Master Your Library: The Ultimate Guide to Collections and Series in KOReader

KOReader is far more than a simple file viewer; it is a world-class digital library engine. While many users begin by navigating their devices through a basic folder structure, relying on folders often hides the best part of your library: the book covers. Because KOReader works identically across Kindle, Kobo, Android, and Pocketbook, you can master these tools once and enjoy a metadata-rich, "cover-first" experience on any device.

By moving beyond a file-based view and utilizing Collections and Series, you transform your e-reader from a storage drive into a curated gallery.

The Foundation: Using the "Favorites" Collection

The "Favorites" collection is a built-in feature available to every user by default. It is the quickest way to prioritize your current "TBR" (To Be Read) pile. You can identify Favorites by the Heart icon in the interface.

To add a book to your Favorites, use the "Long-press" method within the File Browser:

  1. Navigate to a book title.
  2. Long-press the title to open the context menu.
  3. Select Add to favorites.

You can access this curated list instantly through the Top Menu > Favorites (Heart icon) or by selecting the Collections view from the main menu.

Creating Custom Collections

Custom collections empower you to group books by genre, project, or mood. KOReader offers two primary workflows to build these groupings:

  • Manual Creation: Navigate to the Collections menu and select New collection. Type a name, and you have a fresh container ready for books.
  • Selection-Based Creation: While browsing, long-press a book, choose Add to collection, and then select New collection. This is perfect for creating a grouping on the fly the moment you discover a new category of interest.

Pro Tip: Removing or deleting a collection only removes the organizational grouping. It never deletes the actual book files from your device’s storage.

Power User Tip: Search-Driven Collections

Manual organization can be tedious if you have thousands of books. As an evangelist for efficiency, I highly recommend the "Search and Select" workflow. This allows you to generate dynamic collections based on specific metadata in seconds.

  1. Open the File search or Collection search function.
  2. Perform a search based on Metadata or Keywords.
    • Note: Searching "Content" is incredibly thorough but is significantly slower than title/author searches. Manage your expectations on older e-ink hardware!
  3. The Critical Step: Once your results (e.g., all books by "Lars Kepler") appear, use the menu to Select all, then—crucially—select Select in file browser. This "pins" the search results to the browser for batch actions.
  4. Go to the menu and select Add to collection > New collection.

Example: Search for the Swedish word "mord" (murder) or keywords like "Svensk," "Crime," or "Thriller" to instantly generate a genre-specific collection from your existing metadata.

Organizing Series for the Perfect Reading Order

A "Series" is distinct from a general collection because order matters. KOReader identifies Series Name and Series Index metadata, which is typically imported automatically if you manage your library with Calibre.

If your metadata is messy or missing, you can fix it directly on your device:

  1. Long-press a book and select Book information.
  2. Long-press the Series title or Series index fields to select Set custom.
  3. While you are in the Book Information screen, you can also edit Ratings and Keywords to further enrich your library’s searchability.

Once your metadata is corrected, enter the collection and use the Arrange menu to sort by Series. This ensures your books appear in their proper chronological or numerical order rather than a random alphabetical list.

Managing and Sorting Your Collections

You can manage your organizational structure by long-pressing any collection name within the Collections view.

Collection Management Actions

Action

Result

Rename collection

Change the display name for better organization.

Remove collection

Deletes the group tag; files remain safe on the device.

Connect other folders

Ideal for adding an "Archive folder" stored on an SD card or outside the main home directory.

To change how books are displayed within a specific collection, use the Arrange (sorting) menu. You can sort by Author, Title, Series, Last read, or Size.

Pro Tips for Navigation

True power users customize the interface to stay in the flow of reading.

  • Custom Startup: Don't waste time in folders. Set KOReader to start on your Favorites or History screen. Navigate to Top Menu > Settings (Gear icon) > File browser > Start with.
  • Gestures: Use the Gesture Manager to assign a specific motion to open your Favorites or Collections view. For example, a "Multi-swipe" (like drawing a 'U' shape on the screen: Down-Right-Up) can be set to toggle your Favorites list instantly without leaving your current book.

Conclusion

Mastering Collections and Series transforms KOReader from a simple file explorer into a sophisticated, professional-grade library. By utilizing search-driven workflows and refining your metadata, you can maintain a perfectly curated library of ten books or ten thousand. 


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