How to Build a Book Database (and Why You’ll Love It)

Welcome back to the History Nook.

Today, we're exploring the why and how of building your very own book database.

So grab your favourite mug, find a soft space to curl up, and let's wander a little deeper into my library.

Did you know you need around 1,000 books to officially call your collection a library? Personally, I call mine a library anyway—even though I’m sitting at about 70 books at the moment. “That’s not many,” you might say? I know. But I lost quite a few when I moved up to Scotland.

To replenish my collection, I have 63 books to replace, and I know that exact number because I keep a lovely little book database. Here are a few reasons why I started it:

• I know exactly how many books I own

• I can track where they are (or if a friend has borrowed one)

• I know which ones I need to replace if they’re damaged… or mysteriously never returned

• I avoid buying duplicates (this has happened three times)

• I can categorise them by type—primary source, secondary, translation, etc.

• A digital database is easily searchable

How to Build a Book Database in Notion

I built mine in Notion, but if you don’t use Notion, you can still create something similar with other apps—or even with paper.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Open a new page in Notion

2. Type /database and select Database – Inline

3. Give your database a cosy name

4. Click + New Page to open a book entry

5. Add your desired properties

6. Fill in the info for your first book

7. Rinse and repeat from step 4 onward

Properties I Use

These are the properties I find most useful for tracking my books:

• Author

• ISBN

• Publisher

• Time Period (multi-select)

• Type of Work (multi-select – primary source, translation, etc.)

• Geographic Focus (multi-select)

• Tags (multi-select)

• Module Book (checkbox – for books required in my Classics degree)

You can add anything that fits your own style! You might want to:

• Track reading progress

• Add star ratings

• Use mood tags for fiction

• Include a location field (so you know which shelf a book lives on—I’m adding this soon!)

Why Notion Works So Well

I actually have two databases:

• One for books currently on my shelves

• One for books I want to buy or replace

It’s easy to move entries between the two, and each book has its own dedicated page—perfect for adding notes as I read.

Best of all? Notion databases are fully searchable (which I love), and I can embed them in other pages like my Academic Dashboard. It all feels like a little ecosystem of knowledge.

Thank you for visiting The History Nook today.

I hope you found something useful, or at the very least, a new reason to reorganise your books.

Until next time—stay curious, and keep warm.

🐾 Note: This post was supervised by Index, who batted two pens off the desk and sat on the spacebar. Her editorial stance remains firm. 🐾