Ebook Prioritization

[JeffGeorge]

As I add books to my library, I sometimes come across one I want to make sure is among my next reads. Short of sending it to my device, I thought I'd make a Virtual Library of these 'priority' books. Any recommendations on a good way to tag such books for virtualization?

[HogDrvr]

Can't you just create a custom column labeled Next?

[Sirtel]

I use a custom column for this, as I have more than one step of prioritization.

[JeffGeorge]

I think that would work. I'm just not sure I know where to do that.

Edit: Found where to add a custom column. Experimenting with how I want to do this now. Thanks, folks.

[JeffGeorge]

So, I added a custom column. I gave it a Lookup Name, Column Heading, and Description.

I set Column Type to Yes/No and told it to show an Icon (Default Value is blank).

I see it selected in my custom columns, but I don't see it anywhere in my interface. Where do I set the value on a book and see it in the list of tags in my sidebar (Author, Languages, Formats, etc.)?

[BetterRed]

Firstly, you need to check it in the Add your own columns list (check boxes on left), and in the Look & feel->Book details list.

Yes/No columns are not shown in the Tag Browser.

BR

[JeffGeorge]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Firstly, you need to check it in the Add your own columns list (check boxes on left), and in the Look & feel->Book details list.

This part is set. I think it automatically checked it when I created it.

Yes/No columns are not shown in the Tag Browser.

I'm assuming this won't prevent me from creating a virtual library, but I'm probably dense because I still don't know where I would flag it as Yes/No at the book level. I'm not opposed to changing the format of this column. Maybe it would just be easier to add them as unread to my Kobo instead of trying to organize them in Calibre!

[HogDrvr]

If you have the custom column then you can toggle the Yes/No by clicking in the column or in the Edit Metadata screen. You can then click on the column head to sort by the Yes's. That will show you all your up next books. Note: I have a custom column to show my already read books. I never use the NO option. I either choose yes or leave blank.

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JeffGeorge

I'm assuming this won't prevent me from creating a virtual library, but I'm probably dense because I still don't know where I would flag it as Yes/No at the book level.

You edit it either directly in the book list or in the Edit Metadata window (you can use the bulk option too, if you want to flag a bunch of books at once - right-click on Edit Metadata and select Edit Metadata in bulk).

[JeffGeorge]

Originally Posted by HogDrvr

If you have the custom column then you can toggle the Yes/No by clicking in the column or in the Edit Metadata screen. You can then click on the column head to sort by the Yes's. That will show you all your up next books. Note: I have a custom column to show my already read books. I never use the NO option. I either choose yes or leave blank.

I'd like to make a custom column to indicate whether I've read it or not, as well. Currently, I'm just adding the word 'read' in the tags. However, my new column is not showing the metadata or anywhere else. I'm going to add some images to show what I've done so far.

[HogDrvr]

Here's mine:

[JeffGeorge]

The first couple of images are what my settings look like after adding the new column. The next couple show that I don't see my new field in either the main window or on the metadata for a book. However, I also came across something else that shows my new column, but I don't know what it is.

[BetterRed]

Suggest you change Look & feel->Edit metadata->Edit metadata (single) layout: to All on one Tab -- it's at the top, above the list. And try Compact too.

BR

[Sirtel]

Originally Posted by JeffGeorge

The first couple of images are what my settings look like after adding the new column. The next couple show that I don't see my new field in either the main window or on the metadata for a book. However, I also came across something else that shows my new column, but I don't know what it is.

By default, custom columns are displayed in a separate tab of the Edit Metadata window. You can change this by selecting the "all in one tab" option for the Edit Metadata layout.

[JeffGeorge]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

Suggest you change Look & feel->Edit metadata->Edit metadata (single) layout: to All on one Tab -- it's at the top, above the list. And try Compact too.

BR

That change did it! Now I can edit the status to put something as a priority for my next read. I've also been able to create a Virtual Library of the same using that search criteria. Now I should be able to do the same for marking something as Read.

I appreciate everyone's input on this. This software is really impressive with how much you can do with it.