# Reading List & Book Notes Template

## Overview
A single‑page system that lets you **track every book you want to read**, **manage your reading progress**, and **capture rich notes** for future reference. The template is built around two linked databases (Reading List & Book Notes) and a dashboard that surfaces the most relevant views at a glance.

> 💡 Tip: Keep the dashboard as your homepage. It’s the hub where you decide what to read next and where you dive into your notes.

## Reading List
The core database where each entry represents a book you intend to read, are currently reading, or have finished. Use the **Status** field to drive your workflow, and the **Priority** field to surface the next pick.

| Title                     | Author            | Genre          | Status   | Priority | Added Date | Rating |
|--------------------------|-------------------|----------------|----------|----------|------------|--------|
| *The Midnight Library*   | Matt Haig         | Literary Fiction | To Read  | ★★★★★   | 2024‑04‑01 | —      |
| *Atomic Habits*          | James Clear       | Self‑Help      | Reading  | ★★★★    | 2024‑03‑15 | —      |
| *Sapiens*                | Yuval Noah Harari | History        | Finished | ★★★★    | 2024‑01‑20 | 4.5    |
| *Project Hail Mary*      | Andy Weir         | Science Fiction| To Read  | ★★★★    | 2024‑05‑10 | —      |
| *Thinking, Fast & Slow* | Daniel Kahneman   | Psychology     | On Hold  | ★★★    | 2024‑02‑05 | —      |

> 💡 Tip: Filter the **Reading List** view by `Status = "To Read"` and sort by **Priority** to instantly see your next book.

## Book Notes
A second database that stores detailed notes, quotes, and reflections. Each note is linked back to a book in the Reading List via a **Relation** field, enabling you to pull all notes for a given title in one place.

| Book (Relation)          | Chapter / Section | Note                                                                 | Tags               | Created |
|--------------------------|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|---------|
| The Midnight Library     | Chapter 3         | “Every decision creates a new branch of reality.”                  | #philosophy #quotes| 2024‑04‑02 |
| Atomic Habits            | 2.1               | “Identity-based habits are more sustainable than outcome‑based.”   | #habit #psychology | 2024‑03‑16 |
| Sapiens                  | Part 2 – Agriculture | “The Agricultural Revolution increased food supply but also labor.”| #history #anthro   | 2024‑01‑22 |
| Project Hail Mary        | Prologue          | “The opening line sets a tone of isolation and urgency.”           | #sci‑fi #inspiration| 2024‑05‑11 |
| Thinking, Fast & Slow   | Chapter 7         | “System 2 thinking is lazy; it defaults to System 1 unless forced.”| #cognition #bias   | 2024‑02‑06 |

> 💡 Tip: Use the **Tags** multi‑select to group notes by theme (e.g., #quotes, #ideas, #research). You can then create a filtered view that shows only “#quotes” across all books.

## Dashboard & Views
A ready‑made dashboard page (copy‑paste into a new Notion page) that pulls in the following linked views:

| View Name          | Source Database | Filters & Sorts                                   |
|--------------------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------|
| **To‑Read Queue**  | Reading List    | `Status = "To Read"` • Sort by **Priority** ↓    |
| **Currently Reading** | Reading List | `Status = "Reading"` • Sort by **Added Date** ↑ |
| **Finished Books**| Reading List    | `Status = "Finished"` • Sort by **Rating** ↓      |
| **High‑Priority Picks**| Reading List| `Priority >= ★★★★` • Sort by **Added Date** ↑    |
| **All Notes**      | Book Notes      | No filter • Group by **Book**                    |
| **Quotes**         | Book Notes      | Filter `Tags` contains `#quotes`                 |

> 💡 Tip: Pin the dashboard to your sidebar for one‑click access to all your reading data.

## Workflow
1. **Add a new book** – Fill in Title, Author, Genre, and set **Status** to “To Read”. Assign a **Priority** (1‑5 stars).  
2. **Pick your next read** – Open the **To‑Read Queue** view; the top‑ranked book is your next target. Change its **Status** to “Reading”.  
3. **Take notes** – While reading, click **+ New** in the **Book Notes** database, link the note to the current book, and tag it (e.g., #idea, #quote).  
4. **Finish & rate** – When you finish, set **Status** to “Finished”, add a **Rating** (1‑5 stars), and optionally write a short review in the **Notes** field of the Reading List entry.  
5. **Review & reuse** – Use the **All Notes** view to revisit insights, or filter by **Tags** to locate specific types of content.

> 💡 Tip: Automate step 4 with a Notion reminder: set a “Finish by” date when you start reading; Notion will nudge you when the deadline passes.

## How to import into Notion
1. **Create a new page** in your Notion workspace where you want the template.  
2. **Copy** the entire contents of this `.md` file (starting from the `# Reading List & Book Notes Template` line).  
3. **Paste** into the new Notion page – Notion will automatically convert the markdown headings, tables, and callouts.  
4. **Convert tables to databases**:  
   - Click the table → “Turn into → Database → Full‑page” for **Reading List**.  
   - Repeat for the **Book Notes** table.  
5. **Set up relations**:  
   - In the **Book Notes** database, add a **Relation** property linking to the **Reading List** database (name it “Book”).  
   - In the **Reading List** database, add a reciprocal **Relation** property (name it “Notes”).  
6. **Create the dashboard**:  
   - Add a new page, select “Linked Database”, and point it to the **Reading List** database.  
   - Duplicate the linked view for each view listed in the “Dashboard & Views” section, applying the specified filters and sorts.  
7. **Customize** any property options (e.g., change the **Priority** select to a star rating) to match your personal preferences.  

Your Reading List & Book Notes system is now ready to use—track, read, and remember every book you love. Happy reading!