How I keep Track of My Reading on Notes!
Something about me is, I HAVE to have a physical copy of the book! And i need to keep track or I’ll forget! I like to consider the book as a trophy but also because, what if i cant get a copy online anymore? you know?
anyways, This is how i organize my readings! I have apps like goodreads and storygraph but i also have this! I like to keep track of the titles, and whether or not they have a series, which ones i need to read, which ones i own, which ones i need to buy, which books in the series i have to finish, and all that good stuff. This is just the method to my madness!!
I know a lot of us use apps like Goodreads or StoryGraph, and they're fantastic for connecting with other readers and discovering new titles. But for my personal tracking, especially for my physical book collection, I've found an unexpected hero: Apple Notes! There’s just something about having complete control over my data, without worrying about internet access or app changes, that makes it perfect for my 'bookish' brain. It’s simple, customizable, and always at my fingertips. Setting Up Your Ultimate Book Tracking System in Notes Getting started is super straightforward. First, I created a dedicated 'Books' folder in my Notes app. This keeps everything tidy and separate from my other notes. Inside this main folder, I set up several sub-notes to manage different aspects of my reading journey, much like the 'books i have read :)' or 'recs to read/ buy' notes you might have seen in my screenshots. Here’s how I organize mine: Books I've Read: This is my pride and joy! I make a new section for each year and simply list the books I've finished. I even use a little color guide (like the one in my notes) to quickly categorize them – maybe a green dot for 'finished,' a yellow for 'DNF' (did not finish), or a blue for 'reread.' This helps me quickly see my reading progress over time. Series I'm Following: This is crucial for anyone who dives deep into fantasy or sci-fi sagas! I create a separate note for each series, listing every book in order. This is where queries like 'how many books are in The Cruel Prince series' become easy to answer for myself. For example, under 'The Folk of the Air' series (which includes 'The Cruel Prince'), I'd list *The Cruel Prince*, *The Wicked King*, *The Queen of Nothing*, and any companion novellas or short stories like 'How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories' or even 'The Lost Sisters'. I mark off which ones I've read and which I still need to get or finish. This prevents me from accidentally buying a book I already own or forgetting where I left off in a complex storyline. Recommendations & Wishlist: This note is a lifesaver for managing all those amazing book recommendations from friends, BookTok, or Instagram. I list books I want to read or buy, often with checkboxes to mark if I've read it or purchased it. This prevents impulse buys and helps me prioritize my ever-growing TBR (To Be Read) pile. It's essentially my 'recs to read/ buy' and 'books to buy (stand alones)' combined into an active wishlist. Books I Own (But Haven't Read): Yes, there's a note for the shame pile! But seriously, this helps me keep track of books I've bought but haven't gotten around to yet, so I can try to read those before buying new ones. Why Notes App Works So Well for Me While Goodreads is great for community, my Notes app system offers unparalleled personalization. I can customize it exactly to my needs, adding tags, checklists, or even linking to external resources if I want. It's incredibly satisfying to manually update my progress and see my digital 'trophy shelf' grow. Plus, it's always available, even when I'm offline, which is perfect for when I'm browsing a bookstore and need to check if I already own a particular title or which book comes next in a series. Give it a try – you might just find your new favorite way to track your reading!
