An easy way to keep track on books to read and films to see

How many times have you been in a conversation with someone who recommended a book you wanted to read or a film you really wanted to see - but you forgot the title by the time you made a trip to the library? Or... you hear a review on NPR of a great novel - one you'd really like to remember. Or ...you're reading a really interesting article in which the author mentions (or cites) another work you really think you should read. Or ... you see a great music video by an artist you'd like to hear again ... but never do because you forgot the name of the artist.

Here's an easy way to keep track of these suggestions. As soon as you get in front of your computer -- jot down the title or author in a Citation record -- with the word "read" in the keyword field. Don't worry about including all the information. If it turns out you actually read the book, you can add the rest of the bibliographic information later. Just enter enough to jog your memory the next time you head out to the bookstore or library, like this:

When you want to take a trip to the bookstore or library, just print out your reading list:

1.     Open your word processor and then open your datafile with Citation.

2.     Click Generate, Bibliography from datafile, and set the Publishing style to Reading List:

3.     Click OK to write a Reading list, and then print it out with your word processor.

Want to browse through lists of great books and films - and check off the ones you'd like to read or see? Download the Citation CollegeReadingList or FourStarFilm datafiles.

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