# Add books: ISBN scanner, search or by hand

> Add books to your list by scanning the barcode (ISBN), searching by title or author, or by hand with a cover photo. This is how it works in LectorApp.

Source: https://lectorapp.es/en/features/add-books/ · Language: en · Updated: 2026-10-13


**Short answer:** You can add a book to LectorApp in three ways: **scanning the barcode (ISBN)**, **searching by title or author** or **adding it by hand** with title, author, pages and a cover photo.

## ISBN scanner

It's the fastest way if you have the book in front of you:

1. Tap the scanner.
2. Point the camera at the barcode.
3. Confirm the pages.
4. The book is now in your list.

Video: Add books without typing. Tap the scanner, point at the barcode and confirm the pages. The book is on your list. https://lectorapp.es/assets/video/es/06-isbn.mp4 (23 s; Spanish narration and on-screen text)

The ISBN is usually on the back cover, next to the barcode.

## Search by title or author

If you don't have the book in front of you (for example, you read on an e-reader), type the title or the author and pick your edition.

## Add it by hand when it isn't listed

Some books aren't in the catalogues: local editions, self-published titles, course notes. Add it yourself:

- Title and author.
- Number of pages.
- A photo of the cover.

Video: Can't find your book?. Add it yourself: title, author, pages and a cover photo. In seconds it's in your reading list. https://lectorapp.es/assets/video/es/09-anadir-a-mano.mp4 (19 s; Spanish narration and on-screen text)

## Which method to use

- **You have the paper book:** ISBN scanner.
- **You read digitally:** search by title.
- **You can't find it:** by hand, with the cover.

Once the book is added, [logging your reading](https://lectorapp.es/en/features/log-your-reading/) is just noting the page you're on.

## What makes it different

- **No book is left out:** if it isn't in the catalogue, you add it yourself with your own cover.
- **No limit on books** and no ads.
- **Everything counts:** every book you add and read feeds your statistics and, very soon, [Rankings](https://lectorapp.es/en/features/rankings/).

## Availability

- LectorApp is **Android** only and in closed testing on Google Play: you can [request tester access](https://lectorapp.es/en/beta/android/).
- The iPhone version is in development.
- This feature is free and there are no ads.

## Frequently asked questions

### What if my book isn't listed?

Add it by hand: title, author, pages and, if you want, a photo of the cover.

### Where is a book's ISBN?

It's usually on the back cover, below or next to the barcode.

### Can I use my own cover?

Yes. When you add a book by hand you can take a photo of the cover.

### Does it work for paper and digital books?

Yes. Logging your reading is noting the page you're on, whatever the format.