Boards, research & planning
Track who read what — and who has the copy
Better than a personal reading log for a group passing one paperback
About six friends constantly trading paperbacks? Keep every title on one shared list: mark who finished it, see who still needs it, and know who has the physical book. When everyone in the circle has read it, the last reader gets a nudge to donate it to a little free library or pass it outside the group.
The problem
Sound familiar? These are the pain points people search for before they find a better way.
- Personal reading logs track your own shelf — not who in your friend group read the copy
- Texts like "who has Educated?" repeat every week
- Nobody knows who still needs to read the paperback
- The last reader forgets to donate or pass the book on
- Spreadsheets and group chats don't show who has the physical copy
What you get
Who read / who still needs it
Each title shows read-by chips for your whole circle and highlights who hasn't finished yet.
Who has the copy
Tap "I have the copy" so everyone knows where the paperback is right now.
Donate when done
When everyone has read a title, the list nudges the holder to pass it to a little free library or a friend outside the group.
No account to join
Friends open one link, pick their name, and start marking reads — no profile required.
Add books as you go
Drop in the next paperback you're passing around — with an optional details link.
How it works
- 1
Create your book circle
Start a shared list with your friend group's names on the roster.
- 2
Add the books you're trading
List each title you're passing around — paperbacks, book-club picks, or impulse buys.
- 3
Share one link
Send it to the group chat. Everyone joins with a name and marks reads from their phone.
- 4
Pass it on when done
When the whole circle has read it, donate the copy or hand it to someone new.
Built for
People also search for
Common questions and keywords — if you typed these into Google, you're in the right place.
- app to track and share books among friends
- what app can we use to track books among friends
- friend book club tracking app
- how to track who read a book in a friend group
- app for passing books around friends
Frequently asked questions
- Is this for personal reading logs or a shared copy?
- Personal reading logs are great for your own shelf and reviews. ReferLyst is built for a small circle trading one physical copy — who read it, who still needs it, and who has the book right now.
- Do my friends need accounts?
- No. They open your link, enter the name you know them by, and mark reads. Only you need a free account to create the list.
- Can we track who has the paperback?
- Yes. Tap "I have the copy" on any title. Someone else can claim it when the book moves.
- What happens when everyone has read a book?
- The list shows a pass-it-on banner — a reminder for whoever has the copy to donate it to a little free library or give it to someone outside your circle.
Related platform solution
Book trading circle platform
One shared list for a small group passing paperbacks — not a personal reading shelf.
Read the full solutionRelated use cases
Start your friends book trading circle on ReferLyst
Free forever on the starter plan. No website required — live in minutes.