A reading journal is a fantastic way to keep track of your reading experiences, reflect on books and make your reading even more personal. If you have never tried keeping a reading journal before, getting started can feel overwhelming. However, it doesn't actually need to be complicated. In this guide, you will get a simple introduction to how to start your own reading journal, what you can write in it, and which type of notebook works well for the purpose.
A reading journal is also often called a Reading journal. The difference is typically just how structured it is. Some choose a ready-made book tracker or reading journal, while others prefer an ordinary notebook where they design their own pages.
What is a reading journal?
A reading journal is a notebook where you can document your reading experiences. It is used to collect thoughts, quotes and reflections on the books you read.
Many use their reading journal to:
keep track of books they have read
create a list of books they would like to read
write short reviews or reflections
give me quotes from books
meet their reading goals.
It doesn't need to be advanced. For some, a reading journal works as a simple reading log, while others create creative layouts with colours, stickers and illustrations.
How to get started with a reading journal
If you want to start a reading journal, you actually only need three things:
a notebook
in pen
a book to read.
You can build up the rest as you go along.
1. Choose your notebook
Your reading journal can be a simple notebook, a Dot grid notebook or one pre-made reading journal. Many prefer dot grid pages because the dots provide structure without locking down the layout.
If you already keep a bullet journal or diary, you can also create a section for your reading journal there.
When choosing a notebook for a reading journal, it can be an advantage to look for:
dot grid or blank pages
paper that works well with pens
a size that is comfortable to write in.
You can find inspiration in our selection of Notebooks and journals.
2. Define what you want to track
Consider what you would like to use your reading journal for. Some prefer only to keep a reading list, while others like to write more in-depth notes.
For example, you can track:
what books are you reading
when you started and finished a book
your thoughts on history
quotations you would like to save.
3. Make a simple structure
To make journaling manageable, you can start with a few fixed pages.
Many start with:
a list of books they would like to read
an overview of finished books
a simple template for notes on each book.
You can always expand your reading journal later.
4. Start with your first book
As you read a book, you can continuously write small notes in your journal.
This could be:
title and author
start and end date
thoughts on characters or plot
quotes you would like to remember.
You don't need to write long reviews. Many people use their reading journal for brief reflections or bullet points.
If you want ideas for pages you can make, you can read our guide with 9 spreads for your reading journal.
5. Make it a habit
A reading journal becomes most valuable if you use it continuously. Some write after each book, while others jot down short notes along the way.
There is no right or wrong way to do it.
Combine your reading journal with an app
If you want to combine your physical reading journal with a digital solution, apps like Goodreads and Bookmory be a good addition.
Goodreads makes it easy to keep track of which books you are reading, write reviews and find inspiration for new books.
Bookmory acts as a digital reading diary where you can save quotes, log your reading time and write notes.
Some people use apps to track their reading and then write their thoughts down in more detail in their reading journal.
Extra ideas for your reading journal
Once you've got started, you can expand your reading journal with several types of pages.
For example:
a reading challenge
a list of favourite books
page for quotes
a wishlist of books you want to read.
You can also make the pages more visual with colours, illustrations or small decorations.
Which pens are good for a reading journal
When writing in a reading journal, it is an advantage to choose pens that work well on the paper in your notebook. Many prefer pens with a smooth line, which makes it comfortable to write longer notes.
For example, you can use:
Fineliners for headings and short notes
Gel pens for general writing
Brush pens for headings or decorations.
If you want to make your pages more visual, you can also use coloured pens to highlight quotes, characters or themes in the book.
Make your reading journal more personal
Many use journaling accessories to make their reading journal more inspiring.
For example, you can use:
colourful pens
small illustrations.
At Plan & Plot Studio you will find a large selection of journaling accessories that can be used in reading journals, bullet journals and diaries. All our stickers are produced in our own workshop in Denmark.
Reading journal
Some prefer a ready-made structure in a reading journal, while others would rather build their own reading journal in an ordinary notebook. Both approaches can work really well.
A pre-made reading journal often provides fixed fields for title, author, rating and notes. A standard notebook, on the other hand, gives greater freedom to create your own spreads, reading lists and quote pages.
Many start with a simple notebook and develop their reading journal over time.
Frequently asked questions about reading journals
Do you need a special notebook for a reading journal?
No. Many people use a regular notebook or a dot grid notebook. Others prefer a ready-made reading journal with fixed fields.
Man kan skrive mange forskellige ting i en læsedagbog, afhængigt af hvad man ønsker at få ud af den. Nogle populære ting at inkludere er:* **Bogdetaljer:** Titel, forfatter, udgivelsesår, genre, antal sider.
* **Læsedatoer:** Hvornår du startede og afsluttede bogen.
* **Resumé/Synopsis:** En kort opsummering af handlingen.
* **Citater:** Dine yndlingscitater eller passager, der har gjort indtryk.
* **Tanker og følelser:** Hvad tænkte du undervejs? Hvordan fik bogen dig til at føle?
* **Karakteranalyse:** Dine tanker om karaktererne, deres udvikling og motivationer.
* **Temaer:** Hvilke temaer udforsker bogen?
* **Fortolkningsmuligheder:** Dine egne tolkninger af handlingen eller budskabet.
* **Forfatterens stil:** Kommentarer til sproget, fortællestilen og brugen af virkemidler.
* **Sammenligninger:** Sammenligninger med andre bøger, film eller værker.
* **Anbefalinger:** Vil du anbefale bogen? Hvem tror du ville kunne lide den?
* **Stjernerating:** En vurdering af bogen på en skala.
* **Noter til fremtidig læsning:** Idéer til lignende bøger eller forfattere.
* **Personlige refleksioner:** Hvordan relaterer bogen sig til dit eget liv eller dine egne erfaringer?Du kan også være mere kreativ og inkludere illustrationer, tegninger, "mood boards" eller endda udklip fra magasiner, der relaterer sig til bogen. Det vigtigste er, at din læsedagbog er nyttig og meningsfuld for dig.
Most people write the title, author, thoughts about the book, quotes and a review. Some also use their journal for reading lists and reading challenges.
How often should you write in your reading journal?
It is completely individual. Some people write after each book, while others write short notes along the way while reading.
Are you ready to start your own reading journal? Begin simply and develop your journal at your own pace. The most important thing is not what it looks like, but that it helps you to remember and reflect on the books you read.
