[BetterRed]

You can do it with custom columns: e.g. reading_status (wanted, not read, started, discarded, finished, read again etc) and a couple of dates: start_reading and end-reading.

I have a reading_status custom column, I use the built-in Date column for end_reading, they're adjacent columns in the list that I maintain via F2 editing.

You could also use the Reading List plugin and/or the Calibre Companion app.

Start with something simple that you maintain manually, its easier to add bells and whistles, automation etc than it is to take them away when you realise they're superfluous.

BR