What is a reading journal?
A reading journal is a notebook for tracking and responding to the books you read. It can be as simple as a list of titles and dates, or as detailed as a collection of reviews, quotes, drawings and statistics. Both are valid. The best version is the one you will actually keep up.
Adults use reading journals to remember what they have read, notice reading habits, plan future reads and keep a record of their reactions.
Start with the essentials
Before adding decoration, set up a few basic pages.
A book log
List each book you finish with the title, author, start and finish dates and a rating. A star or number system works. Leave room for a one-line reaction.
A to-be-read list
Write down books you want to read. Some people split the list by format, such as print, e-book and audiobook, or by genre. Others keep a separate list for books they already own.
A short review template
Use the same few prompts each time so entries are quick. For example: title, author, genre, page count, dates, rating, favorite part and who you might recommend it to.
Reading journal spread ideas
If you enjoy the creative side, these pages are popular in bullet journals and notebooks. Our guide to visual journal examples has more ways to mix art and writing.
Year-at-a-glance log
A single page listing every book you finish in order. It becomes a compact record you can scan at the end of the year.
Bookshelf tracker
Draw a row of empty shelves or book spines. Color in or write a title on a spine each time you finish a book. You can vary spine height by page count or color by genre.
Reading challenge tracker
Set a goal, such as a number of books for the year, and use boxes, circles or a drawing with segments to mark progress. Our bullet journal tracker pages show more ways to draw a progress grid.
Book bingo
Make a 5x5 grid of prompts such as “a book over 500 pages,” “a classic,” “a translated book” or “a book set in another country.” Mark squares as you complete them.
A to Z challenge
Read a book starting with each letter of the alphabet. This is often a flexible, playful challenge.
Book bracket
Create a tournament-style bracket to compare favorites from a month or a year until one winner remains.
Series tracker
For multi-book series, list the titles in order and mark them off as you read. Small checklists or dots work well.
Reading stats page
Track simple numbers such as books per month, pages, fiction versus nonfiction or formats. Charts or colored bars make it visual.
Library checkout cards
Draw a pocket and a classic date card to log when you started and finished a book. It is a fun way to capture dates.
What to write about a book
Not every entry needs to be long. Choose a few prompts that fit.
- What drew you to this book?
- What did you think of the characters, ideas or style?
- Favorite quote or passage and why you chose it.
- Something you learned or a question it raised.
- How did it make you feel?
- Would you reread it or recommend it? To whom?
- How did it compare to other books you have read?
For nonfiction, you could add key points, what you want to remember and how you might use the ideas. For fiction, note themes or moments that stuck with you.
If you are looking for ways to approach journaling more broadly, a writers notebook works well beside a reading journal, especially when a book gets you thinking about your own writing.
Supplies
You do not need much.
- A notebook. Dot grid is popular for layouts (see bullet journal dot spacing), but lined or blank is fine.
- A pen you like. Choose one that does not bleed through the paper.
- Optional extras. Colored pencils, markers, washi tape, stickers or sticky notes.
- Bookmarks and tabs. Tabs help you separate sections such as logs, TBR lists and reviews.
Lettering for titles can make pages more appealing. See our journal lettering guide for beginner-friendly styles. If you like adding small drawings, look at our doodle journal ideas for easy book, coffee and plant doodles that suit a reading journal.
Reading journal methods for busy people
You may have seen short, structured journaling methods, such as formats built around three short prompts. These can be adapted to reading. For instance, you might write three things you noticed, two questions you have and one idea to take away. The exact format matters less than keeping it short enough to repeat.
Tips to keep it going
- Record right after finishing a book while it is fresh.
- Keep it flexible. If a page does not suit you, change it.
- Skip pressure. Missing a book or a month is fine.
- Use a bookmark or sticky note to mark where your log lives.
- Review it regularly, perhaps once a quarter, to see trends and plan what to read next.
Frequently asked questions
What should I write in a reading journal?
Start with the title, author, dates and a rating. Add a short reaction, a favorite quote and a few lines about what you thought.
Do I need to write a full review?
No. Some people write a single sentence. A reading journal is for you, not for publication.
What are some creative reading journal ideas?
Try a bookshelf tracker, book bingo, a book bracket, a series tracker or a stats page.
Can I use a bullet journal as a reading journal?
Yes. Many people add reading spreads to a bullet journal or keep a dedicated notebook for books. The important bullet journal pages article explains the basic setup.