Watchlists and Reading Lists: Never Lose a Recommendation Again

How to keep tidy lists of books, films, shows, podcasts and music recommendations, with tags for mood and genre, and a light rating habit.

Someone mentions a great film at a dinner. A friend recommends a book. You read about a podcast that sounds interesting. Three weeks later, you can't remember any of them. A recommendations note fixes that.

Create separate lists

Make one note for each category:

To read (books, articles)
To watch (films, series, documentaries)
To listen to (podcasts, albums)
To try (restaurants, places, games)

Use checklists so that you can tick items off when you've done them.

What to write

For each entry, add:

Title
Who recommended it, or where you saw it
A few words on why it appealed
Date added

Example:

The Remains of the Day: Priya, said it's beautiful and sad (Oct 2026)
Documentary about Antarctic research: Sam

Knowing who recommended something adds context, and lets you thank them and share your thoughts afterwards.

Tag by mood and length

Tags help you choose quickly:

short, long
light, serious
funny, thriller, documentary
family, date-night
commute for podcasts and audiobooks

Then, when you have 30 minutes and want something light, you can search for the tags.

Choose next with a short list

Long lists can be paralysing. Create a "Next up" section with three items from each list, and pick from those. Refresh it when you finish one.

Record what you've finished

Move finished items to a "Done" section, or use a tag. Add:

Date finished
A rating you'll understand later, such as 1 to 5, or a phrase
A line or two of reaction

Over time, this becomes a personal record of what you've enjoyed. It helps you notice your tastes and share recommendations of your own.

Recommend forward

When friends ask what to watch or read, you can search your notes and recommend with confidence.

Set gentle reminders

If you tend to forget, set a monthly reminder: "Check the reading list". Or, remind yourself to watch something specific before it leaves a streaming service.

Don't feel obliged

A list of things to consume can become another to-do list. Feel free to delete items that no longer interest you. Its purpose is to help, not to create guilt.

Share with others

Couples and families can keep a shared list of films to watch together, by agreeing to note items in one place, or by comparing lists once a week.

Other list ideas

Places to visit in your city
Recipes to try
Games and hobbies
Gift ideas you notice
Quotes worth keeping

Common mistakes

Trusting memory.
Letting lists grow endless.
Not recording who recommended items.
Never marking things done.

Keep your lists in EasyNotes →