What is Goodreads?

Goodreads is a social cataloging website that allows users to search for books, add them to their library, and create various forms of book-related content such as suggestions, surveys, polls, blogs, and discussions. Founded in December 2006 by Otis Chandler and Elizabeth Khuri Chandler, and launched in January 2007, Goodreads has grown into a large community of book lovers, with a user base of over 90 million members by July 2019. Owned by Amazon, it offers a platform for authors and publishers to interact with readers and promote their books.

The primary purpose of Goodreads is to help readers discover books they will love and to enhance their reading experience. By analyzing billions of data points, Goodreads provides tailored book suggestions, shows what friends are reading, and offers access to reviews from its community. It also includes social media features, allowing users to add friends and interact with authors. Despite criticism over content moderation and instances of review bombing, Goodreads remains a popular destination for readers around the world.

How to Export Your Goodreads Library to a CSV File

Exporting Goodreads Library

To export your list of shelved books from Goodreads, start by clicking on "My Books" at the top of the page. Once you're in your books section, look for the "Import and export" option and click on it. Next, select "Export Library" to initiate the export process. After the export is completed, a link will appear allowing you to download your exported library. The downloaded file comes in a CSV format, which is compatible with various programs that support CSV files.

Accessing Your Exported Goodreads Library

After downloading your Goodreads library, you can easily access your shelved books. Simply double-click the downloaded CSV file to open it. This action will typically launch the default program associated with CSV files on your computer, allowing you to view the contents of your Goodreads library. The CSV file includes details such as titles, authors, book ID, ISBN, publisher, publication year, your personal ratings, and the average ratings of books.

Using the CSV File

The CSV file you've exported from Goodreads can be opened with any compatible program that supports CSV files. This flexibility allows you to manage, sort, and analyze your list of books outside of Goodreads, providing a convenient way to handle your reading data. The information captured in the CSV file includes critical details about each book, which can be especially useful for cataloging, research, or sharing your reading history with others.

Streamline Your Goodreads Data with Sourcetable

Unlock the potential of your Goodreads data without the hassle of exporting and importing CSV files. Sourcetable offers a seamless and efficient solution to synchronize your live data directly from Goodreads into a dynamic spreadsheet. Skip the tedious steps of manual exporting and embrace the ease of automatic data integration.

Sourcetable's powerful syncing capability not only saves time but also ensures that your spreadsheet is always up to date with the latest information from Goodreads. The familiar spreadsheet interface allows you to effortlessly query and analyze your reading trends, making it an invaluable tool for automation and business intelligence. Choose Sourcetable for a smarter and more intuitive way to manage your Goodreads data.

Common Use Cases

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  Filtering the file with Excel to organize or sort book data
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  Saving each bookshelf to a separate tab within the file for better categorization
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  Using Google Sheets to filter the file for specific analytical purposes
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  Searching for specific names in the bookshelf list to find particular entries
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  Backing up the Goodreads data for personal record-keeping

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I export my Goodreads library to a CSV file?

To export your Goodreads library to a CSV file, click 'My Books' at the top of Goodreads, then click 'Import and export'. After that, click 'Export Library' to download your exported library.

What information does the Goodreads CSV file contain?

The Goodreads CSV file contains titles, authors, Goodreads book ID, ISBN, publisher, publication year, your ratings, average ratings, and more.

How often can I export my Goodreads list?

You can only export your Goodreads list once every few weeks.

In which programs can I open the exported CSV file?

You can open the exported CSV file in any program that supports CSV files, such as Microsoft Office, Google Sheets, and Numbers for macOS.

What happens to the exported CSV file if I don't use it?

The old CSV file will be deleted if you leave it unused.