How Do I Create A List Of Books I Read This Year?

I just re-read 'Harry Potter' every year and call it a day. Sometimes you just need the familiar, you know? Everything else is gravy.

Creating a 'books read by me' list is such a rewarding way to track your literary journey—it’s like building a personal museum of your mind! I’ve experimented with a few methods over the years, and it really boils down to what feels most intuitive for you. Some folks swear by physical journals or bullet journals, where you can jot down titles, authors, and even doodle little reactions or ratings. There’s something tactile about flipping through pages filled with your own handwriting, and you can customize it with stickers, highlights, or even pressed flowers if you’re feeling extra artsy. I used to keep one of these, and it became a cherished keepsake, especially when I’d scribble margin notes like 'Ugh, this villain deserved worse!' or 'Cried in public reading this—thanks, author.' If you’re more digitally inclined, apps like Goodreads or StoryGraph are lifesavers. Goodreads lets you shelve books as 'read,' 'currently reading,' or 'to-read,' and you can rate them or write reviews. The social aspect is fun too—seeing what friends are reading or joining challenges adds a layer of community. StoryGraph, on the other hand, offers more analytical stats like mood (lighthearted vs. dark), pacing, and even diversity metrics, which I geek out over. For the ultra-organized, spreadsheets are another solid option. You can track dates finished, genres, page counts, or even color-code by rating. I once made a spreadsheet with a tab for 'books that made me sob uncontrollably'—it was embarrassingly long. Don’t overlook the simple pleasure of a visual tracker, either. A Pinterest board with book covers or an Instagram account dedicated to your reads can double as creative expression. I follow someone who photographs each finished book with their coffee mug—it’s oddly satisfying. Ultimately, the best system is the one you’ll stick with. Mine’s a chaotic mix of all the above, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just last week, I stumbled on a forgotten entry from 2018 that said, 'DNF—too many dragons, not enough plot,' and it sent me down a nostalgia spiral. Happy listing!

Color-code your list by genre or mood using highlighters or digital tags. The visual spectrum becomes a quick guide. If you glance at your list and see a sea of one color (say, all dark thrillers), you know you need to seek out something different (a bright yellow comedy, perhaps). It's an instant audit of your reading diversity and helps you consciously build a more balanced literary diet.

Protect your reading time. A list is useless without the time to read. Block out time, even if it's just 20 minutes before bed. Say no to other things sometimes. A year-long challenge is a commitment of time, not just intention. Treat that reading time as an important appointment with yourself. For me, that means leaving my phone in another room. The list gives you the 'what,' but you have to defend the 'when.' That's the harder, more important part of the challenge.

Creating a personalized list of books read in 2023 is a fantastic way to reflect on your literary journey. I love using Goodreads because it allows you to track your progress, rate books, and even write reviews. You can create a custom shelf titled '2023 Reads' and add each book as you finish it. I also enjoy keeping a physical journal where I jot down thoughts, favorite quotes, and ratings. It’s like a time capsule of my year in books. For a more visual approach, I’ve seen people create aesthetic spreads in bullet journals or use apps like Notion to organize their lists with covers, genres, and ratings. Adding personal notes, like why you picked the book or how it made you feel, makes the list uniquely yours. If you’re into social media, posting mini-reviews on Instagram or TikTok with hashtags like #Bookstagram can be fun and interactive. The key is to choose a method that resonates with you and makes revisiting your list a joy.

I let book covers decide. I know, I know, don't judge a book by its cover. But I do! I'll browse shelves (physical or digital) and any cover that makes me stop scrolling gets a closer look. I read the synopsis. If it's still interesting, on the list it goes. My list becomes a collection of beautiful art that also promises a good story. It's a highly subjective, visual-first approach that has led me to some stunning, under-the-radar books I'd never have found via traditional recommendations.

I read the negative reviews of a top-rated book first. Not the trollish ones, but the thoughtful 2 or 3-star reviews. If their criticisms sound like things that would bother me too ('the ending felt rushed,' 'the protagonist was passive'), I might pass. But if their complaints are about things I love ('the magic system wasn't explained enough,' 'too much philosophical digression'), I move it to the top of my list. It's a brilliant inversion of the recommendation engine.

Creating a Kindle reading list is one of those small joys that makes being a bookworm even better. I love curating mine like a personal library—it’s not just about adding titles, but organizing them into categories that match my moods. I start by browsing Amazon or Goodreads for recommendations, then save anything intriguing to my wishlist. From there, I transfer them to collections on my Kindle—'Fantasy Escapes,' 'Nonfiction Deep Dives,' or 'Quick Bite Stories.' One trick I swear by is using the 'Send to Kindle' feature for samples. If the first few chapters hook me, I buy the full book and slot it into the right collection. It’s like having a buffet of stories ready for whatever craving hits. Lately, I’ve been adding notes to each book in my list—things like 'Perfect for rainy days' or 'Recommended by [friend’s name]'—which makes picking my next read feel extra personal.