2020 Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet Template

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a reader in possession of a seemingly endless to-be-read pile, must be in want of a simple, color-coded spreadsheet. But really, all poorly made references to Jane Austen aside, keeping track of your reading can feel like an unnecessary chore. Especially when there are sites like Goodreads that can organize your books into custom shelves.

As a reader, book reviewer, and creator of bookish content, having a more sophisticated system for tracking and organizing my books is a must. For example, I need to separate my unread ARCs from the unread books on my shelf. I also need to ensure that I don’t over-request upcoming titles or miss any review deadlines. Thus, a comprehensive spreadsheet is an invaluable asset for me.

It’s no secret that I’m a massive advocate for spreadsheets and other organizational methods. Furthermore, I find a great deal of satisfaction in making sense of the messes in my life and setting up a system that works for me. After many experiments and iterations, I’ve finally created a flexible, multi-purpose spreadsheet that suits all my needs as a reader, reviewer, and book blogger. Which I am extremely thrilled to share with all of you!

2020 Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet

This spreadsheet is heavily based on my personal system for tracking my reads, reviews, and whatnot. I don’t like adding unnecessary bells and whistles to my trackers. Because I believe spreadsheets should be functional and straightforward. In addition, I recognize my own laziness, and high-maintenance spreadsheets just aren’t sustainable for me.

For a more comprehensive reader spreadsheet with graphs and charts, I strongly recommend looking into Kal’s 2021 Ultimate Book Blogger / Reader Spreadsheet. Kal’s template is perfect for the stats-minded blogger!

But for fellow lazy, low-maintenance readers like myself, the 2020 Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet might be your perfect match. In fact, in creating this spreadsheet, I had casual readers and reviewers in mind at every step of the way. I hope you find it useful! (And if you like the spreadsheet and want to support my work, you can leave a one-time tip.)

Spreadsheet Trackers

The 2020 Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet consists of separate trackers for your reading, book purchasing, ARC requesting, and wishing needs.

For your reading

Not to toot my own horn, but my reading spreadsheet is my favorite one. It’s perfect for readers who are conscious about diversifying the content that they consume. Here’s a quick rundown of its features:

• Reading Status (to be read, currently reading, read, reread, will return to, will not finish)
• Reading Details (star rating, numerical rating, release date, format, source, number of days read, month read, year read)
• Author Identity Details
• Checklist (debut, new to me, diverse)
• Diversity Tags for on-page marginalized representation
• Other Book Details (series, readership, genre)
• Review Details (review status, if the review will be posted on the blog)

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For your purchasing

There is an entire spreadsheet dedicated to taking note of your bookish purchases. This is great for readers on a budget! Here’s a quick rundown of its features:

• Purchase Status (bought, pre-ordered, cancelled, returned)
• Book Details (format, signed, annotated, secondhand, special edition specifics)
• Purchase Details (source, date purchased, date received)

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For your ARC requesting

For book bloggers and reviewers, there is a spreadsheet to keep tabs on the titles you’re requesting. Here’s a quick rundown of its features:

• Request Status (pending, request sent, approved, received, rejected)
• Priority (very low to highest)
• Format

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For your bookish wishing

Additionally, there is also a spreadsheet to keep a relevant and updated wish list of books that you want to receive as a gift or you plan on buying for yourself. Here’s a quick rundown of its features:

• Wish Status (wish, pending, granted)
• Priority (very low to highest)
• Format

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Bonus: For avoiding problematic books/authors

As a bonus, an extra spreadsheet can be used to document books and authors that you want to avoid.

Although I do have a ‘will avoid forever’ shelf on Goodreads, I am guilty of occasionally forgetting the reason or the context. Additionally, sometimes I don’t feel comfortable acknowledging the author or the book publicly. I’m not sure if other people share these feelings, but in any case, it’s included in the 2020 Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet!

Spreadsheet Databases

The 2020 Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet also offers several databases based on format. Specifically, there are separate databases for your books, e-books, and ARCs. As a fun bonus, I also included a directory of publishing contacts for ARC requests and inquiries.

ARCs

First, there is a database for Advanced Reader’s Copies (ARCs). In my own database, the ARCs are arranged according to their release dates. I’m the worst at remembering release dates, and this spreadsheet has helped me immensely. Here’s a quick rundown of its features:

• Reading Status (pending, currently reading, read but not reviewed, read and reviewed, will return to, will not finish, will abandon)
• Review Copy Details (format, source, date received)
• Author Details (debut, ownvoices)
• Other Book Details (series, readership, genres)
• Review Details (review deadline)

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E-books

Second, there is a database for owned e-books. As someone who often forgets what titles are on my Kindle app, having a database for e-books has been so useful to me! I can’t count the number of times I accidentally purchased a physical copy of a book I already had on Kindle. But I digress. Here’s a quick rundown of its features:

• Reading Status (pending, currently reading, read but not reviewed, read and reviewed, will return to, will not finish, will abandon)
• Source Details (source, date received)
• Author Identity
• Other Book Details (series, readership, genres)

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Physical books

Third, there is a separate database for owned books. I separated e-books and books from each other because variables like special/limited editions and book conditions are solely applicable to physically owned copies. Additionally, I also wanted to use the physical book database in hauling and unhauling preloved titles. Here’s a quick rundown of its features:

• Ownership Status (owned, borrowed, to unhaul, unhauled)
• Book Condition Details (condition, format, signed, annotated, secondhand, special edition)
• Source Details (source, date received)
• Author Identity
• Other Book Details (series, readership, genres)
• Reading Status (pending, currently reading, read but not reviewed, read and reviewed, will return to, will not finish, will abandon)

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Bonus: Publisher Contacts

Finally, as a bonus, the Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet includes a directory of publishing contacts. This can hopefully be a helpful guide for sending out ARC requests and inquiries.

Download Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet

This spreadsheet is free for personal use. I will strive to create improved versions annually, and future iterations of the Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet will first be available on Patreon. You are more than welcome to edit and modify the template, but please do not publish it as your own work.

DOWNLOAD FREE TEMPLATE

* To save a copy for yourself, click on File >> Make a copy.

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I’d love to hear from you!

🌻 Do you consider yourself as an organized person? What’s your preferred method of organization?

🌻 Have you tried keeping track of your reading before? If yes, how did it work out for you?

🌻 What are your thoughts on the first-ever iteration of the Must-Have Reader Spreadsheet? What would you like to see in its 2021 version?