How to export your Goodreads library (and what to do when it doesn’t work)

Goodreads can export your whole library (every shelf, rating and date) as one CSV file. The export is known to be slow or stuck sometimes, so this guide also covers what to do when the link doesn’t show up.

Before you start

• You need: the Goodreads website (not the app). On a phone, use the browser and switch to the desktop site.
• Time: 1 to 10 minutes, depending on how many books you have.
• Nothing changes in your account. Your shelves stay exactly as they are.

Step by step

1. Go to goodreads.com and sign in.
2. Open My Books in the top menu.
3. Find Tools in the left column (scroll down a little) and click Import and export.
4. Click Export Library at the top of the page.
   You’ll see: a message that the export is being prepared. Nothing downloads yet.
5. Wait, then reload the page. After a minute or a few, a link appears below the button: Your export from (date and time).
6. Click that link.
   You’ll see: goodreads_library_export.csv download to your Downloads folder.

Check that it worked

• In Downloads there’s goodreads_library_export.csv. If you open it, each row is a book, with columns like Title, Author, My Rating, Date Read and Exclusive Shelf.

When the export is slow, stuck or empty

• The link never appears: large libraries take several minutes, and the page often doesn’t update by itself. Reload after a few minutes.
• Don’t click Export Library again and again: that can restart the export.
• An older link is listed: you can download it while the new one is being made.
• Still nothing after 15 minutes: try another browser or a private window, or try again later. Goodreads’ export is sometimes busy.
• The file only has a header row: the export was cut short. Run it again.

What might confuse you

• “ISBNs look like ="0141439513".” Goodreads adds ="…" so spreadsheets keep leading zeros. The printer removes it.
• “My want-to-read list is called to-read.” That’s Goodreads’ internal name; the printer shows it as Want to read.
• “I can’t find Import and export.” It’s under Tools in the left column of My Books, below your shelves.

Next: print it

Drop the file on Print your Goodreads list, tick the shelves you want and choose a checklist, reading log or compact list. Nothing is uploaded.

Print your Goodreads list →