Notion Template: Simple Reading Log With Progress Bar

A Notion reading hub can be built entirely inside the platform by pairing two linked databases—one for a “bookshelf” and one for individual reading sessions—then using rollups and formulas to generate a live progress bar. The core setup keeps book metadata (title, genre, author) in a bookshelf database, while each reading check-in records when reading happened, how long it lasted, how many pages were read, and a quick “enthusiasm” rating. A relation field connects each check-in back to its book, and a rollup sums pages read across all sessions so progress updates automatically as new entries are added.

The template’s practical friction point is how to store dates without breaking the ability to use calendar-style views. Instead of using a dedicated date property for the check-in entry title, the workflow uses the entry title itself as the date (formatted month/day/year). That choice makes it easy to create a calendar view while still keeping the book title out of the check-in database—book identity comes from the relation to the bookshelf. Each check-in then includes pages read, minutes read, and a dropdown for the reading mood (captivating, boring, or just okay), plus a “book” relation that links back to the correct bookshelf record.

Once the databases are connected, the progress bar is driven by three computed layers. First, a rollup aggregates total pages read from all related check-ins. Second, a formula calculates pages left as length minus pages read, where “length” is a numeric property on the bookshelf entry. Third, another formula turns the percentage of completion into a text-based progress bar made of emojis: it slices the emoji string based on (pages read ÷ length) and adds a completion checkmark at 100%. A separate formula rounds the completion percentage and appends a “%” label.

The template also tracks “days spent” reading a book by counting how many check-in entries exist. Because Notion rollups and text outputs can produce comma-separated results, the approach counts commas in the rollup output, then adds one to convert that into an entry count (commonly interpreted as days). The creator notes a quirk: emoji display doesn’t appear until a certain threshold (around 10%), so the formula is adjusted to ensure at least one emoji shows even when progress is low.

For presentation, the page design uses an embedded widget from indiefy.co to add a clock and a progress bar area, with dark mode toggles. Finally, the template rounds out session detail with a “chapters” multi-select property (built quickly by generating comma-separated values in a text field and converting them into a multi-select). While integrations like Readwise and Goodreads are mentioned as alternatives, the emphasis stays on a self-contained Notion-only system that updates progress automatically through relations, rollups, and formulas—no external API required for the core reading log experience.