Export Goodreads
Download your Goodreads library before changing habits. Keep the original file somewhere safe.
Switching from Goodreads
How to export Goodreads and switch apps without losing your history
You do not have to choose between a better reading app and the Goodreads history you spent years building.
The safest move is to export first, import into your new tracker, then decide whether Goodreads becomes your archive, your social layer, or both.
Try SHELVDExport your Goodreads library first
Before you test any Goodreads alternative, export your Goodreads library. That gives you a backup and makes it easier to try a new tracker without feeling locked in.
On the web
- Sign in to Goodreads in a desktop browser.
- Open My Books, find Tools, then choose Import and Export. You can also go directly to goodreads.com/review/import.
- Select Export Library. When Goodreads finishes generating the file, use the dated export link to download the CSV.
On iPhone
- Open Goodreads in Safari rather than the Goodreads app.
- Open Safari's page menu and choose Request Desktop Website.
- Visit the import and export page, generate the CSV, then save the downloaded file to Files.
What the Goodreads CSV preserves
The CSV is a book-level export. It commonly includes titles, authors, ISBNs, ratings, reviews, shelves, dates added, dates read, read counts, and ownership fields.
It does not include your social graph, group discussions, feed history, comments, likes, or every reading-progress update. Keep Goodreads available if those social and activity records still matter to you.
The switch plan
Import into your new app
Bring your books, shelves, ratings, and dates into the tracker you want to use every day.
Decide what Goodreads is for
Some readers keep it for friends and reviews. Others keep it as a public archive. Both are valid.
Prevent future drift
If you want Goodreads to stay current, use SHELVD write-back instead of updating two apps by hand.
What to keep in Goodreads
| Goodreads asset | Best handling |
|---|---|
| Friends and social graph | Keep Goodreads active, especially if friends still post there. |
| Reviews and ratings | Import them into SHELVD, but leave Goodreads as the public archive. |
| Reading Challenge | Keep finished dates flowing back if you want the challenge to match your real reading. |
| Daily tracking | Move this to the app with the least friction. That is where the habit lives. |
The easiest version is not a full breakup
For many readers, Goodreads is still useful as a social archive. SHELVD is built for the daily tracking layer on top: modern interface, better progress flow, and write-back for any book you track, not just Kindle.
The interface is user-friendly and intuitive, which is easily one of my favorite features of SHELVD.
Related Goodreads guides
FAQ
Can I switch reading apps without deleting Goodreads?
Yes. You can export or import your history, start tracking in a new app, and keep Goodreads around for friends, reviews, and your Reading Challenge.
What does the Goodreads CSV export include?
Goodreads CSV exports commonly include books, authors, ISBNs, ratings, reviews, shelves, dates added, and dates read. They do not preserve every kind of activity history.
Will my Goodreads Reading Challenge still count?
It can keep counting when finished books and dates make it back to Goodreads. If you stop updating Goodreads, the challenge will drift away from your new tracker.
Do I need to choose between SHELVD and Goodreads?
No. SHELVD is designed for readers who want a modern tracker while keeping Goodreads useful for history and friends.
Switch without splitting your reading life.
Import your Goodreads history, track in SHELVD, and keep Goodreads current with a one-month Pro trial.
Start with SHELVD