How To Track Your Reading Progress — Apps and Tips

If you’re like me, reading is more than just a pastime — it’s a journey. Whether you’re diving into a murder mystery, escaping into sci-fi, or unravelling a thriller, there’s something deeply satisfying about watching that progress bar inch forward or seeing your page count rise day by day. But keeping track of what you’ve read, where you left off, and what you want to tackle next can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Thankfully, technology has made this easier, and there are some great apps and a couple of handy tips to keep your reading on track, all while making the experience more fun.

Why Track Your Reading?

Before we jump into apps and tools, why bother tracking reading at all? Well, for starters:

• It gives you a sense of accomplishment. Seeing your progress visually is satisfying and motivates you to keep going.
• It helps you organize your reading goals. Maybe you want to read a certain number of books this year or finish a series on time.
• You avoid wasting time figuring out where you left off — no more flipping around or scanning through pages.
• It can inspire you to discover new books based on what you’ve loved or want to explore later.

Top Apps to Track Reading Progress

Here are some of the most popular and user-friendly apps out there:

1. Goodreads

Everyone’s favourite bookish social network, Goodreads lets you log books you’re currently reading, set goals for the year, and even update your progress by page or percentage. It’s perfect if you love sharing thoughts, reviews, and connecting with friends or fellow readers.

2. Libby

If you borrow audiobooks or ebooks from your library, Libby is fantastic. It tracks your borrowed titles and syncs your reading progress across devices, so you can pick up right where you left off, whether on your phone, tablet, or computer.

3. Bookly

Bookly focuses on reading habit building and tracking time spent reading. You can enter your book details, update progress, and even get insights on your reading speed and session summaries. It’s motivating if you want to build a daily reading habit.

4. StoryGraph

A newer alternative to Goodreads, StoryGraph helps you track reading and offers personalized recommendations based on your moods and preferences. It also lets you update progress quickly and set challenges.

5. Kindle App

If you read mostly on Kindle, the app and devices have built-in progress tracking. You can see your location in the book, percentage completed, and estimated time left — handy for pacing yourself.

Tips for Tracking Without an App

If you prefer a more analogue or minimalist approach, here are a few tips:

• Bullet Journaling: Dedicate a page to your reading list, track each book’s start and finish dates, and jot down quick notes or favourite quotes.
• Reading Calendar: Mark days when you’ve read and note how many pages to visualize streaks and consistency.
• Bookmark with Notes: Use a bookmark with a small note area where you can jot your current page or date, so you always pick up right where you left off.

Making It Fun and Helpful

The best reading progress tracker is one you’ll actually use — whether it’s a sleek app with graphs or a simple notebook. Try combining a digital app with some journaling to deepen your connection with your reading and authors. Also, setting small milestones (finish 50 pages this week, read one short story a month) can keep the habit alive without pressure.

Tracking your reading progress isn’t just about stats — it’s about enhancing your overall experience. Watching your goals get crossed off or your page count climb feels like a quiet victory every day. And if you’re writing your own stories, like mysteries or fantasy novels, observing how others read can also give you insights into pacing and engagement.

So, grab your favourite book, pick a tracking tool, and enjoy the satisfying journey of progress, page by page.

Happy reading!