Personally, I love tracking my books. But I’ll be honest — it can get overwhelming fast. To me, tracking should be a fun way to look back on what you’ve read, not a source of pressure! I use a few different (and slightly chaotic) systems to keep up with my reading — none of which involve Goodreads, Storygraph, or Fable in the usual way. So let’s get into it!
My ‘Read’ is Basically a Mood Board
At the start of each year, I make a Pinterest board called “Books Read in [YEAR] & Their Aesthetics.” Then I create individual sections for each book I finish. In those sections, I add images I think match the book’s vibe — scenes, colors, character energy, the whole mood.
It’s one of my favorite ways to track what I’ve read. It feels creative, visual, and way less rigid than a spreadsheet. It also lets me relive the books without writing a while essay about them!
👉 Check out my Books Read in 2025 & Their Aesthetics board!
Notion: Part Tracker, Part Journal, Fully Extra
I have a special talent for making things more complicated than they need to be, and my Notion TBR is proof. But honestly? I love it! It’s detailed, intentional, and a little over-the-top!
Here’s what I log for each book:
- Title & Author
- Series Information
- Status (Read, TBR, Paused, Next Up, Unshelved, DNF)
- Rating
- Year Read
- Format (Physical, eBook, Audiobook)
- KU availability (this one’s retired—I canceled KU)
- Genre
- Start and End Dates
- Owned or Not
- A Short Description
- My Goodreads Review + A Synopsis
It’s a tracker and a reading journal. I get to capture not just what I read, but how I felt while reading it.
My Blog is Basically My Public Reading Log
I also use this blog (yep, the one you’re reading right now) as a kind of reading tracker. Whenever I post reviews, wrap-ups, or reading updates, it helps me reflect on what I’ve read in a more casual, creative way.
It’s less about stats and more about vibes. I don’t track every book here, but writing about the ones that really stick with me—or totally flop—is my way of processing it all.
Plus, it’s a great way to look back at what I loved (or hated) over time without opening an app.
Fable = My New Favorite App
I used to be a diehard Goodreads user. Then the interface started to drive me nuts, and there was… drama. Enter: Fable.
Now, I do still use Goodreads occasionally, but Fable is where my heart is. I love the clean design, the ease of use, the stats it gives, and yes, I’m totally motivated by the little reading streak it tracks.
Weekly Reviews in My Field Notebook
Every day, I jot down something small in my Field Notebook—anything from what I’m reading to how I’m feeling about it. Then at the end of the week, I do a mini-review session:
- 3 goals
- A little check-in
- One or two reading stats (like how far I’ve gotten into my current book)
It’s reflective without being overwhelming. Just enough structure to feel intentional, without sucking the joy out of reading.
Final Thoughts: Reading Should Feel Like a Treat
Tracking your reading should add joy—not pressure. If it feels like a chore, you don’t have to do it. Seriously. You’re still a reader even if you don’t log every book, every thought, every quote.
But if you do like the idea of turning your reading life into a scrapbook/mood board/productivity ritual hybrid? Welcome to the club. It’s weird here. We love it.
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