Cat’s Library - TBR, Bookshelf

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.