How to transfer your Goodreads library to StoryGraph

StoryGraph can import your entire Goodreads library — your books, ratings, and reading status — in about five minutes. You export a file from Goodreads, then upload it to StoryGraph. The process works whether you have 50 books or 5,000.

StoryGraph's import tool reads the standard file format that Goodreads creates, so nothing gets lost in translation. Your books arrive with the same star ratings and shelf assignments you gave them. If you marked a book as currently reading or want-to-read, StoryGraph preserves that status.

Key Takeaways

  • Export your Goodreads data by going to your account settings, selecting "Import and Export", and downloading your books as a CSV file.
  • Sign into StoryGraph, navigate to your profile settings, and choose the import option to upload the CSV file you downloaded from Goodreads.
  • The import process typically completes within a few minutes, and you can begin using StoryGraph when ready while the books load in the background.
  • Your ratings, reading status, and custom shelves transfer over, though you may need to manually recreate some Goodreads-specific shelf names in StoryGraph.
  • After import, you can delete your Goodreads account or keep both accounts running side by side if you prefer.

Step 1: Export your data from Goodreads

Log into your Goodreads account and go to your account settings. Look for your profile picture or username in the top right corner and click it. A dropdown menu appears — select "Settings".

On the Settings page, find the section labeled "Import and Export" on the left sidebar. Click it. You will see a button that says "Export my books". Click that button. Goodreads generates a CSV file (a spreadsheet format) containing every book in your library, along with your ratings, dates read, and shelf assignments. The file downloads to your computer automatically — it usually appears in your Downloads folder.

Step 2: Create or sign into your StoryGraph account

Go to StoryGraph.com and either create a new account or sign into an existing one. If you are new to StoryGraph, you will need an email address and a password. The signup takes less than a minute.

Once you are logged in, you will land on your home page or dashboard. From there, look for your profile icon or username, usually in the top right corner of the page. Click it and select "Settings" or "Account Settings".

Step 3: Upload your Goodreads file to StoryGraph

In your StoryGraph settings, look for an option labeled "Import Books" or "Import from Goodreads". Click it. StoryGraph will ask you to select a file from your computer. Navigate to your Downloads folder and find the CSV file you exported from Goodreads — it will be named something like "goodreads_library_export.csv".

Select the file and click "Open" or "Upload". StoryGraph begins processing your library. You will see a confirmation message telling you how many books are being imported. This is normal — the import continues in the background even if you navigate away from the page.

What happens during and after the import

The import usually finishes within a few minutes, though larger libraries (over 2,000 books) may take 10 to 15 minutes. You do not have to wait for it to complete. You can start using StoryGraph right away — adding books, writing reviews, or exploring the site. Your imported books will appear in your library as they process.

Your star ratings, reading status (currently reading, want to read, read), and custom shelf names all transfer over. If you created shelves in Goodreads with specific names, StoryGraph preserves those names. However, if you used Goodreads-specific shelf features that StoryGraph does not support, you may need to recreate those manually or assign books to different shelves in StoryGraph.

Fixing common import issues

If some books do not import, it is usually because Goodreads and StoryGraph have different book databases. A book might exist in both systems but under a slightly different title or edition. When this happens, StoryGraph shows you a list of unmatched books after the import finishes. You can manually search for these books in StoryGraph and add them yourself — this typically takes only a few seconds per book.

If your import appears to stall or you see an error message, try exporting your Goodreads file again and uploading it a second time. Occasionally a file becomes corrupted during read. If the problem persists, contact StoryGraph support with your export file — they can troubleshoot the specific issue.

Deciding what to do with your Goodreads account

After your books are safely in StoryGraph, you have two choices. You can delete your Goodreads account entirely if you no longer need it. To do this, go back to Goodreads settings, find "Deactivate Account", and follow the prompts. Goodreads will ask you to confirm — your account and all associated data will be permanently removed after 30 days.

Alternatively, you can keep both accounts active. Some readers maintain a Goodreads account because friends or book clubs use it, while using StoryGraph as their primary reading tracker. There is no penalty for running both — you just need to remember to update whichever account you are actively using, since they do not sync automatically after the initial import.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my reading dates and review text transfer to StoryGraph?

Your star ratings and reading status transfer automatically. However, written reviews and the specific dates you marked books as read do not always import cleanly — StoryGraph's database structure is different from Goodreads. You may need to re-enter review text manually for books you want to discuss in detail.

What if I have books in Goodreads that StoryGraph cannot find?

StoryGraph shows you a list of unmatched books after import. You can search for these books by title or author in StoryGraph and add them manually. Some very old, self-published, or regional books may not exist in StoryGraph's database — in those cases, you can note them in a personal list outside the app.

Can I import from Goodreads more than once?

Yes. If you add new books to Goodreads after your first import, you can export and import again. StoryGraph will recognize books you already imported and not create duplicates. This is useful if you want to sync your accounts periodically before fully switching over.

Do I need to delete my Goodreads account after importing?

No. You can keep both accounts if friends or book clubs use Goodreads. Just remember that the two accounts do not stay in sync — changes you make in one will not appear in the other after the initial import.

How long does the import actually take?

Most libraries import within 5 to 10 minutes. Very large libraries (over 3,000 books) may take 15 to 20 minutes. You can use StoryGraph while the import runs in the background — you do not need to stay on the import page.