5 Simple Steps to Add a New Book or Edition to Goodreads

Easily get new books or editions added to Goodreads with this quick guide

Co-authored by Christopher Batchelor and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: July 20, 2023 Fact Checked

Are you trying to figure out how to add a certain book to Goodreads? While you were able to add your own book without trouble in the past, Goodreads has changed their process in doing so. Currently, you'll need to send a request through the "Goodreads Librarians Group" to get the book added properly. Luckily, this process can be done in just a few minutes. This wikiHow will show you how to add a new book to the Goodreads database using your computer.

Things You Should Know

Make sure the book you want to add isn't already listed in the Goodreads database. Use the search feature to check.
Join the "Goodreads Librarians Group" to create a new thread under the "Adding New Books & Editions" folder.
Fill in all required book details, then click "Post" to send your request.

Steps

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1
Confirm the book you want to add isn't already listed. Visit the Goodreads website in your browser and log into your account. Use the search bar to search for the book by name, author's name, ISBN (13 digit/generally starts with '978'), or ISBN (10 digit-old style ISBN barcode number).^{[1]
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- You can use Goodreads to keep track of reading goals, participate in challenges, and even cultivate a stronger love for reading.
- If the book doesn't show up, proceed to the next step.
2
Join the "Goodreads Librarians Group". To add a new book to Goodreads, you must send a request through the forums of this group. To post a request, you must be a member. Do the following:
- Make sure you're logged into your Goodreads account.
- Go to the Goodreads Librarians Group webpage.
- Click Join Group underneath the profile picture.
- Select an email setting.
- Click Join Group again.
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You can click the Adding New Books & Editions folder and then click new topic or you can follow this link to be redirected there.
4
Compose your request. The "topic" field can be the book title you want to add. You must provide all of the following components for your request to be considered. Additionally, specify the language if the book is in a language other than English.
- You must provide:
- Title
- Author(s) name(s)
- ISBN (or ASIN)
- Publisher
- Publication date
- Format
- Page count
- Description
- Link to book page (must be a non-bookseller site, such as a publisher site, author site, etc.)
This will publish your request in the Goodreads Librarians Group. A volunteer Librarian should respond to your request within 1-2 days, but this will depend on the current number of requests.

Community Q&A

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Question

A friend just created her author page and I added her debut novel to Good Reads. Apparently there is an author of the same name whose book is also being attributed to her on both pages, book and author. What can I do about this?

Community Answer

Edit the page of that book and put an extra space between the author's first and last names -- doing so will make Goodreads recognise that the book is by a different author with the same name. If this is too confusing or Goodreads won't let you edit the page, try contacting a Goodreads Librarian to make this happen (see the help pages on the Goodreads website for information about how to do that).

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Question

How do I delete a book that we created in Goodreads?

Community Answer

Ask for deletion of a created book by subscribing to the Goodreads Librarians Group and asking for deletion there. It could just be an easy combine, or if there is no such book, explain the scenario of why you feel it should be deleted. However, it could take a number of days to get someone to take action or follow-up on your request, so be aware of this scenario.

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Question

How do I edit the number of pages of a book I created? When I try to edit its details, it gives me access to the metadata only.

Community Answer

You will have to contact a Goodreads "librarian" to make this happen. WikiHow won't allow me to provide links here, but there is more information about contacting Goodreads Librarians in the help pages on Goodreads.

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Thank you for your feedback.
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