How to catalog your home library (without spreadsheets)

If you own more than a shelf or two of books, you’ve probably felt it: you buy duplicates, forget what you own, or can’t remember where a book lives.

This guide is a simple, calm way to catalog your home library — without turning it into a complicated project you’ll abandon after a weekend.

What most people try (and why it doesn’t stick)

Most home library systems fail for the same reason: they ask you to do too much, too perfectly, too quickly. Here are a few common approaches:

• Spreadsheets — powerful, but easy to neglect and hard to use on your phone.
• Notes apps — quick, but messy once your collection grows.
• Retail-style book apps — often focused on buying and recommendations, not ownership.
• Memory — works… until it doesn’t.

The goal isn’t a perfect catalog. The goal is a system that feels easy enough to keep using.

A simple home library catalog that actually works

A “good enough” catalog tracks a handful of things:

• What you own (title + author is enough to start)
• Where it lives (room / shelf / box / loaned to…)
• What you’ve read (read/unread — simple and satisfying)
• Optional details (ISBN, year, edition, genre)

Notice what’s missing: ratings, reviews, social feeds, and busy “content”. A home library catalog works best when it feels quiet.

Step-by-step: catalog your books without burning out

1. Start with one small shelf.
   Pick an easy section — a nightstand stack, a single shelf, a small box. Finish that first.
2. Capture the basics only.
   Title + author is enough. You can add ISBN, year, and edition later if you want.
3. Use locations that match your real life.
   “Living room shelf”, “Basement box”, “Loaned to Dad” — whatever makes sense to you.
4. Don’t aim for completeness.
   A half-finished catalog you keep using is better than a perfect one you abandon.
5. Make it enjoyable.
   A small theme choice, a library name, and tiny progress wins make the habit stick.

A cozy tool (if you want one)

If you want a simple place to do this on your phone or laptop, I built Reading by Candlelight as a calm, private home library tracker — focused on the books you own: what they are, where they live, and what you’ve read.

• 🕯️ Add books quickly by Title/Author or ISBN lookup
• 📍 Track locations (room, shelf, loaned to…)
• ✅ Mark books as read/unread
• 🔒 Private by default — no feeds, no ads

Quick questions

Do I need to use ISBNs?

Nope. ISBNs are helpful, but not required. Title + author gets you 90% of the benefit.

How long does it take?

Start small. Ten minutes here and there beats a big “catalog weekend” that burns you out.

What’s the best location system?

The best system is the one you’ll actually use: room + shelf is plenty. If you loan books out, “Loaned to…” is a great location too.

Questions or feedback?

You can email the Librarian anytime at: librarian@readingbycandlelight.ca