[chaley]

Originally Posted by Inukami

So are you suggesting I just use the custom column (#library with Books & Comics) instead to sort my library as a virtual library wouldn't be very complex and because I only want to restrict what I see in CC to books with a particular value (Books or Comics) in some column? For example my first decision when I'm going to read something, is whether I'm going to read a book or comic, so I would need to sort into those two groups (?) first? And then after that I could search or sort further where needed.

I'm assuming if I just used this custom column method only, it would be just as easy to sort or search in Calibre as well? Or would it be easier if I had the comic and book virtual libraries in Calibre as I could change between the two like if I had two separate libraries?

Inukami

What I would do to set things up (and actually did):

1. Create virtual libraries in calibre for each logical library I have. Examples: books on my reading queue and books on my wife's reading queue (these aren't mutually exclusive), and high-level genre. In my case the virtual library search expressions makes reference to more than one column so there is no single column available for CC grouping, which is why the next two steps are required.
   Example calibre virtual library search expression: #queue:"=CBH" and #genre:"=.History"
   1. Create a custom column "text, like tags" called #virtlibs.
   2. Install both "Save virtual libraries to column" plugins. Set them up to update the #virtlibs column. Run the plugin and check that the #virtlibs column contains the information.
   If your virtual library search expressions refer to only one (custom) column then all you need to do is ensure the column exists and contains correct data.
   Example calibre virtual library search expression: #library:"=Comics"
2. Connect CC as a wireless device so it learns about the new column.
3. Add the column (#virtlibs or your custom column) to the grouping drawer.

What I do to use the information in CC:

• If I want to restrict the display to books in my reading queue, long-press on my name in the #virtlibs group. This is (almost) equivalent to selecting a virtual library in calibre.
• If I want to look for a particular genre, tap that genre in the grouping drawer ("group" on genre). This is very similar to using the tag browser in calibre to search. If I have already long-pressed my name (as above) I will see only books in my virtual library.
• I might invert the two above steps, long-pressing on a genre (to open it as a virtual library) then grouping on my virtual library.
• If it helps, sort the book list. Usually I don't need to do this, but sorting can help if the list is long if I am browsing a series.