diff --git a/packages/api/src/repository/library_item.ts b/packages/api/src/repository/library_item.ts
index f4003b7bc..fd933faf2 100644
--- a/packages/api/src/repository/library_item.ts
+++ b/packages/api/src/repository/library_item.ts
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ export const libraryItemRepository = appDataSource
     },
 
     createByPopularRead(name: string, userId: string) {
+      // set read_at to now and reading_progress_bottom_percent to 2
+      // so the items show up in continue reading section
       return this.query(
         `
         INSERT INTO omnivore.library_item (
@@ -73,7 +75,9 @@ export const libraryItemRepository = appDataSource
           published_at,
           site_name,
           user_id,
-          word_count
+          word_count,
+          read_at,
+          reading_progress_bottom_percent
         ) 
         SELECT
           slug,
@@ -88,7 +92,9 @@ export const libraryItemRepository = appDataSource
           published_at,
           site_name,
           $2,
-          word_count
+          word_count,
+          NOW(),
+          2
         FROM
           omnivore.popular_read
         WHERE
diff --git a/packages/api/test/routers/auth.test.ts b/packages/api/test/routers/auth.test.ts
index 2bb3d5831..f62900e18 100644
--- a/packages/api/test/routers/auth.test.ts
+++ b/packages/api/test/routers/auth.test.ts
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ describe('auth router', () => {
         await deleteUser(user.id)
       })
 
-      it('adds popular reads to the library', async () => {
+      it('adds popular reads to the continue reading section', async () => {
         const pendingUserToken = await createPendingUserToken({
           sourceUserId,
           email,
@@ -608,7 +608,7 @@ describe('auth router', () => {
         ).expect(200)
         const user = await userRepository.findOneByOrFail({ name })
         const { count } = await searchLibraryItems(
-          { query: 'in:all' },
+          { query: 'in:inbox sort:read-desc is:reading' },
           user.id
         )