diff --git a/src/importer/book/book_importer.py b/src/importer/book/book_importer.py
index ed22482..a1ce7cc 100644
--- a/src/importer/book/book_importer.py
+++ b/src/importer/book/book_importer.py
@@ -79,41 +79,58 @@ class BookImporter:
     def save_books(self, books: List[Book]):
         """Saves a list of books to the database."""
         try:
-            with DatabaseManager.get_session() as session:
+            # Get a session instance
+            session = DatabaseManager.get_session()
+
+            # Use no_autoflush as a context manager
+            with session.no_autoflush:
+                processed_categories = {}  # Cache for processed categories by name
+
                 for book in books:
+                    self.logger.debug(f"Attempting to save {book.title}")
+
                     # Check if the author exists, otherwise add
                     existing_author = session.query(Author).filter_by(
                         first_name=book.author.first_name,
                         last_name=book.author.last_name
-                    ).first()
-                    if existing_author:
+                    ).one_or_none()
+
+                    if existing_author is not None:
+                        self.logger.debug(f"Author {existing_author.first_name} {existing_author.last_name} already exists. Reusing")
                         book.author = existing_author
-                    else:
+                    else:   
+                        self.logger.debug(f"Creating new author: {book.author.first_name} {book.author.last_name}")
                         session.add(book.author)
-                        session.commit()
 
                     # Handle categories
-                    new_categories = []
+                    filtered_categories = []
                     for category in book.categories:
-                        existing_category = session.query(BookCategory).filter_by(name=category.name).first()
-                        if existing_category:
-                            new_categories.append(existing_category)
+                        existing_category = session.query(BookCategory).filter_by(name=category.name).one_or_none()
+
+                        if existing_category is not None:
+                            self.logger.debug(f"Category {existing_category.name} already exists. Reusing")
+                            filtered_categories.append(session.merge(existing_category))
+
                         else:
                             self.logger.debug(f"Adding new category: {category.name}")
-                            session.add(category)
-                            session.commit()
-                            new_categories.append(category)
-                    # Replace book categories with the resolved categories
-                    book.categories = new_categories
+                            session.add(category)  # Add new category to the session
+                            filtered_categories.append(category)  # Use the new category
+
+                    book.categories = filtered_categories
+
 
                     # Check if the book already exists
                     existing_book = session.query(Book).filter_by(isbn=book.isbn).first()
                     if not existing_book:
                         session.add(book)
                     else:
-                        self.logger.warning(f"Book with ISBN {book.isbn} already exists. Skipping.")
+                        self.logger.warning(f"ISBN {book.isbn} already exists. Skipping.")
+                        continue
 
                 # Commit all changes
                 session.commit()
         except IntegrityError as e:
             raise ImportError(f"An error occurred when importing books: {e}") from e
+        finally:
+            # Clean up the session
+            session.close()
diff --git a/src/ui/dashboard/dashboard.py b/src/ui/dashboard/dashboard.py
index d149fea..cbc1532 100644
--- a/src/ui/dashboard/dashboard.py
+++ b/src/ui/dashboard/dashboard.py
@@ -43,16 +43,9 @@ class LibraryDashboard(QWidget):
 
         # Align the cards to the top
         self.scroll_layout.setAlignment(Qt.AlignTop)
-
-        # Example cards
-        self.books = self.fetch_books_from_db()
+        self.books = []
         self.book_cards = []
-
-        for book in self.books:
-            card = BookCard(book)
-
-            self.scroll_layout.addWidget(card)
-            self.book_cards.append(card)
+        self.redraw_cards()
 
         self.scroll_widget.setLayout(self.scroll_layout)
         self.scroll_area.setWidget(self.scroll_widget)
@@ -83,6 +76,30 @@ class LibraryDashboard(QWidget):
         QMessageBox.information(self, "Add Borrow Record",
                                 "Open dialog to add a borrow record.")
 
+    def clear_layout(self, layout):
+        while layout.count():
+            item = layout.takeAt(0)
+            widget = item.widget()
+            if widget is not None:
+                widget.deleteLater()
+            else:
+                sub_layout = item.layout()
+                if sub_layout is not None:
+                    self.clear_layout(sub_layout)
+            del item
+
+    def redraw_cards(self):
+        self.clear_layout(self.scroll_layout)
+        self.book_cards = []
+
+        self.books = self.fetch_books_from_db()
+        
+        for book in self.books:
+            card = BookCard(book)
+
+            self.scroll_layout.addWidget(card)
+            self.book_cards.append(card)
+
     def fetch_books_from_db(self):
         """Fetch all books from the database."""
         try:
diff --git a/src/ui/window.py b/src/ui/window.py
index db249fb..e1d30dc 100644
--- a/src/ui/window.py
+++ b/src/ui/window.py
@@ -37,7 +37,9 @@ class LibraryWindow(QtWidgets.QMainWindow):
         central_widget = QtWidgets.QTabWidget()
         self.setCentralWidget(central_widget)
 
-        central_widget.addTab(LibraryDashboard(), "Dashboard")
+
+        self.dashboard = LibraryDashboard()
+        central_widget.addTab(self.dashboard, "Dashboard")
         central_widget.addTab(MemberEditor(), "Members")
 
         self.file_types = {
@@ -198,6 +200,7 @@ class LibraryWindow(QtWidgets.QMainWindow):
                 importer.save_books(new_books)
                 QMessageBox.information(
                     self, "Success", "Books imported successfully!", QMessageBox.Ok)
+                self.dashboard.redraw_cards()
             else:
                 QMessageBox.information(
                     self, "Canceled", "Import was canceled.", QMessageBox.Ok)
diff --git a/src/utils/database.py b/src/utils/database.py
index 2aa5359..18d98d9 100644
--- a/src/utils/database.py
+++ b/src/utils/database.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class DatabaseManager():
             database_config.name),
             pool_pre_ping=True)
         if self.test_connection():
-            self.session_local = sessionmaker(bind=self.engine)
+            self.Session = sessionmaker(bind=self.engine)
 
     def cleanup(self) -> None:
         self.logger.debug("Closing connection")
@@ -49,4 +49,4 @@ class DatabaseManager():
 
     @classmethod
     def get_session(cls) -> Session:
-        return DatabaseManager._instance.session_local()
+        return DatabaseManager._instance.Session()