Hooked on Books discussion

Since the new year is rapidly approaching... lets chat about how each of us tracks our reading!

For those who know me, it won't come as a surprise that I use a spreadsheet. I've been working with a template I originally purchased from Etsy, which I've customized over the years. My 2025 version is almost ready, but I'm still fine-tuning it. I'm torn between adding more features or keeping it as is...

You can take a peek at my spreadsheet here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

I'm curious to hear about your tracking methods. What do you use to keep tabs on your reading?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

This is my tracking Spreadsheet.

The top of the TBR spreadsheet is all of the challenges I am in (or signed up for) so I can track them. Row 3 is the link to the thread and Row 4 is a link to the spreadsheet.

Columns I to L are the challenges each book is being used for.

For the challenges that use just about anything I do that by color on Columns A to F.

I track Character Names, Nicknames, Jobs, Location and sometimes I remember to add the trope so I can easily search for them.

Mine isn't as fancy as yours, Ashley. I like yours that shows the cover and tracks other things. I might have to add some to mine for this next year.

MN Lisa wrote: Mine isn't as fancy as yours, Ashley. I like yours that shows the cover and tracks other things. I might have to add some to mine for this next year.
"

It might not be fancy, but you have so much information! That's what I can't decide on myself - should I add more "things" to track? Or maybe more "features" - but what features? So many choices and decisions!

I have been trying to get better about reviewing books with more than a star rating, or a sentence, so I focused on that with my review tabs!

I've been working on this for a few years and finally got it where I like it. It hyperlinks to the Goodreads Page so I can easily find my rating and review.

Its also sortable so I just click in a column and sort.

MN Lisa wrote: "I've been working on this for a few years and finally got it where I like it. It hyperlinks to the Goodreads Page so I can easily find my rating and review.

Its also sortable so I just click in a..."

That's awesome!! - I am trying to decide if I want to link to different (relevant) things on GR or not. Is it worth it if I'm there all the time? Will I ever need to go to these places again (other than challenge links)?

For me, I'm in so many challenges and so many groups that I forget which ones I'm in. That is why i track that. I copy from Row 3 to the book row so I can always go back.

With the hyperlink it just makes it easy to find the MPG and stuff so I don't have to add that to my spreadsheet.

I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to spreadsheet. I've done tracking ones for Travel Sweden and Wheel and Uno that I think works well. We don't always use them, but working on spreadsheets helps relax me. :)

MN Lisa wrote: "I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to spreadsheet. I've done tracking ones for Travel Sweden and Wheel and Uno that I think works well. We don't always use them, but working on spreadsheets helps relax me. :)"

SAME! It's so satisfying to create something that just... works!

I also have a "Library" sheet that I use to keep track of all the books I own, which I love: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

My "Own" is like your library. I just take the A, An, The out of the Title and Series. I might have to start tracking Color Cover since I'm not right now.

What does column A mean on your library? Anything special?

I track the entire first publication date since a lot of my challenges look for numbers in the pub date or in a specific month.

A is the Physical or Digital color code, and if I'm waiting for a book I bought to arrive/be released, I add a ⏳
C is my Article Adjustment column for sorting!

I was using a spreadsheet I found online to keep track of all the books I read with lots of extra info that future me would very much appreciate, but it was so much work to keep up with it that I ended up giving up halfway through the year as I got behind and catching up was just overwhelming.

I may see if I can find something a little easier to work with for 2025.

As for actual challenge tracking, I just use GR!
I have a private group where I list them all. each challenge group gets its own section, and then each challenge has a topic with all relevant links and info in it. I've been doing it that way for about 6 years, and it's quick and easy to use, and I never miss a thing!

Sammy wrote: "As for actual challenge tracking, I just use GR!
I have a private group where I list them all. each challenge group gets its own section, and then each challenge has a topic with all relevant links and info in it. I've been doing it that way for about 6 years, and it's quick and easy to use, and I never miss a thing!"

Such a practical idea!!

I use spreadsheets for my books and challenges. I'm not sure if it is the best route but it is all I know! lol

I've heard several people say they track on GR but I can't seem to get the feel for that. I'd love a simple and quick way to track!

I've been obsessing and tweaking my newest SS for over a month at this point, so I am BEYOND excited to use it. I feel like I would not be very functional with a GR group of my own for my challenges, because I would forget about it, but if you're in the groove of using it, I could see it would be great.

I would think the biggest downfall is the editing that you need to do in each comment? Maybe?

One of these years I should commission someone to make the perfect book tracker for my needs (sooooo nowhere near ready to make my own yet!). But not this year, because we're buying a new house and I'm broke! 😂

I spent a little time browsing the freebies available, but brain has melted, so will look again tomorrow. If anyone knows of any good ones, holler!

Sammy wrote: "If anyone knows of any good ones, holler!"

I saw Etsy had some as I was looking for a life planner last night. :)

I didn't check any of them out because I have my own that I use and love. The initial setup was a bit much, but the adding of new books only takes a few seconds now that i'm used to it....As long as I don't buy 45 new books in one day. Then its a but time consuming.

Sammy wrote: "One of these years I should commission someone to make the perfect book tracker for my needs (sooooo nowhere near ready to make my own yet!). But not this year, because we're buying a new house and..."

Sammy - if you tell me what you want, you can commission me for free. I love making SS... clearly.

That's such a sweet offer Ashley! But only if you're sure and you work on it as and when you feel like it, because I know these things are a lot of work! There will be no rush!

I am sure! ☺️
You just tell me what you need and I'll work on it!

You're an angel!

Have a bit of a fuzzy brain ATM (stoopid migraine), but will make a list and DM it to you in the next day or 2. But I repeat: No rush!

perfect! feel better!!

After all the challenges last year. This is the document I came up with. The Alphabet is to enter author, character, narrator, and if helpful publisher's

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Catherine wrote: "After all the challenges last year. This is the document I came up with. The Alphabet is to enter author, character, narrator, and if helpful publisher's

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/......"

Catherine, if you'd like us to view your SS, you need to change the viewing permissions! :)

Ok I updated the access, but now it has this year's info so far but that's ok, might help to see it filled in.