The Shelf is a paid reading tracker for people who want to manage books without a social feed or subscription. Search by title, author, or ISBN, scan supported book barcodes, or add a title manually. Keep separate editions or physical copies, each with its own progress, sessions, and history. Books can be marked Owned, Wishlist, or Track, then organized into personal lists, subjects, and shelf locations. The app also records borrowing and lending and can import Goodreads or StoryGraph CSV files. Notes, reading history, and camera data stay on-device or in the user's optional private iCloud library, according to the developer; online lookup can be turned off. The US App Store lists the app for $4.99 as a one-time purchase, with no subscriptions. Optional lookups send a title, author, or ISBN only when requested.
The Shelf - Reading Tracker
A private reading library and tracker for editions, sessions, borrowing, and personal book lists.
Overview
A closer look at The Shelf - Reading Tracker.
A closer look
App screenshots
Choose with confidence
The useful details.
What it does
- Search or scan books and keep editions or copies separate
- Track reading progress, sessions, and personal history
- Organize books with custom lists, subjects, and shelf locations
- Import Goodreads or StoryGraph lists and export a complete backup
A good fit for
- Readers who want a private, detailed book catalog without a subscription
- People moving a library from Goodreads or StoryGraph into a local tracker
Worth knowing
- The app is a paid download; optional online book lookup sends the requested title, author, or ISBN to a search service.
Frequently asked questions
Answers based on the app’s official listing and reviewed information.
What is The Shelf - Reading Tracker used for?
A private reading library and tracker for editions, sessions, borrowing, and personal book lists.
What can you do with The Shelf - Reading Tracker?
Search or scan books and keep editions or copies separate Track reading progress, sessions, and personal history Organize books with custom lists, subjects, and shelf locations Import Goodreads or StoryGraph lists and export a complete backup
Who is The Shelf - Reading Tracker designed for?
Readers who want a private, detailed book catalog without a subscription People moving a library from Goodreads or StoryGraph into a local tracker
What should you know before downloading The Shelf - Reading Tracker?
The app is a paid download; optional online book lookup sends the requested title, author, or ISBN to a search service.
Does The Shelf - Reading Tracker include paid features?
The reviewed listing reports no in-app purchases.
Which platforms support The Shelf - Reading Tracker?
Greatooly's reviewed app information lists iOS.
Researched from official sources; this is not a hands-on review. Last checked 2026-11-04.
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