A reading journal is a fantastic way to keep track of your reading experiences. For many, it becomes a place where you can both record which books you are reading and at the same time reflect on stories, characters and quotes that make an impression.
Personally, my own reading journal has helped me find my way back to a daily reading habit after several years of feeling like there was no time for my otherwise favourite hobby.
Whether you are reading for pleasure, learning or both, a reading journal, also known as a reading log or reading diary, be a fun and inspiring tool to follow your books through the year.
You can choose to integrate it into your existing journal or use a separate notebook just for this purpose. Many choose one Dot grid notebook, because the dots make it easy to create your own layouts.
A reading journal helps you to:
organise your books
reflect on your favourites
keep track of reading goals
discover your reading patterns.
But which pages or spreads can you actually have in your reading journal?
Below you will find ideas for pages in your reading journal, which can help you keep track of your books, your thoughts on them, and your reading goals.
These spreads work well in a reading journal, a reading log or a reading diary.
1. TBR (To Be Read) list
This is a classic page in a reading journal. Here, you write a list of books you would like to read.
You can add information such as:
Title
author
genre
release date
Some organise the list by genre or month, while others simply add books as they discover them.
If you are struggling with a growing reading list, you can also read our article about how to manage your TBR.
2. Books read (combined list)
A comprehensive overview of the books you’ve already read is one of the most satisfying pages in a reading journal.
It can be as simple as a list of titles, but many choose a more creative solution, such as a drawn bookshelf where the spine of each book is filled in with the title of the books you have read.
3. Book reviews
If you'd like to remember more about the books you read, you can dedicate a whole page to each book.
Here you can write:
Title
author
format (physical book, e-book or audiobook)
start and end date
plot summary
your thoughts on the book
UK rating.
You can also save your favourite quotes from the book.
Many make the page more visual by using stickers, washi tape or small pictures of the book's front cover.
4. Reading challenges
Are you taking part in a reading challenge – or would you like to create your own?
Here you can create a page where you keep track of different categories you would like to read within.
You can, for example, make a bingo card with challenges like:
a book set in space
a book that has been made into a film
a book where the main character has red hair.
5. Favourite quotes
Some books contain sentences you never forget.
A quotation page is a perfect place to gather the lines that have made the biggest impression on you. Remember to write which book the quote comes from.
6. Notes on characters and world-building
If you read fantasy or long series, it can be hard to keep track of characters and worlds.
Create a page where you write notes about:
character relations
magic rules
geographical locations.
You can also print maps from the book's world and stick them into your journal.
7. Best and worst books
A fun page in your reading journal is an overview of the year's best books – and perhaps also the most disappointing.
Here you can also note books that you chose to give up on along the way.
8. Genre tracker
Are you curious about which genres you read the most?
Create a visual tracker where you record the types of books you read. For example, you can use:
a pie chart
pixel tracker
colour-coded book spines.
It provides an exciting overview of your reading habits.
9. Reading goals
Reading goals can be a good motivation to stick to your reading habits.
You can, for example, set goals such as:
a specific number of books in a year
reading more genres
reading books from different countries
re-reading old favourites.
More ideas for spreads in a reading journal
Once you get started, many people find that their reading journal evolves over time. Some add more trackers, others create thematic pages or monthly reading overviews.
The most important thing is not how many spreads you have, but that they help you get more out of your reading.
Which spreads are most popular in a reading journal?
If you are looking for ideas for your reading journal, these are often the types of pages many start with:
A to-be-read list of books you want to read
a collected list of read books
book reviews or reflections
quote sites
learning objectives and trackers.
These spreads both provide an overview of your books and make it easier to see your reading habits over time. Many start with a few pages and add more spreads as their reading journal develops.
Make your reading journal personal
No matter which spreads you choose, you can make your reading journal more inspiring with small creative details.
Many use e.g.:
stickers
washi tape
Coloured pens
hand-drawn headings.
If you want to start your own reading journal, you can use almost any notebook. If you are completely new to the concept, you can also read our guide to en læsedagbog and our introduction to Reading journal for beginners. You can find inspiration in our selection of Notebooks and journals.
