Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: To start a reading journal, pick a notebook or app, then record each book’s title, author, dates, a star rating and a few sentences about what you thought. Add favorite quotes, new words and questions. Keep it simple enough that you will actually use it, and write soon after you finish a book while your impressions are fresh.
Quick facts
Choose a format: paper notebook, bullet journal or app
Record title, author, dates read and rating
Add a short reaction, quotes and takeaways
Spend about 5 minutes per book
Review your journal at the end of the year
A reading journal helps you remember what you read, see your tastes more clearly and enjoy books longer. It does not need to be fancy or time consuming. Here is how to begin, what to write and ideas for keeping the habit alive.
Table of Contents
Why Keep a Reading Journal?
Most readers forget details of a book within weeks. A journal captures your thoughts, quotes and lessons so you can revisit them. It also shows patterns, such as which genres you read most or how your ratings change. Many people find that writing about a book makes the experience richer. A reading journal can also be a keepsake of your reading life.
Choose Your Format
You can use a plain notebook, a dedicated reading journal with prompts, a bullet journal or a digital tool like a notes app, spreadsheet or reading tracker such as Goodreads or The StoryGraph. Pick the one you will use. Paper offers a screen-free ritual, while digital is searchable and easy to edit. You can combine both: a short log in an app and longer notes in a notebook.
What to Write for Each Book
- Title, author and genre
- Dates started and finished
- Format (print, ebook, audio)
- Rating out of five
- Two or three sentences about your reaction
- Favorite quotes with page numbers
- Characters or ideas you want to remember
- Words you want to look up
- One question or lesson to take with you
You do not need all of these every time. Even a title and one sentence is a good start.
Prompts to Get You Writing
- What made me pick up this book?
- What surprised me?
- Which character did I connect with and why?
- What would I say to the author?
- Who would I recommend this to?
- How did this book change what I think?
- What did I learn about myself as a reader?
Prompts are especially helpful when you are not sure what to say.
A Simple Template
Title: ______ Author: ______ Dates: ______ Format: ______ Rating: ___/5 In one sentence: ______ Best part: ______ Favorite quote: ______ I would recommend it to: ______
Copy this into a notebook and fill it in after each book. Keeping the same structure makes your journal easy to scan later.
Make It a Habit
Write your entry right after finishing a book, while the ending is fresh. Keep the journal next to your reading spot. Set a goal that is easy, such as one entry per book. If you read several books at once, jot short notes as you go. Don’t worry about neatness or perfection; the purpose is to remember and reflect.
Creative Extras
Some readers add tabs for different genres, sketches, mood trackers or lists such as books to read, books lent and favorite quotes. Others keep a page for yearly stats, like books per month or pages read. You can add washi tape, stickers or color coding if you enjoy decorating. These extras are optional and should never become a chore.
Using Your Journal Later
At the end of the year, review your entries. Which books got five stars? Which genres appear most? Use that insight to plan next year’s reading and to recommend books to friends. Your journal can also serve as a book club notebook, with discussion points. Combined with our tips on tracking your reading, it becomes a useful tool.
Reading Journal Ideas for Different Readers
Different readers get different value from a journal. Students might note themes, vocabulary and quotes for essays. Parents can record the books they read aloud and their children’s reactions, creating a family keepsake. Book club members can jot discussion questions and notes from meetings. Fans of series can track characters and plot points. Casual readers may prefer a simple list of titles with stars. Whatever your style, aim for a format that rewards you quickly, so you feel the benefit right away and keep going.
When You Fall Behind
Almost everyone skips entries now and then. If you miss a few books, do not try to fill every detail retroactively. Write a short list of titles from memory and add one line for each. Then pick up again with the next book. Treat gaps as part of the story of your reading life. Some readers use a catch-up page at the end of each month. The key is to keep the journal forgiving, so it remains a pleasure and does not become another to-do list.
Related: how to track your reading and how to annotate a book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a reading journal?
Choose a notebook or app and record title, author, dates and a short reaction after each book.
What should I write in a reading journal?
Ratings, quotes, thoughts, questions and who you would recommend the book to.
How long should each entry be?
As short as a sentence or as long as a page; 5 minutes is plenty.
Is a reading journal the same as a reading log?
A log lists books and dates; a journal adds your thoughts and reflections.
Can I use an app instead of a notebook?
Yes, apps like Goodreads and StoryGraph work well for tracking.