Whether your reading list has three books or three hundred, it serves as a goal.

If there are only a few books on it, it’s pretty easy to manage.

But once you get beyond about 50, it starts to get a little overwhelming.

organize-book-list

Here are some ideas for making sure your reading list is helping more than hindering.

Choosing the right tool depends a lot on your organizational preferences.

That way, you might put different sections, lists, publishing dates, or genres on different tabs.

reading list sticky note

Goodreadshave long been considered one of the best options for book tracking.

By inputting your past reading selection, Goodreads creates suggestions for additions to your reading list.

It also allows you to connect socially with your friends and an online community of avid readers.

reading log sheet

Although it is still popular, there are actually manyalternative sites that are better than Goodreads.

Your best option will depend on the details you wish to include.

Keep It Up to Date

This is an easy step to forget.

goodreads list

Get rid of them!

If they’ve been on the list for years, you’re not going to read them all anyway.

Be honest with yourself.

cross off reading list

Deleting entries off of your list may feel like a defeat, but you should consider it a triumph.

It is a rare thing to know yourself and your limitations.

Don’t try pushing through difficult on uninteresting books to prove a point.

amazon book review

Only you will benefit from your reading list, so there’s no shame in amending it.

For example, you might only add books that average over four stars on Amazon.

Or only books recommended by a small number of reviewers whose tastes are similar to yours.

Legs over couch, reading, and book stack

Or only books that your friends have read and liked.

Another great option is to set a reading list cap.

This way, you’re free to keep a handle on things before they get out of control.

Two Book Stacks with Boy with Glasses on Phone in Centre

By keeping your reading list on your mobile phone, you are constantly at the ready.

This guarantees that you’ve always got it with you when you spot another treasure read.

There are a number of benefits to ditching your reading list.

Yellow Paper Balled Up with Writing

If it’s not working for you, toss it and don’t look back.

One of the best parts about scrapping a reading list is the opportunity to start fresh.

Don’t worry anymore about the books from the old list.

But it can also get out of hand pretty fast.

With some of these skills, your reading list will be manageable again in no time.

If you’re looking for high-quality book reviews, there are great book review and rating sites available online.