Goodreads tracks your reading but does not host the books themselves
Goodreads is a social network where you log books you have read, want to read, and are currently reading. It does not sell or host book files for you to read directly on the site. When you find a book on Goodreads and want to read it, you buy or borrow it from somewhere else — Amazon Kindle, your library's app, Apple Books, or a physical copy — and then log it on Goodreads to keep your reading list organized.
The confusion happens because Goodreads is owned by Amazon, and Amazon makes it easy to buy Kindle versions of books right from the Goodreads page. But buying is separate from reading on Goodreads. You read the book in whatever app or format you purchased it in, and Goodreads is where you record that you read it.
Key Takeaways
- Goodreads tracks your reading but does not host the actual book files — you read books through Kindle, your library app, Apple Books, or another reading platform.
- To mark a book as read on Goodreads, find it on the site, click the shelf button, and select "Read" or add it to your "Currently Reading" shelf.
- You can write reviews and ratings on Goodreads after you finish a book, even if you read it somewhere else.
- Goodreads shows you recommendations based on books you have marked as read and rated, so the more you log, the better the suggestions become.
How to add a book to your Goodreads shelves
Start by searching for the book title on Goodreads.com. Type the title or author name into the search box at the top of the page. When you find the book, click on it to open the book's page.
On the book's page, look for a button that says "Want to Read," "Currently Reading," or "Read" — this is usually near the top of the page, often in a colored box. Click this button to open a dropdown menu. Select which shelf you want to add the book to. "Want to Read" means you have not started it yet. "Currently Reading" means you are in the middle of it right now. "Read" means you have finished it.
Once you click your choice, the book is added to that shelf on your profile. You can change which shelf a book is on anytime by clicking the button again and selecting a different option.
Where to actually read the book
After you add a book to your Goodreads shelf, you still need to get the actual book from somewhere to read it. On the Goodreads book page, scroll down and look for a section that says "Where to Buy" or "Get a Copy." This section shows links to buy the book on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play Books, and other retailers. It may also show a link to borrow it from your library through an app like Libby or OverDrive.
Click the link for whichever platform you want to use. If you choose Kindle, you will be taken to Amazon to buy or borrow the book, and you will read it in the Kindle app on your phone, tablet, or computer. If you choose your library, you will be taken to your library's app or website to place a hold or borrow it, and you will read it there.
Some libraries also have a "Borrow" button right on the Goodreads page if your library is connected to Goodreads. Click it and you may be able to borrow the book directly without leaving Goodreads.
Rating and reviewing a book after you finish
Once you have finished reading the book, go back to the book's page on Goodreads. Near the top, you will see a row of stars. Click the number of stars you want to give the book — one star means you did not like it, five stars means you loved it. You can also click on a star to change your rating anytime.
Below the stars, there is a text box that says "Write a review." Click it to write your thoughts about the book. Your review can be as short as a sentence or as long as you want. When you are done, click "Post" to publish your review. Other Goodreads users can then see your review and mark it as helpful if they found it useful.
Your rating and review are now part of your Goodreads profile, and they help other readers decide whether to read the book. They also help Goodreads recommend books to you based on what you have rated highly.
Using Goodreads to find your next book
The more books you rate on Goodreads, the better the site gets at suggesting books you might like. On your Goodreads home page, you will see a "Recommendations" section that shows books similar to ones you have rated highly. You can also browse lists created by other users, search by genre, or look at what your friends are reading.
If you see a book you think you might want to read, add it to your "Want to Read" shelf. This creates a to-read list you can look at anytime. Many people use this list to keep track of books they hear about but have not bought yet.
Syncing Goodreads with your reading apps
If you read primarily on Kindle, you can connect your Amazon account to Goodreads so that books you finish on Kindle automatically show up on your Goodreads profile. Go to your Goodreads account settings, find the "Connections" or "Linked Accounts" section, and follow the steps to connect your Amazon account. After that, when you finish a book on Kindle, Goodreads will ask if you want to add it to your shelves.
Other reading apps like Apple Books do not have automatic syncing with Goodreads, so you will need to manually add those books to your shelves after you finish them. This takes only a few seconds per book.
Organizing your reading with custom shelves
Beyond the standard "Want to Read," "Currently Reading," and "Read" shelves, you can create your own custom shelves to organize books however you want. You might create a shelf called "Favorites," "Science Fiction," "Books I Own," or "Reread Someday." This helps you keep track of books in ways that matter to you.
To create a custom shelf, go to your profile and click "My Books." Look for a link or button that says "Create Shelf" or "Add Shelf." Type the name you want for your new shelf and click create. Then, when you are on a book's page, you can add it to your custom shelf using the same dropdown menu you use for the standard shelves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read books directly on the Goodreads website?
No. Goodreads does not host book files or let you read books on its site. You must read books through another app or service like Kindle, your library app, or Apple Books. Goodreads is only for tracking and rating what you read.
Do I have to buy books through Goodreads to use the site?
No. You can read books from anywhere — your library, a friend, a used bookstore, or any retailer — and still add them to your Goodreads shelves and write reviews. Goodreads works with any book you read, regardless of where you got it.
What happens if I mark a book as read but have not actually finished it?
Nothing bad happens. You can change your shelf anytime. If you realize you are not going to finish a book, move it back to "Want to Read" or create a custom shelf like "Did Not Finish." Goodreads is just a tool for you to organize your reading however makes sense.
Can my friends see what I am reading on Goodreads?
Yes, if you have connected with them on Goodreads. Your friends can see your shelves, ratings, and reviews unless you change your privacy settings. You can make your profile private or hide specific shelves if you want to keep your reading list to yourself.
How do I learn about my library has a book before I buy it?
On the Goodreads book page, scroll to the "Where to Buy" section and look for your library's name or a "Borrow" button. If your library is connected to Goodreads, you can check availability right there. Otherwise, visit your library's website or app directly to search for the book.