Volumes

Guide

How to export your Goodreads library

Goodreads lets you download your whole library as a spreadsheet, but only from its website on a computer. Here's how, what's in the file, and what to do with it.

Download on the App StoreShow me the steps
An imported library of book covers in Volumes on iPhone

Out of Goodreads

Export from Goodreads

  1. 1On a computer, sign in at goodreads.com. The phone app and mobile site don't offer the export.
  2. 2Go to My Books, then Import and Export in the sidebar.
  3. 3Click Export Library, wait for the link to appear, and download the file.

Into Volumes

Bring the file into Volumes

Volumes is a free, private app for the books you own, on iPhone, iPad and Mac. It reads this file as it is.
  1. Open Settings in Volumes
    Under the library title on iPhone, the gear on iPad, and ⌘, on a Mac.
  2. Import from Another App
    Tap Choose a File and pick the export. Or share the file to Volumes from Files or Mail.
  3. Add to My Library
    Check the count, then add. Volumes tells you what came in and anything it couldn't use.

What to expect

What comes across from Goodreads

Comes across

  • Title, authors, ISBN, publisher, page count and publication years
  • Read and currently reading, with the date you finished
  • The date you added each book
  • Your own shelves, as lists

Stays behind

  • Star ratings, reviews and private notes
  • Earlier rereads (the export only has your last read date)
  • Owned copies
  • Want-to-read books come in as not started, rather than onto a list

Deciding whether to switch? Volumes vs Goodreads, side by side.

Questions

Good to know

Can I export my Goodreads library from the phone app?

No. The export is only on the Goodreads website, under My Books, then Import and Export. Use a computer.

What's in a Goodreads export?

A CSV file with a row per book: title, authors, ISBN, publisher, pages, years, your rating and review, the shelf it's on, the date you read it and the date you added it.

Does deleting my Goodreads account delete the export?

No. The file you downloaded is yours. Export first, check it opens, then decide what to do with the account.

Bring your Goodreads library home.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone, iPad and Mac · No account · No ads