About Cat’s Library – TBR, Bookshelf
I’ve tried more book-tracking apps than I care to admit, always abandoning them after a week. Cat’s Library, from developer ghostdiary, is the first one that stuck. I downloaded it on a whim for the cute cat icon, but I kept it because it finally understood how my reader-brain works. It’s not just a list-maker; it’s the cozy, visual home for my reading life I didn’t know I needed.
Features & Highlights
The core features are simple but smart. The bookshelf view is my favorite—I can drag and drop books between “Want to Read,” “Reading,” and “Read” columns, which feels satisfyingly tactile. I use the barcode scanner all the time to add my physical books; it’s scarily fast. The reading goal tracker is gentle, letting me set a goal for books or pages, and I get a little thrill marking off my daily progress. While the recommendation algorithm isn’t as deep as Goodreads, I’ve found a few gems by browsing community-created lists for niches like “Gothic Cat Mysteries.” The fact that my entire library stays synced between my phone and iPad without me thinking about it is a silent win.
User Experience
Opening the app feels calming. The palette is soft, the fonts are readable, and the little cat paw prints that show up when you finish a book are a delightful touch. I had a real “aha” moment when I was at a used bookstore, scanned a book I was considering, and saw I had already logged it as “Want to Read” months prior—it saved me from a duplicate purchase! Another time, I was feeling in a slump, so I scrolled through my “Read” shelf, which visually reminded me of all the great stories I’d experienced, and it actually motivated me to pick up my current book again. It turns tracking from a chore into a small, daily joy.
Pricing
The app is completely free with no upfront cost, which is fantastic. There are no locked core features. I do see occasional banner ads at the bottom of the screen, but they’re for other bookish apps or products and are never intrusive or video-based. There’s no pressure to upgrade, but there is an optional one-time “tip” payment to the developer to remove ads. For a free app with this much utility, I find the ad presence more than fair.
Updates & Support
I’ve had the app for about six months, and I’ve seen a few meaningful updates. The developer added a stats page showing my reading trends over time, which was a highly-requested feature from the user community. I once emailed support through the app about a book cover not loading correctly, and I got a friendly, human response from ghostdiary within 48 hours with a fix. It feels like a passion project that’s still actively cared for.
Security & Privacy
I downloaded Cat’s Library directly from the official Google Play Store. Their privacy policy is straightforward: they collect basic account info for syncing and app functionality. They state they don’t sell your personal data or reading history to third parties. The ads appear to be served through standard networks. For an app that holds my personal reading history, I appreciate the transparency and the fact that my data isn’t the obvious product here.
How does the bookshelf view work in Cat’s Library?
The bookshelf view lets you drag and drop books between three columns: 'Want to Read,' 'Reading,' and 'Read.' It’s a tactile, visual way to organize your library that feels satisfying and intuitive.
Can I use the barcode scanner to add physical books?
Yes, the built-in barcode scanner is fast and accurate—just point it at a book’s barcode and it will automatically pull up the details. It’s a huge time-saver when cataloging your physical collection.
What should I do if I accidentally add a duplicate book?
The app doesn’t have a built-in duplicate detection, but you can easily remove the extra copy by swiping or editing the entry. To avoid duplicates in the future, use the barcode scanner at a bookstore to check if a book is already in your library before buying.
Why am I seeing ads in the app, and can I remove them?
Cat’s Library is completely free, so it shows occasional banner ads at the bottom of the screen to support development. There is no option to remove them via a paid subscription, but they are non-intrusive and don’t block any features.
How does Cat’s Library compare to Goodreads for tracking books?
Cat’s Library focuses on a cozy, visual experience with drag-and-drop shelves and a calming design, while Goodreads offers deeper recommendation algorithms and a larger social community. If you prefer a simple, joyful tracker over social features and complex suggestions, Cat’s Library is a great alternative.
