bookpedia** was a popular choice among Mac users for managing personal book collections. With features like customizable fields and smart lists, it became a reliable companion for readers and collectors. But in recent years, Bookpedia has stopped receiving updates, leaving many users looking for a modern, secure, and actively developed alternative. If you’re one of them, here’s why now is the right time to move on and why **Book Tracker** is the best replacement for Bookpedia. ## Why you need an alternative to Bookpedia Bookpedia served its purpose well, but using outdated software comes with problems: - **No support for the latest macOS and iOS versions.** Each system update increases the risk of crashes or incompatibility. - **Lack of updates.** Without ongoing development, missing features and bugs won’t be fixed. - **Data safety concerns.** Without a modern backup system, your collection could be at risk. If you want your library to remain accessible, safe, and easy to manage, switching to a supported app is the smart move. ## Book Tracker: the modern solution Among the many cataloging apps available today, **Book Tracker** stands out as the best alternative to Bookpedia, especially for Apple users. With Book Tracker you can: - **Import your existing Bookpedia library.** No need to start over. Book Tracker supports CSV import and has a dedicated guide for Bookpedia users. - **Add books instantly** by scanning barcodes, searching ISBNs, or entering details manually. - **Organize with Tags, Series, and Smart Lists**, so your library is as flexible as you need. - **Track your reading progress** with statuses (*To Read*, *Currently Reading*, *Finished*), yearly challenges, and even a **Reading Timer with Live Activity**. - **Save notes and quotes**, rate books, and keep track of formats (print, ebook, audiobook). - **Sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iCloud**, with **daily automatic backups** to keep your data safe. - Enjoy a **privacy-first design**: no ads, no accounts, and no tracking of your reading habits. In short: it brings everything you loved about Bookpedia into a modern, elegant, and constantly updated environment. ## How to migrate from Bookpedia to Book Tracker The best part? Moving your library is quick and straightforward. We’ve prepared a step-by-step tutorial to make the process smooth: 👉 [How to migrate from Bookpedia to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-bookpedia/) With just a few steps, your entire Bookpedia collection can be imported into Book Tracker, including titles, authors, and key details, so you can pick up right where you left off. ## Final thoughts While Bookpedia was a beloved app in its time, it’s no longer a reliable choice for managing your library. Luckily, **Book Tracker** not only replaces Bookpedia but improves on it with modern features, privacy protections, and seamless sync across Apple devices. If you’re ready to future-proof your library and keep enjoying your collection without interruptions, make the switch today — and discover why Book Tracker is the best alternative to Bookpedia. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Set Reading Goals and Actually Achieve Them URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-set-reading-goals-and-actually-achieve-them/ Setting reading goals is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make reading a regular part of your life. Goals give you structure, help you stay motivated, and make the process of finishing books more rewarding. Whether you want to read more titles, branch into new genres, or simply dedicate more time to a hobby you love, here’s how to set realistic goals and actually reach them. ## 1. Be specific about your goals “I want to read more” sounds nice, but it’s too vague to measure. Instead, define what “more” means for you: - 20 books in a year. - 15 minutes of reading a day. - Completing an entire trilogy you’ve been putting off. Specific goals are easier to track and much more motivating because you’ll know exactly when you’ve succeeded. ## 2. Break goals into manageable steps Large numbers can feel intimidating. Break your big goal into smaller, achievable milestones. For example: - One book per month. - 50 pages per week. - Logging 20 minutes of reading per day. Celebrating these small wins keeps you motivated and creates momentum. ## 3. Choose books you actually want to read Motivation vanishes when reading feels like homework. Don’t focus only on “must-read” lists, pick books that genuinely excite you. You can still mix in challenges (like classics or non-fiction) but balance them with genres and authors you know you’ll enjoy. Book Tracker’s **Smart Lists** and **Tags** make it easy to keep a TBR pile organized so you always have a next read ready that matches your mood. ## 4. Track your progress A visual reminder of your progress can be the strongest motivator. You can use a notebook, spreadsheet, or, even better, a dedicated app. With **Book Tracker** you can: - Set a **yearly Reading Challenge**. - Track your **reading time** with the built-in Reading Timer (with Live Activity on iPhone). - View **detailed stats** on books, pages, genres, and authors. - Sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with **iCloud**. - Rely on **daily backups** so your progress is never lost. Seeing those numbers add up makes it easier to keep going, even on busy weeks. ## 5. Adjust your goals when needed Life happens. Maybe work gets busy, or you discover a 1,000-page novel that slows down your pace. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Be flexible: lower the number of books, shift to shorter reads, or swap to audiobooks when you’re short on time. The point of reading goals is to inspire, not discourage. ## 6. Celebrate milestones Motivation thrives on rewards. Mark each achievement with something special: - Buy yourself a new book. - Treat yourself to a quiet evening of uninterrupted reading. - Share your progress with friends or on social media. Book Tracker makes it fun to see when you’ve hit mini-goals, and widgets keep your milestones visible right on your Home Screen. ## Final thoughts Setting reading goals doesn’t have to be complicated. Be specific, start small, track your progress, and remember to celebrate along the way. With a bit of structure and a tool like **Book Tracker**, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated, build a sustainable reading habit, and make steady progress all year long. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Stay Motivated to Read More Books URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-stay-motivated-to-read-more-books/ Reading more books is a goal shared by many readers, but staying motivated throughout the year can be challenging. Busy schedules, distractions, and a lack of visible progress often get in the way. The good news? With a few smart strategies, and the right tools, you can turn reading into a consistent, rewarding habit. ## 1. Set clear and achievable goals Instead of vaguely telling yourself to “read more,” choose something concrete. It could be: - 12 books a year (one per month). - A certain number of pages per day. - Or even dedicating a set amount of time each week to reading. Start small to avoid burnout, then gradually build up as the habit sticks. In **Book Tracker**, you can set a **yearly Reading Challenge** that shows your progress at a glance, helping you stay accountable. ## 2. Create a reading routine Motivation grows when reading becomes part of your daily rhythm. Even 10–15 minutes a day makes a difference. Choose a slot that works for you: over morning coffee, on your commute, or before bed. Book Tracker’s **Reading Timer** helps you log those sessions, and with **Live Activity** you can see your progress right from your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island — a subtle nudge to keep going. ## 3. Track your progress Nothing motivates quite like seeing results. Keeping a reading log makes your effort tangible and reminds you how far you’ve come. With Book Tracker you can: - Log every finished book. - View detailed **statistics** on pages read, favorite genres, or most-read authors. - Add **notes and quotes** to remember your thoughts and favorite passages. These insights turn your reading journey into something you can actually look back on and celebrate. ## 4. Join a challenge or community Reading doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Challenges and book clubs add structure and social accountability. Whether it’s a theme-based challenge (*read more classics this year*) or a small club with friends, being part of something bigger can keep you motivated. Book Tracker makes it easy to align with these goals, since you can create **Smart Lists** (like “Books for 2025 Challenge”) and watch your progress build. ## 5. Celebrate milestones Motivation is about momentum. Reward yourself when you hit small wins: your first five books, finishing a long novel, or staying consistent for a whole month. Your reward could be a favorite snack, a new book purchase, or even just a quiet afternoon dedicated to reading. In Book Tracker, widgets and statistics give you that instant satisfaction of seeing how far you’ve come. ## Final thoughts Staying motivated to read more books isn’t about willpower alone, it’s about making the experience enjoyable and rewarding. Clear goals, daily routines, visible progress, and a touch of celebration can transform your relationship with reading. And with **Book Tracker**, you have a companion that keeps everything organized: from challenges and timers to detailed stats and backups. Motivation feels easier when your progress is always visible. Ready to make this your best reading year yet? Start tracking with Book Tracker and see how quickly the books add up. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Build the Perfect Home Library URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-build-the-perfect-home-library/ Dreaming of your own cozy reading nook filled with books? A home library is more than just shelves, it’s a sanctuary where you can relax, recharge, and get lost in stories. Whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading your current space, here’s how to create the perfect home library. ## 1. Choose the right spot You don’t need a grand study to have a library. A quiet corner, a spare room, or even a wide hallway can work. Look for: - **Good natural light** to make reading easier. - Enough space for **shelves, seating, and future growth**. - A location away from daily distractions, so it feels like an escape. ## 2. Invest in sturdy shelving Shelves are the backbone of your library. Go for quality pieces that can grow with your collection. - **Open shelves** for easy browsing. - **Closed storage** for rare or delicate books. - Adjustable options so you can adapt as your library expands. Leaving a few empty spaces is important — your collection will keep growing. ## 3. Organize your books thoughtfully How you organize your books shapes the whole experience. Some readers prefer alphabetical order, others sort by genre, color, or even mood. There’s no single right way, it’s about what makes sense to you. Here’s where **Book Tracker** comes in: - Digitally catalog every book you own with **barcode scanning** or **ISBN search**. - Use **Tags** to mirror your physical system (*Fantasy*, *Summer Reads*, *Gifted by Friends*). - Create **Smart Lists** to instantly pull up subsets like *Unread Thrillers* or *Books to Re-read*. With your collection mapped in the app, you’ll always know what you own — and avoid buying duplicates. ## 4. Design a comfortable reading area A home library isn’t just for storage. It’s for spending time. Add: - A **comfortable chair or sofa** you can sink into. - **Soft lighting** like a reading lamp or warm floor lamp. - A **small side table** for coffee, tea, or a stack of current reads. - Cozy extras — pillows, blankets, or even a footrest — to make long sessions inviting. ## 5. Add personal touches Your library should reflect who you are. Add character with: - **Artwork or posters** that inspire you. - **Plants** for freshness and calm. - **Souvenirs or mementos** that remind you of meaningful trips or people. This makes the space not just functional, but personal and inspiring. ## Final thoughts Building a home library isn’t about having endless shelves, it’s about creating a space that nurtures your love of reading. Combine thoughtful organization with a warm, personal atmosphere, and you’ll have a retreat you’ll never want to leave. And with **Book Tracker** at your side, your physical shelves are perfectly complemented by a digital catalog, synced, backed up, and always at your fingertips. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Stay Motivated to Read More Books Every Year URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-stay-motivated-to-read-more-books-every-year/ Setting a goal to read more books each year is exciting. The hard part? Staying motivated once the year gets busy. Work, family, and everyday distractions often get in the way of our best reading intentions. The good news is that with the right strategies, and the right tools, you can keep your momentum and make reading a consistent, joyful part of your life. ## 1. Set realistic goals The first step to success is choosing a goal that actually fits your lifestyle. Reading 50 books might sound inspiring, but if you usually read 5, that number could quickly feel discouraging. Start with something achievable and build from there. With **Book Tracker**, you can set a yearly **Reading Challenge** in just a tap, and the app will track your progress automatically. ## 2. Track your progress Seeing your progress is one of the most powerful motivators. Every book finished is a milestone, and logging it gives you a clear sense of accomplishment. **Book Tracker** updates your stats in real time, showing you how many books you’ve completed, how many are left, and how your pace compares month by month. Watching that number climb is an instant boost of motivation. ## 3. Make reading part of your daily routine Motivation often comes from habit. Even 10–15 minutes a day adds up to dozens of books a year. Choose a slot that works for you — before bed, during your commute, or on your lunch break — and protect it as your reading time. Book Tracker’s **Reading Timer** helps here: start it when you open your book, and it records your sessions. Thanks to **Live Activity**, the timer stays visible on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island, keeping you focused. ## 4. Read what excites you Nothing kills motivation faster than forcing yourself through a book you don’t enjoy. Remember: reading should be fun. If a book isn’t working, set it aside and grab one you’re genuinely curious about. Organize your **TBR list** in Book Tracker with Tags or Smart Lists, so you always have a next read ready that matches your mood, whether it’s a short thriller or a long fantasy epic. ## 5. Celebrate milestones Don’t wait until December to feel accomplished. Celebrate along the way: finishing your first 5 books, hitting your halfway mark, or wrapping up a long-awaited classic. Book Tracker makes it easy to see your milestones and reflect on how far you’ve come. Pair it with widgets on your Home Screen to keep that sense of progress always in sight. ## Final thoughts Staying motivated to read more every year isn’t about discipline alone. It’s about setting realistic goals, making reading part of your daily rhythm, and keeping it enjoyable. With a little planning and a tool like **Book Tracker** to track goals, stats, and progress, you’ll be amazed at how much you can read in a year. Ready to smash your reading goals? Open Book Tracker, set your challenge, and let the pages add up. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Why Every Reader Should Track Their Reading URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/why-every-reader-should-track-their-reading/ Reading is one of the most rewarding hobbies. Every book shapes the way you think, inspires new ideas, and stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. But without tracking your reading, it’s easy to forget just how much you’ve accomplished or to lose track of what’s next. Here’s why every reader should start keeping a reading log, and how **Book Tracker** can make the process simple and meaningful. ## 1. See your progress One of the best feelings as a reader is looking back and realizing just how far you’ve come. By tracking your books, you can see: - How many titles you’ve finished. - Which genres you return to most. - How many pages or hours you’ve logged over time. **Book Tracker** makes this visible through clean statistics that highlight your journey at a glance. ## 2. Set and achieve reading goals Maybe you want to read 10 books this year. Maybe 100. Or maybe you simply want to read a little bit every day. Tracking keeps you accountable and makes each milestone more satisfying. With Book Tracker, you can set a **yearly Reading Challenge** and celebrate every book you finish. Pair it with the **Reading Timer with Live Activity** to see exactly how much time you dedicate to your passion. ## 3. Discover your reading patterns Do you read more in winter evenings than in summer? Do you devour thrillers but take your time with biographies? Tracking reveals patterns that help you choose your next read with confidence. Book Tracker’s statistics show your most-read authors, favorite genres, and even your monthly pace. Insights that often surprise readers. ## 4. Build a personal library A reading log isn’t just data, it’s your story as a reader. It becomes an archive of what you’ve read, when you read it, and what each book meant to you. With Book Tracker you can: - Add **ratings and notes** to remember your thoughts. - Save **quotes** that inspired you. - Track **formats** (print, ebook, audiobook). - Organize series and collections in a way that feels uniquely yours. ## 5. Stay organized and inspired A never-ending **TBR list** can feel overwhelming, but tracking helps you keep it under control. With Book Tracker you can: - Use **Tags** and **Smart Lists** to prioritize your next reads. - Create a wishlist that’s easy to sort and filter. - Try the playful **Shake to Pick** feature when you can’t decide what to read next. ## Final thoughts Tracking your reading isn’t about numbers, it’s about making your reading life more meaningful, organized, and fun. By keeping a log, you’ll celebrate your progress, learn more about your own reading habits, and build a library that reflects who you are as a reader. If you’re ready to take your reading to the next level, **Book Tracker** is the perfect companion: private, modern, and designed to help you enjoy books even more. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Top Features to Look for in a Book Catalog App in 2026 URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/top-features-to-look-for-in-a-book-catalog-app-in-2026/ The way you manage your books can completely change your reading life. A good **book catalog app** doesn’t just store titles, it helps you stay organized, track your progress, lend with confidence, and rediscover books you’d forgotten about. But the gap between “a glorified reading list” and “a real library tool” widened a lot in 2026. Native Apple features like Live Activities and the new generation of widgets have raised the bar. Here are the 8 essentials to look for, and how **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)** brings them all together. ## 1. Effortless book entry (including bulk) Adding books should never feel like a chore. The best catalog apps make it instant. Look for: - **Barcode scanning** with your device’s camera and **bulk barcode mode** for cataloging stacks at once. - **ISBN or title search** with results from multiple sources (Google Books, Open Library, ISBNDB, Amazon, iTunes). - **Manual entry** for special editions, rare titles, or books without ISBN. - **OCR cover scan** to recognize a book from its cover when the barcode is missing. Book Tracker scans, searches, and merges metadata from **6 different sources**, so you can build a 500-book library in an afternoon instead of a week. ## 2. Powerful organization, beyond shelves Every reader organizes differently: by genre, author, mood, location, or series. Your catalog should adapt to you, not the other way around. Key features to look for: - **Tags** for flexible cross-cutting categories (`Fantasy`, `2026 Challenge`, `Gift Ideas`). - **Bookcases, Shelves and Locations** to mirror your physical setup (“Living Room — left bookcase — top shelf”). - **Series management** with custom numbering, so you always know which book comes next. - **Smart Lists** that update automatically based on filters (e.g. *Unread Sci-Fi*, *Borrowed Books*, *Owned Hardcovers*). - **Personal notes and quotes** tied to each book. For more on tag strategy, see our guide [How to Organize Your Library with Tags in Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-organize-your-library-with-tags-in-book-tracker/). ## 3. Multiple identities for the same book A modern reader owns a book in multiple formats: paper for the shelf, audiobook for the gym, ebook for travel. A great catalog tracks them as **the same book in different formats**, not as duplicates. Look for: - Format types: **paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook**. - Per-format reading progress (you might have read 60% of the audiobook and 0% of the paperback). - Per-format ownership status (own the paperback, borrowed the ebook). Book Tracker is one of the few catalog apps that handles this correctly across all formats with a single book entry. ## 4. Reading goals and progress tracking Cataloging is the foundation, but the best apps go further and keep you motivated. Choose an app that: - Lets you set a **yearly Reading Challenge**. - Tracks progress by **pages, time, or percentage**. - Shows clear **statistics** (genre breakdown, format breakdown, reading speed, peak reading hours). - Provides a **Year in Review** at the end of the year (think *Spotify Wrapped, but for books* — see [More Than Music: How to Get Your Own Spotify Wrapped for Books](https://booktrack.app/blog/more-than-music-how-to-get-your-own-spotify-wrapped-for-books-and-share-it/)). For a full comparison of trackers, see [Finding the Best Reading Tracker App for Your Goals in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/finding-the-best-reading-tracker-app-for-your-goals-in-2026/). ## 5. Backup, sync, and seamless migration Your library is the result of years of cataloging work. Make sure it’s safe, portable, and accessible everywhere. An ideal app should: - **Back up your data automatically** (daily) to a place you control. - **Sync seamlessly** across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. - **Import from other apps** (Goodreads, StoryGraph, Bookpedia, BookBuddy, Delicious Library, Bookmory, Reading List) without losing metadata. - **Export your library** in standard formats (CSV) so you’re never locked in. Book Tracker syncs via iCloud (no account needed), runs daily background backups, and supports **9 different import sources**. See the [Migrating to Book Tracker](https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/) guide for step-by-step migrations. ## 6. Lending tracker Most book apps ignore one of the most painful problems for collectors: **lending**. You hand a friend your favorite novel and three years later you’re still wondering where it ended up. A real catalog app should: - Mark a book as **loaned out**, with the borrower’s name and the date. - Surface a **dedicated “Loaned Out” view** so you can chase returns at a glance. Book Tracker has a built-in lending tracker linked to your Contacts. ## 7. Privacy by default: no ads, no tracking Your reading habits are personal. Ads and trackers don’t belong in a library app. Look for an app that: - Requires **no account**. - Stores data **locally and in your private iCloud**, not on the developer’s servers. - Has **no ads**, **no third-party SDKs**, no behavioral tracking. Book Tracker is built privacy-first: nothing about your reading life ever leaves your devices. See our [Manifesto](https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/) for the principles, or [Why I Stopped Using Goodreads](https://booktrack.app/blog/why-i-stopped-using-goodreads-the-case-for-a-private-digital-library/) for the long-form argument. ## 8. Native Apple integration (the 2026 differentiator) In 2026, the gap between “an app that runs on iOS” and “a truly Apple-native experience” is bigger than ever. Look for: - **Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets** for currently reading, quotes, stats, and reading challenge progress. - **Control Widgets** for one-tap actions from Control Center or Lock Screen (start a reading session, scan a barcode, jump to a series). - **Live Activities** for reading sessions you can monitor without unlocking your phone. - **Apple Watch app** with active reading session and currently reading list. - **Siri Shortcuts and App Intents** to script your reading routines. - **Mac app** that’s truly native. Book Tracker covers all of these. It’s the only book catalog app that runs natively on iPhone, iPad, Mac **and** Apple Watch with full feature parity. ## Final thoughts When choosing a book catalog app in 2026, don’t settle for “barcode scanner + reading list”. Demand all eight: fast bulk entry, deep organization, multi-format support, motivating progress tracking, reliable sync and migration, a lending tracker, privacy by default, and native Apple integration. If you want an app that checks all the boxes and keeps evolving with every Apple release, **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771)** is built precisely for that profile of reader: the one who takes both their library and their reading life seriously. **Related guides:** - [How to Catalog Your Home Library: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-catalog-your-home-library-a-step-by-step-guide-for-book-lovers/) - [Mastering Your TBR List: The Only Guide for a Clutter-Free Reading Life](https://booktrack.app/blog/mastering-your-tbr-list-the-only-guide-you-need-for-a-clutter-free-reading-life/) - [Bookpedia Alternative: The Best Modern Cataloging App for Mac](https://booktrack.app/blog/the-best-alternative-to-bookpedia-for-cataloging-your-books/) - [Delicious Library 3 Is Dead — The Best Modern Alternative for Mac Users in 2026](https://booktrack.app/blog/delicious-library-3-is-dead-the-best-modern-alternative-for-mac-users-in-2026/) - [Book Tracker FAQ](https://booktrack.app/faq/) and [Tutorial](https://booktrack.app/tutorial/) Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Best Book Tracking Apps for Different Types of Readers URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/best-book-tracking-apps-for-different-types-of-readers/ Not every reader has the same needs. Some just want a simple way to remember what they’ve read, while others enjoy building detailed collections or pushing themselves with yearly goals. Choosing the right **book tracking app** depends a lot on your reading style. Here’s a breakdown of the best options and why **Book Tracker** is one of the few apps that adapts well to all types of readers. ## 1. For the casual reader: simplicity matters If you only read a handful of books each year, you don’t want to spend more time tracking than reading. **Book Tracker** makes it easy: - Add books quickly with a barcode scan or search. - Mark them as *To Read*, *Currently Reading*, or *Finished*. - Set a yearly goal if you like, and let the app track your progress. Compared to **Goodreads**, which emphasizes reviews and social features, Book Tracker keeps things private and focused. No distractions, just your books. ## 2. For the avid reader: advanced tools without complexity When you’re reading dozens of books a year, basic lists aren’t enough. You need structure. Book Tracker gives you: - **Series management** with custom numbering, so you never lose track of an order. - **Tags** to organize by theme, genre, or even mood. - **Ratings and reviews** to remember what you thought of each book. - **Smart Lists** that update automatically — like “Unread Fantasy” or “Books over 500 pages.” Other apps like **Bookly** also focus on tracking, but their interfaces can feel cluttered. Book Tracker manages to be powerful and still intuitive. ## 3. For the library curator: building and maintaining a collection Some readers love the idea of a personal library, complete with tags, lists, and categories. With Book Tracker you can: - Create a **catalog** of owned, borrowed, or wishlist books. - Organize everything with **Tags** (e.g., *Signed Edition*, *Gift Idea*). - Track multiple formats (print, ebook, audiobook). - Sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with **iCloud**, so your library is always up to date. Apps like **BookBuddy** offer detailed cataloging too, but Book Tracker stands out for its clean design and automatic backups that protect your collection. ## 4. For the goal-oriented reader: turning reading into a challenge If you’re motivated by numbers, you’ll love Book Tracker’s **Reading Challenge**. - Set a yearly goal in books. - Watch your progress grow as you finish titles. - Check **statistics** to see your monthly pace, favorite authors, or most-read genres. - Use the **Reading Timer with Live Activity** to track exactly how much time you spend reading. Unlike apps such as **Reading List**, which don’t offer structured goals, Book Tracker makes challenges part of your routine. ## 5. So, which app is best for you? The answer depends on what you value most: - **Goodreads**: great for community and reviews. - **Bookly**: good for tracking, though less streamlined. - **BookBuddy**: strong on cataloging, more technical in feel. - **Book Tracker**: combines ease of use, powerful organization, and privacy, all without ads or accounts. Whether you’re a casual reader, a library curator, or someone chasing big yearly goals, Book Tracker adapts to you. It’s designed for people who want to spend less time managing their books and more time actually reading them. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The Ultimate Guide to Managing a Personal Library URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-managing-a-personal-library/ For serious book lovers, the joy of building a personal library often comes with a hidden challenge: **chaos**. A few shelves quickly turn into a massive collection, and without a system, you lose track of which books you own, which copies you lent out, and which volume comes next in a sprawling series. If you are struggling to manage your books, you need more than a list, you need a **Library Management System**. This guide explores the best practices for organizing, tracking, and maximizing your collection using **[Book Tracker](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/book-tracker-bookshelf-log/id1491660771?itsct=apps_box_link&itscg=30200)**, the robust app designed to make your literary life simple, stress-free, and digitally secure. ### Why Dedicated Library Software Trumps Spreadsheets While manual spreadsheets or notebooks might work for a time, they fail at scale. Readers searching for “best book catalog app” are looking for automation and power. A specialized app like **Book Tracker** delivers where manual methods fail: - **Instant Access & Portability:** Your full library is always with you (iPhone, iPad, Mac). - **Precision and Speed:** Instantly catalog books using **Barcode Scan** or ISBN Search, eliminating manual data entry errors. - **Automatic Synchronization:** Changes sync instantly via **iCloud**, ensuring your Mac list matches your phone list. - **Data Security:** Daily **Automatic Backups** protect your investment of time and data. ### Step 1: Building Your Digital Collection Fast The biggest hurdle is migration. Book Tracker solves this by offering multiple entry points to quickly build your inventory: - **High-Speed Barcode Scanning:** Use your camera for immediate addition of physical books. - **Seamless Import:** Migrate your entire history from older apps like **Goodreads, BookBuddy, or Delicious Library**using a universal CSV file import. - **Status Assignment:** Assign a clear status immediately (`To Read`, `Currently Reading`, `Finished`) to organize your next steps. ### Step 2: Organizing Your Library Like a Professional Librarian A simple list is useless. **Book Tracker** excels in deep categorization, allowing you to filter and sort your collection based on your needs. #### Tags for Flexible Grouping Tags are the power tool of organization. Use them to create custom groupings: - **Genre:** `Fantasy`, `Biography`, `Thriller`. - **Personal Goals:** `2026 Challenge`, `High Priority TBR`. - **Acquisition:** `Borrowed`, `Signed Copy`. #### Smart Lists for Automation Don’t waste time updating lists manually. **Smart Lists** automatically generate based on filters you define (e.g., “All Unread Books > 500 Pages,” “Top Priority TBR”). When a book meets the criteria, it instantly appears in the list. #### Series Management: Never Read Out of Order For complex sagas and multi-volume works, group them into a **Series** and assign a custom numerical order. This feature ensures you **always know which volume comes next**, solving a common pain point for Sci-Fi and Fantasy readers. ### Step 3: Financial & Inventory Control A true library management system must track more than just titles. **Book Tracker** provides essential inventory and financial tracking: - **Loan Tracker:** **Never lose a borrowed book again.** Log who has your copy and the date it was loaned. - **Acquisition Data:** Log the **Purchase Price** and date. Use the **Statistics** section to view your total book spending over the year (a crucial feature for budget management). ### Step 4: Tracking Your Reading Habit with Precision Managing the library is only half the battle; managing your time is the other. Book Tracker’s integrated tools transform your reading consistency: - **Integrated Reading Timer:** Start the timer when you begin reading and stop when you finish. Use the **Live Activity** feature (on compatible devices) to keep the timer visible on your Lock Screen for distraction-free tracking. - **Deep Statistics:** The dedicated **Statistics** section provides clear metrics: Books/Pages finished per month. - Most-read authors and genres. - Progress toward your yearly **Reading Challenge**. ### Step 5: Safety, Notes, and Privacy The most modern library apps prioritize user data and note-taking efficiency. - **Capture Quotes & Notes:** Save favorite passages (great for book clubs or academic work) and attach detailed notes directly to the book’s entry. - **Privacy-First Commitment:** **Book Tracker** stands out by offering a **privacy-first** experience: **No accounts, no ads, and no tracking.** Your digital library remains entirely your own. ### Final Verdict Managing a large book collection requires a dedicated system that scales with your growth. While other apps focus solely on social sharing or timing, **Book Tracker** offers the only comprehensive solution that combines high-speed cataloging, financial tracking, and powerful reading tools—all protected by a privacy-first philosophy. Stop letting your library manage you. Start organizing your collection efficiently today. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Organize Your Library with Tags in Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-to-organize-your-library-with-tags-in-book-tracker/ As your library grows, finding the right book at the right time can get tricky. That’s why **Tags** are one of the most powerful tools in Book Tracker. They let you go beyond simple categories like *Read* or *Wishlist* and create a flexible system tailored to your reading life. ## Why use tags? Tags give you: - **Personalized organization**: group books by genre, theme, or mood (*Fantasy*, *Non-fiction*, *Cozy Reads*). - **Faster searches**: filter your library instantly without scrolling endlessly. - **Extra context**: track whether a book is *Borrowed*, *Gift Idea*, or *Recommended by Friends*. In short, tags make your library easier to explore and more fun to manage. ## How to tag books in Book Tracker Organizing your books with tags in Book Tracker is simple, and you can do it in different ways depending on where you are in the app: - **From a book’s detail page**: tap the three dots in the top-right corner → *Assign Tags* → pick one or more tags. - **From the book list**: long-press on a book → select *Assign Tag* → choose the tags you want. ## Examples of useful tagging systems Not sure where to start? Here are a few popular ways readers use tags: - **By genre**: *Historical Fiction*, *Romance*, *Sci-Fi*. - **By mood or purpose**: *Bedtime Reads*, *Inspiring*, *Mindfulness*. - **By goal**: *2025 Challenge*, *Re-read*, *Top 10*. You can mix and match tags to build a system that reflects your reading style. ## Why tags make a difference Using tags in Book Tracker doesn’t just tidy up your collection, it helps you: - Spot the right book for the right moment. - Keep your wishlist actionable with priorities and recommendations. - Turn a big library into something easy to navigate. ## Final thoughts Tags are simple, but they transform the way you manage your books. Whether you have a dozen favorites or hundreds of titles, Book Tracker’s tagging system makes your library more personal, searchable, and enjoyable. Start tagging your books today and see how much smoother your reading life becomes. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Maximize Your Reading Focus with a Reading Timer URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/maximize-reading-focus-with-readingtimer/ Distractions are everywhere, and staying focused while reading can be tough. Whether you’re studying or simply enjoying a novel, a **Reading Timer** can help you stay present, avoid interruptions, and build a consistent routine. ## Why use a reading timer? A timer isn’t just about recording minutes, it’s about creating the right mindset for reading. With one running, you: - Commit to a block of focused reading time. - Avoid multitasking and reduce the temptation to check notifications. - Find it easier to immerse yourself fully in the story or subject. Even short sessions of 15–20 minutes become more effective when you know the clock is ticking. ## How Book Tracker makes it seamless The **Reading Timer** in Book Tracker is designed for readers who want to make every session count: - **Automatic logging**: the app records exactly how long you’ve read, so you can review your progress later. - **Live Activity**: keep the timer visible on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island without reopening the app. - **Statistics that matter**: see how much time you’ve read today, this week, or this month, and spot patterns in your habits. - **Widgets for quick access**: start the timer or check your daily progress right from your Home Screen. ## Build a daily reading habit Using the timer regularly helps you carve out a structured routine. Just 20 minutes a day quickly adds up, making it easier to finish more books and stay consistent with your goals. Over time, you’ll not only strengthen your focus but also gain valuable insights into how and when you read best. ## Final thoughts A reading timer is a simple tool that makes a big difference. It helps you block out distractions, stay motivated, and develop a sustainable reading rhythm. With Book Tracker, it’s more than just minutes on a clock — it’s a way to understand and improve your reading life. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # How to Track Your Reading Progress Effectively URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-track-reading-progress-effectively/ If you love books, chances are you’ve asked yourself: *How much am I really reading?* Tracking your reading progress isn’t just about numbers, it helps you stay organized, set realistic goals, and celebrate achievements along the way. And with **Book Tracker**, keeping an eye on your reading has never been easier. ## Why track your reading progress? - **Stay organized**: no more losing track when you’re juggling multiple books. You’ll always know what you’ve finished, what you’re currently reading, and what’s still waiting. - **Stay accountable**: setting goals, like finishing 20 books in a year, is easier when you can see exactly where you stand. - **Spot patterns**: by recording time and pages, you’ll notice which genres you fly through and which ones take longer. - **Celebrate milestones**: nothing beats the satisfaction of seeing how many books or hours you’ve read over time. ## How Book Tracker helps you stay on top Here are a few ways **Book Tracker** makes progress tracking effortless: - **Reading status**: mark each book as *To Read*, *Currently Reading*, or *Finished*. - **Reading Timer with Live Activity**: record how much time you spend reading, and keep the timer visible on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. - **Detailed statistics**: view your monthly progress, favorite authors, or how much time you’ve spent with audiobooks vs. print. - **Reading goals**: set a yearly Reading Challenge and watch your numbers grow as you move through your list. - **Widgets**: check your progress or current read at a glance, right from your Home Screen. ## Tips for making the most of tracking - **Set clear goals**: decide on a yearly challenge or smaller milestones. - **Track across formats**: include print, ebooks, and audiobooks for a complete picture. - **Make the timer a habit**: start it each time you read to get accurate stats. - **Review regularly**: check your statistics at the end of each month to see what’s working and what’s not. ## Final thoughts Tracking your reading isn’t about pressure. it’s about making your reading life more enjoyable. With Book Tracker, you’ll know where you are, stay motivated, and appreciate your progress in a way that keeps you coming back to your books. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Introducing Book Tracker 4 URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/introducing-book-tracker-4/ We’re excited to announce the release of **Book Tracker 4**, the ultimate update for passionate readers looking to effortlessly manage their book collections. Available for **iPhone**, **iPad**, and **Mac**, this new version offers a fresh look and advanced features that make organizing your reading life smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you’re a casual reader or an avid bookworm, Book Tracker 4 ensures that your library is always at your fingertips—whether you’re at home, at the library, or on the go. Here’s a closer look at what’s new in this major release! ## What’s New in Book Tracker 4 ### Revamped Design for a Modern Experience We’ve completely redesigned Book Tracker to provide a fresh, sleek experience. Enjoy the brand-new app icon and a refined tint color that gives your digital library a modern touch. The updated UI enhances both usability and aesthetic appeal, making the app a pleasure to use every day. ### Seamless Integration with Spotlight Search Finding your books has never been easier. With the new Spotlight Search integration, you can quickly locate any book in your library right from the search bar. Simply type the title or author and jump directly into your book details without opening the app. ### Borrowed Books Tracking Keep track of the books you’ve borrowed from friends or the library. Now, you can monitor the reading status of these borrowed titles, helping you stay organized and avoid duplicate reads. ### Enhanced “To Read” List The “To Read” list now exclusively features books you’ve marked as TBR (To Be Read). Reference materials or non-reading content are excluded, allowing you to curate a more intentional and focused reading list. ### Smart Lists for Customized Book Organization Easily organize your book collection with Smart Lists, which let you create custom lists based on your preferences. Tailor your book sorting to match your unique reading habits and tastes. ### Sidebar Customization Make the app truly your own by customizing the sidebar. Rearrange sections to suit your preferences, ensuring that your most important lists and features are always within easy reach. ### More Detailed Book Information Book Tracker now lets you add even more details to each title in your collection. Assign roles like translators, illustrators, and narrators, or input the original publication date and location for a more comprehensive book record. ### Improved Widget Control and Live Activities Manage your reading experience more efficiently with new Control Widgets. Start, pause, and resume reading timers directly from the widget, or launch Live Activities for quick access to your book lists. ### All-New Statistics Section Track your reading habits with the newly revamped Statistics section! View detailed reading session data, share your progress with friends, and enjoy insights into your Year in Review. Plus, check out the new Calendar View, where you can see how many books you’ve read each day. ### Enhanced Book List Displays Now you can view your reading progress and ratings directly from the book list view. No need to open the book details—just glance at the list to see how far along you are and how you rated each title. ### New Sorting Options Take control of your book organization by sorting your collection by category and publisher. This new feature gives you more flexibility in how you manage your growing library. ### Customizable Rating System Prefer a 10-point rating scale over 5 stars? With Book Tracker 4.0, you can adjust the rating system to fit your personal preferences, making it easier to reflect how you feel about each book. ### Improved Shortcuts and Siri Integration Launching shortcuts and Siri commands has never been smoother. With enhanced functionality, you can now control your library, timers, and more using just your voice. ### Widget and Live Activity Enhancements Widgets and Live Activities have been upgraded to offer a more fluid experience. Keep your favorite books, stats, and reading progress easily accessible right from your Home screen. ### Bug Fixes and UI Improvements We’ve polished the app’s interface and resolved an issue affecting ebook reading progress estimates, ensuring a more reliable and user-friendly experience throughout. ## Why Update to Book Tracker 4? Book Tracker 4 isn’t just a cosmetic update—it’s a full-featured overhaul designed to make managing your reading life easier and more intuitive. From tracking borrowed books to customizing your lists and stats, every detail has been fine-tuned to give you complete control over your book collection. Best of all, the app continues to protect your privacy—Book Tracker does not collect any personal data or track your activity, so you can enjoy reading without any worries. Book Tracker 4 It will be available on September 16, 2024 on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Download it when it will be available to experience the future of book tracking, and don’t forget to leave a review if you love the update! Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Embracing the Habit of Every Day Reading URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/embracing-the-habit-of-every-day-reading/ In today’s busy world, finding time to read every day can feel like a challenge. Yet making reading a daily habit comes with incredible benefits: it expands your knowledge, reduces stress, sparks creativity, and helps you disconnect from constant distractions. ## Why daily reading matters - **Expands knowledge**: every book — fiction or non-fiction — brings new ideas and perspectives. - **Boosts focus and memory**: reading is like exercise for your brain, sharpening concentration and analytical thinking. - **Fuels imagination**: stories transport you into new worlds and nurture creativity. - **Reduces stress**: even 15 minutes of reading before bed can help you relax and sleep better. - **Builds empathy**: connecting with characters’ emotions increases understanding in real life. ## How to make reading a daily habit The key to consistency is making reading both easy and enjoyable. Here’s how **Book Tracker** can help: - **Track your sessions with the Reading Timer**: simply start the timer when you begin reading and stop it when you’re done. Thanks to **Live Activity**, you can keep it visible on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. - **Review your progress with statistics**: see how much time you’ve spent reading and how it builds up over days, weeks, or months. - **Set a yearly Reading Challenge**: breaking it down into daily habits makes big goals easier to achieve. - **Use widgets**: quick access to your current book helps you stay consistent. - **Make it fun with Smart Lists**: create a “Daily Reads” list for shorter books, essays, or poetry to fit into your routine. ## Final thoughts Everyday reading isn’t about speed or quantity, it’s about building a ritual that enriches your life. Even short sessions can open the door to new ideas, spark creativity, and provide a moment of calm. With a little consistency, and the right tools to keep you on track, reading can become the best part of your day. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Mastering the Art of Reading Comprehension URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/mastering-the-art-of-reading-comprehension/ Reading comprehension is more than just recognizing words on a page, it’s about understanding, analyzing, and connecting with the ideas behind them. Whether you’re studying, reading for work, or simply diving into your favorite novel, improving your comprehension skills can make every page more rewarding. ## Practical strategies to improve comprehension **Read actively** Don’t just let the words pass by. Highlight key passages, add notes, or jot down questions. This helps you stay engaged and process the text more deeply. **Preview before you start** Glance through titles, headings, or summaries. Having a sense of where the text is going gives you context and makes comprehension easier. **Expand your vocabulary** The richer your vocabulary, the easier it is to understand nuance. Keep an eye out for new words and use context to unlock their meaning. **Pause and reflect** Every few pages, stop and ask yourself: *What’s the main idea here?* Summarizing in your own words helps lock in the information. **Visualize the text** Form mental images of what you’re reading, whether it’s a character, a place, or an abstract idea. It makes the material more concrete and memorable. **Discuss what you’ve read** Talking about books with friends, a club, or even online can expose you to new perspectives and strengthen your own understanding. ## How Book Tracker can help Improving comprehension is about interaction, and **Book Tracker** makes that easier: - **Save quotes and notes**: highlight meaningful passages and keep reflections tied to each book. - **Track progress with the Reading Timer**: short, focused sessions help you absorb information more effectively. - **Review your reading patterns**: statistics show how much and how often you read, helping you build consistency. - **Reflect with reviews**: writing down your impressions after finishing a book is a powerful way to reinforce understanding. ## Final thoughts Mastering reading comprehension isn’t about reading faster — it’s about reading better. By slowing down, asking questions, and using tools like Book Tracker to organize your thoughts, you’ll turn every reading session into a deeper, more meaningful experience. Start today, and see how much more you can take away from the books you already love. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Embrace the Joy of Reading: Summer Reading Challenges URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/embrace-the-joy-of-reading-summer-reading-challenges/ Summer is the perfect time to read more. Whether you’re lounging at the beach, sitting in the park, or enjoying a quiet evening, a **reading challenge** can give you the motivation to turn those long days into pages read. ## Challenge ideas for your summer **The Genre Extravaganza** Pick a handful of genres — mystery, fantasy, historical fiction, non-fiction — and read one book from each. A simple way to broaden your horizons. **The Series Marathon** Dedicate the summer to a book series you’ve been putting off. Immersing yourself in one world can be the most rewarding way to spend the season. **The Classic Revival** Choose a few timeless classics, from Austen to Fitzgerald, and make them part of your summer reading list. **The Diversity & Inclusion List** Read authors from different backgrounds and cultures to experience new perspectives and voices. **The Book-to-Screen Adventure** Pick a book that’s been adapted into a film or TV show and compare the two. ## How Book Tracker helps you stick to it Coming up with a challenge is easy. Sticking to it is the hard part. That’s where **Book Tracker** helps: - **Set your yearly or seasonal goal** with the Reading Challenge and watch your progress grow as you finish books. - **Stay consistent** using the **Reading Timer with Live Activity**, keeping your session visible on your Lock Screen while you read. - **Measure your progress** with detailed **statistics** that show how many books you’ve read and your monthly pace. - **Organize your TBR** with a Smart List called “Summer Reads,” so you always know what’s next. ## Make this summer about stories A summer reading challenge isn’t about racing through books, it’s about keeping reading fun and part of your daily routine. With Book Tracker, you’ll stay motivated and organized while exploring new genres, authors, and stories. Choose your challenge, open Book Tracker, and let this summer be defined by the books you read. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Unlocking the World of Must-Read Books: A Literary Journey URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/unlocking-the-world-of-must-read-books-a-literary-journey/ Books have the power to transport us, challenge our perspective, and leave a lasting mark on our lives. Among the endless shelves of literature, some works stand out as *must-reads*, stories that inspire, provoke thought, and become part of our cultural DNA. In this article, we’ll explore a selection of timeless classics and modern masterpieces, and we’ll also look at how you can use **Book Tracker** to organize your own list of must-reads and keep track of your progress. ## Timeless classics and modern gems Here are a few books that have shaped generations of readers: - **To Kill a Mockingbird** by Harper Lee — a moving reflection on justice, empathy, and moral growth. - **1984** by George Orwell — a dystopian warning about surveillance, truth, and freedom that still feels urgent today. - **Pride and Prejudice** by Jane Austen — romance, wit, and social commentary wrapped in one unforgettable story. - **The Great Gatsby** by F. Scott Fitzgerald — a haunting portrait of the American Dream and its illusions. - **One Hundred Years of Solitude** by Gabriel García Márquez — a magical realist epic about family, memory, and time. - **The Catcher in the Rye** by J.D. Salinger — an exploration of adolescence and alienation that continues to resonate. - **Moby-Dick** by Herman Melville — an ambitious tale of obsession, fate, and the human spirit. - **The Lord of the Rings** by J.R.R. Tolkien — the cornerstone of modern fantasy, full of friendship, courage, and hope. - **To the Lighthouse** by Virginia Woolf — a meditation on time, relationships, and the inner life. - **Crime and Punishment** by Fyodor Dostoevsky — a gripping psychological study of guilt, morality, and redemption. ## How to keep track of your must-read books The challenge with lists like these is remembering them and finding the time to actually read them. That’s where **Book Tracker** comes in: - **Build your TBR list**: Add books by scanning a barcode, searching by title, or importing from another app. - **Stay organized**: Use **Tags, Series, and Smart Lists** to create a dedicated *Must-Read* collection. - **Track progress**: Mark books as *To Read*, *Currently Reading*, or *Finished*, and see how your stats evolve. - **Set goals**: Create a yearly challenge or smaller milestones to finally tackle those classics you’ve been putting off. - **Reflect and remember**: Save quotes, add notes, and write reviews to keep the best passages and your impressions at hand. - **Stay motivated**: Use the **Reading Timer with Live Activity**, plus Widgets and Shortcuts, to make reading a daily habit. ## Final thoughts Must-read books aren’t just titles on a list, they’re experiences that broaden your world and stay with you for years. Whether you’re revisiting a classic or discovering a new voice, organizing your journey with Book Tracker helps turn intention into action. Start building your own must-read library today, and let these stories guide, inspire, and challenge you. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) ## --- # Mastering Reading Skills URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/mastering-reading-skills/ Reading is one of the most powerful skills you can develop. It opens doors to knowledge, improves focus, and strengthens critical thinking. But just like any other skill, it takes practice and consistency. With the right tools, it’s easier to stay motivated and make reading part of your daily routine. That’s where **Book Tracker** can help. ## Why reading skills matter Strong reading skills aren’t just useful in school. They impact every part of life, from understanding complex ideas to expressing yourself clearly. Regular reading has been shown to: - Expand vocabulary and memory. - Improve comprehension and analysis. - Boost empathy and creativity. - Reduce stress and increase focus. By working on your reading abilities, you invest in your own growth and open the door to new opportunities. ## How Book Tracker supports your reading journey Book Tracker is designed to help readers of all levels build better habits and sharpen their skills. Here’s how it works: ### Set clear reading goals With the **Reading Challenge**, you can decide how many books you want to finish this year. If you prefer smaller goals, use **Smart Lists** to organize books by theme, genre, or personal objectives. ### Track progress with ease Log your reading progress in pages or minutes (perfect for audiobooks). The app provides detailed **statistics** about your habits: monthly progress, favorite authors, most-read genres, and more. Seeing your progress visually keeps you motivated. ### Stay focused with the Reading Timer The built-in **Reading Timer** helps you carve out distraction-free reading sessions. Thanks to **Live Activity**, you can always keep the timer visible on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island, a simple way to make reading a consistent habit. ### Take notes and save quotes Understanding and remembering what you read is easier when you engage with the text. Book Tracker lets you add **notes and annotations** or save your favorite quotes, all linked to the right book. ### Organize your library your way - Add books instantly with a barcode scan or quick search. - Use **Tags, Series, and custom order** to keep your library tidy. - Sync everything across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with **iCloud backup and sync**. ### Extra tools for motivation - **Widgets** let you jump back into your current read, start the timer, or check progress directly from your Home Screen. - With **Shortcuts and Siri**, you can log reading time or open your book with a simple voice command. - **Automatic backups** keep your data safe, so your library is always protected. ## Tips to improve your reading skills with Book Tracker - **Define your goals**: choose a yearly challenge or smaller milestones. - **Engage actively**: take notes, highlight quotes, and reflect on what you read. - **Be consistent**: use the timer to build daily sessions into your routine. - **Challenge yourself**: explore new genres and authors with Smart Lists or a custom challenge. ## Unlock your full reading potential Reading is more than a hobby, it’s a skill that grows with practice. With Book Tracker, you’ll have the tools to stay motivated, organized, and focused while building stronger reading habits. Download Book Tracker today and make reading a lifelong strength. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) ## --- # Developing Healthy Reading Habits with Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/developing-healthy-reading-habits-with-book-tracker/ In today’s busy world, it’s easy to let reading slip through the cracks. Yet building a consistent reading habit can make a big difference: it helps you learn, relax, reduce stress, and spark creativity. With **Book Tracker** on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, it’s easier than ever to bring reading into your daily routine and stick with it. ## Why reading habits matter Reading isn’t just a pastime. Regular reading has been shown to: - Boost focus and cognitive skills. - Expand knowledge and empathy. - Lower stress levels. - Inspire new ideas and creativity. Making reading part of your day means investing in your own growth and well-being. ## How Book Tracker helps build habits Book Tracker is designed for readers who want to stay consistent and motivated. Here’s how it can support your journey: ### Set achievable goals With the **Reading Challenge**, you can set a yearly goal and watch your progress grow with every book you finish. Want something more flexible? Use **Smart Lists** to create custom collections like “Read 20 minutes a day” or “Non-fiction this month.” ### Track your progress Log pages read (or minutes for audiobooks) and see your stats instantly. The app provides detailed **statistics**, from monthly activity to your favorite genres and authors, so you can actually see your habits take shape. ### Use the Reading Timer and Live Activity Staying focused is easier with the built-in **Reading Timer**. Start a session, set a target, and keep the timer always visible with **Live Activity** on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. ### Stay organized - Add books quickly by scanning barcodes or searching by title/ISBN. - Organize your library with **Tags** and **Series**, even ordering books in the right sequence. - Keep everything synced across iPhone, iPad, and Mac thanks to **iCloud backup and sync**. ### Quotes, reviews, and reflections Highlight your favorite passages and save them in your personal quote collection. Add ratings and reviews when you finish a book, a great way to reflect and keep memories of your reading journey. ### Quick access with Widgets and Shortcuts Check your progress or open your current read directly from your Home Screen with **Widgets**. And with **Shortcuts and Siri**, you can log reading time or jump into a book with a simple voice command. ## Tips to strengthen your reading routine Here are a few practical steps to combine Book Tracker with your daily life: - **Celebrate milestones**: every finished book brings you closer to your goal. - **Start small**: even 10 minutes a day can make a difference. - **Be consistent**: pick a regular time to read, like before bed. - **Use reminders**: Book Tracker can nudge you to stay on track. ## Make reading a lasting habit Building a healthy reading habit is a journey, and Book Tracker is here to make it simple, fun, and motivating. With powerful tracking tools, seamless organization, and privacy-first design (no accounts, no ads, no tracking), it’s the perfect companion for anyone who wants to read more and enjoy it. Start today, your future self will thank you. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) ## --- # Organize Your Summer Reading with Book Tracker on iPhone, iPad, and Mac URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/organize-summer-reading-with-best-book-tracker-app-ios/ Summer is the perfect time to slow down and enjoy a good book. Whether you’re on the beach, in a hammock, or simply relaxing at home, **Book Tracker** is the app that helps you organize your library and make the most of your reading time. ## Keep your summer reading list under control With Book Tracker, you’ll never lose track of what you want to read next. You can: - Add books instantly by scanning a barcode or searching by title or ISBN. - Organize your books with **Tags, Series, and Smart Lists**, so your summer TBR is always ready. - Create a **dedicated reading challenge** to set a goal for the season and stay motivated. ## Track your reading anywhere Switching between books on vacation? Book Tracker makes it easy to keep your progress synced across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with **iCloud**. You can log pages read or minutes for audiobooks, and the app will show you detailed **statistics** about your habits: genres, authors, monthly reading pace, and more. The **Reading Timer with Live Activity** keeps you focused and lets you track your sessions in real time, always visible on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. ## Stay inspired with quotes and reviews Highlight your favorite passages and save them directly in Book Tracker. Each quote is linked to its book, so you can revisit them later or share them with friends. You can also **rate and review** the books you finish, helping you reflect on your summer reads. ## Widgets and Shortcuts for quick access Want to dive back into your current read without opening the app? With **Widgets** you can check progress, start the timer, or open your latest book straight from the Home Screen. Plus, thanks to **Shortcuts and Siri**, you can log your daily reading with a simple tap or voice command. ## Get started today Getting started is simple: download Book Tracker from the App Store, add your books, and begin your reading journey. No accounts, no ads, no tracking, just you and your books. Make this summer your most organized and enjoyable reading season yet with Book Tracker. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) ## --- # How a reading challenge can help you reach your reading goal URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/how-a-reading-challenge-can-help-you-reach-your-reading-goal/ Are you trying to read more books this year? A **reading challenge** is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay motivated. By setting a clear goal and holding yourself accountable, you can turn reading into a fun habit and discover new books along the way. And if you’re on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the **Book Tracker app** is the perfect companion to help you reach your reading goals. ## Why a reading challenge works The power of a reading challenge lies in its clarity. Instead of vaguely saying “I want to read more,” you set a specific number of books you want to complete in a year. This goal gives you focus, keeps you on track, and gives you a sense of achievement with every book finished. ## How Book Tracker helps you succeed Book Tracker makes it easy to set, track, and complete your reading challenge: - **Set your yearly goal**: choose how many books you want to read this year and follow your progress step by step. - **Track your reading**: log pages read (or minutes, for audiobooks) and see your stats update instantly. - **View detailed statistics**: discover your monthly progress, favorite authors, most-read genres, and compare your habits over time. - **Use the Reading Timer and Live Activity**: see how much time you spend reading and keep the timer always at hand on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. - **Stay motivated with Widgets and Shortcuts**: start the timer, jump back into your current read, or check progress directly from your Home Screen. - **Organize your TBR**: add books by scanning a barcode or searching by title, then keep them ready in your library or in a dedicated Smart List. - **Rate and review your books**: reflect on what you’ve read and keep a personal record of your thoughts. ## Make reading fun and rewarding With Book Tracker, your reading challenge becomes more than just a number. You’ll see your progress in real time, enjoy insights about your reading habits, and have all your books neatly organized across iPhone, iPad, and Mac thanks to iCloud sync. If you want to read more this year, set up your **Reading Challenge** in Book Tracker and let the app help you stay motivated, organized, and inspired. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # The best Book Tracker app for your iPhone, iPad and Mac URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/best-book-tracker-app-for-iphone-ipad-mac/ If you’re someone who always has a book on hand, you probably know how tricky it can be to keep track of your entire library, your reading progress, and even those quotes you don’t want to forget. That’s where **Book Tracker** comes in: the app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that helps you organize your books and make the most of your reading time. ### Add books in seconds One of the fastest ways to build your library is by scanning barcodes with your device’s camera. Book Tracker instantly pulls in the book’s details, saving you time. Prefer to search manually? You can also add titles by entering the ISBN or simply typing the book’s name. ### Track your reading progress Once your library is set up, Book Tracker helps you follow your reading journey. You can: - Set a yearly **Reading Challenge** and see how many books you’ve completed. - Log your reading progress page by page (or minute by minute if it’s an audiobook). - View detailed **statistics** about your reading habits, such as your favorite authors, most-read genres, or monthly progress. ### Save and organize your favorite quotes Love collecting memorable passages? With Book Tracker you can save quotes from any book in your library. Each quote is automatically linked to its book, and you can organize them, browse them later, or share them with friends. ### Stay motivated with the Reading Timer, Widgets, and Shortcuts Sometimes you just need a little extra motivation to read more. With the **Reading Timer**, you can track exactly how much time you spend with a book. Start a session, set a target, and keep an eye on your progress thanks to the **Live Activity** that keeps the timer always visible on your Lock Screen or Dynamic Island. Book Tracker also offers **Widgets** for your Home Screen and Lock Screen: they let you jump right into your current read, check your progress, or even start the timer without opening the app. And if you love automation, you’ll enjoy the integration with **Shortcuts** and **Siri**. For example, you can create a shortcut to log your daily reading time with a single tap or voice command. ### More tools for book lovers Book Tracker is designed to cover every aspect of your reading life. You can: - Rate and review the books you’ve finished. - Create custom **Series** and even order the books within them. - Use **Tags** and **Smart Lists** to organize your library exactly how you want. - Keep backups of your library and sync everything across iPhone, iPad, and Mac with iCloud. ### Why readers choose Book Tracker Book Tracker has been highlighted by trusted sites like **[MacStories](https://www.macstories.net/reviews/book-track-2-review-widgets-sidebar-for-ipad-shortcuts-and-more/)** and **[9to5Mac](https://9to5mac.com/2021/10/14/book-track-manager-gets-refreshed-interface-new-widgets-more/)** for its clean design and privacy-first approach. No accounts, no ads, no tracking, just you and your books. Get the app ## Start tracking your library today. Free to download. No ads. No tracking. No servers. Built by an indie developer for readers like you. [](https://apps.apple.com/app/id1491660771) [](https://apps.apple.com/app/mac/id1496543317) --- # Home URL: https://booktrack.app/ --- # Migrating from Bookmory URL: https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-bookmory/ Follow these steps to migrate your library from Bookmory to Book Tracker. ## Change Bookmory Language to English Bookmory exports column headers in the language of the app. Book Tracker requires the export to be in English, so you need to temporarily switch Bookmory’s language before exporting. - Open the **Settings** app on your iPhone. - Scroll down and tap **Apps**. - Find and tap **Bookmory**. - Tap **Language** and select **English**. After the export is complete, you can switch the language back to your preferred one by following the same steps. ## Export Your Bookmory Library - Open Bookmory and go to the **Profile** tab. - Tap **Export**. - Under **File format**, select **Excel (xlsx)**. - Save the exported file to your device. ## Convert the File to CSV The exported file is in Excel format and contains an extra row at the top that needs to be removed before importing. You can use any spreadsheet app that supports `.xlsx` files, such as **Numbers** (free on all Apple devices) or **Microsoft Excel**. - Open the exported `.xlsx` file in **Numbers** or **Excel**. - Delete the **first row** of the spreadsheet. The column headers (Title, Authors, Translators, etc.) should now be the first row. - Export the file as CSV: **In Numbers**: go to **File** → **Export To** → **CSV**, then save the file. - **In Excel**: go to **File** → **Save As** and choose **CSV** as the file format. ## Import the File into Book Tracker With your CSV file ready, import it into Book Tracker: - Open Book Tracker on your device. - Navigate to **Settings** → **Import**. - Select your CSV file and choose **Bookmory** as the import format. ## Enjoy Book Tracker! Your Bookmory library is now successfully migrated to Book Tracker. You can start tracking your reading progress, setting goals, and organizing your collection. If you encounter any issues during the migration, feel free to reach out to us for support. --- # The Book Tracker Manifesto URL: https://booktrack.app/the-book-tracker-manifesto/ As a **single independent developer**, I build my apps with one clear priority: people, not numbers. My commitment stems from seeing how platforms often degrade. ### The Problem: Fighting Against Enshittification You’ve likely seen it happen: a great online tool slowly degrades in quality, becoming frustrating, cluttered, and manipulative. This process, often called **enshittification**, happens when platforms shift focus, moving from serving their users to aggressively extracting value from businesses, and ultimately, from users themselves. I fundamentally reject this model. I do not design my apps to maximize engagement, screen time, or growth charts. I design them to be calm, respectful tools that help you keep track of the books, movies, music, or games you care about. ### Platform Ethics: Why I Choose Privacy Over Data Mining Most modern apps are funded by advertising or data. This creates the structural pressure that drives platform decay: collect maximum information, measure every click, and adjust the design around what keeps users *hooked*, rather than what respects them. This philosophy is the root of enshittification. My stand against this decay is simple: **Your data stays on your devices.** - Your library, your notes, and your reading statistics are stored **locally**. - If you enable sync, your data is copied only through your personal **iCloud account**, managed securely by Apple. **I do not run servers** that store your library data, **I do not build profiles** about you, and **I do not sell or share** any of your information. There are **no ads**, **no hidden trackers**, and **no third-party analytics** watching what you use. The app should feel like a private notebook that happens to be digital. ### Privacy Is Not About Having Something to Hide A common objection goes like this: *“I have nothing to hide, so why should I care if an app collects my data?”* But privacy was never about hiding wrongdoing. It’s about who holds power over the details of your life, and what those details might mean in a context you cannot predict today. Consider what happened in the United States. For years, millions of people logged the most intimate facts of their lives into period and fertility tracking apps, treating that information as harmless. Then the legal ground shifted. After the Supreme Court overturned *Roe v. Wade* in 2022, data that had felt trivial, like the timing of a cycle or a sudden gap in the log, suddenly became information that could place someone under suspicion. Privacy advocates and regulators [warned that this intimate data could be subpoenaed and used against the very people who created it](https://stateline.org/2024/07/26/data-privacy-after-dobbs-is-period-tracking-safe/). And the fear was not theoretical: in Nebraska, [prosecutors obtained a teenager’s private messages and used them to bring abortion related charges](https://www.npr.org/2022/08/12/1117092169/nebraska-cops-used-facebook-messages-investigate-an-alleged-illegal-abortion) against her and her mother. The point is not which app or which law. The point is that **you cannot know in advance how your data will be used, by whom, or under which rules**. Information you share freely under one set of circumstances can be turned against you when the circumstances change, and you have no say in it once the data has left your hands. “Nothing to hide” assumes the rules will never change and that whoever holds your data will always have your interests at heart. History keeps proving both assumptions wrong. It is also worth remembering that these companies are not always careful custodians: the FTC once [penalized a popular period tracking app for sharing users’ intimate health data with Facebook and Google](https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2021/01/developer-popular-womens-fertility-tracking-app-settles-ftc-allegations-it-misled-consumers-about). That is why I treat your data as something that should never leave your control in the first place. A book you read, a note you took, a private thought about a story: none of it seems sensitive today. But the safest place for it is the same place it has always belonged, with you. Privacy isn’t about hiding. It’s about not handing strangers the power to decide what your own life means. ### The Anti-Enshittification Business Model: Direct Support Without the revenue from advertising and without selling data, the only way to keep these apps alive and actively maintained is simple: the **direct support** of users who find them valuable. When you choose to purchase the full version, you make a philosophical choice: you support ongoing maintenance, fund new updates, and help the app stay **independent** and aligned with *your* interests, not with those of external investors or advertisers who demand continuous degradation. ### Digital Wellness and No Manipulative Tricks To further fight platform decay, I actively avoid the manipulative tricks that turn peaceful tools into sources of anxiety. You will find: **no manipulative notifications**, no fake urgency, and no design that pushes you to open the app when you don’t need it. My goal is to give you clear, solid tools and then **stay out of your way**. ### My Part in Building a Better Internet In short, my apps exist because I believe software can still **respect people**. I believe we can build a better internet, one app at a time, that operates on trust and fairness. Your data remains yours, your attention is not for sale, and every decision I make is guided by a simple question: *Does this truly help you, or does it only help a metric on a screen?* Thank you for choosing to support this necessary stand against digital degradation. --- # Migrating from Bookpedia URL: https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-bookpedia/ You can easily move your library from Bookpedia to Book Tracker. #### Enable all columns To export all your data from Bookpedia, you first need to make sure every column is visible in the list view. Press **CMD + J** on your keyboard to open the *Columns* panel. A list of all available metadata will appear. Enable every column to ensure the export includes all your data. #### Change Bookpedia Language to English If you’re not using the app in English, you need to switch its language to English before exporting your library. Here’s how to do it: - Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select **System Settings**. - In the **System Settings** window, select **General** from the sidebar and click **Languages & Region**. - Scroll down to the **Application Languages** section. If Delicious Library is not listed, click the **+** button. - Select **Bookpedia** from the list of installed apps and choose **English** from the dropdown menu. - Close and reopen Bookpedia to apply the language change. Some apps may require a system restart for the change to take effect. #### Export Your Library as a CSV File Once the app is in English, you can export your library. Follow these steps: - Open **Bookpedia** and go to **File** (or Archive) -> **Export Collection** (or you can simply presso **CMD + S** on your keyboard). - Select **Text** and then **CSV**. - Click on the **Export** button and save the file on your Mac. #### Import the File into Book Tracker Now that you have the CSV file, you can import it into Book Tracker: - Open Book Tracker on your device. - Go to the **Settings** -> **Import** section in the app. - Select the CSV file you exported from Bookpedia and select **Bookpedia** importing type. That’s it! Your Bookpedia collection is now successfully imported into Book Tracker. --- # Migrating from other apps via CSV Import URL: https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-other-apps-via-csv-import/ If your current book app can export your library as a CSV file, you can bring everything into Book Tracker. This guide walks you through the whole process step by step, and then explains exactly how to format every single field so your titles, authors, dates, ratings, and reading history all arrive the way you expect. You do not need to be technical to follow this. If a section looks too detailed for what you need, just skip to the parts that matter to you. The most important rule is simple: **only the Title is required**. Everything else is optional, so you can import as much or as little as you like. > This guide is about the **Other** import format, which lets you map any CSV file by hand. If you are coming from Goodreads, StoryGraph, Bookmory, Bookpedia, Delicious Library 3, Book Crawler, BookBuddy, or Reading List, Book Tracker has a dedicated importer for each one that already knows the columns. Use those when available, and use **Other** for everything else. ## What you will need - A CSV file exported from your old app. - Book Tracker installed on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. - A few minutes to match your columns to Book Tracker fields. A CSV file is just a spreadsheet saved as plain text. The first row holds the column names (for example Title, Author, ISBN), and every row below it is one book. You can open and edit a CSV in Numbers, Excel, Google Sheets, or any text editor. ## Step 1: Export your library as a CSV file Before importing, export your library from your current app: - Open your current book app. - Find the export function (usually under Settings, Tools, or a File menu). - Choose the **CSV** format. - Include any fields you want to keep (Title, Author, ISBN, Pages, dates, rating, and so on). - Save the file somewhere you can reach it, such as Files, iCloud Drive, or your computer. If your app cannot export to CSV, check its support pages for a workaround. Some apps export to other formats that a spreadsheet program can convert to CSV. ## Step 2: Open the importer in Book Tracker - Open **Book Tracker**. - Go to **Settings** and tap **Import**. - Tap **File** and pick your CSV file. - Tap **Import format** and choose **Other**. As soon as you choose **Other**, Book Tracker reads the header row of your file and shows you a list of book properties you can fill in. Each property starts empty with a “Select header” placeholder. ## Step 3: Map your columns to Book Tracker fields For each Book Tracker property, tap it and choose which column from your CSV should feed it. For example, you might map the Book Tracker property **Title** to your column called `Book Name`, and **Authors** to your column called `Writer`. - You do not have to map every property. Map only what you care about. - If one of your columns does not match anything, simply leave it unmapped and it will be ignored. - The **Import** button turns on once you have selected a file and mapped the **Title**. When you are ready, you have two choices: - **Preview** lets you see the books that will be created before anything is saved. This is the safest way to check your formatting. Preview does not change your library. - **Import** writes the books into your library. A good habit is to run **Preview** first, look at a few books, fix anything that looks off in your CSV, and only then run the full **Import**. ## The three golden rules of formatting Almost every formatting question comes down to these three rules. If you remember nothing else, remember these. ### Rule 1: Use commas to separate columns Save your file as a standard CSV where commas separate the columns. This is what almost every app and spreadsheet produces by default. Book Tracker also understands files that use semicolons to separate columns, but commas are the safe default. ### Rule 2: Use a semicolon to list multiple values inside one cell When a single field holds more than one value, for example two authors or three tags, separate those values with a semicolon `;` inside that one cell. `Authors Tolkien, J.R.R.; Lewis, C.S.` This rule applies to Authors, Translators, Narrators, Illustrators, Publishers, Categories, Tags, Formats, and Languages. ### Rule 3: Wrap a cell in quotes if its text contains a comma Because commas separate columns, any cell whose own text contains a comma must be wrapped in double quotes so it is not split by mistake. The good news is that spreadsheet apps do this automatically when you export, so you rarely need to think about it. If you edit the file by hand, keep it in mind: `"Tolkien, J.R.R.; Lewis, C.S."` ## Field by field reference Below is every field you can map, what it is for, and exactly how to format it. Fields are grouped to make them easy to find. ### The only required field **Title.** This is the name of the book. If a row has no title, that row is skipped and reported as an error. Map this field, always. ### Identification and links **Subtitle.** Free text for the book subtitle. **Isbn13.** The 13 digit ISBN. You can include dashes or spaces; Book Tracker keeps only the digits. Example: `978-0-261-10357-9`. **Isbn10.** The older 10 digit ISBN, same rules as above. Example: `0261103571`. **Link.** A web address for the book, stored as is. > ISBNs are worth the effort. When you provide an ISBN, Book Tracker looks the book up online and fills in missing details for you, such as the cover image, description, page count, publisher, and more. A clean ISBN often turns a bare row into a complete book. ### People: Authors, Translators, Narrators, Illustrators All four people fields follow the same flexible format. Separate multiple people with a semicolon `;`. For each person, you can write the name in either of these two styles, and you can even mix them in the same file: - **Surname, First name** style, using a comma between the surname and the first name: `Tolkien, John Ronald Reuel; Lewis, Clive Staples` - **First name Last name** style, with a normal space. The last word is treated as the surname: `J.R.R. Tolkien; C.S. Lewis` A few details that help: - If you write only one word for a person, it is stored as the surname. - In the **Surname, First name** style, the part before the comma is always the surname and the part after it is the first name. This is the most reliable style if you want full control. - Remember Rule 3: because the **Surname, First name** style contains a comma, the whole cell should be wrapped in quotes if you edit the file by hand. ### Classification **Publishers.** One or more publishers, separated by `;`. **Place of publication.** Free text for the city or place where the book was published. Example: `London`. **Categories.** Genres or subjects, separated by `;`. You may also separate categories with an ampersand `&`, which is handy for sources that write things like `Fantasy & Adventure`. **Tags.** Your own labels, separated by `;`. Imported tags get a default color, which you can change later in the app. **Series.** The name of the series the book belongs to, as plain text. Example: `The Lord of the Rings`. **Number in the series.** The position in the series, as plain text. Example: `1` or `2.5`. **Pages.** The page count, as a whole number. Example: `423`. **Languages.** One or more languages, separated by `;`. You can use either the two letter language code or the language name. Examples: `en`, `it`, `fr`, or `English`, `Italian`, `French`. Values that are not recognized are skipped. ### Formats **Formats** describes the kind of edition. You can list more than one, separated by `;`. Type one of the exact values from the table below. If a value is not recognized, the book falls back to your default format from Settings, so when in doubt you can leave this unmapped. Your editionValue to put in the cellPaperback`PAPERBACK`Hardcover`HARDCOVER`Mass market paperback`MASS_MARKET_PAPERBACK`Spiral bound`SPIRAL_BOUND`Leather bound`LEATHER_BOUND`Ebook`EBOOK`Audiobook`AUDIOBOOK`Magazine`MAGAZINE`Comic book`COMIC_BOOK`Graphic novel`GRAPHIC_NOVEL`Manga`MANGA`Box set`BOX_SET`Omnibus`OMNIBUS`Reference book`REFERENCE_BOOK`Other`OTHER` Example of two formats in one cell: `PAPERBACK; AUDIOBOOK` ### Section: where the book lives **Section** decides whether a book goes on your shelf, your wishlist, or is marked as not owned. The most reliable values are: MeaningValue to put in the cellOn my bookshelf`BOOKSHELF`On my wishlist`WISHLIST`Not owned`NOT_OWNED` For convenience, Book Tracker also accepts these friendly words, in any capitalization: `library`, `bookshelf`, or `book shelf` for the shelf, and `wishlist` or `wish list` for the wishlist. If the value is empty or not recognized, the book is placed on your bookshelf by default. ### Ratings **Your rating.** Your personal rating on a scale of 0 to 5. Use a number, with decimals allowed. Example: `4` or `4.5`. A value of 0 or empty means no rating. If your old app used a scale of 0 to 10, divide by 2 before importing (so 9 becomes 4.5). **Average rating.** A community or external average rating, also on a 0 to 5 scale. This is informational and is not your personal rating. ### Dates and reading history Dates are the area where most surprises happen, so this section is worth a careful read. **Release date.** When this edition was published. See the date formats section below for accepted styles. **Release year.** The publication year of this edition, as a whole number, when you only have the year and not a full date. Example: `1937`. **Original release date.** When the work was first ever published, which can differ from your edition. Uses the same date styles as Release date. **Original release year.** The year the work was first ever published, as a whole number. Example: `1937`. **Purchase date** and **Purchase price.** If you map a price, Book Tracker tries to read both the amount and the currency from the text, so values like `$12.99`, `12,99 EUR`, or `9.50` all work. If it cannot detect the currency, it uses your default currency from Settings. You can map the date, the price, or both. **Start reading date** and **End reading date.** These two are special, because together they decide the **reading status** of the book. There is no separate reading status column to map in the **Other** format; the status is worked out from these dates: What you provideResulting reading statusBoth a start date and an end dateRead, with a reading session between those two datesOnly a start dateCurrently readingOnly an end dateRead, completed on that dateNeither dateNo reading session is recorded So if you simply want a book marked as finished, map the **End reading date** to a column that holds the date you finished it. If you want it marked as currently reading, map only the **Start reading date**. If you want the full reading span, map both. ### Cover image You have two ways to give a book its cover: **Cover image URL** and **Thumbnail image URL.** Map these to columns that hold web links to the cover artwork, and Book Tracker uses them directly. If you do not provide an image link but you do provide an ISBN, Book Tracker tries to download a matching cover for you automatically. This is another reason to include ISBNs whenever you can. ### Physical location If you track where your books physically sit, you can map **Location**, **Bookcase**, and **Shelf**. These work as a nested set: - Map all three to record a full position (Location, then Bookcase, then Shelf). - Map Location and Bookcase to record a partial position. - Map Location alone to record just the room or place. Mapping Shelf on its own, without Location and Bookcase, will not create a position, because a shelf needs the bookcase and location it belongs to. ### Notes **Personal comment.** Free text that is saved as a note attached to the book. ## How dates are understood Book Tracker recognizes many common date styles automatically. These all work: - `2024-05-17` and `2024/05/17` (year first) - `17.05.2024` and `17.05.24` - `May 17, 2024` - `Friday, May 17, 2024` - Full timestamps such as `2024-05-17T09:30:00Z` There is one thing to watch for. A date like `03/06/2024` is ambiguous, because it could mean March 6 or June 3 depending on where you live. Book Tracker is smart about this: it scans all the dates in your file and looks for a clear clue, such as a day greater than 12, to figure out whether your file uses month first or day first, then applies that to the whole file consistently. To avoid any doubt, the safest choice is to use the year first style `YYYY-MM-DD` (for example `2024-05-17`) for every date in your file. It is never ambiguous. ## Tips for the best results - **Include ISBNs.** They unlock automatic covers and fill in missing details from online sources. - **Preview before you import.** Check a handful of books, then fix and reimport if needed. - **Watch for duplicates.** The **Other** format does not detect books you already have, so importing the same file twice will create duplicate entries. Import each file once. - **Keep dates consistent.** Use `YYYY-MM-DD` across the whole file. - **Clean your data first.** Remove empty rows and obvious mistakes in your spreadsheet before exporting. - **Back up your library.** Make a backup in Book Tracker before a large import, just in case. ## Need help? If you run into trouble, the import result screen lists any rows that could not be imported, with the reason, so you can fix them in your CSV and try again. The most common reason is a missing Title. You are always welcome to reach out through the Contact page if something is not working the way you expect. --- # Migrating to Book Tracker URL: https://booktrack.app/migrating-to-book-tracker/ Welcome to Book Tracker! Transitioning your library from another app has never been easier. Whether you’re coming from Goodreads, Delicious Library 3, or another platform, we’ve got you covered. Follow our dedicated guides to ensure a seamless migration experience. ## Why Migrate to Book Tracker? Book Tracker offers powerful tools to help you organize, manage, and track your reading. Enjoy features such as: - Comprehensive library organization. - Detailed reading statistics and progress tracking. - Personalized reading goals and challenges. - Multi-platform support for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Ready to make the switch? Let’s get started! ## Migration Guides Here are step-by-step guides to help you migrate from popular book management apps to Book Tracker: - [Migrating from Delicious Library 3](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-delicious-library-3/) - [Migrating from Bookpedia](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-bookpedia/) - [Migrating from Bookmory](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-bookmory/) - [Migrating from Goodreads](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/) - [Migrating from other apps via CSV Import](https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-other-apps-via-csv-import/) Each guide provides clear instructions tailored to the specific app or method. If your current platform isn’t listed, don’t worry—Book Tracker’s CSV import feature allows you to transfer your library from almost any app. Check the “Migrating from Other Apps via CSV Import” guide for more details. ## Need Help? If you encounter any challenges during the migration process, our support team is here to assist. Contact us directly through the app or visit our support page for additional resources. Make the leap to Book Tracker today and unlock a better way to manage your library! --- # Migrating from Goodreads URL: https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-goodreads/ Follow these steps to migrate your library from Goodreads to Book Tracker. #### Export Your Goodreads Library Goodreads allows you to export your book collection in a CSV format. Here’s how to do it: - Log in to your Goodreads account on a desktop browser. - Open the [Export](https://www.goodreads.com/review/import) page of your account. - Click the **Export Library** button. Goodreads will generate a CSV file containing your book data. - Wait for the download to complete. Save the file in an easily accessible location on your computer. #### Prepare the CSV File Goodreads exports your library in a standard CSV format, which is compatible with Book Tracker. However, double-check the following: - Ensure the file extension is `.csv`. If not, rename it to include `.csv`. - Avoid modifying the file to prevent data issues during the import. #### Import the file into Book Tracker Now, use the exported CSV file to import your Goodreads library into Book Tracker: - Open Book Tracker on your device. - Go to **Settings** > **Import**. - Select **Goodreads** as import type and upload the CSV file you exported. #### Enjoy Book Tracker! Your Goodreads library is now successfully migrated to Book Tracker. You can start tracking your reading progress, setting goals, and organizing your books the way you like. If you encounter any issues during the migration, feel free to contact our support team for assistance. --- # Migrating from Delicious Library 3 URL: https://booktrack.app/migrating-from-delicious-library-3/ You can easily move your library from Delicious Library 3 to Book Tracker. #### Change Delicious Library 3 Language to English If you’re not using the app in English, you need to switch its language to English before exporting your library. Here’s how to do it: - Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select **System Settings**. - In the **System Settings** window, select **General** from the sidebar and click **Languages & Region**. - Scroll down to the **Application Languages** section. If Delicious Library is not listed, click the **+** button. - Select **Delicious Library 3** from the list of installed apps and choose **English** from the dropdown menu. - Close and reopen Delicious Library 3 to apply the language change. Some apps may require a system restart for the change to take effect. #### Export Your Library as a CSV File Once the app is in English, you can export your library. Follow these steps: - Open Delicious Library 3 and go to the **Export** page. - Configure the export settings as follows: **Export Type**: Delimited Text - **Export**: Entire Library - **Separate Multiple Values With**: Comma - **Delimiter**: String-delimiter (Insert the character `;` in the text field) - **Export Fields**: Select all available fields. - Save the exported file. If the file doesn’t have the `.csv` extension, rename it to add `.csv` to the filename. #### Import the File into Book Tracker Now that you have the CSV file, you can import it into Book Tracker: - Open Book Tracker on your device. - Go to the **Settings** -> **Import** section in the app. - Select the CSV file you exported from Delicious Library 3 and select **Delicious Library 3** importing type. That’s it! Your Delicious Library collection is now successfully imported into Book Tracker. --- # Blog URL: https://booktrack.app/blog/ --- # Press Kit URL: https://booktrack.app/press-kit/ Download Press Kit with screenshots and artworks from [this link](https://booktrack.app/wp-content/uploads/book-tracker-4_3_0-press-kit.zip). ## Book Tracker **Book Tracker** is a comprehensive and privacy-focused app designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users who want to elevate their reading journey. With seamless integration across iOS and macOS, Book Tracker offers a powerful suite of features to help you manage your library, track reading progress, and organize favorite quotes. Enjoy automatic synchronization across all your devices, capture and save memorable quotes with ease, and stay motivated with detailed reading statistics and personalized challenges. Embrace the future of reading management with Book Tracker, where your book world is organized and accessible at your fingertips. Technologies used: - **iCloud** to sync the library across all the devices - **OCR** for import quotes from books using VisionKit - **Lock Screen**, **Home Screen** and **Control Widgets** to have reading progress and statistics at your fingertips - Support to advanced **Shortcuts** - **Shared with You** to share link with friends with iMessage and see them in the app ## What’s New in Book Tracker 4.3 Version 4.3 introduces a major refinement to the reading experience with new iOS and macOS technologies: - **Expanded Book Formats**: catalog your library with more detail and accuracy - **Liquid Glass UI**: refreshed interface with Apple’s new Liquid Glass effect for a more polished look - **Improved Widgets**: faster and more stable; brand-new widgets let you customize your Home and Lock Screen with favorite books - **Menu Bar Support**: quick access to the app’s core features on iPad and Mac - **Completely Rebuilt Shortcuts**: perform **all** in-app actions through Shortcuts, with many new options available - **Interactive Live Activity**: pause and resume your reading timer directly from the Lock Screen --- # Contact URL: https://booktrack.app/contact/ Hi, I’m **Simone Montalto**, an Indie Developer. I started making iOS apps in September of 2016 and I’ve released my first app [Book Tracker](/) as a solo developer in December 2019. You can follow me on X as [@SimoneMontalto](https://twitter.com/SimoneMontalto). If you need technical support, if you want to send me feedbacks or reports or just want to say hello, you can send an email to [support@booktrack.app](mailto:support@booktrack.app). --- # Privacy URL: https://booktrack.app/privacy/ I like to keep things simple: I intentionally do not use third-party analytics or ads in Book Tracker, and collect no user data nor cookies of any sort. I’m committed to making sure that this remains the case. Your settings & data are stored securely on your own devices, and, where appropriate, you may choose to back-up or sync through iCloud. ---