LessthanThreeD

I’ve heard a lot of talk about reading journals lately. I didn’t even know these things existed until recently, but apparently they’re not that new, as there are a ton to choose from. Just whole notebooks specifically printed to track and review books you’ve read or want to read. At first I thought, ‘that seems silly’.

But then I gave it some more thought, did my research, and decided to dip my toes in the reading journal waters. I said, ‘I’ll give it a try’. Worst case, it’s not for me and I don’t continue doing it.

Since I’m just dabbling, I did not buy a specific pre-setup reading journal, nor did I use a fresh, blank journal. I’ve incorporated the reading journal idea into my regular journal/planner. I set up my regular monthly planner, then use the next couple of pages to write what I’m reading that month, take some notes as I’m reading if I have any specific thoughts, and write a brief summary of what I thought of the book when I finish.

So far, I like it. I don’t love it yet, but I’m still getting used to the fact that it exists and remembering to use it regularly. It is helpful when I review something to have my thoughts on a book and notes I took in the moment all together, rather than relying on memory alone. It’s also nice to start off with blank pages that I can layout however I choose, and adjust as I go, while I figure out what I want out of a reading journal, or if I want to keep one at all.

If it goes well, I’ll likely dedicate a new notebook to reading when I start a new planner next year or, if I really fall in love with it, maybe sooner. Or I’ll just forget to use it consistently and either drop the habit or figure something else out that actually works for me. Time will tell.

Do you keep a reading journal?

<3D