How do YOU manage read and borrowed books?

SimonSays · 02-13-2010, 12:21 AM

Sorry if this has already been discussed, but I searched through the forums and couldn't find something similar. I apologize if I just missed it.

I am trying to figure out a better system to how to keep track of what books I have already downloaded- which ones are free, which ones I borrowed from library and which ones I have bought- as well as which ones I have actually already transfered to my reader and have read.

It gets confusing right now since when I download library ebooks, I get an ascm file and then when that is opened in the dreadful horrible software known as ADE, the PDF is in a separate file altogether now.

Anyway- I am just interested in if anyone can give suggestions on how to manage my ebooks better so that I don't end up downloading a book I may have already read some time ago.

I don't know if others are keeping a running list in ADE, reader library, folders on computer, ect. I have just had my reader for about two weeks now but hoping I can figure a system out before I get too many more ebooks downloaded.

Thank you

toomanybooks · 02-13-2010, 01:45 AM

Check out calibre, http://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows, for nondrmed books. You can use tags in Calibre to designate books as read, unread free and purchased. It also has a good search mechanism to find a specific ebook in a large collection.

I have not found a better solution for library books than ADE yet.

dreams · 02-13-2010, 03:20 AM

I have a feeling everyone will think I'm crazy but, I have a system that works for me and is pretty quick. I usually set up folders and do the pic of the purchase page while the book is being downloaded.

I have my books in author folders inside 1 of 2 main folders for books. The 1st for DRM'd books and the 2nd is for DRM free books.

John Doe
Jackson James

Inside the author folder I have separate folders for each book. The book folder title has the information as the folder name. R is what I use to show that I have read it, $ means I purchased it, and then the month and year.

A bk1 of Lady by John Doe R smashwords free 1-2010
B bk 2 of Lady by John Doe R smashwords $ 1-2010
C by John Doe smashwords $ 2-2010

Inside each book folder, I keep a pic of the book purchase page. Which also has the book blurb to refresh my memory. I also keep multiple formats of the book in each folder.

Click image for larger version

Name: pp.JPG
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ID: 45488

Then, I change the book folder icon to reflect what genre it is.
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Humour

Mystery

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Sci-Fi

My DRM'd books (which means the backup copies of Sony Reader and ADE books here) has this main folder icon. Name: DRM.JPG
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Size: 10.8 KB

OK, I know most will think it's a lot of work or crazy, but it is fast and works for me.

desertgrandma · 02-13-2010, 10:16 AM

Welcome to MobileRead, SimonSays.

I use Calibre.

Enjoy the forums.

LCF · 02-13-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreams

I have a feeling everyone will think I'm crazy but, I have a system that works for me and is pretty quick. I usually set up folders and do the pic of the purchase page while the book is being downloaded.

I have my books in author folders inside 1 of 2 main folders for books. The 1st for DRM'd books and the 2nd is for DRM free books.
...
Then, I change the book folder icon to reflect what genre it is.
Attachment 45490HumourAttachment 45491MysteryAttachment 45493Sci-Fi

My DRM'd books (which means the backup copies of Sony Reader and ADE books here) has this main folder icon.Attachment 45489

OK, I know most will think it's a lot of work or crazy, but it is fast and works for me.

I like it. It's not so complicated if you don't use Caribre (or something like it). I can't really understand the Humour icon though... why do you use scissors?

Anyway, the system sounds good and I might actually adopt it.

ficbot · 02-13-2010, 07:46 PM

I use the tags in Calibre and I tag for various purposes. Some of the tags are genre tags (mystery, classic, sci fi, Star Trek etc.) and some are by source (Kobo, Sony, Library, Fictionwise etc.) You can load DRMd files into Calibre and transfer them, you just can;t convert them.

I also have a tag for 'done' for books I have read, and I use the stars to indicate status, for example, three stars means it's on the Kindle right now, two stars are for books I read in p-book already and have replaced with an ebook (I will read new books before I re-read these) and one star is for books I have read already. It's very easy to browse for books with no stars and see what I want to add to the Kindle.

When the Kindle finally gets tags or folders or something, I will probably add every book to it, but for right now I am only adding a handful at a time.

dreams · 02-13-2010, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCF

I like it. It's not so complicated if you don't use Caribre (or something like it). I can't really understand the Humour icon though... why do you use scissors?

Anyway, the system sounds good and I might actually adopt it.

I chose scissors because someone who is a "cut up" is funny. It's an old saying, so cut = scissors.

SimonSays · 02-14-2010, 01:24 AM

Thank you for the feedback- going to try out Calibre. I thought that program was just for converting

Dreams- your system sounds good, but probably takes time to get it all started and I know I would screw it up easily..lol

LCF · 02-15-2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreams

I chose scissors because someone who is a "cut up" is funny. It's an old saying, so cut = scissors.

02-13-2010, 12:21 AM	#1
SimonSays No wire hangers, ever! Posts: 184 Karma: 540 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: O-hi-o Device: Sony PRS-300	How do YOU manage read and borrowed books? Sorry if this has already been discussed, but I searched through the forums and couldn't find something similar. I apologize if I just missed it. I am trying to figure out a better system to how to keep track of what books I have already downloaded- which ones are free, which ones I borrowed from library and which ones I have bought- as well as which ones I have actually already transfered to my reader and have read. It gets confusing right now since when I download library ebooks, I get an ascm file and then when that is opened in the dreadful horrible software known as ADE, the PDF is in a separate file altogether now. Anyway- I am just interested in if anyone can give suggestions on how to manage my ebooks better so that I don't end up downloading a book I may have already read some time ago. I don't know if others are keeping a running list in ADE, reader library, folders on computer, ect. I have just had my reader for about two weeks now but hoping I can figure a system out before I get too many more ebooks downloaded. Thank you

02-13-2010, 01:45 AM	#2
toomanybooks Addict Posts: 299 Karma: 154234 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Ipad, Ipod Touch, KIndle Fire	Check out calibre, http://calibre-ebook.com/download_windows, for nondrmed books. You can use tags in Calibre to designate books as read, unread free and purchased. It also has a good search mechanism to find a specific ebook in a large collection. I have not found a better solution for library books than ADE yet. __________________ "Will your darkest hour write a blank check on your soul?" Slaid Cleaves

02-13-2010, 03:20 AM	#3
dreams Anticipation Posts: 21,428 Karma: 50511916 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	I have a feeling everyone will think I'm crazy but, I have a system that works for me and is pretty quick. I usually set up folders and do the pic of the purchase page while the book is being downloaded. I have my books in author folders inside 1 of 2 main folders for books. The 1st for DRM'd books and the 2nd is for DRM free books. John Doe Jackson James Inside the author folder I have separate folders for each book. The book folder title has the information as the folder name. R is what I use to show that I have read it, $ means I purchased it, and then the month and year. A bk1 of Lady by John Doe R smashwords free 1-2010 B bk 2 of Lady by John Doe R smashwords $ 1-2010 C by John Doe smashwords $ 2-2010 Inside each book folder, I keep a pic of the book purchase page. Which also has the book blurb to refresh my memory. I also keep multiple formats of the book in each folder. Then, I change the book folder icon to reflect what genre it is. HumourMysterySci-Fi My DRM'd books (which means the backup copies of Sony Reader and ADE books here) has this main folder icon. OK, I know most will think it's a lot of work or crazy, but it is fast and works for me. __________________ MobileRead Wiki . MobileRead's Patricia Clark Memorial Library free (mostly PD) ebooks MobileRead's Posting Guidelines . Author Guidelines 2012 list - 2013 list Last edited by dreams; 02-13-2010 at 03:23 AM.

02-13-2010, 10:16 AM	#4
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,221 Karma: 7720386 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone and an Ipad Mini.....	Welcome to MobileRead, SimonSays. I use Calibre. Enjoy the forums. __________________ How To Join Our Happy Family! -- What is "Karma" and How Does it Work? What is Our Wiki. -- How to Start a Poll The "Introduce Yourself" Thread and Why You Should Use It How to use the MobileRead Patricia C. Clark Memorial Library

02-13-2010, 07:46 PM	#6
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,350 Karma: 4054142 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kobo Glo, iPad/iPhone	I use the tags in Calibre and I tag for various purposes. Some of the tags are genre tags (mystery, classic, sci fi, Star Trek etc.) and some are by source (Kobo, Sony, Library, Fictionwise etc.) You can load DRMd files into Calibre and transfer them, you just can;t convert them. I also have a tag for 'done' for books I have read, and I use the stars to indicate status, for example, three stars means it's on the Kindle right now, two stars are for books I read in p-book already and have replaced with an ebook (I will read new books before I re-read these) and one star is for books I have read already. It's very easy to browse for books with no stars and see what I want to add to the Kindle. When the Kindle finally gets tags or folders or something, I will probably add every book to it, but for right now I am only adding a handful at a time. __________________ I blog at Teleread and review at Goodreads. Come read with me!

02-14-2010, 01:24 AM	#8
SimonSays No wire hangers, ever! Posts: 184 Karma: 540 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: O-hi-o Device: Sony PRS-300	Thank you for the feedback- going to try out Calibre. I thought that program was just for converting Dreams- your system sounds good, but probably takes time to get it all started and I know I would screw it up easily..lol

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