Starting a reading journal for 2025

 

As a book-obsessed girl who can devour a 500-page novel in one sitting, I've always found it hard to keep track of everything I read, let alone the ever-growing mountain that is my TBR list.

That's why I decided to start a reading journal.

So, whether you're a seasoned journaler or just dipping your toes into book tracking, I’m sharing everything you need to know to start your own. Let’s romanticize our reading habits, shall we?

Why start a reading journal?

Reading journals aren't just cute or for the aesthetics, they are functional. Here's why I'm starting mine:

• To remember more about what I read (beyond "I liked it" or "I cried")
• To track my reading progress throughout the year
• To stay inspired when I'm in a slump
• To manage my TBR in a way that doesn't involve 100 screenshots and 6 different apps

What am I including in my journal?

While I am a sucker for aesthetics, I still like to keep everything as minimal as I possibly can.

You can customize your reading journal however you like, but here are the pages I am starting with:

1. Reading Notes: This one is a simple aesthetic page that includes the star rating system for all the books that will be starring in this journal.
2. Monthly TBR: Every month a page is created with a list of books I am planning to read. But always keep in mind to not bind yourself to the exact books in that list. If you want to pick a different novel go for it and keep the one in the list foe the next month or the one after it.

       3. Review Page: I can confidently say that this is the star of the show. Using Canva, I created this review template, and I change the colors depending on the book cover. It includes the details of the novels, the dates, my ratings for them, a summary, my favorite quotes, and my thoughts. 

       4. Aesthetic Page: This one takes place next to every review page, and it will be a collage of the book's aesthetics that I will be putting together based on the vibes, setting, characters, and the overall mood of the story. It's my creative way of visually processing how the book felt, kind of like scrapbooking for readers.

Starting a book journal is my way of combining creativity with my love for books. It helps me be more intentional with what I read, and it turns every book into a tiny project I can enjoy long after I've finished the last page. 

Whether you go fully digital, design yours in Canva like I did, or stick with handwritten notes and doodles, there's no "right" way to keep a reading journal. Do what works for you, and most importantly, make it fun. 

Let me know if you're planning to start a journal too! Or tag me if you already have one, I'd love to see your spreads. 💌