How to Organize Physical Books and Kindle Ebooks in One Reading List

This guide shows you how to merge your physical books and Kindle ebooks into a single, unified reading list. You’ll learn a practical system using a spreadsheet or a dedicated book-tracking app, so you always know what to read next, what you own, and what you’ve finished—no more double-buying or losing track of your TBR pile.

What You’ll Need

Access to your Kindle library (via the Kindle app, website, or device)
A list of your physical books (you can gather them from shelves or a previous list)
A spreadsheet tool (like Google Sheets or Excel) or a book-tracking app (like Goodreads, The StoryGraph, or Notion)
Optional: a phone with a barcode scanner app for quick entry

Step-by-Step

Choose your central tool. Decide whether you’ll use a spreadsheet or a book-tracking app. Spreadsheets give you full control and customization; apps often have built-in features like covers, ratings, and reading progress. Pick one—don’t try to maintain two systems.
Export your Kindle library. Go to Amazon.com > Account > Content & Devices > Books. Select all your ebooks and click “Download” to get a CSV file (this works for Kindle ebooks, not audiobooks). If you have many books, you may need to do this in batches. This CSV will include titles, authors, and ASINs.
Create your master list. Open your chosen tool and create columns: Title, Author, Format (Physical/Kindle), Status (Unread/Reading/Finished), Rating, and Notes. If you’re using an app, look for a way to create custom shelves or tags (e.g., “Physical” and “Kindle”).
Import your Kindle data. If using a spreadsheet, copy and paste the data from the CSV into your columns. If using an app, use its import feature (Goodreads allows CSV import) or manually add ebooks using the “Add to shelf” function.
Add your physical books. Go through your shelves and add each physical book to your list. For efficiency, use a barcode scanner app (like “Book Scanner” or the built-in scanner in Goodreads) to quickly pull up titles and authors. For each book, mark the format as “Physical.”
Merge duplicates. If you own both a physical copy and a Kindle copy of the same book, decide how to represent it. In a spreadsheet, you can either keep one row and note “Both” in the format column, or keep two rows and link them with an ID. In apps, you can add both formats to the same book entry if the app supports it (Goodreads does not by default, so you might use a tag like “Own both”).
Set your reading status. For each book, mark whether it’s unread, currently reading, or finished. Be honest—this list is for you. If you’re midway through a physical book and a Kindle book, mark both as “Reading.”
Add a priority or TBR order. Create a column or tag for priority (e.g., High, Medium, Low) or a number for your TBR order. This helps when you’re deciding what to pick up next.
Maintain the list regularly. Whenever you buy a new book (physical or digital), add it immediately. When you finish a book, update its status. Set a weekly or monthly reminder to review your list and keep it accurate.

Common Mistakes

Not exporting Kindle library correctly: The “Download” button in Content & Devices might not work for all books (e.g., some older titles). Use the “Export” option on the page if available, or manually copy titles.
Forgetting to include audiobooks: If you also listen to audiobooks, decide if you want them in the same list. If yes, add them as a separate format. If no, keep them out to avoid clutter.
Using multiple tools: Maintaining a spreadsheet and an app simultaneously leads to inconsistency. Stick to one.
Not updating status: A list that isn’t updated becomes useless. Make it a habit to update after finishing a book.

Tips

Use color coding: In a spreadsheet, color-code rows by format (e.g., blue for Kindle, green for physical) or by status (e.g., gray for finished). This makes scanning easy.
Leverage app features: If using Goodreads, you can create custom shelves for “Physical” and “Kindle,” and then use the “Exclusive” option to keep them separate. The StoryGraph allows you to filter by format.
Add a “Source” column: Track where you got the book (gift, library, bought) to help with future decisions.
Set a goal: Many apps have reading challenges. Set an annual goal to keep motivated.
Backup your list: If using a spreadsheet, export it periodically to avoid losing data.

Troubleshooting

Kindle export doesn’t include all books: Some books might be missing if they were purchased from a different Amazon marketplace or if they’re out of print. Manually add them by searching on Amazon and copying the details.
Barcode scanner can’t find a book: Older or self-published books may not be in the database. Enter the title and author manually.
App import fails: If importing a CSV into Goodreads fails, check the file format (must be .csv, not .xlsx) and that the column headers match the required format. You may need to clean the data first.
Duplicates still appear: If you have two rows for the same book, use the “Merge duplicates” feature in Goodreads (if available) or manually delete one row and combine the info.
You lose track of the list: Set a recurring calendar reminder to update your list every Sunday evening. Keep the list accessible on your phone (e.g., in Google Sheets app or Goodreads app).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sync my Kindle library automatically to a spreadsheet?

Not directly, but you can use third-party services like Calibre (with the “Kindle” plugin) to export your library, or use a tool like “Kindle Mate” to extract highlights and notes. For a simple list, manual export is usually enough.

Should I use Goodreads or The StoryGraph?

Goodreads is more popular and has a larger database, but The StoryGraph offers better stats and a cleaner interface. Choose based on your preference for community vs. analytics.

How do I handle books I own in both formats?

In a spreadsheet, list it once and note “Both” in the format column. In Goodreads, you can add the same book to two shelves (e.g., “Physical” and “Kindle”) but it will appear as one entry. The StoryGraph allows you to select multiple formats for one book.

What if I have a huge library? Is there a faster way?

Use a barcode scanner app to add physical books quickly. For Kindle, the export is fast. For large libraries, consider using a dedicated app that supports bulk import (e.g., Goodreads CSV import).

Can I share my reading list with friends?

If you use a public app like Goodreads, you can share your profile. For spreadsheets, you can share the link (if using Google Sheets) or export it as a PDF.

What about library books? Should I include them?

Yes, if you want a complete picture of what you’re reading. Just mark the format as “Library” or add a “Source” column. When you return it, you can delete it or mark it as “Finished.”

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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