Keeping track of books and notes about books

jtdolphins · 01-07-2012, 08:30 PM

Last year I did the 100 book challenge. I enjoyed it, but at times I felt like I wasn't reading for enjoyment.

My goal for this year is to take notes on the books I am reading or write a short review. I am thinking notes for the nonfiction and a short review for the fiction.

I can't figure out a good way to handle the notes part. I have a list in MacJournal with the books I read in a year, listing title, author and pages. I set up another Journal with the notes.

I have been using MacJournal for a long time. The mobil app sucks. I have no complaints about the desktop app.

Something about my system is bothering. I think it could be better. Not sure if its the program or organization.

Anyone have any suggestions for programs to look at.

I have looked at

Evernote - I like the program and used a lot when I worked. Tags and search work great. I don't like writing in it though, it works best as note taking. Its to busy, but the app works great. If I could upgrade get rid of the ads without a monthly payment then I would.

Google Docs - I want something that doesn't require and internet connection.

Pages and Word - I like how everything is contained inside MacJournal and evernote.

Namekuseijin · 01-07-2012, 11:09 PM

How about goodreads?

jtdolphins · 01-08-2012, 12:05 AM

Nice site. First time I have visited it, I see why its mentioned a lot. I do like the recommendation feature. Two draw backs. One you have to be connected to the internet, like google docs. Also, its not on my computer.

Is there a way to export your notes on all books? Its seems to only export the list of books.

Really liked the site, so I may start using it. Thanks for the recommendation.

SeaBookGuy · 01-08-2012, 12:11 AM

I keep an excel spreadsheet of books read, as well as making some sort of comment on almost all of them at Goodreads - even if it's just a sentence or two.

Blue Tyson · 01-08-2012, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtdolphins

Nice site. First time I have visited it, I see why its mentioned a lot. I do like the recommendation feature. Two draw backs. One you have to be connected to the internet, like google docs. Also, its not on my computer.

Is there a way to export your notes on all books? Its seems to only export the list of books.

Really liked the site, so I may start using it. Thanks for the recommendation.

LibraryThing will let you export. It is more flexible.

Billi · 01-08-2012, 04:11 AM

Maybe they are a little bit too big for your needs but I like to German programs that do literary management: Citavi and Litlink (www.citavi.de, www.litlink.ch). Litlink is free with no limits, Citavi is free for projects up to 100 books. They both have an English version.

jtdolphins · 01-08-2012, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Tyson

LibraryThing will let you export. It is more flexible.

Library thing looks great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billi

Maybe they are a little bit too big for your needs but I like to German programs that do literary management: Citavi and Litlink (www.citavi.de, www.litlink.ch). Litlink is free with no limits, Citavi is free for projects up to 100 books. They both have an English version.

Litlink looks very promising too.

I will spend more time tonight with Litlink and Library Thing after the games are over. I am thinking I might use both.

Everyone.

Margrete · 01-08-2012, 03:59 PM

I like Book Collector from collectorz.com. It's more of a database software (not free) to catalog your books, but they do have a place to write in notes for each book.

pidgeon92 · 01-08-2012, 05:49 PM

I like Delicious Library.

jtdolphins · 01-08-2012, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margrete

I like Book Collector from collectorz.com. It's more of a database software (not free) to catalog your books, but they do have a place to write in notes for each book.

It doesn't really work for me. I did check that out earlier, because I use their comic book program. They do have some of the best customer support.

shanghaichica · 01-08-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margrete

I like Book Collector from collectorz.com. It's more of a database software (not free) to catalog your books, but they do have a place to write in notes for each book.

I use this software too. It's great. I also have the mobile app, which is good as I always have my book catalogue with me, so it's useful for checking things up when I'm on the go.

jtdolphins · 01-08-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pidgeon92

I like Delicious Library.

Already use DL to keep track of my stuff. You can't write notes or keep a yearly log of reading progress in the program. Nice program for cataloging your things.

pidgeon92 · 01-08-2012, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtdolphins

Already use DL to keep track of my stuff. You can't write notes or keep a yearly log of reading progress in the program. Nice program for cataloging your things.

You can add notes to the books in the details tab.

I make a new shelf each year for my READ IN 20XX lists.

apbschmitz · 01-09-2012, 11:22 AM

Here's a second for LibraryThing, which allows you to review or comment on books that you list within your library. Plus, I find that its list of recommended titles, based on your library, is quite accurate and helpful. In addition there's a book giveaway feature with a number of titles both from traditional publishers and self-published authors.

anamardoll · 01-09-2012, 12:46 PM

For note-taking on an Android, I love Mobisle Notes. It has linkage to Google Docs, but you don't have to be online to use the program -- it will sync your stuff later when it gets a connection. Very nice note app.

01-07-2012, 08:30 PM	#1
jtdolphins Zealot Posts: 142 Karma: 248484 Join Date: May 2011 Device: ipod touch, Kindle3	Keeping track of books and notes about books Last year I did the 100 book challenge. I enjoyed it, but at times I felt like I wasn't reading for enjoyment. My goal for this year is to take notes on the books I am reading or write a short review. I am thinking notes for the nonfiction and a short review for the fiction. I can't figure out a good way to handle the notes part. I have a list in MacJournal with the books I read in a year, listing title, author and pages. I set up another Journal with the notes. I have been using MacJournal for a long time. The mobil app sucks. I have no complaints about the desktop app. Something about my system is bothering. I think it could be better. Not sure if its the program or organization. Anyone have any suggestions for programs to look at. I have looked at Evernote - I like the program and used a lot when I worked. Tags and search work great. I don't like writing in it though, it works best as note taking. Its to busy, but the app works great. If I could upgrade get rid of the ads without a monthly payment then I would. Google Docs - I want something that doesn't require and internet connection. Pages and Word - I like how everything is contained inside MacJournal and evernote.

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01-07-2012, 11:09 PM	#2
Namekuseijin affordable chipmunk Posts: 1,290 Karma: 9863855 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Brazil Device: Sony XPeria ZL, Kindle Paperwhite	How about goodreads?

01-08-2012, 12:05 AM	#3
jtdolphins Zealot Posts: 142 Karma: 248484 Join Date: May 2011 Device: ipod touch, Kindle3	Nice site. First time I have visited it, I see why its mentioned a lot. I do like the recommendation feature. Two draw backs. One you have to be connected to the internet, like google docs. Also, its not on my computer. Is there a way to export your notes on all books? Its seems to only export the list of books. Really liked the site, so I may start using it. Thanks for the recommendation.

01-08-2012, 12:11 AM	#4
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,015 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	I keep an excel spreadsheet of books read, as well as making some sort of comment on almost all of them at Goodreads - even if it's just a sentence or two.

01-08-2012, 04:11 AM	#6
Billi Wizard Posts: 3,388 Karma: 14190103 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berlin Device: Cybook, iRex, PB, Onyx	Maybe they are a little bit too big for your needs but I like to German programs that do literary management: Citavi and Litlink (www.citavi.de, www.litlink.ch). Litlink is free with no limits, Citavi is free for projects up to 100 books. They both have an English version.

01-08-2012, 03:59 PM	#8
Margrete Connoisseur Posts: 66 Karma: 14906 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Norway Device: pixelar ebookreader (Hanlin V3)	I like Book Collector from collectorz.com. It's more of a database software (not free) to catalog your books, but they do have a place to write in notes for each book.

01-08-2012, 05:49 PM	#9
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	I like Delicious Library.

01-09-2012, 11:22 AM	#14
apbschmitz Lord of Frogtown Posts: 149 Karma: 1154748 Join Date: May 2011 Location: St. Paul MN Device: Kindle	Here's a second for LibraryThing, which allows you to review or comment on books that you list within your library. Plus, I find that its list of recommended titles, based on your library, is quite accurate and helpful. In addition there's a book giveaway feature with a number of titles both from traditional publishers and self-published authors.

01-09-2012, 12:46 PM	#15
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	For note-taking on an Android, I love Mobisle Notes. It has linkage to Google Docs, but you don't have to be online to use the program -- it will sync your stuff later when it gets a connection. Very nice note app.