Keeping Track of Books You Read

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I'm so sorry about your computer crashing. It sounds like you have good backup now, Library Lass.

[Steamywindows♥♫]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I found it very helpful to make shelves for my favorite themes, because I am a theme reader. Also because you can make suggestions for others who are looking for certain books, like you said, Val.
..."

I'm on it. Thanks

[Wendy]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I'm so sorry about your computer crashing. It sounds like you have good backup now, Library Lass."

Thanks Lady D. Google docs is fabulous

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I will have to check it out, LL.

No problem, Steamywindows!

[Wendy]

Lady D., It is great in that I don't have to worry about backing up my docs or spreadsheets onto disc, flashdrive etc. AND I can access my docs anywhere and on any computer... I'm a fan

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

That's a really good idea, LL.

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

I've never tracked my books I've read before Goodreads. I'm glad I found it though. I've only put books on here that I've read and finished (maybe not 10 of them). It's a good way to keep track. I start another book almost as soon as I finish one, so GR is an excellent way for me to remember.

Writing reviews helps me remember what I read as well. I have a blog, but I don't put all the books I've read on there. I don't know what I'd do if GR bit the dust.

It's probably a good idea to periodically back up your GR books to your computer (not that I've done it, but I'm about to)!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I know what you mean, Peep. I'd have some issues if GR disappeared!

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

I see myself curling in a ball and crying if that ever happened. No way would I be able to remember everything.

Have you backed up yours yet? It's fairly easy and it saves your shelves, ratings, and reviews. You do it from here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/import top right of the page where it says export your books. Easy peasy!

[Steamywindows♥♫]

Thanks for the tips! I have found the app for my ipod, and now can take my lists with me. I love that I won't pick up a book I have already read and I will have my "haven't got it yet" list whenever I am in a bookstore...The back up file works very well too!

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Aww man, I don't have a cell phone but things like that make me wish I had one (well, I do have an emergency tracfone that's never charged).

[Steamywindows♥♫]

LOL. I just have my ipod (no phone) but it is still sweet.

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

I have a Sansa Clip. I love that thing but am bummed. I am in the middle of an audiobook but can't even find it.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I exported my files and backed them up. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Let's hope we never have to use them! Though I think it is handy for joining other sites. I think they can be uploaded to Shelfari and LibraryThing. *I think*

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I am on Shelfari too. I will check into that. I like how you can import your Amazon.com book purchases into Shelfari.

[Lauren]

I am also on Shelfari so that is a good way of backing up your books.
I was wondering how you import the list onto the ipod. Do you just export the file and them copy it via the USB to the ipod?

[Steamywindows♥♫]

no export necessary, once you have the app, your Goodreads account info, it automatically uploads the info and away you go. Sweet.

[Lauren]

Steamywindows wrote: "no export necessary, once you have the app, your Goodreads account info, it automatically uploads the info and away you go. Sweet."

Thanks. Its only for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Not for the regular iPod.

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

I can never seem to get into Shelfari. They don't seem as user friendly for people like me: Those who don't always "get it" :P

[Penny]

Peep (Pop! Pop!) wrote: "I see myself curling in a ball and crying if that ever happened. No way would I be able to remember everything.

Have you backed up yours yet? It's fairly easy and it saves your shelves, ratings, a..."

can you tell me why you'd do this import? Stupid question????

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I like Shelfari for the visuals!

Penny I believe that they are referring to an export to back up your book info you have put on GRs in case it crashes or disappears, which I know has happened to one of my friends.

Some use it for their own records or to have a list of books they want to buy when they shop.

[Steamywindows♥♫]

Lauren wrote: "Steamywindows wrote: "no export necessary, once you have the app, your Goodreads account info, it automatically uploads the info and away you go. Sweet."

Thanks. Its only for the iPhone and the i..."

Your right Lauren, sorry for not being clear...

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Penny wrote: "can you tell me why you'd do this import? Stupid question???? "

Hmmm, well I am not sure. Maybe something happens and GR breaks? Or, they suffer a glitch and my bookshelf disappears? Or, my account is hacked? Or, I stop using my account?

I actually have no real reason other than I generally like having a backup for things. I can't really think of why it would be useful, hahaha. Give me some time to think about it...

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I like Shelfari for the visuals!

Penny I believe that they are referring to an export to back up your book info you have put on GRs in case it crashes or disappears, which I know has happened to o..."

Yes, something like this!

[Lauren]

Steamywindows wrote: "Your right Lauren, sorry for not being clear... "

No worries ... could be just the excuse I need to get an iPod Touch.

[Cindi]

I just picked up a book, luckily at Half Price Books, and found out I've read it already. I hate that! I do it quite a bit, too. Mostly books that I read before I became hooked on GR and started tracking. I enjoyed using GR's iPhone app while browsing today to check my To-Read list and the ratings of some interesting-sounding titles. Hooray for tracking lists and Goodreads!

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I don't have an I-Phone or Droid, but I could see how awesome that would be if you are likely to need to check your Goodreads account for books.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I don't have an I-Phone or Droid, but I could see how awesome that would be if you are likely to need to check your Goodreads account for books."

Not all of us have an elephant memory like you! :)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Ha, I wish my memory was better. I have a bad habit of buying the same book twice. :)

[Steamywindows♥♫]

OK I am not going to ask what it says about me that before the ipod app, not only did I buy the same book twice, I read the same book -without realizing until more than halfway through....
I'm just not. *sheepish grin*

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Steamywindows, I have had the problem of reading a book, and realizing I already read it as well. :)

[Arch]

Where are you all buying your books? If you get them from Amazon, and you click on the same book, at the top of the screen, it should let you know if you have already bought that book. I know it does for when I buy things from Amazon. I don't buy books.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

That helps if I try to buy the same book from Amazon. But sometimes I might buy books at the store, and I forget which ones I already bought.

[Arch]

It would be nice if the store has computers, where you can check your Goodreads account, to see if you have that book already.

Maybe, you ladies should track your books in Excel and before going to a store to buy a book, print out a copy of your list and take it with you to the store, so you will not buy the same book.

Do the stores take books back? I thought that stores don't take books back.

[Joy]

Arch wrote: "It would be nice if the store has computers, where you can check your Goodreads account, to see if you have that book already.

Maybe, you ladies should track your books in Excel and before goin..."

aslong as you have the receipt and you havnt bent the spine, stores will take the book back or let you exchange x

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

You can try slowing down on the impulse buys :P

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Peep, I can't really say those were impulse buys. It was more of an I think I was looking for this book in the X series, but I forgot I already bought it kind of thing. I actually don't do much impulse book buying lately. I have a wish list of books I'm looking for, and I usually buy books on there. I probably should just carry my wish list around on paper instead of in my head. :)

Arch, most stores will allow refunds with a receipt. I usually don't bother. I just trade them to another reader I know looking for that book.

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

:) I used to have one in my purse but it got so beat up I had to toss it. I just keep a text file on my computer and try to look at that every so often. I try to find the best price (or free), but it mainly depends on how bad I want the book!

[Steamywindows♥♫]

I have a couple of favourite second hand book stores that I go to for back list items. I did use an address book for my lists b-iP (before iPod)because it has alphabetical tabs, not that it was fool proof as noted above. `:-o

[Athena]

I wish I knew how to take advantage of Goodreads more than I do. I have issue finding the proper formats - there are sooo many multiple titles that I get screwed up... And I call myself technologically literate. HA!

As far as keeping track - I never have in my life recorded the books I've read - hindsight is 20/20 and I wish I did! As so many of you have mentioned, I have multiple copies of books, I've bought books that I thought I hadn't read only to get two chapters in and smack myself in the forehead... lol

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Athena, the more I use GRs, the more I learn. Just take it a little at a time.