Notion Reading List Template (Free) — Track What You Want to Read

TL;DR: If you want a clean, no-fuss reading list in Notion, you only need one database with 6–8 properties and two views (TBR + Completed). Below is a simple template structure you can copy today.

If you want this to stay updated effortlessly and turn into a real reading system, try NotionReads.

What a "reading list" in Notion should do (and what it shouldn't)

A good Notion reading list is basically a place to capture:

• What you want to read (TBR)
• What you are reading
• What you finished
• A quick rating and a few notes

It should not turn into a 40-property database that you never maintain.

The simplest Notion reading list database (recommended properties)

Create a database called Reading List and add these properties:

1. Title (Title) — the book name
2. Status (Select) — Want to Read, Reading, Finished, Paused
3. Author (Text) — optional, but useful
4. Format (Select) — Print, Kindle, Audiobook
5. Started (Date)
6. Finished (Date)
7. Rating (Number) — 1–5
8. Notes (Text) — keep it short

That's enough for 99% of people.

Views to set up (so you actually use it)

Create these views:

1) TBR (Want to Read)

• Filter: Status is Want to Read
• Sort: optional (by "Added" date if you track it)

2) Reading Now

• Filter: Status is Reading

3) Finished

• Filter: Status is Finished
• Sort: Finished descending

Optional upgrades (only if you'll use them)

If you know you'll keep it updated, add one or two of these:

• Genre (Multi-select)
• Source (Select) — Goodreads, Amazon, Recommendation, etc.
• Priority (Select) — High, Medium, Low

Common mistakes (and quick fixes)

• Mistake: Too many properties → Fix: delete anything you don't fill in weekly.
• Mistake: No views → Fix: add TBR + Finished at minimum.
• Mistake: Ratings but no notes → Fix: add one sentence: "Why did I like/dislike it?"

If you already have books in Goodreads

If your reading list lives in Goodreads today, you don't need to re-enter everything manually.

Start here: How to import your Goodreads library to Notion.

Next step: turn this into a real system

A template is step one. The real win is having your reading list stay current and usable with almost no maintenance.

Try NotionReads: https://www.notionreads.com

Related: How to build your own book tracker in Notion (+ FREE template)