Help

Getting started

1. Text anything to (360) 504-4327
2. You'll receive a welcome message
3. Reply START to opt in and activate your account
4. Start adding books—a "TBR" shelf is automatically created for you

Adding books

Via SMS

Text any of these to (360) 504-4327:

• An ISBN (10 or 13 digits)
• A title and author ("The Hobbit by Tolkien")
• A photo of a cover or barcode
• An Amazon link

Via web

Click the + button on your shelf page. You can enter an ISBN, paste an Amazon URL, search by title/author, or upload a photo.

SMS commands

• ADD — Add the last suggested book to your shelf
• HELP — Get a quick command reference
• STOP — Unsubscribe from SMS messages
• START — Re-subscribe to SMS messages

Managing your library

Shelves

Your TBR shelf is created automatically. You can add custom shelves (Favorites, Currently Reading, etc.) by clicking "+ New Shelf." Deleting a shelf removes the organization, not the books—they'll still appear in All Books.

Book actions

• Read/Unread — Click the green badge to toggle
• Owned — Click the blue badge to mark books you own
• Notes — Add context like "Recommended on Fresh Air"
• Shelves — Click "+ Add to shelf" to organize
• Delete — Removes from all shelves

Marking a book as read doesn't remove it from any shelves—it stays where you put it until you move it.

View modes

Grid view shows covers with flip cards for details. List view is more compact with everything visible at once.

Your data is always yours

You can export your books and notes anytime. No lock-in, no friction.

Export formats

• CSV (Goodreads format) — Compatible with most book tracking apps
• JSON — For developers or full data backup

Want to move your list somewhere else? Here's how.

• StoryGraph — Manage Account → Goodreads Import
• Hardcover — Settings → Import
• BookWyrm — Settings → Import
• Literal — Settings → Import from Goodreads

FAQs

Why isn't my book being found?

Some books aren't in Google Books. Try using the ISBN from the copyright page instead of the back cover, or try the other format (ISBN-10 vs ISBN-13). You can also search by exact title and author.

What if I text the same ISBN twice?

Duplicates are detected automatically. You'll get a confirmation that the book is already on your shelf.

Why are my barcode photos not working?

Good lighting helps. Keep the barcode in focus, fill most of the frame, avoid glare, and make sure the entire barcode is visible.

How does cover photo recognition work?

When you send a photo of a book cover, TBR reads the title and author from the image and searches for a match. Clear, well-lit photos work best. If the cover isn't recognized, try texting the title and author directly.

Can multiple people use the same phone number?

No, each phone number has its own library. This keeps your reading list private.

Why is the cover image missing or low quality?

Cover images come from Google Books. Older or less common books sometimes don't have high-quality covers available.

Troubleshooting

Not receiving SMS responses?

Check that you've sent START to opt in. Verify you're texting (360) 504-4327. SMS delivery can take 10-30 seconds. Some carriers block automated messages.

Shelf page not loading?

Clear your browser cache and refresh, or try incognito mode. Make sure the phone number format includes the country code (+1 for US).

Books not showing up after adding?

Refresh your shelf page and check that you're viewing the correct shelf (try "All Books"). Verify you received a confirmation SMS.

Common error messages

• "Invalid ISBN" — Check for typos or try the other format (10-digit vs 13-digit)
• "Book not found" — The book may not be in Google Books; try searching by title/author
• "Already on your shelf" — This book is already in your library