How To Add "Last Accessed" Column In Calibre

Calibre does not keep track of the last time you opened a book, but your filesystem does. Or at least, it kinda does. Thankfully you can use Calibre template functions and custom columns to make use of this information.

Step 1: Create Template Function

1. Go to Preferences -> Advanced -> Template Functions
2. Select the Function field at the bottom left of the window
3. Type last_accessed and give it some documentation if you like
4. Set Argument count to -1 because the required arguments have everything we need
5. In the Program code box on the right, paste this code (you may have to fiddle with the indentation):

  def evaluate(self, formatter, kwargs, mi, locals):
    from os import stat
    from time import ctime
    book_paths = [f['path'] for f in mi.get('format_metadata', {}).values()]
    atimes = map(lambda f: stat(f).st_atime, book_paths)
    most_recent = max(atimes)
    return ctime(most_recent)

6. Click Create at the bottom center (or Replace if you messed up the first time!)
7. Click Apply at the bottom right

Step 2: Add Custom Column

1. Go to Preferences -> Interface -> Add your own columns
2. Click Add custom column at the bottom
3. Click Formats in the Quick Create line at the top of the dialog window
4. In Lookup name enter last_accessed
5. In Column heading enter Last Accessed (or Last read, etc.)
6. Give it a description if you like
7. In the Template field, enter {:'last_accessed()'}
8. Set the Sort/search column by dropdown to Date
9. Click OK to close the custom column dialog
10. Click Apply to finish adding the column

Restart and enjoy!

The changes you made will take effect when Calibre restarts. If it did not prompt you already, just close and reopen it. You can now sort books by the last date you watched them!