AARP Hearing Center
8 Reading-Tracker Apps for Book Lovers
Record what you’ve read, add your reviews and keep a reading wish list
AARP (Reading list; Bookshelf; OverDrive; Getty Images, 2)
There’s a stack of unread books on your nightstand, but you don’t know where to start — or maybe you can’t remember the title of the novel that you loved last summer and want to recommend to a friend. And how many books did you actually read last year?
Whether you want personalized recommendations, a place to record which books you’ve read and what you thought of them, or a tool to track your daily reading time, these apps and websites can help:
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Libby
Great for: Library lovers
What it is: Website, plus a mobile app for iOS and Android devices (also available on the Amazon Appstore)
Price: Free
Libby is the sleek library reading app built by OverDrive, which discontinued its mobile platform in 2023. Patrons can use Libby to access their local library’s collection of free audio- and e-books (just enter library card information after downloading). The app can support multiple library cards, keep track of active loans and holds, and lets you sample books before checking them out. No smartphone? No problem. You can access Libby through your computer’s web browser at libbyapp.com.
Goodreads
Great for: Amateur critics
What it is: Website, plus a mobile app for iOS and Android devices
Price: Free
Keep track of recent reads (or find new ones) on Amazon-owned Goodreads, a hybrid social network and review site where bookworms rate millions of titles, plus share custom reading lists, participate in discussion groups and receive personalized recommendations based on past favorites. There’s often a chance to score free copies of new releases, thanks to frequent book giveaways.
Bookshelf
Great for: Studious readers
What it is: Mobile app for iOS devices
Price: Free, with a membership option for added features starting at $5.99/month
Reading gets a boost from artificial intelligence with Bookshelf, which tracks your reading progress for an unlimited number of books and offers personalized, AI-backed recommendations to help choose your next read. The app can import your existing reading list from sources including Goodreads and Kindle, and an AI librarian is on hand for discussion and to create summaries, flashcards and more. Ready to review? Bookshelf will use your highlights and saved quotes to generate a daily reading recap and quizzes designed to boost retention.
Bookly
Great for: Goal-oriented optimizers
What it is: Mobile app for iOS and Android devices
Price: First 10 books are free; subscriptions start at $9.99/month
Think of Bookly like a fitness tracker for your reading habits. Tell the app which books you’re reading, then start up a “reading session” any time you crack one open: Bookly will track your pages and time reading for the past seven and 30 days, then estimate how long it’ll take you to finish at your current rate. Users can sign up for the chance to win prizes during one of the app’s readathons, held throughout the year. Paying subscribers get more features, such as unlimited books, in-depth stats (such as reading speed) and personalized reminders.
Bookmory
Great for: Visual notetakers
What it is: Mobile app for iOS and Android devices
Price: Free, with an ad-free version for $3.49/month or $30.99/year
Bookmory lets you log your progress for books, e-books and audiobooks — and its added features make saving and sharing your favorite excerpts a breeze. The in-app editing platform allows you to decorate your favorite quotes with custom, visually striking backgrounds, and reading notes are backed up via Google Cloud. You’ll also receive a monthly calendar that displays which books you read on each day. The random book draw feature can even help you choose the next book from your to-read list.
The StoryGraph
Great for: Data lovers
What it is: Website, plus a mobile app for iOS and Android devices
Price: Free, with premium subscriptions for $4.99/month or $49.99/year
Looking for a statistical deep dive into your reading habits? The StoryGraph turns your data into an array of charts and graphs, including a log of how your reading activity changes over time. The app offers personalized recommendations and suggestions based on mood and pace filters, whether you’re looking for a lighthearted page-turner or a slower, reflective read. If you want to switch from Goodreads, users can import their reading lists and start tracking here with ease.
Fable
Great for: Book club enthusiasts
What it is: Mobile app for iOS and Android devices
Price: Free, with access to premium book clubs starting at $5.83 a month
Like other apps, Fable lets you build a virtual “bookshelf” and rate and review titles. But the real draw is its digital book clubs, which are centered around popular themes and genres, from romance to sci-fi. Some clubs are hosted by big-name actors and influencers — but any member can start one. With more than 1 million e-books available for purchase and hundreds more classic titles free to download, you can even do your assigned reading right in the app.
Great for: Aspiring archivists
What it is: Mobile app for iOS devices
Price: Free, with premium membership options starting at $2.00/month
True to its name, Reading List will track the titles you’re reading, recently finished, or plan to tackle next. This streamlined app allows you to easily record your start and finish dates for each book, create custom lists (try organizing your collection by genre or favorites) and add ratings and notes for each book. Curating your virtual library is straightforward — just search by author or title or scan your book’s barcode to import details like page count and publisher with ease.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on March 16, 2020 . It has been updated to reflect new information.
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Do it yourself
Don’t overlook the humble notebook. Fans of the pen-and-paper planner system known as bullet journaling often track their reading habits using colorful, custom-drawn charts.
On a computer, something as simple as the Google Sheets spreadsheet tool or a general note-taking app such as Evernote or Notion (both are free, with paid subscription options) allows you to create and maintain reading lists, too.
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